How Kamps Fitness Created Community Starting Location on Major University Campuses

On this week's episode of the podcast, you'll hear a lot of references to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I'm an alumna and our guest - Sam Karl, co-founder and president of Kamps Fitness - is an alumnus. You'll hear a lot about the campus and its hot spots.

And I have never really cared that much about sports, which is sort of the thing that ties alums to their universities for years and years. I experience no pang of guilt if I don't know the Badgers' standing in the Big 10 or wherever else standings matter. I do, however, feel a sense of attachment to a place on campus, which was very much connected to my routine: The SERF, or the Southeast Recreational Facility. Aka, my campus gym.

You'll hear on the episode that I just learned that the SERF was demolished (and they didn't even call to let me know) and replaced with an even bigger facility, The Nick. I think the new, bigger and better facility is incredibly representative of the increasing value that college students are placing on wellness.

Meanwhile, Kamps Fitness, opened its first location on a strip of campus known for its bars, restaurants and general debauchery - State Street, right across from the bar that I remember being "tough on IDs," State Street Brats.

And Sam shares what it took to open that fitness hot spot and why he and his brother and co-founder Ari Karl chose the campus. You'll hear about their creative go-to-market strategy, how they've created a flat org chart within Kamps Fitness and why Sam decided to leave his career as a lawyer behind to pursue this business.

We talk about the highs and the lows, including closing for COVID, learning when a location just isn't going to work, and what it's like to work with family.

Get your classes at a Kamps Fitness location near youFollow @KampsFit on InstagramMore about the demolition of the SERFMore about the Nick at the University of Wisconsin-MadisonClassPass Best studio in Madison in 2019KAMPS fitness is offering you, aSweatLife listeners a discount. Use code "ASWEATLIFE20" to get 20% off all packages and drop in classes