:: PARTNERS WHO CARE…

These guys really care about staying in touch with their clientele. They care about creating a positive environment for their employees too. The fact that they have a business that promotes a healthy lifestyle makes it that much sweeter.

The owners of Shape-Up Fitness Center Robert Burns and Doug Katona, genuinely care about the quality of service they offer. That’s why they have been working closely together for over 15 years. In fact, they have often shared the same office space to together to interact as frequently as possible about how to improve the business.

“The strength of our partnership allows us to create an extremely unique fitness experience,” says Katona. “We constantly talk about how to improve everything in the club, it’s all about making it the most comfortable and professional atmosphere to promote a fitness way of life.”

Burns (the original founder of Shape-Up in 1982) and Katona are also recognized as industry leaders. In addition to Shape-Up Fitness Center, they are sought after to be fitness and business development consultants. They formed and later sold a successful business that designed luxury fitness centers in hotels, resorts and master-planned communities.

Burns started his journey into fitness at an early age. His father opened a European Health Club in Reseda and exposed Robert to all areas of the business. “I learned how to be a janitor to a salesperson to a manager,” says Burns. “It gave me an appreciation of how to treat every member with respect and service.” And he is still going. Burns continues to workout at Shape-Up several mornings a week. He is also a former Junior Olympic Weightlifting Champion. “I am always researching new advances in holistic medicine and how to maximize longevity.” To this end, Burns is also an active member of the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine. He is also active in several charitable and community-driven organizations.

Katona brings versatility in business with a passion for health and athletics. A graduate of USC, he played baseball in Taiwan before making a transition to fitness. He is now an international fitness educator and works as a marketing consultant to both fitness and business groups. “Balance is the key in successfully realizing a long-term healthy lifestyle,” he says. “Fitness and health are more than just physical, your emotional and mental approach to how you exercise and live need to be part of the equation.” Katona’s endless energy is evident as he is now an elite-level cyclist waking up at 5am every morning to train for a vigorous racing schedule. “I wake up every morning wanting to train and enjoying going to work.”

These guys have been involved with programs for Hoag Hospital, the American Heart Association and community programs. So, what’s next? “We want to continue to make Shape-Up Fitness Center a unique place for the community, it’s a special place to be part of.,” says Burns. “We are planning on expanding over the next few years. We are motivated to creating a caring and professional fitness environment unlike any other.”