Built To Grow

At the core of a gym's delivery system lies its programming. Programming encompasses the workouts and training methods offered to clients.Traditionally, gym owners left the programming responsibilities to individual coaches, resulting in inconsistent client experiences.However, recent insights have shed light on the need for gyms to take control of their programming to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience for all clients.A well-designed delivery system creates a remarkable customer experience.In this episode, Tim and Zach uncover the secret element that most gyms overlook—the importance of an effective delivery system in ensuring consistent results and great client experience.Join Tim and Zach as they delve into the world of semi-private programming, client experience, how gyms can differentiate themselves in a competitive industry, and what we have been doing behind the scenes!Key Takeaways- What is the delivery system in your gym (00:58)- Fitness programming from a business perspective (03:20)-

As a gym owner, you must have seriously thought about what lies ahead in the next years of your life. Is the gym business the vehicle that will carry you through to retirement, or is it a vehicle to open up other opportunities?This is a point many gym owners struggle with, especially when they are no longer having to put out fires constantly. When the systems are dialed in and things aren't too tough.A few years ago, Tim found himself at a crossroads, wondering what's next.The gym was doing well, providing a good lifestyle, but deep down, he knew there was more to explore.He looked around the industry, searching for groups of gym owners who were playing at a higher level and were asking the same questions. To his surprise, such a group didn't exist, and he knew he had to create one.That's how the Iron Circle was born back in 2019.The Iron Circle is a community of high achievers, gym owners who are hungry for more, who constantly ask themselves, "What's next?"They've reached a l

Having a website is crucial to the success of your fitness business.A well-designed website plays a vital role in establishing credibility, attracting potential customers, and ultimately growing your fitness business.In fact, a staggering 83% of consumers refuse to do business with a business that lacks a public-facing website. With such a high percentage, it's clear that neglecting to create a website is a detrimental mistake.But not all websites are created equal.Some go further than looking pretty and play a huge role in bringing in leads and driving the conversion of these leads.Tune in to this episode to learn more about optimizing your website for SEO and conversions.Key Takeaways- Why you MUST have a website for your business (00:59)- Optimizing your website for conversions (03:19)- Website conversion analytics (07:52)- SEO for your website (10:36)- Inbound organic website links (14:49)Additional Resources- Get Started with Website Optimization: 97display.com/profit- Grab your tickets for the 2023

In the competitive fitness business landscape, standing out from the crowd is essential for success. One powerful tool that can set you apart from the competition is a unique mechanism.A unique mechanism is a distinct aspect of your business that sets you apart and offers a competitive advantage. It involves creating proprietary elements or using specific nomenclature to differentiate yourself from others in the market.The primary purpose of a unique mechanism is to position your business strategically. It serves as the driving force behind your clients' results when engaging with your products or services.When Orangetheory burst onto the fitness scene, they introduced the concept of the "orange zone," a proprietary system that targeted fat-burning and optimized workout efficiency. This marketing strategy won them many clients.But a recent ad may suggest they are trying a different approach.In this episode, Tim and Randy delve into the concept of a unique mechanism and explore how a well-crafted s

As a gym owner, your No.1 priority is to remove yourself from your business's operations.Your ultimate dream is to create a thriving business that doesn't solely rely on you. You want a system that hums along smoothly, even in your absence. You want a team, systems, and processes that can function independently.That way, you can focus on the big picture stuff and perhaps even take a vacation without worrying about your gym falling apart in your absence.But removing yourself isn't easy. Many gym owners desire to do it but don't know how or when to do it. Others don't know what to do with the time they free up.In today's episode, Tim and Randy lay a plan on how you can replace yourself from the operations and where to spend your time as a business owner.Key Takeaways- The No. 1 goal of most gym owners (00:55)- When to remove yourself from the gym (03:44)- Where a gym owner's focus should be (07:43)- Your job as a business owner (11:18)- Eliminate, automate, delegate (13:47)Additional

