This week, we shine the spotlight on Rebekah ‘Bek’ Strachan, a fitness trainer and founder of the fitness studio Raw By Bek (RBB). RBB is notable for being the first fitness studio in Australia to offer HIIT (high intensity interval training) which are workouts broken into short intervals of high intensity exercises. Through RBB, Bek hopes to empower people in reaching their full potential and help them realise what they are capable of becoming.
ISB: What is the inspiration for you to start RBB Fitness Studio?
BS: I saw a gap in the market for a group fitness experience that was completely unique. I knew the power of working out to music, and how effective high intensity interval training was, so set out to combine the two to create workouts that are fun, effective, and the highlight of people’s day.
ISB: What was the most daunting challenge you’ve faced in establishing this fitness studio and how did you overcome it?
BS: Honestly, I was so scared that no one would enjoy the workouts, or value them enough to pay for them! When you first start out, you’re literally betting on a dream that you hope will become a reality, and a viable product! The thing that got me through these fears was the knowledge that I personally was obsessed with the workouts, and knew how effective they were. So, at the end of the day, even if only one person showed up, I was making their day better, but also making my life better by teaching something I loved and would do every day for free!
ISB: Can you share what HIIT is and why are you going for this type of workout for RBB?
BS: HIIT stands for ‘high intensity interval training’, which essentially means you work hard in short, sharp intervals, followed by short periods of rest or ‘active recovery’. Scientifically this has been proven to be the most effective way to train to build lean, fit, toned bodies, and to get you super fit, super-fast. Pair that with the best music and you’ll find yourself working harder than you realise, and getting big results.
ISB: Aside from the type of workouts there, how do you ensure that RBB stands out from other fitness studios?
BS: RBB is so much more than just a workout, it’s a lifestyle. This is something I engrained into the culture right from the beginning. Rather than thinking about ‘having’ to do a workout, RBB is something people ‘want’ to do. We pride ourselves on an incredible experience, every person in the room is made to feel safe and welcomed, supported and at home, regardless of where they are in their fitness journey. We place a strong emphasis on community and work consistently to build a strong, thriving community of people who come together and love being together. We also have created a beautiful workout space that people love to train in, from the lighting to small touches, each aspect of RBB is an experience.
ISB: How do you see RBB growing in the next couple of years?
BS: I have so many dreams for RBB! I’d love to continue to build our first location’s membership base and trainer team, expand our online community, and open more locations. We are such a unique workout experience, I’m excited for more people to try RBB and fall in love with it.
ISB: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in this business journey that aspiring entrepreneurs should take to heart?
BS: It really will take 100 per cent of your time and focus, so you need to love everything about it, and chase your dreams with unwavering passion. It needs to be the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning! As your business grows, you will find you have more time, but that time is then up to you to spend scaling even more if you want. The second component of this is to get the right people around you to support you, cheer you on, and help you grow.
