Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Gwinn
Hi Curtis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Curtis Gwinn, I own and operate Muscle Brigade LLC in Rich Hill, Mo. The first time I worked out was in 1995, and knew I loved it. I Graduated high school, went to the military and and continued to work out. I was asked by a buddy to do a bodybuilding show in VA, so I did. It was a learning experience and I loved it. I continued to workout and even train some Soldiers. I was always getting the latest Flex Magazine to see what the bodybuilders were doing. I knew when I finally decided to get out of the Army I wanted to own my own gym. As retirement was creeping in, I had a buddy that beat me to the punch. Good Ol’ Social Media had put Rich Hill Tiger Fitness on the map. I was like, well there goes my idea. But I wanted to do some T-shirts with my name on them. The only problem was I didn’t have a name for my gym. So we went through 30 different names. I knew I wanted it to have a name that represents the military. So in 2018 I came up with “Muscle Brigade”.
I retired and came back in or around 2019 and started working out in Rich Hill Tiger Fitness. In 2020 I had joked with the owner about selling me the gym, he smiled and laughed. About a month after that he tells me that if I was serious he would sell it to me. I said let me get my wife’s shop up and running and then we will talk. So around October of 2022 we finally baught the Gym. I renamed it to Muscle Brigade. We just recently moved locations to a building that we own. Our plans our to expand the gym for a better workout.
The Gym is 24 hours, we just switched our software over to GymAssistant and we are loving it. We offer free tanning in the membership price. We have a mini fridge for water, energy drinks gatorade, as well as some protein bars. I have also offered a few supplements. We have 3 T.V.s on the wall to watch the news or some music whatever it is you need.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With everything you are going to find struggles or hardships. We are in a small town of 1400 people. We have had some struggles. The software going down and not knowing how to work on it was a struggle. Then when it finally went down for good, we finally switched over to GymAssistant.
I would say the biggest obstacle in the road is Patience. I know what I want to do with the gym, its just being patient enough to allow the process to work out.
I was one of the few gyms that held out when everyone was upping prices because of Inflation. I had not upped my prices since I bought the gym, I actually lowered the prices when I bought the gym. We did in January 2025 up the prices a few dollars and we added tanning in the price.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hello, My name is Curtis Gwinn and I own Muscle Brigade Gym in Rich HIll, MO. A small town, that is a small drive from Kansas City South. I Graduated Rich Hill High School in 2000. SInce then I joined the military, I played College football at Avila and retired from the Army in 2021. I am married with 4 Kids, 19, 15, 15, and 8. We live outside of Rich Hill on 5 acres.
Since retiring, I have volunteered with the Rich Hill Youth programs for football, baseball and basketball. We are active in the community and are wanting to bring some life back to this small town.
I finished my Bachelors degree in Communications in May of 2022 and am pursing a Masters Degree in Physical Education/Sports Science.
In 2024 I started giving away a free membership for 3 months to student Athletes. I was contacted by another local business to match my 3 months to total 6 months. We just recently finished the baskeball season and two student athletes were given a free gym membership. We will do the following for Track and softball at the end of that season with coaches recommendation. Next fall we will add Volleyball as well as Cheer Leaders to that list.
I would say that what sets us apart is a simple as getting to know your customers. One of the reasons I bought the gym is I realized that most of the kids didn’t have a reason to lift weights. They didn’t know muscle groups, they didn’t know how to lift. In 20 years nothing had changed. I put a record wall at the gym thinking it would drive in Students. It did not, the wall became known as the SilverBack Wall. After 3 years we are finally getting movement to get these kids into the gym. They all get a Basic 6-8 week program that will focus on form, not weight.
We specialize in Basic Weightlifting. Setting a foundation for your student athlete so that not just the muscles, but the ligaments, and joints are able to sustain the abuse these kids put on their body. I would say that I am passionate about not just the gym but all fitness aspects today. I am proud that I have Shirts in Texas, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Hawaii and have even sent one to Baharain. Slowly we are getting noticed. Working with other businesses or gyms.
We are also in the process of Opening the gym on Saturdays for a free 30 minute clinic for those that want to know more about the body. I also include nutrition, and a weight program that I go over with them.
Muscle Brigade is retired Military, we send out a free shirt to those deployed. We offer T-shirts, decals, supplements (just a few), Hoodies, stickers.
We are working on a few other projects as well to bring more to our customer base and the town of Rich Hill. We recently moved to a new location and put turf down. Everyone loves the turf, I even have a few customers that come in and take their shoe’s off because it feels so good.
I would say our Proudest moment to date is our Annual 5k For the Fourth of July. Another one would be seeing a few hundred gyms around the world and the different things to do for a gym. I know what I want to do with the gym, but like everything it just takes time.
What’s next?
Right Now our plan is to Expand the gym to the west, This will allow us to add Locker Rooms, a sauna room. This will also allow us to get newer equipment, and new floor. We will still have turf, just better turf.
Pricing:
- Basic $42
- Card on file $37
- Veteran Teacher FF/Cop $34
- Student $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://musclebrigade.mailchimpsites.com
- Instagram: @musclebrigadegym
- Facebook: @musclebrigadegym
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/MuscleBrigade
- Youtube: @musclebrigadegym
