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FITNESS GURU AYKANIAN EQUIPS TOP STARS
Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/01/11/fitness-guru-aykanian-equips-top-stars/
January 11, 2012
New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski meets with David Aykanian
at one of his six Precision Fitness Equipment centers.
BOSTON, Mass.-Take it from Boston Red Sox stalwart Dustin Pedoria: If
you want to stay on top of your fitness game, seek out David Aykanian.
"He helps me stay in shape," says the all-star infielder. "When you
want the best, you deal with the best."
Same with Boston Bruins Stanley Cup captain Patrice Bergeron and
sure-handed New England Patriots receiver Rob Gronkowski. They both
swear by Aykanian and the fitness arena he has created throughout
New England.
It's not only the athletic world but others like Aerosmith guitarist
and singer Joe Perry. He's quick to tell you that Aykanian "takes
care of me."
"The only thing he doesn't do is lift the weights for you," added
Perry.
Aykanian is a byproduct of his own experience. In between his own
daily jaunts and workouts, he finds the time to operate not one but
six physical fitness outlets. As owner of Precision Fitness Equipment,
he touches all parameters and VIPs.
Other names that carry his products are cellist Yo-Yo Ma, ageless
crooner Tony Bennett, actor Adam Sandler, and Steven Tyler, another
Aerosmith entertainer.
Politicians jump aboard Aykanian's bandwagon with people like
ex-Massachusetts governors Mitt Romney and William Weld, along with
Attorney General Martha Cloakley.
"We used to sell to Whitey Bulger, too," Aykanian admitted.
The most notorious criminal in Boston history who was captured this
year after evading justice for two decades?
"In the early 90s, James 'Whitey' Bulger would frequent our store and
purchase chrome dumbbells," Aykanian recalled. "Some of the products
would be special order and we would call him at his check-cashing
business in Dorchester. He'd show up with one of his big associates
to see how much weight they could lift."
Whitey did much of his business with Aykanian's associate Steve
Nahabedian. The two go back to their Camp Haiastan days during the
1970's and have been a business duo ever since.
"Bulger would brag to Steve about the time he had spent in Alcatraz
back in the 60s," said Aykanian. "He would show off his Alcatraz
belt buckle."
Those who attended Camp Haiastan back a generation ago remember
Aykanian as a dishwasher and hardly the sort that would manage 6
fitness stores, 23 employees, and a core management team that averages
19 years in seniority.
The partnership with Garabedian spills out into the Armenian
community, where they are members of the Holy Translators Church in
Framingham. Its pastor, Der Krikor Sabounjian, is also a client. Both
were active AYFers with the Framingham chapter.
"We're both very active with local charities and give back to the
community every year," Aykanian maintained. "We're a corporate sponsor
at ALMA and donate to local Armenian churches, the Abaka Dance School,
and Armenian Heritage Park."
Aykanian showed up at Fenway Park this past fall with TV sports
personality Bob Lobel by his side. The two were there for a Heritage
Park fundraiser that raised $100,000 in endowment money.
Lobel bought a treadmill from Aykanian back in 1993 and the two hit
it off immediately.
"Around that time, we started advertising on WBZ radio and I
asked Lobel to endorse our company," recalled Aykanian. "We started
advertising on 'Calling All Sports' and our business started to take
off. We've become very good friends over the years and talk on a
daily basis."
Lobel suffers from a degenerate muscle disorder that finds him on
crutches these days. He remains indebted to Aykanian for the rehab
equipment that's been provided and all the moral and physical support
that's been included.
"I owe him a lot," Lobel was quick to admit.
Around the same time, Massachusetts House Speaker George Keverian
called for a treadmill. He visited the Natick store and the two
chatted about diet and exercise, hoping to shed much of that obesity.
"Keverian told me he really wanted to lose weight and had grown
very frustrated," Aykanian remembered. "We delivered the treadmill
and he would call periodically to give me updates. He came to us
because we were an Armenian-owned business. He generally wanted us
to be successful and said he would refer other business to us. He
was always very nice to me."
Aykanian's connection with the fitness world appeared self-ingrained.
He started running road races in the early 80s and suffered a knee
injury that required surgery. He was unable to run during the rehab
and purchased an exercise bike from a department store.
