Built To Grow

At a recent Bootcamp in Vegas, a speaker's tale about a plumbing company grabbed the attention of Tim and Randy. This company had found a unique way to distinguish themselves from competitors. When called to address a plumbing issue, be it fixing a toilet or a leak, their plumbers always added an extra touch. They wouldn’t just fix the problem; they'd also clean the entire bathroom - from the toilet and shower to the mirrors and sinks.This unexpected service delighted homeowners, giving them a feeling of true value. It wasn't merely about the repair - it was the added service that made all the difference. As a result, word-of-mouth referrals became their primary source of business.The plumber's story set the stage for this episode's topic: Why would clients choose your gym? It might also make many of you ponder:What does make you different from other gym owners? What is your X factor? How can you clean the entire bathroom?If these questions resonate with you, join Tim and Randy as they’ll

Have you ever gotten a Black Friday promotion email just to ask yourself, “Who’s this?!” “What do they want from me?” “Why am I even getting this?”Of course, you have. In fact, every day, we're all bombarded with promo emails, most of which we send straight to spam without even opening them.But with Black Friday around the corner, as gym owners preparing a campaign, we can't help but ask ourselves:How can we avoid our emails ending up in our prospects' spam? This week, Tim and Randy will try to answer this question. In one of the previous episodes, they shared strategies to collect leads, and in this one, they are diving into the topic of nurturing leads from your email list and keeping them engaged. Because here's the thing: A potential customer is excited when they first interact with a brand. But if months go by with no follow-up, reaching out suddenly for Black Friday may backfire. Those once-hot leads might wonder, "Who's this?" having forgotten they even signed up in the firs

Think about this scenario: You have just bought an insurance policy or signed a deal, and the very next second, the person who sold it to you is asking for referrals. It feels like a slap in the face, doesn't it?It seems they never truly valued you but only saw you as a stepping stone to their next customer. This is why most referral programs seriously miss the mark — they end up irritating new customers right from the start.So, if you, as a gym owner, are trying to get new clients this way, it's time to hit pause and reconsider your approach.After all, you haven't delivered on your promises right after a sale, yet you're asking someone to recommend your gym without giving them any reason.Instead, your focus should be on building a lasting relationship rooted in trust. Once you develop that bond, you can confidently ask for referrals.In this episode, Tim and Randy reveal their standout referral program that's been tried, tested, and proven to work.They will also show you how to create loya

In this episode, Tim and Randy share insights from their recent experience at a bootcamp organized by Ben Newman, a top-notch performance coach. Ben has a big reputation - he's worked with many athletes, teams, and business entrepreneurs.At this event, instead of just fitness talks, Tim and Randy heard from experts across various fields.By exploring beyond their industry, they discovered valuable insights that they can tailor and use in the fitness world. This Bootcamp experience has also underscored what Tim and Randy have been teaching for years in their program.Tune in for this episode as they share key takeaways from renowned speakers such as Justin Gatlin (who, after being barred from competitions, rose like a phoenix to triumph over Usain Bolt), Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Tim Grover, Claudio Gambin, Sean O’Brien, and many more.Join them to learn about key things needed for success in any business, including the fitness industry: thinking like a winner, handling stress, taking risks, staying motivated, and

Life's never about the easy path, especially in the world of business. Think about it - when was the last time you heard of a successful entrepreneur who got where they are by always choosing the path of least resistance? If you want to succeed, you need to choose your hard.Sure, it's tempting to stay in the middle, where the waves are calm and everything feels average. But mediocrity doesn't breed success. Whether you're a gym owner or a business tycoon, the journey to success is littered with tough decisions. Wanting more means waking up early, investing time in self-improvement, and sometimes burning the midnight oil. It's far from easy. But then again, so is struggling to pay the bills or feeling trapped in a life of unfulfilled aspirations.Every choice, even those that seem effortless or comfortable, brings its own set of challenges. Avoiding a tough decision today might lead to an even tougher situation tomorrow. It could be a financial hurdle, a staffing issue, or a missed opportuni

