Best Customer Service 2008: The BAR School of Athletic Performance

Usually a word like "workout" doesn't conjure illusions of an enjoyable experience.

Brad and Tracie Rogers have changed that perception at The BAR School of Athletic Performance, which has been chosen as offering the "Best Customer Service" in this year's Ahwatukee Foothills News Best Of 2008.

"We try to fill a void," Brad Rogers said. "It's completely different from what others provide. Maybe customer service could be taught, but I think it comes from within."

For area high school athletes who are normally rivals in the arena, the facility is something of a clubhouse where they can meet and train together.

"This is a place away from home," Tracie explained. "Our workouts are unconventional. We don't have regular fitness machines and when people walk in they know it's a comfortable place where they can hang out if they want."

As a personal trainer, Brad, who was a catcher at Texas Christian University, hasn't forgotten his roots.

"I love working with kids and watching them excel, but we work with all athletes," Brad said. "We truly want to give everyone as much value as we can."

And he makes sure that the young athletes aren't there just because they want to be with friends.

"If they can't give us the right answers why they want to be here they aren't in the right spot," Brad added.

The Rogers family also gets involved.

"Our goal since we opened was to be productive members of this community and take every opportunity we can to give back," Tracie said. "We give our clients an opportunity to give back too and that is a huge part of our business."

In addition to supporting local high school programs, they were able to donate 2,000 pairs of shoes, adopted two families at Christmas and are working on a baseball equipment drive to help underprivileged baseball players in the Dominican Republic.

"We want to be an extension of everyone's family," Tracie added.

1st place: The BAR School of Athletic Performance
4425 E. Agave Road,
Suite 100, (480) 961-5411

2nd Place: Woolaver Clearsmiles
4425 E. Agave Road,
Suite 126, (480) 240-9393

 3rd Place: Cupz and Crepes
4232 E. Chandler Blvd.,
(480) 706-1963