Meet Zakia Williams | Certified Personal Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zakia Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zakia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
During my down time with Covid, I was able to use that leisure time to really exercise my mind and come up with alternative ways to gain income. I was fortunate enough to be able to sustain throughout the pandemic, but my eyes were opened to the need for a backup plan, for unplanned and uncontrollable events. When I was given the vision of owning my own business, I contemplated if I would have enough time, credentials, and the overall ability to organize and indulge in the way I would like to. After gathering some ideas and researching businesses that I believed I could potentially be successful in, the first thing I did was invest in my platform and knowledge.

In January of 2020 I attended serial entrepreneur Snoop Dillards Millionaire Mindset Vision Board Party, where I gained foundational business knowledge and listened to business tips and advice from reputable entrepreneurs such as Ryan Wilson, Yvette Caslin, Gia Serette and Quiana Watson. After attending, I went home and put my vision board up in my office, and that vision board served as the motor for my idea of a business. I still have that board hanging in my new office.

I was sure I wanted to start a business that people could continuously benefit from. A business that could help people become better versions of themselves and gain the knowledge necessary to maintain even after using my services, but I didn’t know what direction I wanted to go in initially. I had a passion for teaching and instructing and overall health and fitness and I wanted that to be included into my business, without being overpowered by the analytical aspect. I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and enjoyed.

After much prayer, research, some fail business attempts and time, I came up with the idea to begin “Sweat Bandz Fitness Group” a personal training service where clients could receive a personal training experience, that would benefit their health and fitness and a learning experience that would contribute to their overall life wellness. This allowed me to utilize all of the knowledge I attained through my own personal training and fitness journey and give back to those who needed guidance.

My first year of training was difficult as I navigated my way into the fitness world. Gathering clients, finding a gym to train at and balancing my personal life were all challenging. However, after much searching, I discovered Functional Athletix Fitness Studio and began working with the owner, who allowed me to co-rent the studio. With that I began to work on my professional portfolio and to build my clientele. Within 6 months I had a consistent roster of clients and finally found a good work-life balance.

After a year of training at Functional Athletix I decided to venture off and find my own personal training studio, which didn’t come easy. After almost giving up, I became inspired by other personal trainers and social media influencers, and I decided to build a private gym in my abode. It took me about a month to get all the equipment I needed and remodel the space to fit my training needs. Once I felt confident enough, I revamped my website and I put it out that I was accepting new clients. Some of my clients followed me to my new gym, and I gained some new clients as well. August 2022 will make a year that I have successfully been operating my private studio gym. I have trained over 40 clients in my private studio gym and have extended my services to offer personal training online classes. I also have reached people all over the United States by hosting fitness challenges and giving away prizes to the top competitors. I have watched my clients overcome their fears, reach their goals, celebrate major personal victories, and inspire others to become better versions of themselves. Sweat Bandz Fitness Group has changed my life and the lives of others through hard work and dedication. I look forward to watching Sweat Bandz Fitness Group expand and connecting with new people as they embark on their fitness journey.

What should our readers know about your business?
I currently run a private gym, and I instruct online fitness classes. I pride myself on giving my clients a “personal” training experience that allows them to attain the tools and knowledge necessary for them to be successful even after using my services. Through my program I conduct an initial consultation to get to know each and every client and discuss their fitness goals and restrictions. The consultation is followed by a physical fitness assessment to determine their fitness levels; testing their endurance, strength, speed, agility, flexibility, and corrective exercise, After conducting their fitness assessment I develop a personalized fitness/nutrition program to best meet their fitness goals while considering their outside life factors as well. After each month of training I conduct a progressional session where I gather my clients weight and measurements again and track their overall progress.

My gym is a garage gym that I built myself. I put a lot of work and effort into finding equipment that was compact and able to fulfill my personal training needs and requirements. This space has allowed me to change lives and make life long friends. Quality over quantity.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my family and friends come to visit I like to take them to the delicious restaurant and lounges that Metro Atlanta has to offer. I also enjoy the festivals, concerts, and comedy shows that are always going on throughout the year. If I am looking for a more fun and social gathering id take them to puttshack, topgolf, the battery, the cocola factory, or something more interactive. I also like the museums that Atlanta has to offer.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I attended Virginia Commonwealth University from 2010-2014. There I was member of the women’s basketball team for all four years. During my time at Virginia Commonwealth, I was introduced to two Strength and Conditioning coaches that changed my collegiate experience. Tim Kontos and Ralph Patrella.

Both men have gained an immense reputation for being able to guide athletes to the next level with their strength and conditioning coaching. While under their instruction I trained on an intense level and was astonished at their ability to give me the strength, conditioning and recovery tools that I needed to sustain a strenuous and demanding collegiate athlete schedule. I continued to use their guidance after my college years and was even able to assist others with the tools they passed down to me.

I also have to acknowledge my family who constantly pushed and encouraged me along the way. My first clients were my family members and without their support I don’t think Sweat Bandz Fitness Group would be what it is today. They are the reason I had the confidence and mental strength to move forward with becoming the personal trainer I am today.

Website: inspire2k.com/sweatbandzfit

Instagram: sweatbandzfit

Image Credits
Image Credis belong to Edmonds Edits and Char Spence Photography @edmonds.edits and @itscharspencer