Gym owners and fitness coaches often dream about growing their business and earning more, picturing a future with many gym locations under their brand.But is this grand vision always the best idea?Even though many in the Iron Circle own multiple gyms, Tim chose to remain grounded with a single location. It wasn't because he didn't have chances to expand – there were plenty over the years.However, Tim made a calculated decision not to expand into multiple locations. He looked at gyms not merely as physical spaces but as ways to earn money. For him, the return on investment for multiple gyms didn't seem better than trying different things.The challenges of getting a new rent deal, buying additional equipment, and running multiple locations didn't seem worth it. It wasn't the wealth vehicle he sought.With the fitness industry being super competitive, one needs both a lot of money and tons of customers to reap significant profits. And it's riskier than putting money in things like real est

Every marketer knows the importance of a strong list. Today, Tim and Randy shed light on the magic behind it, diving deep into two marketing strategies - specifically, actionable tactics that can skyrocket your lists and pull in members and leads.Why is a list so essential?When you own your traffic, you can market to it whenever you want. There's no need to constantly buy new leads or try to gather more. They're already on your list. And if you nurture them and consistently offer value, you're employing a golden approach.With Black Friday approaching, keep in mind that costs on major platforms often surge. As major advertisers invest massive budgets, the cost per 1000 impressions rises, making it an expensive endeavor to achieve the same visibility. Having a solid list, though, can shield you from directly battling these big players.In this episode, Tim and Randy will unpack two out-of-the-box campaigns they've previously launched. Not only have these campaigns generated impressive returns, bu

Ever noticed in big-box gyms how personal trainers are often on the move, engaging with potential clients, hoping to seal the deal? That's the way they make money.Yet, at Tim’s gym, they've cultivated a distinct culture.They've recognized over time that many personal trainers, while experts in fitness, don’t have that innate "salesperson" touch. But here’s the deal: for the business to thrive, sales are essential. When the entire team is on board and contributes to this, the business truly flourishes. So, how does one boost earnings? Of course, attracting new clients is the primary method. However, a hidden goldmine lies in current clients. They could be interested in additional services like nutrition advice, supplements, or extra sessions.It's essential to clarify - this isn't about turning coaches into full-fledged salespeople. It's about ensuring that clients receive the best possible results from their gym experience. And sometimes, that means helping them see the advantag

In the fitness world, there's a lot of chatter about adding a 'pre-qualification' or 'discovery' call before in-person appointments. The idea is to prequalify potential clients over a brief 7-10 minute call, and hopefully, when they come in, they're more likely to sign up.Usually, Tim and Randy's gym booked direct appointments and sealed the deal face-to-face. The new approach suggests an initial call, followed by an in-person consultation.On the surface, it seems like adding extra steps, potentially complicating the client's journey. But on the flip side, it seems practical; after all, people might prefer a call over an in-person meeting.So, they decided to run an A/B test, comparing their usual method with the new call-first strategy. While their results leaned heavily towards one approach, some of their peer gyms from the Iron Circle had totally different outcomes.The bottom line?One size doesn't fit all. While it's tempting to adopt a new technique based on its succ

Are you prepared for one of the most significant sales events in the US, Black Friday? While it might seem early, the time to strategize is now. Walmart and Amazon are gearing up for Black Friday, teasing consumers with unbeatable offers. Competing against such giants and their lavish advertising might seem daunting. After all, how does one stand out when Amazon offers a 55-inch TV for just $175? But here's the secret weapon: strategy. Instead of a sudden sale announcement, the key is building excitement and eagerness among the target audience. Engaging customers early and consistently ensures you're top of mind before the big players flood the market. It isn’t just about promotions; it’s a carefully crafted psychological journey, ensuring your brand doesn't get overshadowed. The goal is to beat the giants at their own game by being proactive.Over the past decade, our expertise in orchestrating successful Black Friday campaigns has been recognized and appreciated. In this episode, we aim to guide

We've all heard it countless times: "Do what you do best and outsource the rest." It's a phrase that has become almost a mantra in the business world. But is it always right? I'd say, not necessarily. On paper, it's logical – why waste time learning something new when you can hire someone else to do it? But here's a catch: just because you're great at something doesn't always mean it's the right task for you. The real value here is time. It's an invaluable asset that, once lost, can never be regained. Unlike money, which can always be earned back, every second that ticks away is gone forever. This episode delves deep into this priceless resource - time. Are you stuck in daily operational tasks like checking social media, training clients, or shopping runs? If so, you might be missing the bigger picture. As the captain of your ship, your role extends beyond the day-to-day. It's about guiding your business, exploring new opportunities, and making strategic decisio

With so many gurus and coaches promoting high-ticket fitness business programs that promise earnings of $50,000 or even $100,000 in a single month, it's hard for any gym owner, whether new or veteran, to ignore such promises. And let's be honest: who wouldn't want an extra $100,000 in their pocket?But there's a catch. As you delve deeper into these glamorous figures, the shine often fades. Much like the bulk of an iceberg that remains hidden beneath the surface, there's more to these programs than meets the eye.One certainty with this way of doing business is the looming start of each month in panic mode, wondering where the next dollar will come from. As a result, decisions become driven by desperation.However, instead of this high-ticket approach, Tim and Randy advocate for the principle of sustainable business through recurring revenue. The goal of this model is to ensure that the monthly subscriptions you receive cover your gym's operating expenses as early as possible in the month

A couple of weeks back, Randy checked in with a gym owner from Iron Circle. The owner felt he'd been out of the loop. "July's been rough," he said.It wasn't just his gym. Across the board, July posed challenges for many gym owners. Randy comforted him, saying business has its ups and downs and all that jazz. But when the owner mentioned his $9,000 Delta growth in May compared to a modest $900 growth in July, they had to dive deeper.Here's the twist: for three out of the four weeks in July, he wasn't even present at his gym! Yet, his business not only held its ground but also grew by $900. That potentially means 18 new members were added and serviced seamlessly by his team in his absence.Obviously, he hadn’t considered the immense value of the time freedom his business was now affording him. It's not always about the gross revenue or flashy numbers. Sometimes, it's about unnoticed wins, like being away from your gym and still seeing it thrive.This new understanding changed h

Imagine inheriting or buying a gym and being thrown into the deep end without the experience of years of challenges and growth in the fitness industry. This is the case with some young gym owners Tim recently spoke with.Those young men stepped into a gym model that, on the surface, seems efficient but has some lurking pitfalls. It is a personal training gym, which also functions as a big box. They offer a variety of training formats, from one-on-one sessions to team training and semi-private setups.With seven or eight coaches mostly focusing on one-on-one training, they have fallen into a structure where each coach has a unique roster of clients. These aren't clients the coaches brought with them; the gym assigned these clients as they sold memberships.Now, you might ask, "What's the problem with that?"Well, there are numerous reasons why this model could be putting gym owners at risk. And yes, some of these pitfalls have already manifested for these young entrepreneurs.But it's not all do

According to the news, COVID's making a comeback, and it feels like we're getting ready for another dance-off with it.Thinking back to the first round of COVID, a lot of the stuff they told us to do just didn't pan out the way they said it would - masks, vaccines, closing up shops… but then places like Walmart kept going like nothing happened. That seemed quite unfair, especially for the gym owners. And it's pretty clear that people in power like telling us what to do. So, how are you going to handle it this time?That’s the very topic of this episode - to raise awareness. It feels even more important now than the first time to get ready for whatever comes next. And it seems that this time, a lot of people aren’t keen on following the same old playbook.Here’s the thing: How you see COVID and how it impacts your day-to-day, especially if you run a place like a gym, is deeply rooted in your beliefs.Of course, nobody wants people sick, hurt, or passing. But at the end of the day, the data from eve

