Why fitness sites?

Well, it's not like it's something I've been dreaming about since I was a kid. "Daddy, when I grow up, I wanna be a baseball player, but if I can't do that, I think I want to produce websites for fitness professionals on this thing called the 'internet'." The whole fitness thing sorta took a life of its own...I started getting referrals from word of mouth advertising, and after a short amount of time, I had a niche carved out, just waiting for me to move into it. Now, of course, I have totally immersed myself in everything that is "fitness" and actively pursue more clients.

FITSIGHTS is two things really - an outline of my services and what I can provide my clients, and also a platform where I can help lesser known people in the fitness industry begin to get noticed. Exposure is such a key thing to being successful in the fitness world, and there's no better place to do that than on the web.

Currently, the Features area of my site houses all of the "exposure" areas, which includes Flex Files, Upcoming Contests, Fitness Links and 15 Seconds of Fame. I can only do so much on my own, so that's why I'm asking people who attend contests to snap some photos or send in the results. Everyone trains hard to compete, whether its your first show or if you're an IFBB Pro (hey, that rhymed)... so I'm gonna do my best to spread out the coverage and keep everyone on a level playing field.

Also, our content will not be played out and rehashed, like most fitness "information" on the net is these days. FITSIGHTS is determined to have fresh and original content, things you can't find anywhere else. Plus, our focus is on the people of fitness... you can get information on how bring up the definition of your rear deltoid elsewhere. Sorry.

I've set up shop in sunny Southern California, just north of San Diego. But don't let geographic location determine whether I can produce a site for you or not. I've created sites for people as far as Australia and Maine. Ahhh...behold the power of the internet.

Hey, I want to be involved with the site! What can I do?

Ahhh, if I had a nickel for every time I was asked that question, I'd have... no money at all. Anyone is more than welcome to be involved with the site. If you're a part of the fitness industry, you can be a part of the Future of Fitness or 15 Seconds of Fame (15 Seconds would require you to live in or visiting the general SoCal area). Want to do more? How about a diary of your preparation for a contest, or describing a "day in the life"? Just because something isn't currently on the site doesn't mean it can't be done.

So you say you aren't a model or competitor, but you're a fan of fitness? Well how about attending some local competitions and get some contest coverage! Give some exposure to your local fitness people by sending in results and taking photos.

If you have any additional ideas for the site, feel free to share. Together we can make a difference! Yeah! Ok, I'll stop now..

What's up with just going by "Conor"? Are you a Brazilian soccer player or something?

Although I did play AYSO soccer, I'm the polar opposite of a Brazilian soccer player...I'm an Irish graphic designer. I've just decided to go by Conor because people have enough trouble spelling Conor correctly, I don't even wanna begin to belabor them with trying to get my last name right. Sorry, you were probably expecting a more exciting reason than that.

How come you charge so little? I've seen sites like yours go for thousands of dollars.

::sniff:: I know, I know...don't remind me. Just kidding. Basically, I know my market. I understand that while they may appear to live glamorous lives - being in magazines, having fans and admirers, etc - that the majority of fitness professionals work full time, have a family, go to school or all of the above. They participate in fitness because they love it, just as I design because I love it. And just as they might have a career related in fitness, such as personal training, I too have an "alternate" career in graphic design. A marriage made in heaven, eh?

You do all these websites for people who are athletes...do you even play any sports?

Hmmm...does 6-time Little League All-Star mean anything to you? What?...it doesn't? Well... does Yahtzee count as a sport?

What's that big eyeball man on the home page and to the left of the links?

That "big eyeball man" happens to be the FITSIGHTS mascot. embodying everything that is fit and sight. Also, "it" doesn't have a gender.

Who knows, maybe in the future you'll be able to purchase your very own FITSIGHTS t-shirts, mousepads, key fobs, water bottles, workout towels, lamp shades, telephones, baby diapers and/or letter openers.

But seriously, if I DO offer FITSIGHTS merchandise, it WILL be cool and good-looking, much like my clients (hey, I'm allowed to kiss up). Online merchandise tends to be very boring and ugly. So if you're interested in sporting some FITSIGHTS gear, let me know, because I'm definitely not gonna supply until there is some sort of demand. And yes, items will come in colors other than orange.

I remember hearing something about FITSIGHTS a long time ago. You said it was going to be some big site with contest info, athlete profiles, etc. What happened to that?

Yeah, that was the initial plan...and man, it was gonna be COOL! Roundtables, Q&A interviews, contest listings, stars of the future, website reviews, and lots, lots more! Well, after toiling with that concept for a couple months, it dawned on me...there's no way I'll be able to devote alot of time to something this big without getting some money off of it. And unless I got some big name advertising or sponsorship, there's no way I was gonna make money off of it. And there's no way I was gonna be able to get advertisers or sponsors. See a pattern?

I still wish I could see that concept come into fruition, but right now I don't see it happening. But maybe someone out there thinks differently, lemme know if you do.

MORE TO COME LATER...