When different backgrounds and strengths align, they can create something truly unique.
Facet Seven® Fitness’ innovative model is built on exactly that: two distinct fitness journeys crossing at the perfect moment.
On Jan. 1, 2012, co-owner and coach Layn Chess partnered with another fitness professional to open the first Facet Seven® Fitness location on 19th St. The gym attracted more than 400 members within five months, outgrowing its 5,000-square-foot studio and prompting a move into a 20,000-square-foot facility on 23rd St.
Chess continued expanding the business, refined its training systems and opened the gym’s East Downtown (EaDo) location in 2018.
At the same time, co-owner and coach Jeraldine Ollervides was building a fitness community of her own.
In 2014, Ollervides launched her career as an independent trainer, with a focus on working with women. She taught classes in parks, trained clients in warehouse-style gyms and built a loyal following of Latina women.
Long before social media became a standard marketing tool for fitness professionals, Ollervides grew an online audience of over 40,000 people and created her own fitness content, app and coaching systems.
This focus is deeply personal for Ollervides, who grew up as a first-generation American after her parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Fitness resources were not available in her household growing up, so she decided to break that generational cycle and share the life-changing knowledge with other women.
But finding the right training space remained a challenge. Most facilities that allowed her to remain independent were not air-conditioned.
“I didn’t want to work for anybody, and nobody had what I needed,” Ollervides said.
That changed when a client who previously trained with Chess mentioned the EaDo Facet Seven® Fitness location and encouraged Ollervides to tour the facility.
She found exactly what she had been searching for: a professional fitness environment with indoor turf, dedicated training space and room to continue growing her business, so she joined the team.
Over time, Chess and Ollervides discovered that their strengths complemented one another. Ollervides brought expertise in social media, technology and community-building, while Chess contributed years of experience in programming, coaching and gym operations.
“We fill these gaps for each other. It’s really nice,” Chess said.
Eventually, the two got married and now have a three-year-old child. Chess even proposed to Ollervides on the roof of the gym.
Today, they run two Facet Seven® Fitness locations together, EaDo and Heights. As both business and life partners, they help members pursue a healthier lifestyle through a balanced approach to fitness.
Looking at fitness differently
While many gyms focus primarily on appearance or weight loss, Chess and Ollervides believe fitness should be about something much bigger.
“What I love about Facet Seven® is that we don’t just focus on looking good. We want you to move better, feel better and [achieve] what you’re missing in life,” Ollervides said.
The name of the gym comes from a structured framework that helps members achieve total health. It operates on a system of six facets:
- Flexibility
- Agility
- Core
- Endurance
- Toning
- Strength
These facets are built around three pillars: strength, cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility.
When a person practices all six facets, they reach Facet Seven®, which is Complete Fitness.
Every member begins with a FitnessEQ™ assessment to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement, helping coaches determine what will have the greatest impact on that individual’s health. From there, daily action turns into long-term progress.
Classes offered throughout the week are intentionally varied, ensuring members get a well-rounded workout without training the same muscle groups every day.
Throughout the year, programming evolves with the seasons, creating a structured system built for sustainable progress.
Building confidence through fitness
Both owners believe the greatest transformations often happen beyond the physical.
Ollervides has spent much of her career helping women regain confidence during major life transitions, whether they are adjusting to motherhood, recovering from setbacks or trying to make time for themselves again.
She believes fitness can become a tool for personal growth when people commit to showing up consistently for themselves.
For Chess, the mission is rooted in helping people improve not only how long they live but also the quality of those years. He became passionate about helping others take proactive steps toward long-term wellness after watching his grandfather experience a difficult health decline.
Together, they have built a culture that extends beyond workouts. Many of the gym’s coaches have been part of the organization for years, and the community feels more like an extended family than a traditional fitness facility.
What’s next for Facet Seven® Fitness?
As Facet Seven® Fitness grows, Chess and Ollervides remain focused on expanding their impact.
The company is preparing to open a third location while also developing educational resources, digital content and franchise opportunities that will allow more people to access the systems they have spent years refining.
They have also launched LongevityME™, which includes bi-annual functional blood labs, with a 60 minute review with Facet Seven’s® Functional Doc to help members better understand the connection between fitness and overall health—all for only $333 per month.
While the company continues to evolve, its mission remains the same: helping people build healthier habits and discover a more sustainable relationship with fitness.
Click here to learn more about Facet Seven® Fitness, or click here to explore membership opportunities today.
Current locations:
- Facet Seven® EaDo: 1005 Ennis, Houston
- Facet Seven® Heights: 2505 W. 11th St., Houston
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.