In the realm of gym ownership, there exists a silent struggle that inhibits many from reaching their full potential.It's a fear that prevents them from taking action to grow their businesses and propel them to new heights. This fear, rooted in ignorance and a reluctance to seek assistance, is the highest form of self-limitation.Gym owners who shy away from seeking help often find themselves trapped in a cycle of stagnation.They forego the opportunity to acquire knowledge and insights that could revolutionize their business.Just as clients who are initially hesitant to step foot in a gym due to concerns about their physical condition, gym owners fear exposing their businesses' flaws and vulnerabilities.However, it is vital to recognize that seeking help is not an admission of failure or incompetence but a testament to one's commitment to growth and improvement.In this episode, Tim and Randy explore the detrimental consequences of such inaction and shed light on the transformative power of embracing

As a gym owner, one crucial aspect of running a successful fitness business is determining how to pay your staff.It's a topic that often sparks debates and raises questions about what is fair and sustainable for both the business and its employees.In today's episode, Tim and Randy delve into this topic based on a question on the Business Talk with Fitness Professional Facebook group.The query focused on what to do if clients fail to show up for scheduled sessions and whether coaches should still receive payment in such cases.The simple answer is you should always pay your coaches no matter the situation with the clients.But there's more to this question, including how to structure your pay periods, other benefits to offer your coaches, and much more. Tune in!Key Takeaways- You always pay your coach (02:03)- The roles and responsibilities of a trainer (05:45)- Coaches compensation and benefits (10:53)- The downsides of a split shift (12:50)- The best pay period for a gym business (15:04)Additional

In this episode, Tim and Randy discuss a concerning trend they have observed among many gym owners. So many people want the easy way out when it comes to running their businessThis is based on Tim's post on the Business Talk with Fitness Professional Facebook Group offering a ChatGPT script that would generate 50 clients a month with just 14 minutes of work per week and the overwhelming response it received.Many gym owners wanted the script to copy and paste into their marketing plays for quick success.This is even more ironic, given that, as gym owners and coaches, we often advise our clients against similar shortcuts regarding their fitness goals.Your business is no different. There are no magic bullets or secret potions that can instantly lead to success in the fitness industry. Like success in fitness itself, success in the fitness industry requires hard work, consistency, and dedication to the right principles.Tune in to this episode for a reality check on what it takes to succeed as a gym owner and

In the fitness industry, trial offers are a popular marketing strategy to attract and retain new clients.As a gym owner, it's important to understand the different types of trials and front-end offers you can use to attract new members.Trials are essentially trial memberships for a shorter period of time, but it should be the same delivery system a regular member would receive. Front-end offers, or challenges are not the same as trials, as these are standalone programs with different delivery systems.In this episode, Tim and Randy explore 4 different types of trial offers and their pros and cons.The first type is the free trial, a common marketing strategy many gyms use. This type of trial can bring in many people, but the major con is that there is no skin in the game for the potential clients, which can lead to them not taking the trial seriously or not being committed to becoming long-term members.Tune in to learn more about the other type of trials and which one we recommend for your gym!Key Takeaways

Hey gym owners, are you tired of hitting a growth ceiling in your business? Well, you're not alone. In today's episode, Tim and Randy talk about the infamous "glass ceiling" in the fitness industry and how to break through it.In the context of a fitness business, a glass ceiling refers to hitting a cap on the number of members you can attract or a plateau in your revenue growth.So why does this happen?Well, there are a few reasons, with the biggest one being attrition. No matter how great your gym is, you're going to lose members over time. Whatever the reason, attrition is a fact of life in the fitness industry. And the more members you have, the more you'll lose.So, how do you break through the glass ceiling?Tune in to this episode as Tim and Randy take you through the math of running different fitness models and how to break the glass ceiling to experience growth!Key Takeaways- Growth Summit speaker lineup (00:39)- The glass ceiling in specific fitness models (03:41)- The attrition

