Built To Grow

Many gym owners think the number of members defines success. But that’s not true. What truly matters is not how many people walk through the door but the revenue each member brings in. (After all, revenue is what pays the bills).So, like in any business, your main focus should be on maximizing net profit and ensuring that what came in isn't just for show but has real financial backing.If you want to build a solid business foundation for future growth, you need systematic processes and a focus on recurring revenue over base operating expenses. However, the real transformation occurs when you fully understand and apply the power of simplification.It means eliminating unnecessary elements and simplifying everything you can - the service offering, program design, coaches' schedules, cancellation policy, you name it.Yes, it involves focusing on a small number of core services and making tough decisions that might upset some clients. But it also allows you to smooth your gym's operations and ultimately

For many gym clients, fitness success is often boiled down to the numbers they see on the scale. However, there's a whole spectrum of benefits that don't make it to this narrow view, which even gym owners may not always be aware of.These moments include realizing you're hitting the golf ball further, hiking with ease, or simply enjoying playtime with the grandkids without nagging back pain. These are the real, though often unrecognized, wins that your gym brings into your clients' lives.Sure, shedding pounds and inches is a significant achievement, but being in better shape extends its value far beyond these conventional metrics. The gym improves quality of life in ways the scale can't measure.Yet, these small wins, such as improved daily activities or personal milestones achieved, might not always be top of mind for clients, especially when making decisions about continuing their gym membership.That's why it's crucial for gym owners and coaches to highlight and celebrate these gai

Why do some gyms thrive while others struggle, even when they all offer pretty much the same thing? The secret isn't in the equipment or even in the types of classes offered; it's not about what they're selling, but how they're selling it.Many gym owners get caught up in listing amenities, such as the weight of their dumbbells or their state-of-the-art facilities. But that's not what really attracts people. It's like saying, "Our hotel has beds and bathrooms." Sure, but what does it offer beyond that?Instead of just a service, you need to offer a solution to a specific problem.This approach transforms how potential clients see your gym. They start seeing it as a place that offers more than just equipment—a place that understands their needs and offers a path to their desired results.By focusing on solving problems, you create value that goes beyond just being another gym. It's about connecting with people on a deeper level, understanding their goals, and offering a tailored

Many gyms face the same problem: their websites seem like ghost towns where potential clients visit but never stick around. Imagine someone lands on your website, curious and ready to learn more, but there's no way for them to just say, "Hey, I'm interested!" without committing to a purchase or a class. It's like throwing a party and forgetting to send out invites – how can you expect a crowd?One thing is sure – this way, gyms miss a huge market segment.Picture the old food pyramid, but for gym leads, something like an 'awareness triangle’. At the triangle's peak are those ready to buy. It’s a small fraction compared to the base: the people just browsing, curious, or completely unaware of how much they could benefit from joining a gym. By not capturing their interest when they visit your website, you're letting countless opportunities for growth slip through your fingers.However, setting up a system to capture leads – a simple opt-in for more info or a chat – is the way to star

When gym owners decide to step back from day-to-day operations to maybe open a second spot or just focus more on their business growth, it shakes things up a bit. You're likely the go-to person in your gym, knowing all your clients by name, what they like, what they don't… But eventually, focusing on the bigger picture means you won't be around as much.That’s the point when some clients might start feeling left out. (You can’t blame them – suddenly, the friendly face they’re used to seeing every day is gone.) This switch can be tricky. You've got clients who were thrilled to be trained by the owner, and now they're being handed over to someone else. They start missing that personal touch. On one hand, it’s a compliment – they loved your service that much. But on the other hand, it raises a big question: How do you grow your business without losing that personal connection that made it special in the first place?It's a puzzle many gym owners wrestle with. How do you expand and still kee

Have you ever wondered why so many gyms offer free trials yet struggle to keep their doors open? Or, put simply, do free trials really work?Many people think that offering something for nothing is the golden ticket to a booming business. But that 'free' offer can actually cost you much more than you might think. In fact, outside the fitness world, free services are pretty uncommon. So, why would they be a good choice for gyms?One of the biggest drawbacks is that free trials attract the wrong customer base — those who value the service less because it's free, making them less likely to become paying customers.So, is there a solution? Is there a way to make customers commit upfront to filter out those who are not serious about their fitness goals? Tim and Randy say yes!In this episode, they share a proven approach that allows gym owners to attract customers who value their service and are committed from day one.Tune in as they discuss why the fitness industry's obsession with free trials is back

Adding random classes at 8 AM or 9 PM because a couple of clients said they could make it, only for them to drop out later — sounds familiar, right? This is just one example of how gym owners try to please everyone but end up creating a schedule that's hard to follow. Another issue arises when offering sessions that never expire. Picture someone from 2019 showing up for their sessions in 2024. This might sound bizarre, but it's a real issue that leaves gym owners without a steady membership income.Trying to keep everyone happy often leads to policies that just complicate things. If you’ve ever been in a situation where you wanted to change a signed contract, you know that it's not easy. But there is a solution, and it’s actually not complicated at all. Set clear, straightforward rules from the start, like offering one or two types of memberships, not a dozen, or setting a clear cancelation policy.The goal is to make things smoother for both you and your clients. So, if your gym's policies feel

Do you know what's really going wrong behind the scenes at your gym? This question goes beyond workouts or diets. Ask yourself: Why do your clients leave? Why isn't your gym making more money? How dependent is your gym on your coaches, and could they potentially steal your clients? If you don't have answers, or if you’re not satisfied with them, this episode is for you.This time, Tim and Randy are tackling some tough truths in the fitness industry. It's not about pointing fingers, but let's be real: There's a bunch of stuff that's just not cutting it - from having outdated practices to not having any plan at all (and everything in between).Many gyms make it difficult for people to join or even understand what they're paying for. Others have no data about their own business - no attrition rate, no average revenue per member, no base operating expenses, not even how much they spend on marketing. Some of them have no recurring revenue… The list is really long.But it's not all

This week, Tim and Randy dive into a hot topic: should gyms pass credit card processing fees onto their clients? With the potential to save gyms tens of thousands of dollars annually, the decision seems financially sound. However, the issue goes beyond just numbers, especially in the fitness industry, which is not just any business. The personal connection between gyms and their clients makes adding extra fees more complicated. Gym owners must think about balancing their finances and building positive client relationships. So, if you want to find out whether the financial gains from passing on fees are worth the risk of possibly driving clients away, join Tim and Randy.They compare the fitness industry's situation to other businesses and talk about different strategies, from moving to ACH payments to raising membership rates. They also look at how different industries handle costs and customer expectations around tipping and service charges.Tune in and discover the best strategies for your business!Key Ta

Imagine having access to secret business metrics that could dramatically increase your retention rates, optimize your operations, and enhance your customer service. That’s exactly what Tim and Randy’s guest can offer gym owners.In this episode, Tim and Randy sit down with Dan Uyemura, CEO and founder of PushPress, to discuss how technology is transforming fitness business operations. Dan shares his journey from opening a gym to developing PushPress, a gym management software focusing on solving the specific needs of gym owners with a strong emphasis on customer service.Dan's story is a testament to the power of innovation, customer obsession, and leveraging data to make informed decisions.In this interview, Dan, Tim, and Randy discuss the importance of hybrid gym models, strategies to reduce member churn, and how to use AI and data to fuel your business growth. If you tune in, you’ll get actionable insights you can apply immediately to see tangible results and keep your members coming back for more.Let’s

This episode recaps the Iron Circle Winter 2024 mastermind experience, a three-day gathering for gym owners held in Orlando. This wasn't a typical business retreat - it was a deep dive into what makes a business truly successful beyond the numbers.One of the guest speakers was Jeff Hoffman, the founder of Priceline.com. This brilliant speaker inspired all participants to reflect on their leadership and the impact they have on their teams and communities.During his 8-hour-long speech (delivered without relying on slides or notes), Hoffman shared his journey from creating airport kiosks to leading a $128 billion company, offering invaluable lessons on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership along the way.His stories and principles, such as the importance of swift failure recovery, achieving personal harmony, and the power of a focused business approach, truly struck a chord with everyone. Hoffman also discussed team dynamics, the value of inclusive leadership, and the benefits of simplifying business m

There's a point in every gym when you just don't grow anymore. Your gym seems stuck, no matter what you do. This phenomenon is something many gym owners face but rarely discuss - the point of no return.In the fitness business, attrition is as certain as gravity: you gain members, you lose some, and when you reach a growth ceiling, adding more members doesn't necessarily increase profit due to fixed attrition rates and marketing costs.This ceiling isn't about lack of effort but about hitting the natural limits of your current model, especially if it's based on large group sessions. To put this simply—the more members you have, the more you're bound to lose.If you're stuck in this cycle, spending the same on marketing but not seeing real growth, it's obviously time for a change. And the good news is there are ways to break through this plateau. As you can guess, these strategies go beyond adding more members.They include optimizing what you already have, tweaking your pricing, tr

What if there was a way to let your gym run itself for a month or two, allowing you to step back, watch it thrive, and enjoy the fruits of your labor without being caught in the day-to-day grind?Sounds too good to be true?Well, it's not as far-fetched as you might think. The secret lies in going back to the basics, to the very core of operational success: systems. Yes, the magic ingredient to transforming your gym into a self-sustaining entity is simpler than you'd expect.The ultimate goal of almost all gym owners (and entrepreneurs in general) is to have more freedom, more time, and, of course, more money. However, achieving this dream is impossible without the right frameworks in place. It's about creating a business that serves you, not just another job on your plate. Tim and Randy’s coaching program is built around this very principle, focusing on four main systems:AttractionConversionDelivery AscensionIn fact, these systems are practical tools that, when implemented, lead to more money, trust

