Sam Provenzano noticed that there were websites to search for a personal trainer, but none that catered to the LGBTQ community.
So he created the marketplace.
Provenzano, 29, who lives in the South Loop, is the founder of Right Fit for You ( RFFY )—the online marketplace of personal trainers that the LGBTQ community can relate to, no questions asked, no insecurities, he said. "Right Fit for You is all about ensuring a comfortable personal training atmosphere for the LGBTQ community from beginning to end," he added.
Provenzano launched the website in December 2012—and the site had more than 59,000 hits last month. Since launching, RFFY's services have helped 39 people in the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana area find personal trainers.
The majority of RFFY users are gay men, some older and some in their late teens. He also noted a high percent of women using RFFY's services—because they are more comfortable working with a gay man.
The service is open to everyone, gay or straight. He said that there are some straight men and women who use the site because of how easy it is to find the right trainer.
Provenzano said RFFY has attracted high school athletes looking to get in better shape for their sport as well as business executives who are in search of a personal trainer who can get them healthier and fitter.
"The biggest benefit for our users, who are primarily members of the LGBT community, is knowing that every trainer profiled on rightfitforyou.com identifies either as gay or lesbian, or as straight ally to the LGBT community," Provenzano said. "This in itself provides our users with a sense of ease from the first moment they log-in to [the site].
"Just knowing that your trainer is comfortable with who you are and your lifestyle is a huge benefit. It takes away that guessing game and uneasiness some may experience when they first meet a trainer face-to-face. Another benefit would be how easy it is to find a personal trainer. All our users have to do is enter their zip code and then a list of personal trainers around their requested area pops up. You can see a trainer's pictures, videos, bio, prices, specialties etc., and if you feel like you want to work with him/her, you can send them a message right then and there."
Provenzano added, "I really feel there is a need for Right Fit for You. The client/trainer relationship is very intimate. Personal trainers not only help their clients get into tip-top shape, but many of them become a client's friend and someone they confide in and trust. If you aren't comfortable and can't truly be yourself with your personal trainer, chances are you will not reach your full potential."
Provenzano was a successful tennis player in northwest Indiana during high school, and now plays tennis and basketball in the predominantly gay Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ). His brother was a talented basketball player in high school, as was my father, "so sports and fitness have played a large part in my life," he said.
Provenzano also works as a full-time senior manager with the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter.
Before working in the non-profit sector, Provenzano was a television news anchor/reporter in Kentucky.
"I've always loved working with people—for the most part I find life and people pretty fascinating. I think I can make friends with just about anybody out there. It's fun to live life that way and interact with people from different backgrounds and life experiences," he said.
There is no cost for users to search the RFFY database, to find and contact a personal trainer, "and there never will be," he said.
The site is simple: People just enter their zip codes and browse until they find the right trainer. There is no cost at this time for personal trainers joining the database, but the site asks for a one-time 20 percent referral fee once a client purchases a training package from an RFFY trainer.
"I have always wanted to use a [personal] trainer, but never knew where to find one other than at the gym and I never knew if I would like them," said Alan Ireland, 30, of Chicago. "The winter weight I could always shed through summer sports didn't come off this year and more athletics didn't help. On top of that, I was starting to hurt doing day-to-day activities. I figured I had to do find someone to help me get my core back in shape, tone up what I had lost.
"Sam was easy to work with and gave me a really strong recommendation to meet with a trainer and see what I thought. Success naturally comes from dedication, but Sam and Right Fit For You connected me with a trainer I felt comfortable with who allowed me to push myself to move toward the goals we had set."
Stephanie Hero, 30, of Chicago, a lesbian, admitted it always was tricky for her to find the right gym and trainer. "I don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of beefcakes or guys cruising for their next conquest; it's just not my scene," she said. "It's important to work with a trainer with whom I feel comfortable. Sam is incredibly personable and easy to work with. He understands what the LGBT community is looking for and will work hard to find you exactly what you're looking for. The Right Fit for You website is easy to use and makes finding the perfect trainer as easy as can be."
Provenzano confirmed he wants to expand RFFY beyond Chicago, eventually.
"I received an inquiry from a young guy straight out of college who just came out of the closet," Provenzano said. "He was a little nervous and intimidated about working one-on-one with a trainer, but knew he had to get in better physical shape. Well, he found a great trainer from our site, who also happened to be gay. I checked back in to see how it was going for him and he said he's not only gotten in better shape physically, but he's been able to talk about the coming-out process with his trainer and the trainer has almost taken a mentor role with him."
Provenzano, who is not a personal trainer, said that RFFY has gay and gay-friendly trainers. There are about 70 trainers overall aligned with RFFY.
Workouts are usually done at the personal trainer's private/independent facility or a client/trainer's home.
"If getting fit for [Chicago] Pride [in June] is a reason and the incentive needed for you to get fit and in shape, then have at it," Provenzano said. "Everyone has their own reason or incentive for getting fit—a wedding, reunion, whatever. But, I think it's crucial for people to know that getting the body that you've always wanted takes time and discipline; it doesn't happen overnight and there's going to be times when you just want to quit … but a good personal trainer will keep you motivated and will help you breakthrough those negative moments."
For more information, go to: www.rightfitforyou.com