The bike broke down after a week and he exchanged it for another,
only to have that one malfunction a few days later.
"I immediately envisioned the concept of a high-end fitness equipment
specialty retail store," he brought out. "The plan was to have a
showroom and also provide delivery and service."
Aykanian found a small fitness equipment retailer in Hartford, Conn.,
and asked the owner if he could work for him with the intent of opening
a store in Massachusetts. The year was 1987 and Aykanian spent it in
Connecticut learning the business from the ground up.
The following year, he contacted his good friend Nahabedian, a
competitive runner with a healthy lifestyle. They opened their first
store together that November and never stopped growing. Along came
a second store two years later, followed by a third outlet in 1993.
Both Armenian entrepreneurs spent the next 15 years building one of
the most respected fitness equipment companies in the industry. In
2008 came the first of two New Hampshire stores. The company also
has a commercial division that outfits schools, apartment complexes,
municipalities, hospitals, and corporate fitness centers.
The stories keep coming. Not long ago, Aykanian received a phone
call from someone who wanted an elliptical machine delivered to his
yacht docked in Newport, R.I. Tony Bennett needed it the very next
day before setting sail. Job done.
The singing Taylor brothers (James and Livingston) stopped by the
shop and wanted a treadmill shipped to Martha's Vineyard. Mission
accomplished.
Money talks, especially if you're a billionaire like Bertil Hult.
"He had a home that we outfitted in Cambridge," smiled Aykanian. "He
really liked our company and wanted us to outfit some of his other
homes. We explained that we only sell and set up in New England."
Hult wasn't to be denied. He offered to fly the entire delivery crew
to Marbella (Spain) and Stockholm (Sweden). All expenses paid.
"We took him up on the offer," he said.
Aykanian is back running. He hits the trails at 5:30 a.m., putting
in 30-35 miles a week, complementing that with strength training 3
times a week to keep his core strong. Evenings represent family time
with a six-year-old daughter at play.
"My life is about consistency and routine," he said. "Nutrition is
just as important as exercise. I try to eat healthy and stay hydrated
by drinking up to a gallon of water each day. There should be no
overweight Armenians provided they stick with the basics and follow
a good routine."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/01/11/fitness-guru-aykanian-equips-top-stars/
January 11, 2012
New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski meets with David Aykanian
at one of his six Precision Fitness Equipment centers.
BOSTON, Mass.-Take it from Boston Red Sox stalwart Dustin Pedoria: If
you want to stay on top of your fitness game, seek out David Aykanian.
"He helps me stay in shape," says the all-star infielder. "When you
want the best, you deal with the best."
Same with Boston Bruins Stanley Cup captain Patrice Bergeron and
sure-handed New England Patriots receiver Rob Gronkowski. They both
swear by Aykanian and the fitness arena he has created throughout
New England.
It's not only the athletic world but others like Aerosmith guitarist
and singer Joe Perry. He's quick to tell you that Aykanian "takes
care of me."
"The only thing he doesn't do is lift the weights for you," added
Perry.
Aykanian is a byproduct of his own experience. In between his own
daily jaunts and workouts, he finds the time to operate not one but
six physical fitness outlets. As owner of Precision Fitness Equipment,
he touches all parameters and VIPs.
Other names that carry his products are cellist Yo-Yo Ma, ageless
crooner Tony Bennett, actor Adam Sandler, and Steven Tyler, another
Aerosmith entertainer.
Politicians jump aboard Aykanian's bandwagon with people like
ex-Massachusetts governors Mitt Romney and William Weld, along with
Attorney General Martha Cloakley.
"We used to sell to Whitey Bulger, too," Aykanian admitted.
The most notorious criminal in Boston history who was captured this
year after evading justice for two decades?
"In the early 90s, James 'Whitey' Bulger would frequent our store and
purchase chrome dumbbells," Aykanian recalled. "Some of the products
would be special order and we would call him at his check-cashing
business in Dorchester. He'd show up with one of his big associates
to see how much weight they could lift."
Whitey did much of his business with Aykanian's associate Steve
Nahabedian. The two go back to their Camp Haiastan days during the
1970's and have been a business duo ever since.
"Bulger would brag to Steve about the time he had spent in Alcatraz
back in the 60s," said Aykanian. "He would show off his Alcatraz
belt buckle."
