Why This Gym Refuses to Be an Influencer Gym

Episode 82:

Most gyms try to be everything toeveryone. Recess Fitness Club did the opposite and it worked.

In this episode, Bo DePaoli sits down with Taylor Metzger and Evan Duncan (co-founders of Recess Fitness Club in Dallas) tounpack how two independent personal trainers went from renting space… to signing a 10-year lease on a massive 24 Hour Fitness and transforming it into one of the most visually striking, culture-driven gyms in the city.

Their story runs through failure, parking issues, HVAC disasters, a backyard gym built overnight during COVID… and the moment they walked into the abandoned space at golden hour and knew: this is it.

But this isn’t just about aesthetics.
Recess is built on a philosophy: this is a place to train, not perform. No tripods. No influencer circus. Rerack your weights or pay the fine. Protect the vibe at all costs.

Topics include:
• How a COVID backyard gym sparked the Recess concept
• The moment they chose a “too big” abandoned 24 Hour Fitness — and took the leap
• Why Recess is intentionally not an influencer gym (and banned tripods)
• The $50 “ReRack Fine” policy and why members love it
• Building a premium brand that competes with Lifetime, Equinox, and low-cost gyms
• The real cost of lighting, design, and “wow factor” in modern fitness
• How the slide became a brand engine (and a viral growth lever)
• Membership caps, daytime memberships, and protecting the member experience
• Scaling to multiple locations without turning corporate and losing soul
• Lessons from Unreasonable Hospitality applied to gym operations

This episode is for gym owners, operators, trainers, and entrepreneurs who care about brand, culture, andbuilding something people actually feel when they walk in.

Guests: Taylor Metzger & Evan Duncan — Recess Fitness Club (Dallas)
Instagram: recessdallas