We were lucky to catch up with Sam Nadler recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sam, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
At HipTrain, we’ve diverged from the traditional personal training model by making high-quality fitness coaching affordable and accessible to everyone. The industry standard tends to position personal training as a premium service, often with a hefty price tag that many people can’t justify. We’ve turned that on its head by leveraging technology to offer personalized training sessions at a much lower cost, without sacrificing quality.
Our use of technology is a big part of what allows us to offer this. Through our app, we connect clients with expert trainers from around the world in a seamless, digital format. By operating remotely, we eliminate the overhead costs of traditional gyms and studios, which in turn allows us to pass on significant savings to our clients. This model also gives people more flexibility in their workout schedules, allowing them to train from anywhere, at any time, without the constraints of physical locations or standard hours.
For instance, we had a client who always wanted personal training but couldn’t afford the high prices charged by gyms in her area. When she discovered HipTrain, she realized she could finally get the same level of customized coaching at a fraction of the cost, all from the comfort of her home. This is the kind of impact we’re aiming for—making personal training accessible to everyone, no matter their location or budget.
Sam, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Three years ago, I was in the worst shape of my life during the pandemic. Gyms were hard to access, and I found the idea of hiring a personal trainer too expensive and inaccessible. That’s when I decided to create HipTrain in the summer of 2021—a one-on-one personal training experience that’s fully remote. Think of it like a Zoom meeting, but focused on guiding you through your fitness journey.
With HipTrain, clients can easily connect with certified trainers via their phone, laptop, or other devices. After a quick consultation to understand fitness goals and needs, we pair them with a trainer who’s the best fit for their goals and preferences. The sessions, which can be 30 minutes or an hour long, are highly personalized and interactive, with trainers watching for form, counting reps, and offering encouragement.
What makes HipTrain special is not only the affordability and convenience but the relationships our clients develop with their trainers. That accountability has been key to the success of so many people, myself included—I’ve lost 35 pounds and can confidently say that HipTrain helped me stay consistent and make better lifestyle choices. We’ve already conducted nearly 100,000 live sessions, and we’re just getting started.
What I’m most proud of is how we’re making fitness accessible to people in a way that fits their life, no matter their schedule or location. HipTrain is about more than just workouts—it’s about helping people build healthy, lasting habits.
Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.
Yes, my current business partner and I sold our stake in a restaurant chain back in 2011. One of the biggest lessons from that experience, and a piece of advice I’d offer to any entrepreneur considering a sale, is to stay focused on building a profitable, sustainable business rather than actively chasing a sale. When you’re focused on growth and profitability, you’ll naturally make your business more attractive to potential buyers.
Another lesson we learned is that a lot can change between the initial offer and the closing of the sale. It’s crucial to continue operating and improving your business as though the sale might not happen, because there’s always a chance it won’t. By keeping your focus on growth, you’re better positioned no matter the outcome of any potential deal.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My business partner and I actually met during our first semester at university, in an introductory business course. We were part of adjacent friend groups throughout college, so we got to know each other well over the years. At just 22, we started our first business together, and we’ve been building different ventures ever since. It’s been incredible to grow alongside someone who shares the same drive and vision, and I think that long-standing connection has been a big part of our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hiptrain.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiptrainfitness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-nadler-1881b75/