In this episode, Tim and Randy are joined by Trevor Wittwer, one of the speakers and vendors at the upcoming FitPro Growth Summit.He is a former professional basketball player and a gym owner, but he is best known as the founder and CEO of Coach Catalyst, an accountability and communication platform that allows coaches to scale their business without losing the personal touch.Coach Catalyst App helps gym owners coach their clients during the hours when they are not in the gym for better results. This, in turn, helps with better retention and more profits.Trevor also shares some nuggets to grow your business as a gym owner and a sneak peek of what he will be talking about at the summit.Tune in!Key Takeaways- Trevor Wittwer’s background and story (01:54)- The worst feeling as a coach (05:47)- Buying an existing gym vs. starting a new one (07:39)- Location is the No.1 driver of growth (09:23)- Coach Catalyst app (11:06)- Streamlining the gym onboarding process (16:06)- Levers of growth in a fitness business (22:

In an industry where competition is fierce, such as the fitness industry, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd.However, one area where gyms can differentiate themselves is through exceptional customer service.In this episode, Tim and Randy are joined by Hank Ebeling, who brings a unique perspective on customer service in our industry.He has authored a book, "Crushing the Competition with Service," which stresses the importance of viewing customer service as a competitive advantage.This approach emphasizes the importance of having strong leadership in place, implementing effective systems to support service delivery, and developing a range of strategies to surprise and delight customers.Hank also highlights the importance of intentionality and consistently seeking out opportunities to deliver and show our customers that we care about them through exceptional customer service.Tune in and discover some simple ways to delight your clients and deliver exceptional customer service!Key Takeaways

In this episode, we are honored to have a special guest with us today, Mr. Ben Newman. He is a performance coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who works with clients from Fortune 500 companies and various sports organizations, such as NFL, PGA, and NBA.He has authored the number one bestseller, "Uncommon Leadership," also featured in Wall Street Journal and USA Today.Apart from being a renowned speaker and author, he is also a performance coach for several football and basketball programs, including Michigan State University, Alabama Crimson Tide, and the Kansas State football team.He has also worked with players from the last six Super Bowl championship teams. Mr. Newman's impressive resume speaks volumes about his expertise and achievements in the field of performance coaching.He will be one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming FiPro Growth Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona, from June 8-10th, 2023.Ben Newman teaches various strategies and techniques to help individuals and organi

As a gym owner, you understand the importance of a well-rounded fitness program to your clients, but the fitness industry has evolved, and clients are demanding much more than a workout.To achieve the desired results for our clients, we need to support them with nutrition coaching and accountability.Many gym owners don't have a well-structured nutrition program in their facilities. They may have some informal conversation on the side about the role of nutrition, but that won't get our clients the results they need.In this episode, Tim and Randy are joined by Nicole Aucoin, founder of Healthy Steps Nutrition, CrossFit HSN, and HSN Mentoring.She will be speaking at the PreCON at the FitPro Growth Summit. She believes something as fundamental as nutrition shouldn't be complicated, which is why she focuses on a simple, habit-based approach when working with clients.She helps gym owners develop nutrition programs that help clients see faster and more sustainable results while increasing revenue streams

Today on the episode, we have Scott Carpenter, founder of several gyms in the local Scottsdale market and a member of the Iron Circle Mastermind. He also runs a coaching program for gym owners. Scott’s gyms are just a few miles from Tim’s gym, and he is someone we would consider a competitor. But as you probably know, we don’t look it that way. We have an abundance mindset and believe there’s plenty to go around.In business and more so in the fitness industry, there’s a lot of value in collaborating and learning from each other.You are more likely to find success when you are exchanging ideas with your peers in the industry rather than going it all alone.Tune in to this interesting conversation as Tim, Randy, and Scott talk all things fitness business.Key Takeaways- Meet Scott Carpenter (00:26)- Developing an abundance mindset (02:05)- Collaboration and learning from each other (05:35)- You don’t know what you don’t know (09:06)- Front-end high ticket offers (09:49)- Selling fitness vs. selling a result (15:1

