Dan Romigh started helping people reach their fitness goals through a gym he set up in a pole barn. Today, he's holding classes in a more conventional space on Lansing's southern edge with plans to move to a larger facility as membership grows.
Romigh started
CrossFit Sanction in late October 2013 after taking exercise physiology courses at the University of Findlay in Ohio. As a former collegiate athlete, he was interested in pursing CrossFit as a sport, and was urged to open a gym of his own.
"I started out with two members," says Romigh. "We're up to 43 members and four coaches today."
Soon after starting CrossFit Sanction, Romigh moved operations to the current location at 3681 Pine Tree Road. With 1,200 square feet of training space, CrossFit Sanction features equipment like Olympic lift barbells, more than 1,000 pounds of weights, and 15 types of kettle balls.
Romigh contributes the rapid growth to the professional coaching as well as the community atmosphere of the gym. All coaches, including Romigh, hold a level 1 CrossFit license, with one claiming credentials as a USA Olympic weightlifting coach. All training takes place through organized classes, with all members encouraged to have workout partners.
"Our members range from elite athletes who compete on a regular basis to people who come here to get back in shape," says Romigh. "A lot of people like CrossFit because it's a different kind of routine."
Similar to his workouts, Romigh has specific goals for his business. His sites are set on a larger facility, one that will accommodate his increasing membership and additional training and CrossFit activities like rope climbing.
"We'll be ready to make the move once we hit about 70 members," say Romigh. "My goal is to reach that by October 1, as well as to add a couple more coaches."
In addition to managing CrossFit Sanction, Romigh is training for a spot on a professional fitness team. The team is one of just nine in the U.S. through the
National Pro Grid League.
Source: Dan Romigh, Owner, CrossFit Sanction
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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