Built To Grow

Is being completely open with your team as a gym owner the key to success, or could it backfire? How much should you share about the inner workings of your business, and what information is best kept private?This topic is particularly relevant for gym owners looking to foster a healthy workplace culture while maintaining operational efficiency.While it is important to share with the training team details about membership and churn rates, financial details are best kept within the leadership circle.Trainers should also be aware of the marketing efforts and costs to better appreciate the business's investment and their role in maintaining client relationships.Sharing the right information with your team can boost morale and productivity while keeping unnecessary stress at bayJoin Randy and Zach as they reveal what information you should share with specific people in your gym and why. Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Importance of selective transparency (00:27)Role-specific information sharing (01:22)Focus on memb

Struggling to grow your gym business? Mark Fisher, founder of Mark Fisher Fitness and Unicorn Gym Owners, shares his proven strategies for building a strong foundation and attracting more clients.Mark Fisher is a renowned fitness entrepreneur who has built a successful gym in New York City and now helps other gym owners create more income, impact, and freedom.In this episode, he shares his insights on the key elements needed to grow a thriving gym business.To attract more clients, he suggests either investing in digital advertising or taking the time to talk to strangers in person, overcoming any fear or social anxiety by focusing on providing value.Mark emphasizes the importance of having a clear offer, a website with a call-to-action, and managing your list of leads.Join Tim and Randy as they interview Mark on the proven strategies and mindset shifts required to take your gym business to the next level!Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Small group training as ideal gym model (03:50)Tried and true marketing strateg

Ever wonder why McDonald's sells more burgers than anyone else, even though they aren't among the top 20 best? The answer is simple: consistency.No matter where you go in the world, a McDonald's burger tastes the same. Whether you're in Japan, Russia, or Arizona, you know exactly what you're getting. Customers appreciate this predictability because we all enjoy knowing that our favorite meal will taste just as good every time, no matter where we are.The same principle applies to any business, including gyms – consistency in service and product delivery can trump even the highest-quality offerings. We're creatures of habit, and predictable quality keeps customers coming back.This is the topic Tim and Randy explore in this episode.They talk about the importance of maintaining consistency in every detail – from gym programming and workout schedules to the gym's ambiance – to ensure a consistent client experience.Join them and find out why even small inconsistencies can negatively impa

Many owners think that 6-week challenges are the secret to boosting their gym's revenue and membership.This challenge is a fitness promotion where participants pay a fee to commit to hitting a weight loss target in six weeks. If they stick to the diet and exercise plan and achieve their goal, they get their money back. If not, they must decide whether to continue at a cost or leave the program.As you see, it's all about getting results fast. It means that these challenges promise quick cash and a flood of new clients. It might sound like the perfect solution for financial issues.But what seems like a quick fix could easily turn into a business nightmare because these short-term gains come at a high cost.You'll spend more time and money on marketing and sales, trying to keep up with the constant turnover. Also, these challenges often attract the wrong type of clients who leave after the challenge, either due to unmet goals or after achieving their short-term objectives.On the other hand, running th

Ever thought partnering with a chiropractor or physical therapist would bring a flood of new clients to your gym? Many gym owners have hoped for that. But reality has a different story to tell.Partnering with external services often falls short of expectations, especially when it comes to bringing in new clients. So, instead of counting on those referrals, a smarter move for gym owners might be to develop in-house services that integrate seamlessly with their current offerings.For instance, adding stretch therapy to gym services perfectly meets clients' needs. It also gives gym owners complete control over the service quality and delivery, while also making great use of the gym space.Plus, stretch therapy is a perfect complement to personal training. In fact, it has already gone mainstream because of the real benefits it offers.Want to learn more?Join Tim and Randy as they explore the untapped potential of stretch therapy and share a strategy that could transform your gym's offerings and open up anoth

Faced with a tough choice in your business? Data could be the key to making the right call.A few years back, the gym here was deeply attached to the large group training model. It was a fun and exciting place with lots of enthusiastic people. But there was a problem. Even though people liked the gym, many didn't stay for long, and the gym's income wasn't steady.An analysis of client retention data was the only way to figure out a solution.What he found was eye-opening. Higher-paying, semi-private clients were staying three times longer than group training clients. With the data providing clarity, it was time to decide to move to the semi-private training model. Even though some people didn't like it, it was the best decision for the business.That's just one example of how data can help gym owners make the hard decisions.In this episode, Tim and Randy explore how data can inform and guide decision-making, even in the most challenging situations.Join the conversation!Key Takeaways:Intro (00:

As a gym owner, have you ever wondered why some clients stay with you for years while others come and go?Many gym owners underestimate this task by assuming immediate readiness from prospects without proper engagement. Converting a prospect into a paying client who will stick with you for a long time requires a lot of nurturing.The vast majority of potential gym clients are unaware of their need for your services or haven't considered your gym as a solution.Tim and Randy stress the importance of understanding where potential clients are in their awareness journey. From being completely unaware to being fully aware of their fitness needs and solutions.Once you understand this, you’ll appreciate more the importance of initial consultations over free classes and many other approaches.Tune in to learn some proven strategies that will help you build a thriving gym with a steady stream of loyal clients.Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)The complexity of converting strangers into clients (01:11)Importance of educationa

It's July! This is a crucial time to take stock. Have you achieved 50% of the goals you set for your gym in January? Are you on pace to hit your targets? If not, where are you falling short, and what adjustments can you make to get back on track?If you haven't been tracking your gym's performance, now's the wake-up call you need. Without goals and data, success becomes entirely random.Data allows you to adjust your strategy mid-year. Maybe a marketing campaign needs a refresh, or perhaps it's time to introduce a new pricing structure.Remember, this is about your livelihood. Your gym likely supports your family and your lifestyle. Take control and ensure your hard work translates into success.In this episode, Tim and Randy remind you to check your numbers and if you're not happy with them, course-correct and make the rest of the year a true success story. Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Setting financial goals based on lifestyle (01:32)Importance of real-time revenue tracking (02:49)Sustaina

Have you ever questioned if your gym's training model is really the best for your clients?It's easy to fall in love with the training modality or business model you've created, even when it isn't delivering the best results for your clients.The gym owners who succeed are the ones willing to evolve their business to suit their client's needs as well as ensure long-term business success.While high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been popular recently, research suggests strength training is still the most effective way to build muscle and burn fat. Large group training gyms struggle to provide the personalized attention and safety measures needed for strength training. Client retention is another important factor. Clients who don't see results are unlikely to stay with a gym. Strength training offers a proven method for achieving lasting fitness goals.In this episode, Tim and Randy explain why gym owners must be willing to adapt their training models and offerings, even if it means

Have you ever felt frustrated by clients who come for free trials but never commit? You’re definitely not alone. Many gym owners think free trials are the golden ticket to new memberships. But they’re wrong. Free trials attract low-quality leads and devalue the services your gym offers. You might get a bunch of potential clients, but they are often people who could never afford your services in other ways.Or even if they could, they won’t see the value of your offer. At the end of the day, why would they pay for something they got once for free?In this episode, Tim and Randy explain why free trials might be sabotaging your gym's success and offer an alternative that is healthier for your gym business.Curious to learn more?Tune in to this episode!Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Discussing echo chambers (01:34)Critique on free trials (03:11)CrossFit business model flaws (04:50)Alternatives to free trials (08:51)Value of diverse business practices (13:30)Importance of profitability (14:47)Iron Circle mastermind i

