Today we’d like to introduce you to Bertha Wainer.
Bertha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been captivated by fitness. I noticed that whenever life became a bit much I could exercise and for that length of time I didn’t have to deal with anything and at the end of my exercise somehow things didn’t seem so bad. So after many wrong turns I made the right turn and decided to enter the Fitness world as a professional instructor.
Back in the day – 40 plus years ago there was only aerobic dance classes – Ken Cooper had revolutionized the fitness industry with the term and everyone was on board. Problem was – most of these instructors had dance backgrounds – some were dancers that didn’t make it in the Dance profession. I had more of an athletic feel and movement – since I had been a cheerleader for most of my junior high and high school years – so I developed a dance aerobic routine that the average individual could learn, perform and execute and feel good about themselves instead of awkward and having two left feet. It was a program that both women and men could do equally. Men rarely did the classes because of the flowery arms and dance steps that most instructors used at that time. I quickly grew in this field and that was only the beginning. The industry grew – high low impact, aqua aerobics, interval training, the step, weight training, personal training, spinning kids fitness and more. I quickly began to learn and take all the certifications possible in every aspect of fitness. I had landed a Fitness Director position at Shula’s Athletic Club (formerly The Miami Lakes Athletic Club) where I was able to learn, get certified and implement these programs for our members. I held that position for 12 years and when I saw the shift in the industry to a more impersonal big facility market I knew it was time to move on. So in 1998 I opened The Perfect Circle – a Fitness Studio where I offered group fitness classes to all – implementing all that I had learned. The major difference was that I created a place where the novice and the expert exerciser can work side by side and achieve their goals. Where the individual pays for what they use not everything whether they use it or not. Where you have to interact with one another and not a smart device. Where you can shower and grab a protein smoothie or sign up for your meal plan – delivered here. Where you can exercise with your kids in certain classes. And more … Today 20 years later the industry continues to grow and myself with fitness as well. The programs come and go and the staples remain always. We offer a variety of programs and classes with that home feel.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The rougher the ride the better I always say and this has been one rough ride with some smooth patches. Growth doesn’t occur when things are smooth – only when things are rough and you are pushed out of your comfort zone.
The economy went bust as you know several years ago and people held back their disposable income and many lost their jobs or their homes or both – and that certainly affected me. The competition became more with Curves, CrossFit, Orange Theory Personal training studios, cycling only studios and deep pocket chains like Planet (which is $10 Per month). My mindset of competition is that The Perfect Circle is not in competition – it wants to be its own kind and it is. Let the competitors duke it out themselves.
Prices keep rising (Rent, products that we sell, payroll, electricity etc). keeping the bottom line very streamline and effective.
Reinvestment in equipment and adding new services – what to add and how to reinvest.
Staying fresh and inspired consistently through the rough and the smooth.
The Perfect Circle – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am most proud of the resilient nature of myself, the company and the people who provide me with a consistent backbone.
What sets The Perfect Circle apart is the interactions and relationship with its members, staff and specialists. It gives back in many ways. The retention percentage is incredible and I do believe it is one of the greatest signs of health to any company. That is a true measure of doing things right – they keep coming back even if they should leave for one reason or another.
The Perfect Circle specializes in Fitness and Fitness relationships. Feeling good physically and mentally on every level and with all levels of participants. Most people are intimidated when they walk into a facility and then they are sold on something they don’t even know is right for them, Here you get a complimentary class in each category – see if you like it – is it something that you will participate in – do you like the people – people buy from people they like and they stay where they are valued.
That is what we do here.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Being here for 20 years and looking at the members and realizing that 60% have been here just as long.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Perfect Circle Inc.
17671 NW 78th Avenue,
Hialeah, Florida 33015 - Website: www.theperfectcircleinc.com
- Phone: 305-828-2400 call or text
- Email: theperfectcircleinc@gmail.com
- Instagram: theperfectcircle_9
- Facebook: The Perfect Circle Fitness Studio
- Twitter: @PerfectCircleFL
- Yelp: The Perfect Circle – Yelp
- Other: The Perfect Circle Fitness Studio – google
Image Credit:
The Perfect Circle
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
