Q&A with Joe Lucky of Squatch Frontier Fitness
If you've seen one gym you've seen them all, right? Wrong! Squatch Frontier Fitness (SFF) is no Gold's Gym. But don't take it from us. We're just filmmakers, writers and coders. We sat down with chief of operations, Joe Lucky, and asked him to describe the Squatch philosophy, vision, and vibe.
Createscape: Squatch is clearly not your average Gold's-type of gym. Would you mind describing Squatch to someone who is familiar with the world of fitness and then hit a few notes for those of us who may have a typical $20 per month gym membership but only used it the first week we signed up?
Joe Lucky: Squatch Frontier Fitness (SFF) isn’t your typical gym. It’s filled with movers and do’ers who have a strong desire for community. Many Squatch members run their own communities. So in a sense, it’s where community leaders are forged. Squatch Fitness offers a wide variety of equipment, so if you’re into bodybuilding, CrossFit, animal flow, yoga and meditation, steel mace flow, Athletic Truth Group (ATG), or anything involving functional fitness, then you’ll love Squatch.
We also have a sauna and ice plunge, and soon enough, red light therapy.
CS: What role do you play at Sqatch?
JL: Squatch Frontier Fitness is not a franchise, but in the future? Who knows! My role is in operations.
CS: Can you tell our readers a little about you?
JL: I’m Joe Lucky and my role at SFF is integrator/ops. I’m not from Austin originally, but I've been here since 2011. I went to the Art Institute of Austin and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Photography.
CS: What do you do when you’re not running SFF?
JL: When I’m not working behind the scenes, I coach people through personal transformation, spin fire with my friends, or just catch up on a good book
CS: When did Squatch Frontier Fitness open for business?
JL: We opened December 2019.
CS: What kinds of different options to members and day-pass members have at SFF?
JL: Day passes for non-members include access to the gym and a class. We offer two types. You can purchase a weekday pass for $15 or a weekend pass for $20. A 24/7 membership at SFF gives you full access to gym and classes.
We have lots of equipment that can aid you through many of the common modalities seen in the fitness world. Anyone can schedule a tour with Kourtni, our head of membership.
Our trainers work with members and day-pass members alike. They set their own rates. You can see trainer bios on our website. Head trainer, Zeik is happy to answer all of your questions at zeik@squatchfitness.com. Or better yet, get off your butt right now and check us out! What have you got to lose?
CS: Your website has a button for joining a waitlist. How popular is Squatch?
JL: Yes! You saw that right. Our membership capacity is 300. People join for the community and stay for the workout. Or maybe it's the other way around. Either way, we have a great track records for keeping members.
CS: You have a class called “steel mace flow.” What is it??
JL: It's a type of group class participants hold a weighted steel mace (another way of saying pole), with a steel the instructor leads the group through specific fitness moves Steel Mace Flow, that is a flow session with another weighted steel ball on one end of the mace. It's a great way to practice balance and focus on certain muscle groups that other types of workouts are not designed to do.Steel mace flow is led by Mateo at 4:15pm on Wednesdays.
CS: What is your advice for encouraging fitness newbies to leave their desk at Createscape for an hour and walk over to Squatch? Can they make an appointment first and get a tour?
JL: It’s completely norma to be nervous when getting into the fitness world. I'd like to say that this is one of the least intimidating gyms I've been to because we really emphasize community here. But if you're an outsider looking in, it's understanding that you might feel a little intimidated the first time you walk through the doors. But here's my promise to you: we have the nicest members you'll ever meet and some of the friendliest and most professional fitness instructors I've ever met.
Here's a quick assignment. Email Kourtni right now and schedule a tour. You will not regret it.
CS: From the outside, it looks like you need to know a little something about fitness or exercise to get started at Squatch. Is that true?
JL: Absolutely not! Although, we do suggest that you start with a trainer. Even if it's just one day a week. One of the biggest reasons people quite their gym membership is because they don't see results. They spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours at the gym and all they have to show for it is a monthly statement. And instructor will help you develop a fitness plan for your goals and for your specific needs. Someone who sits in a chair 16 hours a day coding the next great smash video game will not have the same workout needs as the gal who jogs every weekend and does a mini HIIT routine every morning before work.
Here is my personal advice: If you want to change your life, talk to one of our instructors and start walking the path. The first step is always the hardest. But you will be completely surrounded by a community of people who are actively taking steps to further their health and fitness and want nothing more than to see you succeed, too.