Ernest Reinhardt
Inventor and Entrepreneur
HARDTFIT LLC
Dallas, Texas, United States
About Ernest Reinhardt
Ernest Reinhardt is an American entrepreneur and inventor with a background in sales, marketing, product development, and global sourcing. He is the founder of HARDTFIT LLC and the inventor of the ROWFORMER, a patented fitness machine that combines rowing and Pilates-based resistance training. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas.
Reinhardt began his career in real estate and lending before moving into the apparel industry. He held leadership roles in sales and sourcing, managing vendor relationships and overseeing fulfillment for major retail chains including Walmart, Macy’s, Tilly’s, and PacSun. From 2011 to 2014, he served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Cotton Heritage, where he led a national sales team and helped grow the company’s footprint through domestic and international manufacturing partners.
In the early 2010s, Reinhardt worked with Adult Chocolate Milk, a startup beverage brand founded by his sister and her partner. He led sales and marketing, secured national distribution, and helped expand the product to 38 U.S. states. The company was acquired two years after its launch.
In 2018, Reinhardt launched HARDTFIT and developed the ROWFORMER. The machine was first used in a fitness studio in Costa Mesa, California. After the studio closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reinhardt shifted focus to licensing and manufacturing. The ROWFORMER is now the exclusive equipment used by Strong Pilates, a global fitness brand with locations across several countries.
Reinhardt holds U.S. and Australian patents for the ROWFORMER. He continues to work in product innovation, business development, and fitness equipment licensing.
Areas of Focus
Career Background
HARDTFIT LLC
Cotton Heritage
Adult Beverage Company (Adult Chocolate Milk)
The George Yardley Companies
Education
Media
Press
A Conversation with Ernest Reinhardt: Innovating Fitness and Beyond - CEOWORLD magazine
Read the full article ›A Conversation With Ernest Reinhardt on Vision, Grit, and Creating What Doesn’t Exist
Read the full article ›Ernest Reinhardt Launches Personal Blog to Inspire the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Read the full article ›Licenses & Certifications
- Certified Trainer – Pilates, United Latino Students Association
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ernest Reinhardt do?
Ernest Reinhardt is an American entrepreneur and inventor who founded HARDTFIT LLC, where he invented the ROWFORMER, a patented fitness machine combining rowing and Pilates-based resistance training. His background spans sales, marketing, product development, and global sourcing.
What is Ernest Reinhardt known for?
He is known for inventing the ROWFORMER, which holds U.S. and Australian patents and is now the exclusive equipment used by Strong Pilates, a global fitness brand. He has been featured in several interviews discussing entrepreneurship and innovation.
Where is Ernest Reinhardt based?
Ernest Reinhardt is based in Dallas, Texas, United States.
Where did Ernest Reinhardt study?
Ernest Reinhardt earned an Associate Degree in General Studies from Orange Coast College.
Who does Ernest Reinhardt work for?
Ernest Reinhardt is the founder and inventor at HARDTFIT LLC.
Last updated February 20, 2026