1851

Aaron Anthonsen is the local entrepreneur bringing the first <a href="http://www.gymguyzfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-voices-aaron-anthonsen-of-gymguyz-9198" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GYMGUYZ</a> fitness franchise to Georgia. He&rsquo;s a former research manager and Navy veteran who started this business to turn a life-long passion for fitness into a successful business.

Aaron&rsquo;s passion for fitness started while serving in the military. &nbsp;Aaron enlisted while still in high school, and gained an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy where he graduated in 1999 with a BS in Systems Engineering. He was commissioned as an officer and after graduation became a Naval Aviator, flying Navy SEAHAWK (H-60) helicopters. Over the next 10 years he deployed and flew missions in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and other military operations, and was later assigned to test new developmental aircraft at Patuxent River, Maryland. During his time on active duty he was an avid runner, completing several marathons and countless shorter races.

After leaving active duty, Aaron and his family settled in Fayetteville, GA, and Aaron started a new job in Atlanta as an engineering research manager for SRI International, a silicon valley-based nonprofit research institute. He remained active in the Navy Reserve, and in 2012 was mobilized to the middle east as a unit commander. While there, his unit helped organize the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon FORWARD, a race for deployed troops that &ldquo;shadows&rdquo; the annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.

After returning from that deployment, he wanted to start his own fitness business but wanted something truly innovative that could reach more people and provide more customized training than traditional gyms. While training with a group of friends for a &ldquo;Tough Mudder&rdquo; race, someone recommended he should start giving outdoor classes to train people for races. It was just a casual comment made during a run, but the idea stuck. &nbsp;

Aaron researched personal trainers working outdoors, and couldn&rsquo;t find anyone doing it in Georgia. He did, however, find an ambitious young startup called GYMGUYZ doing on-site personal training in Long Island, NY. When he stumbled across GYMGUYZ, and saw they were featured on The Street and Entrepreneur magazine (among others), Aaron contacted CEO Josh York and inquired about opportunities for bringing the GYMGUYZ model to Georgia.

Why did you decide you wanted to work with GYMGUYZ? 
The culture at GYMGUYZ was a huge part of it for me. They&rsquo;re an ambitious young startup and they&rsquo;re constantly looking for ways to innovate. I also get a lot of reward by working with people one-on-one and the autonomy to do that outside of gym is great. All the workouts are tailored to each client and every location is different. With GUYMGUYZ, the only limit is your creativity.

What personal attributes will help you succeed as a business owner with GYMGUYZ? 
I think how much you care is more important than how much you know when you&rsquo;re working with clients.&nbsp;The military taught me a great deal about leading, motivating, and being able to adapt, and working in the research community taught me a lot about disciplined innovation, but I really think the most important attribute in this business is caring about your client&rsquo;s success.

What are your development plans? 
We plan on expanding to the surrounding areas and metro Atlanta, because I think there are a lot of people our services can help.&nbsp;There is a real need for mobile-based fitness that the market hasn&rsquo;t met in the past.

Visit the <a href="https://atourfranchise.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-voices-aaron-anthonsen-of-gymguyz-9198" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">International Franchise Association&rsquo;s @OurFranchise website</a> for more stories of passionate local franchise owners, employees and their communities.

Franchisee Voices: Aaron Anthonsen of GYMGUYZ

1851 Franchise

Aaron Anthonsen was the first franchisee to bring GYMGUYZ to Georgia. 

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

franchisee-voices-aaron-anthonsen-of-gymguyz

Paris Baguette

Photo of array of Paris Baguette pastries

Paris Baguette Redefines Morning Routines With Fresh Breakfast and Premium Coffee Strategy

paris-baguette-breakfast-strategy-growth

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Position Your Value Proposition — Point of Differentiation

how-to-position-your-value-proposition-with-a-point-of-differentiation

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How to Clarify Your Positioning – The “Why You/Why Now”

the-ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises-how-to-clarify-your-positioning-the-why-youwhy-now

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Franchisee Voices: Aaron Anthonsen of GYMGUYZ

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS