ON A DAILY basis, Rob Lipsett’s every move is carefully considered by over 70,000 people around the world. The 23-year-old is Ireland’s leading fitness YouTuber and has seen his channel grow into a self-sustainable business in the space of twelve short months.
This weekend, the Dubliner heads to Los Angeles for the annual FitExpo where a host of the industry leaders assemble for a two-day summit, fitness style.
With his global reach growing with each passing week, Rob Lipsett is doing all the rights in an already congested market.
This is his story.
Where did your passion for fitness come from?
I went to a rugby-playing secondary school and you were expected to play from first up to sixth year. I played in the pack and as the years went on, it was being taken more and more seriously.
It got to a stage when the senior panel were professional in everything but name and it ultimately paid off as we won the Leinster Senior Cup – but the gym side of training was what I loved.
We were in an intense regime and working with some great coaches so I loved the training and pushing my body. I then started to veer more towards the gym, lifting and weights.
How did it become more than a hobby?
I got my personal trainer qualification and then set-up a Facebook page and used it to dispense the knowledge I had built up. I used statuses as mini-articles and began to build up a following. People started messaging me on Facebook to ask for advice and that provided the the platform for the YouTube channel and it all snowballed from there.
One thing led to another. Facebook page, YouTube channel, personal trainer, website, and online store.
You gave up college to do this. How do you make money?
My primary business is my personal training service. I’m an online personal trainer so people sign-up for a programme on my website, they receive a questionnaire automatically and I work with them from there.
I also have my own line of clothing which is only available from my website. They are my products and the YouTube videos and other social media platforms essentially act as advertising.
Without YouTube, there would be no personal training service but as it is, I’m all booked up and yesterday had to put the sold out signs on my website.
You are a prolific Snapchatter. How have things changed even since you started on YouTube?
The landscape has changed significantly in the last few months. Snapchat allows me to upload videos without the editing or rendering YouTube requires. I can give people an instant and regular product.
It’s a snowball effect. If I upload a video on YouTube, I’ll notify people on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. It’s a cross-platform business and you have to keep up to speed because people are constantly wanting different things.
Do platforms like Snapchat make you worry for your business given it’s now easier than ever for anyone to ‘shoot’ and upload?
I always welcome more Irish YouTubers. I could collaborate with them then and that is one of the fundamental ways to grow. When I go to LA this weekend, I will be spending time in the ‘YouTube House.’
I will be living with seven other ‘YouTubers’ and that allows me to tap into their audience and they can tap into mine. There are very few other prominent Irish fitness vloggers out there and I wouldn’t be wary of anyway else.
I’m confident in my product and always encourage people to follow their dreams and do what they want.
What are the challenges you’re presently faced with?
There are always challenges because it’s important to remain fresh and relevant. People will get bored very easily. If they go onto a YouTube video with 200 views then they’ll more than likely click off.
My views and followers are always growing but you can’t take that for granted. You need to make sure your product is as fresh as possible and ensure you’re offering something different.
I pride myself on interacting with people so will always reply to comments or messages. If you see interaction then you’re more likely to get involved and that builds a following.
Over Christmas I was in Thailand and that offered me a good opportunity to mix-up the content. It was different and people like that. It’s the same this weekend when I’m in LA.
You’ve grown the business from nothing into what it is today. Have you received any help along the way?
I dropped out of college but always had a business acumen. If I wasn’t in fitness I would probably be in PR because so it’s always been a passion for me. I’ve done this with no help apart from assistance from my girlfriend.
I’m up most nights until the early hours to work through different client programmes, reply to all the emails or make sure I’m as accessible as possible to readers. I constantly have companies contacting me looking for advertising or product placement and it would be easy to say yes to everything.
I’ve always remained true to my beliefs and would only use or endorse a product if I truly believe in it myself. People will always ask you that but at the end of the day I’m a personal trainer and it’s my job to advise clients and viewers in the best possible way.
What do your family think of your job?
I have three olders sisters in their late 20s or early 30s and they ‘get’ it. My mum doesn’t. She doesn’t understand and still asks do I train people through the computer screen when I tell her I’m an online personal trainer.
I did take a leap of faith by leaving college and doing what I wanted and now I’ve got to the stage where I probably need someone else on board. I am looking to hire someone but remain reluctant.
I’ve always done everything myself. I’ve been in control of everything but to take things to the next level I probably need an extra body.
What are the immediate plans for Lipsett Fitness?
Fitness will always be my focus but I’m passionate about travel and business. The lion’s share of my viewers are from Ireland but with such a small population and fitness community, I feel kind of limited here.
The plan is to head to Australia for some of this year and obviously I’m in America for the next two weeks. It’s about spreading your wings because sitting there and being happy with your success won’t work.
I don’t consider myself as successful at all. I’m only starting off and want to get to the top. I have viewers all around the world but there’s a long way to go.
