Kelly Morgan started MorGainz Fitness (love the name) in Pennsylvania over 14 years ago. With four current locations, and more probably just around the corner, her journey to becoming a gym owner is a unique one. 

Morgan was active duty in the Air Force at the age of 19. Being in the military, it is a requirement that everyone stay physically fit. She credits this period early on in her life for developing her love of fitness. Fast forward to today, and Morgan has been passionate about weightlifting for almost three decades and has just started competing in natural bodybuilding competitions over the last couple of years.

The Decision

Morgan, also a registered nurse, relocated back to her small hometown in Pennsylvania in 2002 and quickly realized the place did not offer an exceptional fitness facility. Life is often full of surprises, and in 2005, while completing her bachelor’s degree, she wrote a business plan for a class on how to own and operate your own fitness facility. She took that plan, blew the dust off of it, and put it into action when she launched the original MorGainz Fitness in 2012. Over 500 members signed up during the very first month. 

“And then the trend was pretty much every two and a half years came another location,” she said. Morgan’s four gym locations in Pennsylvania are two in Johnstown, one in Somerset, and one in Nanty Glo. “This is a tough business. One of the top failing ones. So I proudly stand on 14 years plus.”

The gyms range in size from 12,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet. They currently have over 2,500 members. Through using Gym Insight software, all have 24/7 access with plenty of free weights, cardio equipment, cable machines, and selectorized equipment. With a full staff of about 50 people, over 90 percent of the revenue comes from memberships. MorGainz Fitness also does well with a 90 Day fitness program that transforms people’s bodies into optimal composition. (The 90 Day program is also offered remotely for those interested in giving it a try.) “I have a few trainers, but our focus is more on teaching people how to independently work out on their own or with a partner,” Morgan states.

“That’s How Winning Is Done!”

Morgan relates to the legendary Rocky Balboa, also (fictionally) from Pennsylvania, as the character connects to aspects of her own life. “Rocky represents exactly what I’ve built. Not the biggest, not the flashiest, not backed by a giant corporation, gets underestimated, keeps showing up, wins through grit, heart, community, and relentless work.” She has faced her own serious loss, such as her husband of 25 years passing away in 2022, but just like Rocky, Morgan keeps moving forward. “The number of times I’ve been knocked down and got back up to fight and get hit again is probably countless.”

Morgan knows that hard work eventually pays off, in business and in the gym. GLP-1 is currently one of the most popular medications on the market right now, but she worries about the effects of it down the road. “I think people who really need it, that’s fine. But just as a starter, along with a weightlifting program. I honestly fear for these people’s health five years from now. The weight they are dumping isn’t just fat.” Some of the latest research states that approximately 25 to 40 percent of the weight loss from GLP-1 therapy may come from lean mass.

Back to the Future

If Morgan could go back in time in the proverbial DeLorean and encounter her younger self, she would love to impart some wisdom. “Chase your dreams earlier and do not care what other people think. One short life we all get, and none of us are getting out alive. I’m making the most of it! Do what you love! As you grow and change, if you don’t love what you’re doing anymore, pivot and do something else. Time is a precious commodity. Take the trip. Buy the ticket. Invest earlier. Your circles change. Relationships change. Not everybody is meant to go where you’re going. Some people are only in it for a chapter. And that’s okay.” 

Morgan is comforted by knowing she leaves everything in God’s hands. “Honestly, I do sleep really good at night. God fights for me, so I really try not to worry.”

Comedy Roast

It is always nice to get roasted once in a while by people who love you. Morgan’s friends and staff know her too well. They will say that Kelly doesn’t own four gyms; four gyms own Kelly. They joke that MorGainz is a judgment-free zone, unless you skip leg day. They give her a hard time when she talks about a possible retirement in the near future, and then she will go out and buy another building to create another gym. 

Morgan totally gets it. “I actually have something in the works. But it would be legendary for my hometown (and help other entrepreneurs in the process). The MorGainz Fitness Sports and Wellness Complex is on paper. It just hasn’t come to fruition… Yet!”

“I Freaking Love Gym Insight!”

Morgan is extremely thankful to everyone at Gym Insight for their help in making MorGainz Fitness what it is today. “Anthony and Larry have been so good to me during the transition of all four gyms within six weeks, (plus) all of the continuously evolving software. I love Abby, Danny, and Steven, too. I truly value our partnership and plan to stay with them forever! The reports are great, the memberships are easy to set up, the door system works well with the software, and I love how many hours of customer service they have per day!”