Fitness became a lifestyle for Sonic Fitness owner Craig Irwin when he joined the army aged 18. He had played plenty of sport growing up in Yass, including cricket and rugby, but his passion for exercise was reinforced when it became every day.
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The 33-year-old father of two and now ex-military personnel was named Outstanding Young Entrepreneur at the 2018 Yass Valley Business Awards.
Irwin opened Sonic Fitness in 2014, after leaving the army. He loved the army, enlisted for 12 years and deployed twice, to Afghanistan in 2010 and Timor in 2012, but with a posting to Adelaide next on the cards and his partner newly pregnant, Irwin decided it was time to head home.
There are a lot of different needs in the community; there are young mums and women who are a bit more self-conscious training in front of everyone, so we wanted to create women-only areas.
- Craig Irwin
Prior to Sonic Fitness, there had only been one gym in Yass and Irwin wanted to offer more diversity, but not just by opening a second gym in town. He wanted to create a female-friendly gym, which today includes a private room out the back for women to workout in and classes such as Zumba, HIIT, spin, yoga, beginner weights, boxing, abs and circuits.
Irwin has also created a play area for children to give parents a break while they workout.
“There are a lot of different needs in the community; there are young mums and women who are a bit more self-conscious training in front of everyone, so we wanted to create women-only areas,” Irwin explained.
Irwin believes fitness is important to people’s quality of life – a factor he thinks more children need to be taught – and really enjoys seeing people get results from using his gym.
I think the fitness industry has gotten greedy; it can be very expensive.
- Craig Irwin
He also believes gyms have gotten too expensive and offers a six-month membership for $18.50 per week versus the $50 per week fee for most gyms in Sydney.
“I think the fitness industry has gotten greedy; it can be very expensive and even for trainers to register and maintain continuous training is expensive and pushing people away.”
Irwin’s business award suggests his approach to fitness is resonating with users and for him, receiving the award was “Recognition of the hard work of the team.”
Irwin said he will be replacing all of the equipment and refreshing the studio and classes at Sonic Fitness.
He said setting up the business was challenging at times, but values the support of his staff: Craig, Adam, Gabby, Zoe and Lisa, and his mates who were his mentors early on.
He also said he appreciated, “The community and members; we wouldn’t be here without them.”
To support the business, Irwin works part-time in Canberra as a contractor to the Defence Force. He enjoys the role, bridging life with his family and at the gym with his connection to the army.
Next on the horizon, Irwin said he will be replacing all of the equipment and refreshing the studio and classes at Sonic Fitness.