Homegrown Business: Curtis Christopherson of WRKOUT

WRKOUT is an online fitness provider that connects users to its digital programming. We recently spoke with Vancouver entrepreneur Curtis Christopherson to find out more about his local business.

What is your business called and what does it do?

WRKOUT.

We are connected fitness anywhere, anytime.

Unlike the majority of online fitness providers that have a catalogue of pre-recorded workouts, WRKOUT provides live, online, in-person interactions between the client (which we call the MOVR) and their trainer (TRNR).

What made you want to do this work?

WRKOUT was born out of a desire to provide people with more effective and convenient fitness options than commuting to a gym or using recorded content at home. The covid disruption accelerated the demand for options, but today’s fitness consumer was already looking for ways to access accountability AND convenience. With 20+ years of experience in the fitness industry, we made it our mission to reimagine the online fitness experience and bring to it the quality, personalization, and accountability that we know creates results.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

At WRKOUT, it’s always about more than just fitness. Whether it be in-person or online, we value the interactions that occur between the MOVR and the TRNR. Those who have trained with a professional fitness coach in the past know how valuable it is to be connected on a personal level, and to break through barriers and achieve success. We wanted to build a platform that is intuitive to the fitness training experience and puts personal interaction first. We built our technology on the motto of “humans helping humans”. In contrast to other online conferencing platforms that are designed for work meetings and presentations, WRKOUT was built with specialized features designed to facilitate health education, movement training and to provide coaches and clients with a tool that would make the experience more effective and enjoyable experience at the same time

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We are catering to the digital client that wants the same premium quality personal training they would experience at a brick and mortar gym. Our clients want professional coaching on demand and at the convenience of their personal schedule. We train people of all backgrounds ranging in age from teens to seniors.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

WRKOUT pairs trainers and brands with clients. This pairing service allows providers to prosper, while clients achieve their health and wellness goals. Our revenue comes from fees charged to access the marketplace and session fees that apply to the training provided on our proprietary platform. MOVRS can also purchase products, merchandise, or additional fitness solutions from select partners. Lastly, we offer enterprise solutions for companies looking to invest in corporate wellness initiatives.

Where in Vancouver can we find your profession?

Our team is remote, with staff in California, New York and Mexico, but WRKOUT was born in Vancouver and many of us call it home. Clients looking to experience WRKOUT can find us from anywhere, and access the highest quality training no matter where they are. Just visit wrkout.com and you’ll quickly find our rolodex of TRNRS.

Curtis Christopherson of WRKOUT
Curtis Christopherson of WRKOUT

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

We get these types of questions all the time. Are you actually live? Is it actually 1-on-1? Yes and yes! At WRKOUT your TRNR is fully invested in you. Personalized programming, human accountability, and 1-on-1 training as if you were in the same location as your TRNR.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

By far the best part of what we do is being there when clients achieve victories with their health. We are in the business of helping people and supporting their fitness journey. Now that we are online we can reach into the lives of people across the world and massively increase the number of lives we are positively impacting, which is pretty awesome.

Being a startup tech company in an exploding industry makes for a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, but all in all, it’s really not that bad. We have a small but mighty team of talented people that makes it all worthwhile.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

What did the TRNR tell the MOVR?

“You’re on mute.”

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Vancouver business that you love?

Innovative Fitness is a great bricks and mortar personal training option with locations in and around the Lower Mainland. The perfect compliment to virtual training provided by WRKOUT.