Those who attended Camp Haiastan back a generation ago remember
Aykanian as a dishwasher and hardly the sort that would manage 6
fitness stores, 23 employees, and a core management team that averages
19 years in seniority.
The partnership with Garabedian spills out into the Armenian
community, where they are members of the Holy Translators Church in
Framingham. Its pastor, Der Krikor Sabounjian, is also a client. Both
were active AYFers with the Framingham chapter.
"We're both very active with local charities and give back to the
community every year," Aykanian maintained. "We're a corporate sponsor
at ALMA and donate to local Armenian churches, the Abaka Dance School,
and Armenian Heritage Park."
Aykanian showed up at Fenway Park this past fall with TV sports
personality Bob Lobel by his side. The two were there for a Heritage
Park fundraiser that raised $100,000 in endowment money.
Lobel bought a treadmill from Aykanian back in 1993 and the two hit
it off immediately.
"Around that time, we started advertising on WBZ radio and I
asked Lobel to endorse our company," recalled Aykanian. "We started
advertising on 'Calling All Sports' and our business started to take
off. We've become very good friends over the years and talk on a
daily basis."
Lobel suffers from a degenerate muscle disorder that finds him on
crutches these days. He remains indebted to Aykanian for the rehab
equipment that's been provided and all the moral and physical support
that's been included.
"I owe him a lot," Lobel was quick to admit.
Around the same time, Massachusetts House Speaker George Keverian
called for a treadmill. He visited the Natick store and the two
chatted about diet and exercise, hoping to shed much of that obesity.
"Keverian told me he really wanted to lose weight and had grown
very frustrated," Aykanian remembered. "We delivered the treadmill
and he would call periodically to give me updates. He came to us
because we were an Armenian-owned business. He generally wanted us
to be successful and said he would refer other business to us. He
was always very nice to me."
Aykanian's connection with the fitness world appeared self-ingrained.
He started running road races in the early 80s and suffered a knee
injury that required surgery. He was unable to run during the rehab
and purchased an exercise bike from a department store.
The bike broke down after a week and he exchanged it for another,
only to have that one malfunction a few days later.
"I immediately envisioned the concept of a high-end fitness equipment
specialty retail store," he brought out. "The plan was to have a
showroom and also provide delivery and service."
Aykanian found a small fitness equipment retailer in Hartford, Conn.,
and asked the owner if he could work for him with the intent of opening
a store in Massachusetts. The year was 1987 and Aykanian spent it in
Connecticut learning the business from the ground up.
The following year, he contacted his good friend Nahabedian, a
competitive runner with a healthy lifestyle. They opened their first
store together that November and never stopped growing. Along came
a second store two years later, followed by a third outlet in 1993.
Both Armenian entrepreneurs spent the next 15 years building one of
the most respected fitness equipment companies in the industry. In
2008 came the first of two New Hampshire stores. The company also
has a commercial division that outfits schools, apartment complexes,
municipalities, hospitals, and corporate fitness centers.
The stories keep coming. Not long ago, Aykanian received a phone
call from someone who wanted an elliptical machine delivered to his
yacht docked in Newport, R.I. Tony Bennett needed it the very next
day before setting sail. Job done.
The singing Taylor brothers (James and Livingston) stopped by the
shop and wanted a treadmill shipped to Martha's Vineyard. Mission
accomplished.
Money talks, especially if you're a billionaire like Bertil Hult.
"He had a home that we outfitted in Cambridge," smiled Aykanian. "He
really liked our company and wanted us to outfit some of his other
homes. We explained that we only sell and set up in New England."
Hult wasn't to be denied. He offered to fly the entire delivery crew
to Marbella (Spain) and Stockholm (Sweden). All expenses paid.
"We took him up on the offer," he said.
Aykanian is back running. He hits the trails at 5:30 a.m., putting
in 30-35 miles a week, complementing that with strength training 3
times a week to keep his core strong. Evenings represent family time
with a six-year-old daughter at play.
"My life is about consistency and routine," he said. "Nutrition is
just as important as exercise. I try to eat healthy and stay hydrated
by drinking up to a gallon of water each day. There should be no
overweight Armenians provided they stick with the basics and follow
a good routine."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress