747 Fitness in Melbourne’s suburb of Dandenong, owned and operated by Kosta Drakoulakos has been crowned Victoria’s fitness business of the year in AUSactive’s 2022 national awards.
“We’ve been around for 11 years now; the nominations came in and we came out on top despite stiff competition from 30 or 40 other businesses,” Kosta told Neos Kosmos.
AUSactive is a non-profit organization that aims to professionalise the exercise and active health industry, engaging in partnerships, education, accreditation and advocacy work; encouraging Australians to adopt healthy, active lifestyles.
Speaking on the strains the last two years of pandemic related restrictions put on businesses in the fitness word, Kosta says that having come through it, the recognition of the award feels well earned.
“It was a struggle finding a way to operate safely but at the end of the day we started this to better people’s lives.”
“So, we got the appropriate permits, ran classes in parks, considered the restrictions at the time. These kinds of activities have a real positive effect on people’s mental health and that was needed even more so then,” he said.
Kosta’s business offers a variety of classes and activities catering to clientele ranging from professional athletes to ordinary people looking to improve their fitness.
“Some come for the physical conditioning program, we’ve had athletes from the A-League, Big-Bash, a few AFL players. For others it’s the boxing and kickboxing classes to build their self-confidence.”
His business is the culmination of a personal journey which began in his youth.
“I was a competitive kickboxer from 16, but I’ve just been in love with health, fitness and martial arts ever since I was young.”
“So, I took on further education, got my certificate III & IV’s in sports nutrition, fitness and personal training alongside a diploma of sports development,” he explained.
As well as providing group training classes in a variety of areas alongside personal training, 747 offers training in boxing, strength conditioning programs, even yoga and meditation.
“We try to offer a holistic experience, we cater to all sorts and that’s kind of our mission. We take our client assessments very seriously, looking to tailor suit their training to them as an individual.”
For Kosta, fitness and along with it a true sense of wellbeing is core to his lifestyle, something he shares through his professional practice and his business.
“Whatever your passion is, don’t listen to anyone other than yourself… you can make anything worth your life if you stay the course.”
