Austin Simply Fit at 15: Community is Our Greatest Resource

Happy 15th birthday to Austin Simply Fit! Many of you have been with us for years and have seen us go through incredible growth and change. Our owner Krista Bergeron has followed her vision to invest in those around her, by helping people get physically stronger and healthier, and by giving back. Through it all, one thing remains the same – the strength and power of our community. 

Krista had this to say to the community: “After 15 years of Austin Simply Fit, I’m filled with immense gratitude for our dedicated coaches and wonderful clients who truly make this place special. I feel especially fortunate for the long-term members of our community who have grown alongside us through all the changes. Community is our greatest resource.”

We have had quite the evolution over 15 years! In our early days, our founder Mark Rogers coached teams of trainers and clients through many successful powerlifting meets. We put up some big numbers, we trained with passion and intensity, and we had a lot of fun.

Since then, we have shifted our focus away from competition and toward a more holistic approach to health and performance. We have continued improving our custom programming in order to maximize strength gains and recovery. Through our partnership with Keyspan, we have expanded our lifestyle and nutritional coaching options. 

In addition to supporting the broader community, ASF invests in our staff. Under Krista’s leadership, we have grown our team of personal trainers from a small group of independent contractors to more than 20 full-time W-2 employees. Since 2016, ASF has set itself apart in the industry by offering a benefits package including health insurance, matching 401(k) and paid time off. Over the years, we have shared in the joy of our staff members getting engaged, married, buying houses, having babies, and competing and winning fitness events and races.

Longtime trainer and Head of Marketing & Sales John DeLaPaz had this to say about his time at ASF: “When I started, I thought I was just getting hired to be a trainer at a gym. But what I found was a home, and a family of trainers who truly want to enrich other people’s lives. The culture Krista has cultivated inspires me every day to give my best effort to my clients and teammates, alike.”

Furthermore, under the guidance of Director of Trainer Development Sierra Nevels, we have expanded our in-house educational arm via Austin Simply Fit University. Each of our trainers has completed our 13-week onboarding program to ensure a standard of excellence and shared knowledge. We are excited about the ways in which we will continue to develop ASFU in the years to come.

One constant at ASF has been our various charitable endeavors. Krista serves as a board member for DAWA Fund, a local non-profit that supports local artists and healers of color. Our ongoing “Be the Change” tee shirt campaign contributes to this great organization. 

On our own front, since 2019, we have raised charitable funds via our annual Bench-A-Thon, our community bench press competition. In 2021, we founded the ASF Student Athlete Scholarship Fund to support AISD graduating senior athletes. To date, we have awarded $38,000 to 38 Austin students! We love bringing the community together to show our strength for a good cause!

None of this would be possible without you, our incredible community members. We are so grateful for your continued trust and support! We hope you have been enjoying your fitness journey and are excited for all the ways you will continue to grow with us. 

From every single one of us at ASF, thank you!