Monster Gym History

The heart and soul of Monster Gyms is Carmine Petrillo.  For nearly twenty years, Carmine, or “Carm,” as he’s affectionately known at the gym, has been the driving force behind Monster’s growth.

Carm co-owned five gyms in the early nineties with four partners, including a little space called Arnold’s Gym. Its empty shell measured 8000 square feet, had no air conditioning, no cardio equipment, and no fitness studio or classes.

In 1994, the co-owners split their assets, and Carm was left with Arnold’s.  He already had a clothing line, Monster Wear, so Arnold’s got a name change, and Monster Gym was born.  Carm had big dreams for Monster, and immediately started upgrading the facilities, installing air conditioning, investing in cardio equipment, and building a proper studio, including implementing a fitness program.

In the years since, Carm has grown Monster into the largest gym on the West Island, with state-of-the-art equipment and specialized training available for everyone from beginners to bodybuilding experts.  
Monster has a reputation for being a leader, capable of staying on top and ahead of an ever-changing fitness industry.  The original 8000-square-foot gym has expanded into 28,000 square feet, and has grown its original 1500 members to over 4500 members. Equipment is constantly being upgraded, and the facility is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

Even with all this growth, Carm has made it a priority to ensure that the feel and vibe of the gym is and will always be inviting and friendly; keeping rates low and staying in tune with his belief that working out should be available to everyone.  Monster is, at its core, a family, and Carm wants to keep it that way. That commitment to his customers extends to helping the community as well. Monster Gym is proud to support the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, and Big Sisters and Big Brothers of the West Island.

As Carmine is fond of saying: “At Monster we don’t set the bar, we are the bar.”