Once I first examine DailyMuscle’s mission, it completely resonated with me.
As somebody who experiences “gymtimidation”, figuring out in public areas just like the gym could be very anxiety-inducing, even when joined by a good friend. Is my kind bizarre? Are individuals judging me for my approach? Am I utilizing the tools proper? Do I even belong right here with my talent stage?
DailyMuscle’s beginner-friendly gym (which they name LightHouse) is a spot that will get that. Right here’s its story.
Meet the founders
In 2010, Noel Chelliah determined to make a profession swap, shifting away from his pc science and IT background.
“I quit my career in IT because it was taking a toll on my health,” Noel defined. “Long 12-hour work days and tight project deadlines led to a really unhealthy lifestyle for me. I was managing my time poorly—poor sleep, poor eating habits, and I became obese over the years.”
Weight problems wasn’t one thing new to Noel, although. Rising up, he had been overweight. This led to plenty of bullying and name-calling.
“You know the kid who gets left out in the school canteen, having to sit alone? I was that kid,” Noel stated.
It was in his early 20s when Noel found fitness and its transformative energy, which prolonged past the bodily.
So, even earlier than kicking off DailyMuscle formally, he had began to take his personal fitness significantly once more and studied for a number of private coach and fitness certifications. He additionally picked up being a contract private coach for a few years.
Lastly, confronted with the stressors of labor, he determined to open DailyMuscle in 2010.
In 2014, Noel married Kimbeley, who was really a nationwide athlete. She used to work for an additional gym chain, the place she was even their model ambassador, however ended up becoming a member of Noel. In the present day, they lead DailyMuscle collectively.
Fitness for all
Gyms are nothing new, however Noel wished to do one thing totally different together with his gym.
“There was this void, as if fitness needs to be hard, as if you need to be tortured and die at each workout in order to see results—chiselled bodies, high-intensity, no-pain-no-gain approach. In my experience, I quickly realised that the majority of people are not drawn to that intimidating message.”
All through his time as a coach, Noel got here to understand that most individuals struggled with one factor—getting began. He additionally realised that individuals have to really feel and achieve success after they kick off their fitness routine as a way to keep for the long term.
That is very true for intimidated, self-conscious, and shy people who wish to get began however don’t understand how.
“I want to help people who hate gyms find a fitness home they actually love,” he stated.
And so, that’s what DailyMuscle does.
At DailyMuscle, there are long-term memberships in addition to a lower-commitment Cancel Anytime membership. They’re additionally identified for his or her signature six-week Problem programme, designed to be a quick-start (however not quick-fix) programme to fast-track individuals’s journeys.
When it comes to coaching, they provide two choices. First, there’s the Small-Group Private Coaching (SGPT).
“Traditional personal training costs upwards of RM240 per hour in KL,” Noel identified. “It also requires you to be locked into one trainer.”
With these elements, it might be exhausting to coach often sufficient to get the most effective outcomes. SGPT is DailyMuscle’s model of one-on-one private coaching, however higher. Coaching periods are capped at 4 to 6 individuals in a single session with a coach, beginning at RM75 per session.
Then, there are Group Courses. These accommodate between eight to twenty individuals and are arrange as a enjoyable group coaching session. With a mixture of body weight, dumbbell, and kettlebell workouts, the lessons are the place all fitness ranges and trainers can scale their exercises to the suitable problem stage. Charges begin from as little as RM28 per class.
With their strategy, DailyMuscle has grown to round 200 energetic members at the moment with a crew of six instructors.
A lighthouse, not a gym
To align with their imaginative and prescient, DailyMuscle was designed as a family-friendly area with no loud swearing or songs with vulgar lyrics being performed. Additionally they take note of the aroma of the area, and have been advised it smells like a brand new automotive showroom.
Additionally they name members “heroes” as a substitute of members or purchasers, a mirrored image of the tradition that Noel is proud to share they’ve established over time.
“This isn’t a typical gym with sweaty shirtless people grunting,” Noel described. “Instead, you’ll find very ‘ordinary’ looking people who will make you feel very welcome right away.”
Whereas it looks like DailyMuscle does wish to disrupt the established order within the fitness trade, Noel doesn’t take into account different gyms to be their enemies.
“Our competitors are not other gyms,” Noel stated. “I believe our competitors are anything that’s getting in the way of people achieving their best health—from fast food joints, unhealthy foods, Netflix.”
Rising day-to-day
Geared up with their confirmed mannequin, we questioned whether or not DailyMuscle would wish to broaden their presence. To that, Noel stated no.
“Many boutique studios expand too fast, and wear themselves out too fast too soon, underestimating the amount of time and effort it takes to run multiple studios,” he stated. “Some wear it like a badge of honour (e.g. having X number of outlets), which has never been something I wanted to pursue in the first place.”
Equally, Noel stated that many trainers really feel just like the logical subsequent step of their profession is to open a gym.
“It’s not,” he shared. “Running and sustaining a fitness centre requires you to wear many hats, looking at systems and processes and sales and retention—things many trainers don’t take into consideration and don’t enjoy doing.”
The struggles of working a fitness centre have gotten to him as effectively. When slowed down with working the gym, he stated it’s straightforward to neglect his personal fitness. When that occurs, he believes it’s vital to get somebody to carry you accountable.
Simply because Noel has no plans to open extra shops of DailyMuscle doesn’t imply they’re not rising, although.
For instance, they’re working to supply energy and resistance coaching programmes for people on weight reduction assist medicine like Ozempic. Noel believes these people symbolize a uncared for group.
“Chances are, this group has gone directly to a medical professional for help with weight loss, and they obtain the medication,” Noel stated.
“However, they only get advice on how to use the drug, some basic nutrition, and generic fitness advice because medical professionals (by no fault of theirs) aren’t 100% equipped to guide someone on a strength training programme.”
DailyMuscle goals to launch their programme in August and are in talks with clinics who’ve expressed curiosity in kicking this off.
Trying towards the longer term, DailyMuscle goals to develop slowly however steadily. This contains hitting the 400 energetic member mark in 5 years whereas doubling the coaching crew.
Regardless of all of the adjustments, progress, and are available what could, Noel stated that the crew has been holding true to their core values since 14 years in the past.
“We haven’t changed,” he stated. “We’ve always stuck to our goal to help people who don’t like gyms and always had a soft spot for the first timer, newbie who is looking for a place to begin their fitness journey.”
Be taught extra about DailyMuscle right here.
Learn different articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups right here.
Featured Picture Credit score: DailyMuscle
