Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent Locey.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Brent. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up my passion was sports and I even coached youth basketball and swimming throughout high school and college. But I never imagined that I would be a fitness professional or be able to make a career out of coaching. I studied architecture in college and was happy navigating my way through the field as a young professional in New York City. Two of my best friends in the city asked me to try SoulCycle with them as they prepared for their wedding and once we took our first class I was hooked. At that time I only thought of SoulCycle as my favorite workout, never that it could turn into something more. A year later I moved back to my hometown outside of Washington D.C. to work for a new architecture firm and when SoulCycle arrived in the metro area shortly after I knew that it was only a matter of time before it would expand in D.C. and I wondered how I could find a way to be a part of helping them grow. The dream of becoming an instructor finally took shape in my mind because I thought it would be the perfect way to get back to my passion for coaching while sharing my love of SoulCycle. Long story short I took a leap of faith to audition, was accepted into and completed SoulCycle’s rigorous training program and ended up moving to Chicago to help open the first studio in the market. Right away I formed so many wonderful relationships with riders in Chicago and many asked me if I offered personal or group training opportunities off the bike. This lead me to becoming a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified personal trainer and I created Build It Athletics under which I offer personal, small group, and bootcamp training throughout the city and suburbs.
Has it been a smooth road?
I definitely encountered obstacles and had to make some big life decisions along the path towards becoming a fitness professional. After being accepted into the SoulCycle training program back in New York City, I had to find a way to juggle my architecture job with the training program so I would take the bus between Washington D.C. and New York City every weekend for 7 weeks so I could work remotely in New York during my off hours from training. But at the end of training when SoulCycle approached me with the opportunity to be a part of the first studio in Chicago I was confronted with a major life decision. My plan had always been to continue to work for my mentor at his architecture firm in Washington D.C. and teaching SoulCycle classes before and after work. I had my fair share of internal struggles with this decision but in the end my passion for SoulCycle and the amazing opportunity to help open the Chicago market was something I felt called to and so I took the leap of faith to move to a new city and start a brand new chapter of my life. More than 3 years later I continue to see signs that I made a great decision to move to Chicago and there are still great new opportunities ahead of me here.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
First and foremost I am a Senior Instructor at SoulCyle, where I teach 17 classes a week across our 4 studios in the Chicago metro area. My classes are known for being energetic, challenging, sweaty, and of course fun. My favorite way to describe class to riders is that it should be, “work hard, play hard,” as I aim to create a motivating atmosphere for everyone to challenge themselves physically, but also still feel as though they are singing and dancing on the bike. The element of SoulCycle that I am most proud of and is the biggest reason I was drawn to work for the company is the importance we place on community. From the moment someone steps into the studio you are greeted with a friendly face and the way we ask riders to move together to the music and support each other during the challenges of the ride connect people together beyond individual sweat. I am so proud to see how our community has grown into an extended family for some many riders, where we view our studios as second homes and riders socialize with each other outside of classes because of the connection formed in class.
That sense of community, home, and close relationships is something that I have also made a foundation of my own company Build It Athletics. Whether I train someone one on one, in a small group session, or in my larger bootcamps I always strive to have each member of Build It feel included in a larger community and that I am invested not just in their physical fitness, but also in their overall well-being. I think my investment in my community sets me apart from others and is what has led me to a truly special group of clients and friends over the past 3 years.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is a great city for a fitness professional. From the moment SoulCycle first opened its doors in Chicago in 2015 I knew we would have a special community here. My Chicago riders and training clients are some of the most hard working and driven people I have encountered but more importantly that “Midwest charm” is a real thing. It has been so easy to build such a great fitness community through SoulCycle and Build It because there are so many warm, welcoming, and caring athletes in the city that are eager to connect with other great people and help one another achieve their goals. I would absolutely recommend Chicago to any fitness professionals looking to find eager clients.
Pricing:
- SoulCycle classes start at $30/class with group packages lowering the per class amount
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soul-cycle.com/instructors/10227/brent/
- Email: brent.t.locey@gmail.com
- Instagram: @blocey7
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blocey
Image Credit:
Courtney Clinkert and Maria Ponce Berre
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