This week, we're going back to revisit an old episode where Tim and Randy talked about the unique factors that make your gym stand out from the crowd.  Understanding these factors is important, as success in the fitness industry isn't just about luck or chance; it requires a strategic approach and careful consideration of certain factors.From gym location to training models to programming, we've uncovered a handful of essential elements that hold the power to drive your gym to unparalleled success.So, whether you're a seasoned gym owner looking for new ideas or someone considering venturing into this dynamic field, this episode is for you.If Tim were to start all over again, these are the most important factors that he’d consider to guarantee success.By incorporating these elements into your fitness business, you can attract and retain more clients, increase revenue, and elevate your gym to new heights of prosperity.Let's dive in and explore the secrets to creating a gym that not only thri

Managing people is tough in any business. Gyms are no exception. You need to deal with different personalities and the fact that life outside the gym affects how your team acts inside it. Also, over time, they may become too comfortable and stop following the gym's rules.Sounds familiar?Most gym owners have likely faced coaches who start to slack off at some point. It begins with them not fully meeting their responsibilities, and before you know it, the whole atmosphere in the gym starts to shift because the same vibe starts to spread among the team.This isn't just about a few missed tasks. It’s a far more important thing because it affects clients’ experience by changing the energy and consistency that your clients love.So you, as a gym owner, need to get your team back on track, but how? You don't want to come off too strong and risk losing your staff. (Especially at a time when finding and retaining good trainers is super challenging.)But then again, you can't just let things slide.So, how

A milestone is reached for Tim and Randy - the Built to Grow podcast hits the 500th episode! Over four and a half years, they've consistently delivered twice-weekly episodes packed with insights to inspire and educate their audience.But this one is a bit different. Over the last month, gym owners have been calling in with their questions, and Tim and Randy are going to answer them in this special edition.The questions range from client onboarding to memorable episodes, gym stability, the ideal structure for a $1m micro gym, transitioning to a semi-private model, and a lot more. Actually, each of these topics could be an episode in itself!So don’t miss out on this landmark ‘7 in 1’ episode, as Tim and Randy explain 7 things other gym owners found challenging. Tune in and learn what other gym owners are curious about.Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)What our client onboarding process looks like (02:29)The most memorable episode (11:55)How to create more stability in your gym (15:04)Standing out in the semi-privat

There are two mistakes gym owners often make.Some of them get really into making their programs and become so involved that they can't step back and see the bigger picture. It’s a kind of paradox - although deep involvement in programming can be a gym's unique strength, it can also be its Achilles' heel. The personal touch in programming is often what's actually holding back the gym's growth.On the other hand, there are gym owners who only think about the business side and let their coaches do all the programming. In that scenario, things can feel out of control, where everyone does their own thing. Obviously, neither approach is perfect for growing a gym.The key is to find a balance and make a system that keeps the stuff that makes your gym unique and makes it easy to get bigger without losing that unique experience.The system should be easy to use and should make sure every client gets the same great experience, even if it's with different trainers. This doesn’t mean you need to make

Pain is often seen negatively but can be a key ally for entrepreneurs, especially gym owners. Although this might sound counterintuitive, the truth is that it's pain, not pleasure, that really pushes you to succeed. Take your gym clients, for instance. Many start their fitness journey motivated by a desire to get fit, lose weight, address back pain, you name it... Initially, they're disciplined and regularly attend the gym. But after they see the first results and start enjoying their new look, they often start to make excuses, skip sessions, start treating themselves to junk food… and eventually get back where they started.Sounds familiar? The same applies to business success. After gym owners reach a certain milestone, they often just stop doing what they did to get there. Let’s say it is making $30k a month. Some gym owners struggle to exceed this benchmark for years.Why? It's often because they're missing that initial push, that discomfort that got them moving in the first place. Because n

Work-life balance is something ordinary people aim for. But for those who want to be among the top 5% of their industry, it's a different story.If you run a gym and want to be really successful, it's not just about working hard. You need to be literally obsessed with your goals. This means your work will often take over your personal life.Entrepreneurs face huge pressures in balancing these aspects, and it's a tough path that not everyone can stay on. The support and understanding of family play a crucial role in this. They need to be on board with the sacrifices that come with striving for top-tier success. But achieving great business success doesn’t mean sacrificing family life and free time for good. Short-term sacrifices are aimed at achieving long-term gains. The idea is to invest heavily in your professional goals now, to enjoy a more fulfilling life later. It's a trade-off: intense focus on your work now, so later you can enjoy the benefits, like more time, a better lifestyle, and fina

As 2024 unfolds, it's time to decide what we want for our gyms this year.In the past, the focus might have been on increasing gross revenue or boosting member count. But now, your focus probably should be shifted towards simplifying operations. Simplifying doesn't just make things easier; it also brings better results. You become more efficient, save time, and even see a rise in your profits because you're doing fewer things but doing them well.When we look at gyms, we often see they're trying to do too much – from one-on-one sessions to various group classes and semi-private training. They offer packages of all sorts, trying to cater to everyone. But this approach can be overwhelming. It confuses both the gym and its clients, as there's no clear focus.A gym trying to be everything to everyone ends up being a master of none. It loses its unique identity. The key is to find what your gym does best and focus on that. Even though trainers might be skilled in various areas, a gym excels when i