Since last May, three entrepreneurs, Patrick Genest, Shirley Morency and Nicolas Picard, have decided to open a fitness centre in Wendake. It is called X Training and offers workouts allowing for the achievement of results in terms of body composition, fluidity of daily movements and cardiovascular performance.

By going to X Training, people can have fun engaging in physical activity in a healthy atmosphere. Here are their services:

• Workout routines that evolve daily and weekly
• Fun workouts
• Team collaboration and motivation
• Adaptation for all levels

Private workouts are also offered to members. Each workout has a different theme. For example, for the same week, Monday can be focused on leg strength and endurance training while Tuesday can focus on upper body muscular training. Clients can also adapt their movements as they wish if they find a certain movement to be less appealing to them or if they do not feel comfortable or able to do it.

All clients can benefit from five free trials before signing up for a subscription. This trial period allows trainers to get to know the clients, analyze what their needs are and see what their experiences are and what level their fitness is at. These five trials also make it possible to establish a connection and closeness with each person.

The beginnings

The adventure began in June 2021 when they did not yet have premises in the community. They started with outdoor classes and basic equipment allowing them to train behind the Complexe sportif Desjardins in Wendake. The response was very positive! The enthusiasm was very real, which greatly motivated them to have a foothold in the community.

The three entrepreneurs have the same vision and passion for sport. It was by forming a team that they were able to develop this entrepreneurial project which was a great dream for them. “A lot of people have passions and good ideas, but if you don’t do something and take action, then your dreams will remain dreams”, they explained. It is therefore by joining forces that they have been able to motivate themselves and gain momentum!

Complementary business partners

The three entrepreneurs who own the X Training fitness centre all have professional and personal backgrounds that contribute to the success of their new business. Patrick Genest, who is the head coach responsible for procurement, research and development, has been a kinesiologist trainer for almost 20 years. Shirley Morency was an account manager for a financial institution, trainer and spinning instructor. As part of the business, she takes care of human resources management and is responsible for finances.

Finally, Nicolas Picard, a Wendat of the Yänionyen’ (bear) clan, oversees business development, social media management and football program development in addition to teaching group classes.

Entrepreneurship has always been part of him and since he worked as an Economic Development Officer for the Conseil de la Nation huronne-wendat, he was able to understand that gyms are not common in Indigenous communities because there are many challenges associated with setting up this type of business. He saw that there was a priority need for such a business in Wendake.

The very essence of this project is passion and giving back. Sport has given them so much that they want to share this desire to be physically active!

One of the priorities for these three entrepreneurs is to establish a collaborative culture, a community that helps each other and develops synergy, like a team or family that encourages and supports its members. It is this sense of belonging that they wanted to create within the walls of the gym. They want to develop a community (X Crew) to encourage the spirit of mutual aid and create a culture that will grow with the business so that its members feel involved. So far, most of the gym’s promotion has been done through “word of mouth” from active members.

Important collaborators

The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC) played a motivational role to help them carry out their project. Myriam Vallières, Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor, gave them very good entrepreneurial recommendations and helped them discover different options for future business partnerships. “Knowing that the FNQLEDC was close gave us some security to go into business. I tend to take charge of everything and be the one on whom everything rests, so it helped me a lot to know that I was supported in this major challenge,” said Nicolas Picard.

They also sought the expertise of a marketing agency to help them convey the idea behind this great project. They chose AGENCE M, which allowed them to understand their entrepreneurial project and put it on paper, to structure their ideas and its foundations, and to write down everything that was going on in their minds. From brand standard guidance to corporate image design, their help was immeasurable! The three allies felt listened to and understood and respected in their requests and they are extremely proud of the result.

A crucial element for them was to put forward the medicine wheel because sport touches on its four components: mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional. It is therefore through the logo that we can see the four colours of the wheel appear.

In closing, we would like to congratulate these three entrepreneurs who have persevered and managed to overcome some of the challenges that can sometimes divert us from our dearest professional goals and dreams.

You too can “Get involved in the movement!” and allow yourself to take advantage of a few free trials because without action we cannot hope for change!

X Training … Be the best version of yourself!

To visit the premises, go to 640, rue Chef-Thomas-Martin, Wendake, QC G0A 4V0.

Contact them for a free trial by email at nick.picard3@hotmail.ca or 418-998-9737.

Website: https://xtraining.ca/

To peruse other business portraits, please visit our blog.