How State of Fitness Helps People Have a Better Quality of Life Thanks to Myzone

Thank you to Justin Grinnell, the Founder of State of Fitness in East Lansing, Michigan for taking the time to answer some questions from AFS!

Below Justin shares additional information about how his business has grown into the powerhouse it is today.

AFS: Tell us a little bit more about your business the State of Fitness​?

JG: We are an 11,000 Sq. Ft. training facility in East Lansing, MI that started in January 2010. My wife, Katie and I decided to start this when we were both given the opportunity to take over a gym and noticed the need for a training-centric facility. 

State of Fitness State of Fitness is a leading Mid-Michigan training facility that specializes in results-based fitness programs, sports performance, and healthy lifestyle guidance, empowering the lives of all who walk through our doors.

State of Fitness was created to shelter and nurture people who are seeking a more fit life but can’t find the help and support they need to be successful in traditional fitness environments. Why do we feel training is crucial to success? Fitness is motion, and motion is life. If a person wants to maintain a high standard of living throughout their life, it is imperative to participate in a challenging fitness program several times a week at a minimum. The key to achieving success in fitness is strength training, which is at the heart of our training programs.

Our Motto of Success: Strong people who move well and move often have a better quality of life. 

AFS: How have you been able to withstand the increasing competition? 

JG: We stay true to our roots; training. We know what we are good at, high-quality training and customer service. We also have a school for personal training with 3 semesters a year so we are always looking to recruit new talent. We are also not afraid to try new things and evolve, take risks. 

AFS: There are a number of companies to choose in the heart rate training space - what was it about Myzone that made you choose them?

JG: I like the people at Myzone. It took me a while to hop on the Myzone train, but after hearing all the success with other clubs, the studies on how it was more optimal than other HR monitor systems, and how much tech was on the uprise, we had to do it. 

AFS: What was the experience for your members like before Myzone and now after?

JG: We have more analytics to go off of. We can track progress and interact with our members more. It also gives us a chance to run challenges to keep people motivated and interested. It has also allowed us to include more HR based training, which is awesome. 

It took me a while to hop on the Myzone train, but after hearing all the success with other clubs, the studies on how it was more optimal than other HR monitor systems, and how much tech was on the uprise, we had to do it. - Justin Grinnell, Founder at State of Fitness

AFS: How have you incorporated heart rate training into your current programming?  What does it look like? 

JG: With our interval training in our large groups, we can base more training off of peoples personal fitness and recovery as opposed to just doing time or reps, which for some is not as effective, so now we have a better tool for HR training and cardio.

It also allows us to tell folks to not rush through their strength training work and recover between sets. The proof is on the screen, so they listen better! We give a Myzone to everyone who signs up for a membership. 

AFS: Have you designed any member challenges (fun contests) around heart rate training to gamify the experience for your members?

JG:  Yes, we various contests each month. We try to make it so all can be included. 

AFS: How do you plan to use heart rate training in the future? 

JG: We will keep looking at the latest research to see what works, what doesn't work and will continue to challenge our members in this way.