Celebrity trainer Jono Castano announces he’s expanding Acero to the US
Celebrity trainer Jono Castano has just revealed a major move following the million-dollar success of his fitness empire.
Celebrity trainer Jono Castano is ready to take on Hollywood.
In an exclusive chat with news.com.au, the 31-year-old revealed he will be moving to the United States in September to expand his gym business following the Acero brand’s great success in Sydney.
Jono, together with his ex-wife Amy Castano, co-founded Acero Gym in Kensington, Sydney just under three years ago and in that time — as they will tell you — it has “just blown up” — attracting the likes of big-name celebrities including Rita Ora, Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby, Aussie athlete Candice Warner and most notably, Rebel Wilson.
In the last year alone, the gym has made more than $1 million in profit, excluding merchandise and other endorsements affiliated with the brand.
And it’s because of this Jono said he is able to full-fill his long-time dream of opening up a gym in West Hollywood.
Moving to LA
“The US has always been such a key goal of mine,” he told news.com.au. “I’ll be gone in September — September is the date I am actually going to leave.”
After finally obtaining his working visa, Jono will be relocating to Los Angeles with his model girlfriend and former SAS contestant Simone Holtznagel — where the hunt for a gym space will begin.
“Simone, my partner, is coming along with me. She used to live there prior to the pandemic and having someone that’s able to support me and know the system is amazing,” he said.
“When I go there I want the spot to be done and dusted so I can flow straight in and start promoting it.”
On the reason why he chose West Hollywood — he said it’s simple.
“You want to be right in the middle of where it’s happening — and it’s where I see my potential.”
Jono said the gym will target more high profile clients such as celebrities.
“That’s what I want to strive towards. That’s the reason I am going to LA, to be able to work with more influential people because if not, it’s like what’s the reason for me going to LA, I may as well stay in Sydney and keep doing what I am doing.”
Jono said he wants to challenge himself and without the success he’s had so far, working with so many athletes and influential people, he probably wouldn’t have the confidence to make the big leap.
Rebel Wilson, who Jono met through fellow Aussie actor Hugh Sheridan before opening Acero, will be one of his many celebrity clients ready to start in the US.
Chris Appleton, who is Jennifer Lopez’s hair stylist — will be another. And considering he’s also trained Sir Richard Branson, there’s no doubt the Virgin founder will be popping in for a sweaty session whenever he’s in LA.
“We will continue the same model in terms of space, so something intimate,” Jono said.
And he has already put the feelers out for personal trainers, saying he is looking at hiring a maximum of six.
“I am speaking to some LA trailers who have made programs for the Acero app, so it makes sense for them to be part of the gym.”
Acero Drip
On top of finalising the big US move, Jono and Amy, 33, have been plugging away at Acero Drip — the gym’s first app that just launched in collaboration with AFL star Dustin Martin.
It’s particularly good news for those who travel with the app spitting out programs based on the equipment you have at your disposal.
“Say if you go on a holiday and you only have a dumbbell and you want to train legs, it forms a seven-day program for you based on the equipment you have,” Jono explained.
There’s also workouts from HIIT, cardio, pilates, yoga and kickboxing to mindful sessions.
The coaches include Jono himself, Chad Hurst, Alyna Rost and Lou West to professional athletes Shai Bolton, Andrew Nabbout, and Dzhabar Askerov.
Behind the success
Jono and Amy founded Acero during the pandemic — a tough, but beneficial time.
“The pandemic helped us out as we were a one-on-one gym and during that time people couldn’t go into a commercial gym to train,” he said.
“A lot of the rules back then were you could only train with one trainer so we took advantage of that and progressed with the times.
“We have also created a community that people want to be part of and I think that’s what’s driven our success.”
Jono now trains up to 60 clients a week and has a team of 17 trainers.
He looks after all-things training while Amy manages the entire Acero brand, so everything from marketing, finances and social media.
And while the pair are no longer together, they remain friends and continue to operate their fitness empire together.
“There was an initial hurdle of figuring out our relationship within a work dynamic, but we have definitely figured that out now and just want to move forward,” Amy said.
Amy will be based in Sydney looking after their gym in Kensington while Jono will take to Hollywood to expand their empire.
He will also be releasing his first book — It Starts Now — in January.
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