There is no doubt that gym owners are among the most hard-working entrepreneurs you’ll ever come across. The fitness industry is a very tough industry to be in for many reasons.Your success as a gym owner will be determined by the decisions you make, the actions you take, and the people you surround yourself with.  When you surround yourself with the right people, your belief in what’s possible improves, and you start seeing new opportunities to grow your business.Unfortunately, some gym owners are just out there on their own, which can be a tough place if you want to succeed in this industry.One of the biggest challenges for gym owners is taking action. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and hope for the best, but that won’t get you very far.You must be willing to step out of your comfort zone, take risks and try new strategies to see growth in your business.In this episode, Tim and Randy discuss the cost of inactivity to gym owners and what they need to do to succeed.Tune in!Key Takeaways- Surround yourself wi

As the economy faces turmoil due to inflation, rising interest rates, and the devaluing of the dollar, gyms and fitness businesses are not exempt from the effects of the impending recession.Despite the challenges posed by the current economic situation, gym owners who prepare to compete will thrive even during economic hardship.And the only way to do this is not to reduce your marketing spending out of fear. With the right marketing strategies, fitness businesses can attract new clients and retain existing ones.In this episode, Tim and Randy explore some strategies gym owners can adopt in the current economic times to compete and thrive despite the chaos.Tune in.Key Takeaways- 2023 FitPro Growth Summit update (00:43)- The impact of a recession (01:42)- Prepare to go to war (03:41)- The power of marketing in a recession (07:02)- The math of marketing (09:52)- What is your return on ad spend (12:46)- It’s time to attack and compete (14:51)Additional Resources- Learn more about our Brand New Coaching Program for

Gym ownership requires more than a love for fitness and a passion for training others. It's a challenging, multifaceted business that necessitates the acquisition of various skills.The skills required to run a successful gym extend beyond fitness and personal training, and in this episode, Tim and Randy explore some of the essential skills that gym owners must learn.Marketing and advertising are perhaps the most important skills a gym owner should acquire as soon as they start a gym business.Knowing how to create and execute a marketing plan, both online and offline, can help attract and retain members.A good understanding of social media advertising can help gym owners create targeted campaigns that resonate with their audience.But this is just one of the many skills you need to learn to be a successful gym owner. Tune in for more!Key Takeaways- The biggest skill set a gym owner can learn (02:53)- Why gym owners are the most skill-dense entrepreneurs (04:33)- The power of automation (06:08)- Marketing sk

Gym appointment cancellations can be a headache for gym owners. As a gym owner, you want to provide your customers with the best possible experience. However, cancellations are an inevitable part of running a business.An appointment cancellation policy is a set of rules that dictate how a gym member can cancel their membership. The policy outlines the conditions that must be met to cancel a membership, the process for cancellation, and any associated fees or penalties.A well-designed cancellation policy can not only make the process easier for customers but can also help protect your business interests.A simple cancellation policy that is well articulated to your clients reduces the likelihood of disputes and ensures that everyone is on the same page.But we all know that this is easier said than done.Tune in to this episode as Tim and Randy explain what a successful appointment cancellation policy looks like and how to implement one in your gym.Key Takeaways- FitPro Growth Summit update (00:43)- Do you have a

We just wrapped up quarter one in the fitness industry, and while it typically brings in a lot of new customers due to New Year's resolutions, by March, some of those customers may have already fallen off.It's time to go back and assess your P&L numbers. Take a keen look at all your expenses and get rid of those you no longer needTake the time to review your subscriptions and see which ones you're not using. Those things add up over time, even if it's just $100 a month.It's also important to assess your KPIs and margins to help you plan for Q2 and the rest of the year. Don't just admire the data — you have to take action on it.Key Takeaways- Time to review Q1 numbers (01:25)- Look at your expense lines (02:06)- Eliminate wasted expenses (02:45)- Step up to the plate for Q2 (03:20)Additional Resources- Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7mAdf7noTUepTnyvS3VcIw?inf_contact_key=2b6c88b24d34e87488276b75706b6ff2cc0558ed5d4c28cbfab114022b1ec50dPasscode: BestYear2023