Fitness Consulting Group new 2016 logo

About Fitness Consulting Group ('FCG')

The Backstory From Startup to Holding Company

Fitness Consulting Group is a Holding Company, serving as the parent entity to multiple operating entities.

It was founded in 2005 as business providing marketing and management consulting to fitness businesses.

In 2008 it became a parent company for other operating entities, and continued to acquire niched operating entities over the years.

By 2016 the company transitioned from an operating company to a holding company, overseeing businesses inside and outside of the fitness space.

"FCG was a HoldCo before HoldCo was cool."
Nick Berry
Presentation at AR/FR annual franchisee convention.

Founding Fitness Consulting Group

Fitness Consulting Group ('FCG'), was co-Founded by Nick Berry and Pat Rigsby in July 2005. The concept was simple: take everything they knew about running a business to the fitness business market, where big box clubs were failing members and fitness professionals, and Crossfit was barely getting started.  

They established themselves as 'the business guys' in the fitness world. They brought new, innovative concepts, like automated billing, annual agreements, group offers and retail sales to an industry of fitness professionals who were ready for a better way.

Building the FCG Network

Early on in FCG's journey, they built strong relationships with other industry names such as Jim Labadie, Alwyn Cosgrove, Ryan Lee, and Bill Hartman, which grew even stronger over time. 

Hosting Conferences and Live Events

Initially the deliverable was simply info products and consulting.
After the first conference in 2009, Nick, FCG and it's subsidiaries went on to host over 100 more conferences and live events, and continue to host amazing client events every year.

Among the many hundreds of renowned speakers on-stage at Fitness Consulting Group events were;

  • Lewis Howes
  • Mike Michalowicz
  • Nick Nanton
  • Eric Cressey
  • Brett Bartholomew
  • Mike Boyle
  • Jim Kielbaso
  • Jim Labadie
  • Ron McKeefery
  • Kelly Berry
  • Tom Collins
  • Craig Ballantyne
  • Dave 'The Band Man' Schmitz
  • Ben Bruno
  • Zach Even-Esh
  • Brian Grasso
  • Tony Gentilcore
  • Mike Robertson
  • Pamela Macelree
  • and Nick Berry

Fitness Business Mastermind Groups

The next evolution of FCG's offerings was adding Fitness Business Mastermind groups for gym owners and fitness professionals looking for expert support and peer interactions.

The International Youth Conditioning Association

In 2007 another member of the expanding network, Brian Grasso, hired FCG to consult with him on his own startup, The International Youth Conditioning Association. Soon FCG acquired the IYCA and operated it from 2008 until 2016. The IYCA has been a constant presence throughout FCG's history of conferences and events.

Resistance Band Training Systems

In 2010 FCG partnered with Dave 'The Band Man' Schmitz to launch Resistance Band Training Systems, which manufactures and sells looped resistance bands to gyms, fit pros, and consumers all over the world. 'The Band Man' was a regular presenter in the workshops.  

Strong Culture and the Beginnings of Business Coaching

As the company's reputation grew, the information products and consulting evolved to better meet the needs of the market. The subject matter and delivery turned into the earliest stages of what would eventually become a franchise and then business coaching programming.

At the same time, the culture at FCG was established and recognizable. The company received awards for growth, client satisfaction, and culture.

  • 2012 - #580 of Inc 5000 fastest growing US companies
  • 2012: American Business Awards: Company of the Year – Business Services, Bronze
  • 2013 - #943 of Inc 5000 fastest growing US companies.
  • 2013: American Business Awards: Company of the Year – Business Services, Bronze
  • 2013: Best New Company of the Year, Bronze
  • 2014: #20 Best Places to Work in Kentucky, Small Businesses, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
  • 2014: #2101 of Inc 5000 fastest growing US companies
  • 2015: #14 Best Places to Work in Kentucky Award Winner
  • 2015: #4276 of Inc 5000 fastest growing US companies
Fitness Revolution revolver logo with TM

Founding Athletic Revolution and Fitness Revolution

In 2008 FCG launched the Athletic Revolution franchise system, which was a youth fitness franchise opportunity. That was followed in 2010 by the launch of Fitness Revolution's franchise system, the adult fitness franchise opportunity. The franchises grew quickly, with each being recognized multiple times for growth and franchisee satisfaction. The two brands eventually merged and became the Fitness Revolution you know of today, providing best-in-class business coaching programs and curriculum for fitness business owners all over the world.

Fitness Revolution Recognition and Awards

  • 2012, 2013, 2014 #1 Fitness Franchise in terms of Franchisee Satisfaction, Franchise Business Review
  • 2013: American Business Awards: Best New Company of the Year, Silver
  • 2013: American Business Awards: Best New Company of the Year, Bronze
  • 2013: Franchise Business Review: Top 100 Franchises for Veterans
  • 2014: #193 Franchise 500, #99 Fastest Growing Franchises, #5 Top New Franchises
  • 2015: #308 Franchise 500

Athletic Revolution Recognition and Awards

  • 2014: #296 Franchise 500,  #16 Top New Franchises
  • 2015: #273 Franchise 500

Becoming a Holding Company

Despite the recognition, there was a more efficient strategy in the works. In 2016 FCG completed the transition to a 100% holding and management company for the subsidiary businesses. All products and services were being offered exclusively through the subsidiary brands, rather than the Fitness Consulting Group 'parent' brand.
The same standards for growth, company culture and service excellence continued to be maintained under the subsidiary brands themselves.  

More About Fitness Consulting Group

Organization Attribute Property
Name Fitness Consulting Group
Alternate Name FCG
Alternate Name Fitness Consulting Group, LLC
Founding Date 2005
Logo Fitness Consulting Group's new logo 2016
Url Fitness Consulting Group
Google google
Facebook facebook
Nick Berry nickberry
Fitness Consulting Group Fitness Consulting Group
Fitness Consulting Group Fitness Consulting Group
Inc5000 Fitness Consulting Group on the Inc5000
ZoomInfo ZoomInfo

Fitness Consulting Group Photos

Fitness Consulting Group Old logo, pre-2016
Fitness Consulting Group's original logo, used until 2016
Fitness Consulting Group new 2016 logo
Fitness Consulting Group's new logo, beginning in 2016
Nick Berry Round Headshot
Nick Berry's Round Headshot for media
Presentation at AR/FR annual franchisee convention.
Presentation at Fitness Revolution's annual convention.
Elite Fitness and Performance Summit in Louisville, Ky.
Elite Fitness and Performance Summit in Louisville, Ky.
Nick in speaker Q and A at the Annual Franchisee Conference for Fitness and Athletic Revolution.
Nick introducing the next speaker at the Annual Franchisee Conference for Fitness and Athletic Revolution.
Nick Berry and Kelly Berry before presenting at EFPS.
Nick and Kelly Berry
Jim Kielbaso, Nick Berry, Brett Bartholomew, and Ryan Ketchum pose at EFPS.
Jim Kielbaso, Nick Berry, Brett Bartholomew, and Ryan Ketchum pose at EFPS.
Nick and Kelly Berry accepting Best Places to Work Award for Fitness Consulting Group.
Nick and Kelly Berry accepting Best Places to Work Award for Fitness Consulting Group.