Making Gains

Studio 729 just celebrated three years and a big move to a bigger and better gym location. Owner Tony Dixon says the biggest lessons he’s learned are stay true to yourself, keep the end goal in mind and take care of your people. That last point ended up being a big driver for expansion. With classes regularly filling a waitlist, Tony decided it was time for more space. The new location has also made room for more childcare and a smoothie bar run by Tony’s wife, Alex, called The Hydration Hub.

Studio 729 has already added more class times as well as specialty classes like kickboxing, yoga and mobility. His regular, high-energy fitness classes have workouts that are written daily. “I try to listen to our member base throughout the week. If we do a big upper body day, I don’t wanna hear people say their shoulders are hurting and then do an ab circuit where they have to be up on their shoulders a lot,” says Tony.

“I want to make everyone feel welcome. I always try to promote kindness,” says Tony, who calls the workout center “a place for everyone.” Tony says his biggest form of advertising has been word of mouth from clients aged 13 to 70. Find the new location off N.C. 5 at 161 Dawkins St., Aberdeen.

“I think the thing I love about fitness is that, it’s me versus me. No one else can determine the outcome of my goals,” says Tony. But training? That’s something different. “I feel like I’m living my purpose by helping other people achieve their goals. Usually it’s not even a fitness goal, it’s a mental goal. If I can help someone get past a mental barrier in class, they can do that in every aspect of their lives.”  

• Oh, and contrary to popular belief, Studio 729 isn’t just for women. Men, Tony says, usually come to the really early classes. See what all the hype is about.