Tim and Randy are joined by an exceptional guest - John Briggs, the founder of Incite Tax. He is the author of the insightful “Profit First For Microgym” and the soon-to-be-released "The 3.3 Rule" book, subtitled "The New Workday Standard of Creating More by Working Less."John has crafted a niched version of the Profit First program tailored for micro gyms, chiropractors, realtor real estate investors, dentists, and landscape professionals. At this point, there are more than 10 derivative books.He's on a quest to protect unfairly treated taxpayers from massively overspending on taxes.So, if you're a business owner looking to retain more of your hard-earned money and build long-term wealth, John Briggs is your guy.Tune in for this interview Tim and Randy had with him on how to leverage tax codes to your advantage. He shared four immediate tax mitigation tips for gym owners, along with many more strategies to ensure you pay only what you owe and not a penny more.And remember, if you'

In today's episode, Tim and Randy dive into an often-overlooked aspect of gym management that can make or break your business: optimizing the lead-to-member journey.Think of this journey as a chain, where each link represents a step in the process of converting a potential gym-goer into a full-fledged member. One weak link can halt the entire conversion process, leading gym owners to mistakenly scrap entire marketing campaigns. Essentially, that's throwing the baby out with the bathwater.Why does this happen?Each step in your conversion process - from lead acquisition and booking an appointment to member sign-up - has its own conversion percentage. If you're not tracking these percentages, you're flying blind.So what's the solution?Optimization.Instead of scrapping a generally well-functioning system due to one problematic area, focus on refining that weak link. A minor tweak could be all you need to massively improve your overall conversion rates.Even if you're not a marketing whiz, u

Ever found yourself puzzled, wondering why an event you were sure would be a hit ended up flopping? Tim went through this, and it led to a key insight about his gym's clientele.For Memorial Day, Tim and Zach planned a "Legacy Olympics," featuring rowing, Versa climber challenges, and strength tests. They anticipated that at least 50 of their 200 members would join in, even going as far as to make custom shirts.However, they got only 15 sign-ups for this cost-free event, leading them to cancel the whole thing. In contrast, they had no trouble attracting 100 attendees for a Thanksgiving event just five years ago.So what changed?Well, the failure of the Memorial Day event wasn't really a flop; it was more of an eye-opener. Over the years, the gym has transitioned from focusing on large group boot camps to primarily offering semi-private training sessions.This shift doesn't just affect the workouts; it also changes the social dynamics among members.In this episode, Tim and Randy delve into the

The topic of this episode is something most gym owners try to avoid - standard operating procedures.Yeah, SOPs might seem as thrilling as watching paint dry, but once they are set up correctly, they’re pure magic. Here’s why… Instead of viewing SOPs as a boring chore, think of them as a golden ticket to escape your everyday grind, especially when every moment of your day feels packed. To step away from the grind, you need to train others to do what you do. And for that? You need an SOP, a detailed playbook that encapsulates the essence of your business. But the beauty of SOPs isn't just the immediate relief they offer. They can transform your business into a genuine, sellable asset, not just knowledge trapped in your mind. Because potential buyers aren't interested in what you know; they want replicable processes that you’ve documented. Even if selling isn't your goal, SOPs allow you the luxury of enjoying your business's success without being anchored to your desk. Yes, SOPs can seem tough an

Nike is opening a network of training studios in California. They're introducing two studio concepts: Nike Training Studios (NTS) and Nike Running Studios (NRS). NTS will focus on metabolic conditioning-style functional training, while NRS will offer running classes. (It means that one type of studio will feature treadmills, and the other will be equipped with sandbags, kettlebells, and similar equipment.)All these offerings come at a low price of $99 a month for unlimited workouts. This move shows that Nike, a giant corporation with vast backing and a massive marketing budget, is stepping into the fray.They might shake things up, especially in places like West Hollywood or Newport Beach in California. If you operate a large group training studio, it might seem they're aiming for your clientele.However, for those running a semi-private training studio with a distinct concept, there's no cause for alarm. Among the gyms we collaborate with that focus on semi-private training, this development is a n