Meet Tony Torres | Gym Owner & Internet Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tony Torres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tony, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am a 100% risk taker. This sounds pretty cliche but “no risk, no reward”. When i was younger I didnt have a care in the world. I would risk it all, job, money, life. I’ve taken risked that landed me in hot water and I’ve taken risks that have paid off. Now as an adult with 2 little boys, I still take risks but they are calculated. The first thing i think of are my boys and how it will affect them should it not turn out in my favor. I remember wanting to open up a gym so bad that i really didnt care with whom i did it. I just wanted to do it at all cost no matter what. Of course everyone had to put in their 2 cents and advice. All of which were non-business owners. Isn’t that the way it is though, people who are divorce want to give relationship advice, poor people giving money advice, non-business owners giving business advice? Anyway I pummeled through and found someone who wanted the same thing i did, to open a gym. What did i do? I Shook his hand and got to it. Im old school so when i was coming up a handshake was all that was needed, that was stronger than Oak.

2 years down the road when the gym became successful I was railroaded over a disagreement and unbeknownst to me, my partner had hired an attorney 3 weeks prior. It seemed like he had this play orchestrated way in advanced. I hired an attorney with no money, “how are you going to pay for this litigation?” was the question he asked. “Oh i’m sorry I thought you guys would help me.” He gave me the best advice and it was free. ” If you built this gym then get another name, find a location down the street, open your new gym and they will follow you.” Week to week and check to check from my day job i started accumulating gym equipment, and as usual everybody had to say their piece. ” Don’t waste your time, its not a good idea, what make you think you can open a gym, you’re gonna lose your money, theres too much competition blah blah blah. I did what i always do, felt the fear and did it anyway. Today it’s been 4 years since i opened IRON TEMPLE GYM and 60% of that other gyms members came over to mine. My gym has toppled the original gym, needless to say my old partner is fuming!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is a 3500 sq ft gym in Miami, we have a unique demographic and more importantly we have an amazing culture. I’d have to say the one thing that sets us apart from others is our culture. The way it is here you really don’t see anywhere else. You can be a new member walking and someone would stop you and say welcome to the temple get ready to change. They watch to see who needs encouragement and will come to your corner and help you through the struggle. Getting there wasn’t easy, I knew if I wanted to build this the way it is now that I would have to get in there with my members and let them see me struggle under the iron, get stuck in my set and some times show them that I am just like them. I dont hire a company for maintenance, I throw myself on the floor and fix any machine that breaks.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First Place I would take them would be Down Town Miami the Art District they have turned that area into a little NY Greenwhich Villiage where you’re options of looking at art or choosing from any pub are endless.

I would take them to a revitalized area called MidTown where like the art district the have a bunch of small bistros and restaurants from which to choose.

Bayside is an Area Just off the bay where they have an even greater selection of Pubs and Restaurants. My favorite is a place called mojitos.

Getting up really early and heading down to Key West is truly a destination. Its florida’s southernmost point. Its known for its beaches, coral reefs.

I’d take them to a small little Island like resort called Gilberts where they have Live music, amazing crab and steak and a tiki bar to quench the thirst.

Sundowners is a favorite of mine to go eat. Its in Key Largo the seafood is delicious. My two little one love feeding the fish there.

lastly i would cook them a 5 course meal of their choice, I love to entertain and cook. As a culinary school graduate the kitchen is where i do my art, lol.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
At the time when this was all happening the only person that was there cheering me on was my wife. I was reluctant to take anyone help because i was just burned badly by people I thought were my friends. So when I was doing this I did this by myself with a whole lot of anger and I built the gym in 53 days. Solo.

Website: www.irontemplegym.com www.spartanbodyabs.com www.15poundburnout.com

Instagram: @ifbb_pro_tony_torres @irontemplegym

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=569313482 https://www.facebook.com/irontemplemiami