Meet Bill

40+ years of helping independent gym owners get started

Owner, BAMPSCO International Inc. · The person behind OpenMyGym

If you found me through Reddit, welcome.

I’ve been in the commercial gym equipment business for more than 40 years. During that time, I’ve worked with people opening their first gym, owners expanding an existing facility, and people taking over gyms that needed new equipment and a fresh direction.

Today, I own BAMPSCO International, and I work with independent gym owners across the country.

Most of the gyms I work with aren’t giant health clubs. They’re independent facilities, often in smaller communities, typically in the 2,000–5,000 square foot range, with equipment budgets of roughly $25,000 to $100,000. That’s the kind of gym I know best.

Buying Equipment Is About More Than Equipment

When you’re opening a gym, it’s easy to get focused on the equipment itself. Which strength machines should I buy? What’s the right mix of strength and cardio? Which cardio machines aren’t worth getting?

Those are important questions, but they’re not where I think you should start. The first questions should be: What are you trying to build, who are you trying to serve, and how do you make the best use of the space and money you have?

A 2,500-square-foot independent gym doesn’t need to look like a 20,000-square-foot health club. In fact, trying to make it look like one can be an expensive mistake. The right equipment mix, a sensible layout and a realistic budget matter far more than filling the building with equipment.

What 40 Years Has Taught Me

I’ve seen gym owners make some very good decisions. I’ve also seen people spend a lot of money on things they didn’t really need.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is overspending on equipment because of the name on it. Owners believe the brand name matters to attract members. It doesn’t. People today know fitness. They have goals, and they know what equipment gets them there.

What does matter is that the equipment is high quality, has modern functions, and is built for a full commercial gym environment.

I Work With Independent Gym Owners

I particularly enjoy working with independent owners because they have to make every dollar count. You’re not a national chain with a purchasing department and an unlimited equipment budget. You’re making the decisions yourself.

You may be:

• Opening your first gym
• Taking over an existing gym
• Expanding your current facility
• Moving into a larger location
• Replacing outdated equipment
• Adding equipment your members are asking for
• Trying to figure out how to get the most out of 2,000–5,000 square feet

That’s where I can help.

What I Can Help You Figure Out

I can help you think through questions such as:

• How much should I spend on equipment?
• What equipment should I buy first?
• How should I divide my budget between strength, free weights, functional training and cardio?
• How much equipment can I realistically fit into my space?
• What equipment tends to get used the most?
• What should I leave room in the budget for?
• How should I approach an equipment upgrade or expansion?

And sometimes the answer is simply: don’t buy that yet. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that sometimes the best advice I can give a gym owner is to save the money.

Why We Started OpenMyGym

We created OpenMyGym because I’ve talked with a lot of people who have a great idea for a gym but don’t know where to start. There are plenty of equipment companies that can sell you a machine. What I wanted to provide was practical information about the process of putting a gym together.

• How much does it cost?
• What equipment do you actually need?
• How should you use your space?
• What mistakes should you avoid?
• How do you put together an equipment package that makes sense for your particular gym?

That’s what I try to help with.

You’re Welcome to Ask Me

If you’re thinking about opening a gym, you don’t have to have everything figured out before you start asking questions. If you’ve got a building, a rough idea of your budget, a floor plan, or even just an idea you’re trying to work through, that’s enough to start a conversation.

I own the company, so I’m obviously not an impartial observer when it comes to buying equipment. But I will give you honest answers and the best deal for you. If the best deal isn’t mine, I’ll tell you myself.

For the past 40+ years, I’ve worked on one principle: build and keep long-term relationships with the people I help. I’d rather help you put together something that makes sense for your space, your members and your budget.

If you’re ready to start figuring out your gym, take a look around OpenMyGym or get in touch below.

Ask Bill a Question

It goes straight to Bill and he answers it himself, usually within a day. No sales pitch, just an answer.