Christian Troxler turned adversity into success with the help of one simple phrase that not only became his personal mantra, but the name of his successful business: WorkHarder.
“In 2012, I tore my ACL playing college football. Through the rehab process, I began to see how much my mindset affected the outcome of my sessions. The more I pushed past discomfort and uncertainty, I began to see my body was capable of more than I realized,” Christian says. “As I continued to rehab my knee, I began to apply the same mindset and approach to my weight lifting. The more I took the limits off of myself and began to push for more from myself, I found a confidence that carried me not just in the gym but on the field, in the classroom, as well as in my personal life.”
After his injury, Christian became more intrigued by the body’s abilities and discovered his calling to help others find their own strength.
“I knew I could change more peoples’ lives for the better through fitness. The ability to adapt and overcome is all in the state of mind.” Christian applied this mindset to his commitment to open his own gym.
“Once I knew I wanted a gym, I was fully committed to making it happen. I moved home and took a job cleaning the floors of my local gym. I wanted to learn as much as possible, what it truly took at all levels to not just own a gym, but to build a great gym. I eventually moved to Little Rock, where I worked at a corporate gym as a personal trainer for four years. In 2019, I quit my job and began training clients out of my garage.”
In 2019, Christian created WorkHarder Gear, an apparel brand originally meant to help fund a new gym, but now has taken on a successful life of its own.
In March of 2020, he opened WorkHarder Gym. With the odds stacked against him – during the Covid shutdown – he didn’t hesitate. “My approach has always been, ‘Why not me?’ I believe whatever I want out of this life is mine if I’m willing to do the work for it.”
The name of the gym was decided before he even opened its doors. “The name WorkHarder came to me at a very low and frustrating point of life. I was tired of the corporate job, tired of not feeling fulfilled and tired of knowing there was more for me. I simply asked God, ‘What do I need to do to make my dream a reality?’ I wrote down WorkHarder on a piece of paper, a simple phrase my mom had repeated to me growing up. From there, it was as if a kaleidoscope opened, and WorkHarder became more than words on a page. It became an identity, and, for me, the best way to share my vision was to live it,” he says. “On that day, I committed to myself to be the standard, to, in all situations, find a way, stay committed and never let my mind or the opinions of others defeat me. I truly felt I found my calling on that day, in that moment.”
Now Christian is helping others reach their goals. He is the first to tell those who enter his facility – WorkHarder is much more than a gym. “It’s a mindset, a lifestyle.”
“When you walk in, you see this place is a cool place to be, but you feel that this is a place to get better and to put in work on your goals, whatever they may be,” he says.
WorkHarder offers personal training, sports-specific training and group classes.
“Our gym, in my opinion, has everything you need to reach any goal. Whether you consider yourself an Olympic lifter, a bodybuilder, a powerlifter or just want to get in better shape, WHG has the tools you need. We offer a variety of plate-loaded and pin-loaded machines, 11 squat racks, a 3200-square-foot turf space. We do lean toward more of the old-school free weights. Iron plates give the gym a unique ‘racket’ that, in my opinion, enhances the atmosphere,” Christian says.
“Our men’s and women’s classes are structured around functional movements that have carry-over to daily life. We also focus on instructional technique for proper lifting form in more complex movements. Our goal is to create community and instill confidence in movement patterns,” he adds.
Christian’s younger brother, Michael Troxler, works with athletes seeking sports-specific training, speed and agility training and team camps.
“This not only adds to what we offer as a gym, but it ties the gym back to its roots. Our goal for athletes is to help them not just improve athletically, but mentally,” Christian says. “We want to instill a mental confidence in our members and athletes that helps carry them through life, not just sports.”
In an effort to become a “one-stop-shop” for members and athletes, WorkHarder most recently added a Recovery Room led by Alysha Colvin, where gym goers can receive compression therapy, scraping and cupping with assisted stretching as the main focus.
And, WorkHarder even has its own Aesthetic Strength app that offers workouts, plans, mindset blogs and nutritional guidance.
“I want people who come in contact with WHG in any way to feel challenged to ask more of themselves — to become the person they are capable of being,” Christian says.
WorkHarder is providing the tools to do just that.
For more information about WorkHarder Gym, visit workhardergym.com.