Brothers share secret behind successful fitness empire

We asked the public to vote for Toowoomba’s best gym and now the results are officially in. See the list of the region’s top gyms here.

When it comes to The Fit Lab Health and Fitness Centre, the success of the popular business stretches far beyond muscle building, protein shakes and leg day.

Whether the team is helping others reach their ultimate fitness goals or making a difference in the community, it’s no wonder readers voted the venture as Toowoomba’s best gym.

Brothers Chris and Steven Hillman purchased the gym, which was formerly known as Breathe Health Club in 2016, rebranded and completely transformed the region’s sport, health and fitness sector.

In addition to the main gym, the pair also run an allied health centre, complete with physios and dietitians, as well as a high performance unit, specialising in athlete development.

The Fit Lab director Chris Hillman.

With no time to rest, The Fit Lab also provides strength and conditioning coaching for the Western Clydesdales, Queensland Touch Football and various schools across the region.

“The whole dream of The Fit Lab was to create a multifaceted health and fitness centre to help everyday people wanting to improve their fitness or struggling with chronic health conditions, through to elite athletes wanting to reach their goals of becoming professionals,” Chris said.

“It’s not often you get to work in a high performance environment with high standard or semi-professional sporting teams, but in five years we’ve managed to create a space like that right here in Toowoomba.”

The business which employs a team of about 60, is also actively involved in the community and runs programs for patients through Blush Cancer Care and the Toowoomba Hospital.

An equally rewarding experience for the founders is supplying its allied health specialists to assist with Indigenous health at Carbal Medical Services.

The Fit Lab high performance coach Steve Harbort works with Jordan Coleman as the gym is named the best gym in Toowoomba in an online poll of The Chronicle readers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

While Chris has always been involved in the local sporting community, he said it was his dad’s mentoring which inspired him and his brother to build a diverse and meaningful brand.

“My father started Hillman’s Transport in 1986 and when I finished university I joined him and Steven in the company,” Chris said.

“Our driving force has always been to make a difference and working in some of these (community and not for profit) spaces really warms your heart.”

Despite the business already having many facets, Chris said he believed this was just “the tip of the iceberg” and hoped to expand further in sporting and mental health spaces.

He said he also plans to one day open a facility in another part of the sunshine state.

Originally published as Brothers share secret behind successful fitness empire