Jetts Q&A with Scott Dumbell

Been thinking about hitting the gym but simply don’t know where to start? Read on for all the answers to your questions, plus some honest truth on gyming it from Jetts owner Scott Dumbell.
Hey Scott, please give us a brief background about yourself and your gym business, Jetts?
I have been in the health and fitness industry in Geelong for about 15 years. I started out as a personal trainer, moved into group fitness and gym instructing over 10 years ago. From there I progressed through many different facets of the gym business from gym floor management to sales management and eventually onto club management – the next logical step was to start my own business. I was researching a lot of different gym models at the time and the one that I thought best suited my philosophy on business and health and fitness in particular was Jetts. The whole concept of no lock in contracts, come and train whenever you like – it really resonated with me. Especially as previously I’d been locking people into contracts they didn’t want or need and limiting their training to when the standard gym was open.
Can you tell us about Jetts’ locations?
Six years ago we opened Geelong’s first 24/7 gym “Jetts in Pakington St.” Over the next three years we opened two more clubs firstly in Torquay and then our most recent club in High St, Belmont. Also last December we bought Bootcamp Geelong which is Geelong’s largest and best outdoor training provider.
What are some of the unique differences that Jetts can offer?
Apart from our locations, equipment, cleanliness and accessibility, I would have to say our team members are what really sets us apart. We have some of the most respected, talented and busiest trainers in Geelong working in our facilities. A huge focus when we opened was to hand pick the best talent I had seen in my years in the industry. We worked out that in the Geelong facility alone we have nearly 100 years experience in the industry, considering we only have seven trainers you can see that we have all been doing this for a long time!
The fitness industry is booming ATM, why do you think fitness, particularly gyms and boot camps etc, are so popular right now?
I think there are a few reasons; social media definitely has a role to play. Advertising is right in the palm of the consumer’s hand literally throughout most of the day. We also have a lot more to chose from. Gone are the days of people paying too much for things they don’t need. The market is niching, members now have yoga studio memberships, 24/7 gym memberships and also go to boot camps. The explosion of 24/7 gyms pulled people out of the big clubs, it also got a lot more people training who otherwise couldn’t, or wouldn’t, train in a larger gym.
There are a lot of people who are thinking about joining a gym, what’s your advice in terms of tipping them over the edge to actually start?
My advice is pretty simple, if you don’t make a change, you won’t make a change. In other words if you’re procrastinating then I can tell you that you are getting absolutely no results. If you give it a crack you have absolutely nothing to lose…..except some kgs!! It’s easy now, there are no contracts, if you don’t like it you leave no questions asked no hassle, but I’m pretty sure you’ll like it.
Young people are often trying to find a balance in life, do you think study, party, work, friends, family and fitness can go together?
No doubt at all. As I mentioned before there is something for everyone. If you like training outside you can, if you like running you can, if you like swimming you can, if you like MMA you can go learn how to choke someone out. The key is to remember that there is no quick fix, baby steps are better than no steps – it simply has to become part of your weekly routine. If you’re telling me you cant find 3×30 mins to train I’m telling you, you’re a liar. If the president of the USA can train, you can train. We can’t all be Arnie but if you make some time it’s better than none.
In terms of balance, how would you suggest people maintain a routine?
I would have cancelled a lot more memberships than I’ve sold over the last 15 years. The key here is to make the training part of your life. Don’t go from no training to 5x per week and get jack of it in three weeks and never go back. Find something you enjoy doing that’s active and stick at 2x per week for the first five weeks. You’ll soon see it’s part of your life, you can sustain it and eventually you might build on it. It’s like anything; you don’t party five nights a week, once is fine…. Though I know some of you are partying five times a week! It also sounds cliché but it really is easier if you do it with a buddy also. It’s more fun, you are accountable to each other and you will push each other a bit more.
If someone is sitting on their couch thinking, ‘I want to start but I find the gym intimidating and I’ll make a fool of myself’ what would you say to encourage them to come in sign up, are there people that can help them find a rhythm?
Without coming off too harsh I would say, ‘GET OVER YOURSELF’. I can honestly say that the other people in the gym are way too concerned with themselves to be worrying if your runners are cool enough! Seriously, I can understand some people may feel intimidated but in my experience “especially in our clubs” the people are awesome, encouraging, friendly and welcoming. As I mentioned before we have some of Geelong’s most experienced trainers, they really know their stuff they will make you feel right at home and set you up for success.
There is a sense with some people that it’s all or nothing. If I’m going out a lot, there’s no point training. If I’m over worked with my job I should rest instead of training, if I miss a week there’s no point going the week after. How important is regular training even if only a few times a week?
You’ve nailed it in the question. All or nothing gets you nowhere, especially in the beginning. Slow and steady wins the race, you should be aiming for any amount that you can sustain for the rest of your life. That’s the reality; you don’t train for five weeks, look and feel awesome and then never have to train again – it’s not like that. It’s regular and over a sustained period of time.
If we are on the run, what are some take away options you would recommend?
Japanese can be really healthy; you just have to watch how much rice you have (depending on your goals and how much exercise you are doing). It’s fresh, clean and fish is an awesome source of good stuff. My advice would be to prepare your meals on Sunday night for the rest of the week. That way you save money by not eating takeaway. You save time Monday to Saturday also as you’ve set everything up on the Sunday.
Is there a special deal for those who are reading this right now, that might help them start a routine at a Jetts Gym?
Glad you asked! If you mention you read this article in Forte we will give you no joining fee and one month free. You’ll just pay $59 for your access pass. With no lock in contract you have absolutely no excuses…..get amongst it!!
Jetts is located at 1/155 High St, Belmont, 63 Pakington St, Geelong West and 41 Bristol Rd, Torquay. Visit www.jetts.com.au for more information.