H.A. Hang: Giancarlo Regni

The coolest part of our business has always been our clients. We’re amazed by all they do: CEOs, world travelers, authors, inventors, entrepreneurs, newscasters, artists, pro athletes, musicians, caretakers, and philanthropists.

We launched this series to share the stories of our clients and form connections within the H.A. community. Enjoy!

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Home Appétit: You've now got five studios—what makes your workout different? 
Giancarlo Regni: We specialize in small group personal training. That means a max of six people per group, all working with one coach. But it’s not a cookie-cutter workout. Everyone gets a personalized plan, so even in a group, it still feels like personal training. It creates a really supportive environment without the high price tag of one-on-one sessions.

What inspired you to build this business?
I found that a lot of people aren’t comfortable in a room with 40 others, but they also don’t want—or can’t afford—private training. We’re filling that in-between space. Not a lot of gyms in Philly do this and it’s been great to see how well it’s resonated. We’ve now grown to five locations across the city, and honestly, getting to go to work in sweatpants isn’t bad either.

How did you get started?
I started out of my apartment in Washington Square in 2017. I turned the bedroom into a gym—literally. I had a squat rack, dumbbells, kettlebells, everything.  I slept on the floor in a sleeping bag for six months. Ultimately, when my girlfriend (now wife) moved in, I put an IKEA bed in our kitchen. This is how I knew she was the one.  After a year and a half—and about 30 clients—I opened my first official gym in 2018 in Queen Village on Fourth Street.

Where are you from? Did you grow up around here?
I was born and raised in South Philly. I moved around a bit in high school my mom eventually bought a house in Collegeville. I always loved the city, so I moved back once I graduated college.

Anything about your upbringing that led you to this path?
My dad always had an entrepreneurial mindset. He had multiple dental locations throughout the city, but ultimately flourished in real estate. He showed me what was possible and always brought a unique perspective to problem solving and life in general. I always admired how people would come up to him and tell us how positively his dental work had impacted their lives. It felt like he knew everybody! I knew I wanted to create something like this myself. For me, it was building communities where like-minded people can come together to work on their health and fitness—and walk away feeling empowered and confident. 

Is there something about training people that might surprise others?
I’ve noticed that once people start showing up consistently—two or three times a week—it becomes a positive catalyst for everything else. Suddenly, they’re eating better, sleeping more, and drinking water. Surrounding yourself with people on a similar path makes a huge difference, too. Fitness ends up being about so much more than just the workout.

What’s your favorite part of the job?
Back when I was still training people directly, it was 100% about watching someone grow their confidence. Whether it was their first push-up, showing up three times a week, or deadlifting more than they thought possible—it’s amazing to see that empowerment. Now that I’ve stepped back from training, I love designing and setting up new locations. I also spend a lot of time leading my team and having those growth-oriented convos with them, which I find fulfilling.

Do you miss training people one-on-one?
I do miss the simplicity of it—being totally present with the person in front of you. Now that we’ve grown, my brain’s always thinking about what’s next, so it’s hard to be that locked-in. That’s why I stepped off the floor. The members deserve 100% focus.

Any favorite local spots to hang out?
Now that we have kids, it’s all about going to parks—the one on North Third Street in Northern Liberties is our regular spot. Before we had kids, we went out to eat a lot. Some favorites in the neighborhood are North Third, Standard Tap, and Café La Maude for brunch. It’s the best in the city, hands down.

Do you have a go-to piece of advice for someone new to working out or considering joining a gym?
Honestly, the biggest hurdle is just showing up. You’re not always going to feel like it, but do it anyway. Most people never regret a workout once it’s done. Even if you’re tired, sore, or not feeling your best—consistency is key. If you only work out on the days you feel great, you won’t get very far.

Keep up with Giancarlo and Strength on Instagram.