Ernest Reinhardt is an accomplished entrepreneur whose career spans multiple industries, including real estate, lending, and notably, fitness innovation. He is the visionary behind HARDTFIT and the creator of the ROWFORMER, a revolutionary exercise machine that blends Pilates with cardiovascular workouts, thereby transforming the fitness landscape.
After graduating from Mater Dei High School and Newport Beach High School, and furthering his education at Orange Coast College, Ernest embarked on a business career marked by bold ventures and significant achievements. He made his mark in the beverage industry with Adult Chocolate Milk, where he drove the brand to achieve national distribution and secure key retail partnerships. His adept skills in sales and marketing, alongside a knack for product innovation, have propelled his ventures to success and steered them through challenges, including the downturns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, Ernest is focusing on scaling the impact of the ROWFORMER globally through a strategic partnership with Strong Pilates. His continuous pursuit of innovation and excellence ensures that his projects not only succeed but also set new benchmarks in their respective fields.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My days are varied, but each starts with a quick review of my calendar and a workout, which sharpens my focus. I prioritize tasks by urgency and impact, delegating when possible. Keeping meetings concise and action-oriented helps me stay productive. I also reserve time for brainstorming and strategic planning, essential for driving business growth.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Ideas come to life through collaboration, rigorous testing, and iterative development. I sketch out initial concepts, then discuss them with my team to refine and validate. Prototyping is crucial; it transforms abstract ideas into tangible products that we can test and improve upon.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The integration of technology in fitness is thrilling. It’s reshaping how we approach personal wellness, making customized workouts more accessible and keeping people engaged with new interactive platforms.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Daily planning is my go-to productivity hack. Spending a few minutes each morning to outline my key activities and goals for the day helps me stay focused and efficient.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self to fear less and trust your instincts more. The biggest risks often lead to the greatest rewards. Don’t shy away from challenging paths; they are opportunities for growth and innovation.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that failing fast isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the most effective path to success. Many see failure as a setback, but I view it as a crucial learning step.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Reflect on your experiences. Take time each week to assess what went well and what didn’t. This reflection helps improve decision-making and strategy development.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step back and go for a run or hit the gym. Physical activity clears my mind and helps me refocus. If that’s not possible, I’ll switch to a different task to change my mental scenery.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Networking has been invaluable. Building a broad network of contacts has opened doors to opportunities I would never have encountered otherwise. It’s not just about collecting business cards; it’s about cultivating meaningful relationships.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
The temporary closure of our HARDTFIT studio due to the pandemic was a tough blow. We pivoted to selling machines and licensing, which not only kept us afloat but also opened new avenues for growth. The lesson was clear: adaptability is key.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A mobile app that connects fitness trainers with clients for personalized home workouts. As home workouts increase in popularity, such an app could democratize personal training.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Asana. It helps manage our projects from anywhere. I use it to track tasks across different teams, monitor deadlines, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
“Zero to One” by Peter Thiel is a book that has profoundly influenced my approach to entrepreneurship. Thiel’s focus on creating something new rather than just improving on existing products challenged me to think more creatively and ambitiously. The concept of going from zero to one—doing something nobody else is doing—resonates deeply with me, especially in the context of developing the ROWFORMER and entering uncharted territory in the fitness industry. It’s about making unique contributions that will define the future of markets and technology.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently watched “Billions” on Showtime. It’s a fascinating look at high finance and power dynamics, filled with sharp dialogue and complex characters. It’s not just entertainment; it’s a masterclass in negotiation and strategy.
Key learnings
- Embrace Adaptability
- Value of Networking
- Innovation as a Core Principle