Olga Slutsker opened her first World Class Club in 1993, and has been working on expanding her network of fitness centers ever since. She is also chairwoman of the Coordination Council on Fitness under the Russian Federation State Committee on sport and tourism. In this interview, she speaks about her business and the relationship between athletics and success.

The Leader: What made you enter the fitness industry?

Mrs. Slutsker: It’s my world. Since the age of 11, I have been involved in sports. At an early age, I left a school specializing in English and entered one that concentrated on sports. Later, I studied at the Academy of Physical Culture and was again active in sports. My lucky stars and my husband, who is a businessman, helped me get my fitness business started. During the early ’90s, the only aerobics studios and fitness centers in Moscow were in high-class hotels. And those can’t really be compared with the size and scale of a place like World Class.

The Leader: What are the steps that lead you to your current career?

Mrs. Slutsker: As far as I know, the people who usually own fitness clubs — and who are successful — are people who have already been very involved with exercise or previously worked in gyms as managers. There isn’t much of a career ladder to climb in this business. In some cases, it’s just a person who has a passion for sports and who has come across the money to finance a gym.

To run a fitness center, you must be a special kind of person — someone who is unafraid of freedom and comfortable making risky decisions. As for me, I have never worked for anybody. I would probably be a bad employee if somebody were to hire me.

The Leader: What were your initial business goals with World Class Club?

Mrs. Slutsker: We aimed to open a very exclusive club and we wanted to offer exceptional service. Each of our clients gets personal attention and a workout plan designed for his or her specific needs.

For this reason, we have a thorough selection process for trainers; most recently, we chose from 92 applicants for nine vacancies. Each applicant had to pass three rounds of interviewing. Once they’ve done this, they are more or less hired. For three months, they work on probation, after which they must pass special exams before getting the job.

The Leader: What is the relationship between success and fitness?

Mrs. Slutsker: Fitness and success are directly related. A person who finds time to invest in his health will also be very responsible in business and civic life. This kind of person is more likely to be successful.

The Leader: What kinds of people visit World Class Clubs?

Mrs. Slutsker: We get many different clients. Some hold very high government, or corporate, positions. Some are so-called "yuppies." Others come just because they are on company fitness plans.

The Leader: How often do you work out yourself?

Mrs. Slutsker: I workout with my trainers four or five times a week. I plan my work schedule around my fitness training. My secretary knows this and makes appointments at the appropriate times. I used to miss my training because of business meetings. But I have since come to believe that I have the right to include exercise in my schedule, so I do. I love working out in the gym, especially on the jogging machine. I also love yoga. I sometimes practice different programs, including ki bo, step, ballet, funk and others.

The Leader: Are there many women in the fitness business around the world?

Mrs. Slutsker: It sounds strange, but not many women run fitness companies. When I attend fitness conventions abroad, it looks as though 95 percent of the participants are men. I don’t know why.

The Leader: How do you perceive the role of women in the new Russia?

Mrs. Slutsker: Russia is a matriarchal country. A woman has always stood behind all the big men. I don’t know whether it’s a good or bad thing. That’s just the way it’s been. No doubt, if the wives of our leaders had had an opportunity to work actively, they could have achieved success.

During communist times, women were encouraged to be active in all fields. And now, more and more, women are holding positions of importance.

But I think women shouldn’t feel embarrassed if what they really want to do is social work, or choose goals that conform to traditional gender roles. After all, the main role for women is to give birth and nurture children. If a woman can’t bring her career and family life into harmony, she should stop working or reschedule her workday.

It took some time before I understood this. If you have a team you trust at work, then you can spend more time with your family. I usually wake up at 8 a.m. and spend some time with my son, Misha, who is just over two years old, until 10:30 a.m. He comes to my club; he swims and practices other kinds of sports. I changed my schedule because of my son.

The Leader: What are the requirements for people working in the fitness business?

Mrs. Slutsker: I would say we want people with burning hearts and with a great desire to contribute to the company. We need educated people who want to improve themselves. I appreciate it when employees do something to please our clients and not just to please me. I’m proud of my friendly and purposeful team. Everyone on it wants to learn new things.

Let me just add, on May 25, the three-day Seventh International Fitness Convention World Class 2001 was opened at the Olimpiisky sports complex, which we staged primarily to introduce new methods of training and show-off new talent.

The Leader: Was that convention a success?

Mrs. Slutsker: I’m very satisfied with the number of people who turned out. More and more professionals are working in the industry. I was also very satisfied with my team and our presenters. When this convention first got started, only 200 participants turned out. Today, that figure is at about 4,000. I am also happy with the way it’s been organized — we did our best to arrange everything properly for every one’s convenience.

The Leader: How do you feel about the convention’s influence on the industry, and particularly your business?

Mrs. Slutsker: This convention influences the internal status of my business, on my team. It reminds them of competition and forces them to be the best. Our presenters work hard to prepare their programs and feel very honored to show their work to so many professionals. This event is a great motivation for everyone’s growth.

As head of the company, I would like my people to understand that we are the best in the fitness business and we are respected. Sometimes we forget to compliment each other. The convention is a holiday that shows the company’s strength. It’s also wonderful advertising.