More and more gym owners are realizing that Facebook marketing isn't what it used to be. Even though many still depend heavily on it, this shift can be a chance to explore more effective ways to reach new clients.This episode introduces a tool that offers gym owners much better results than they could ever expect from Facebook ads. Tim and Randy sit down with David Carroll, founder of DOPE Marketing, which specializes in direct mail and data-driven marketing strategies.Yes, direct mail probably makes you immediately think of the inefficiencies of traditional campaigns. But David's company has developed software that streamlines the process and enables this old-school method to make a huge comeback.Imagine being able to send personalized mail to your ideal clients without barely lifting a finger.This is exactly what David's software makes possible. Combining direct mail with modern digital tools, this software can help gym owners create comprehensive marketing strategies based on informed decisions

Almost every gym owner has been there: a personal trainer leaves and takes clients with them. Some of them were in this situation more than once. It's a huge issue in the fitness industry, and a major headache. How do you stop trainers from walking away with your clients? Sure, contracts are one way to handle it, but if your gym doesn’t have a solid system to keep clients loyal, no contract can save you from the loss of clients or the costs of endless legal battles.This episode, Tim and Randy are sharing four strategies they've successfully used in their gym to tackle this problem. They’ll discuss how to create a loyalty to your gym that keeps clients around even if their go-to trainer leaves.Tune in to find out how to keep your gym's client base solid and your business stable, no matter who comes and goes.Let’s dive in!Key Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Early bird tickets for the Chicago Growth Summit (00:54)Client theft - the biggest issue in the fitness industry (03:03)Understanding perspectives: coach

Many gym owners are chained to their gym. Maybe not literally, but no matter how hard they work, they can't step away without everything falling apart.In addition to lacking systems, doing everything on their own, and micromanaging, one of the main reasons for this is because they are constantly stepping in to cover for missing staff. These gym owners are always the go-to person for every little thing — from fixing toilets to making sales calls.Are you recognizing yourself in this picture? Then this episode is the one you don’t want to miss because Tim and Randy discuss how to break this cycle.One of the crucial things is to train coaches to take on higher responsibilities - to step up, handle sales, manage clients, and generally keep operations running smoothly.This way, not only will you avoid having to jump back into operations, but you also empower your staff and show them a clear path for their career growth.And that’s a win-win situation: Your coaches get to develop new skills and advance in their c

Starbucks coffee tastes the same no matter where you go. Ever wondered why?Because of their systems.And did you know that you can (and should) apply the same principles to your gym?Systems are not just a buzzword. They're structured processes designed to ensure your business runs smoothly and efficiently. Having efficient systems in place can benefit not just your clients but also your coaches and, most importantly, you as the owner. There are four systems your gym's operations can benefit from: delivery, ascension, conversion, and attraction. In this episode, Randy and Zach break down these concepts into understandable parts. They'll explain how to effectively implement systems in areas like client service, sales processes, and marketing strategies. They'll also show you how automation can take over mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Join Randy and Zach to find out how each system works to escalate clients to higher tiers of service and how automating these processes

For many gym owners, running a gym often means being caught up in day-to-day tasks – constantly putting out fires and hardly finding any time to focus on growing their business.To break this cycle, you need two things: create systems that guide your business find the right fitness director and train them properlyBecause the systems run the business, and the people run the systems.So, the formula is simple: set up the system and then put someone capable in charge of it. This allows you to step back and focus on the bigger picture.In this episode, Randy and Zach talk about the importance of a fitness director to a gym. They explain that by setting up strong systems and teaching your fitness director to manage them well, you turn them into a crucial part of keeping your gym running smoothly.They show how properly trained fitness directors can take over the training floor and even handle sales and administrative duties, allowing owners to shift from working in their business to working on their business.Tune into

This podcast often highlights $30k per month as the magic number gym owners need to break through. But why exactly $30k?Well, hitting this revenue mark is like crossing a threshold where the usual struggles start to ease up. Your gym's recurring revenue begins to cover all your base operating expenses for the month, without the desperate urge to sign up a new member or sell another program.When you know your bills are paid, you can focus on your gym's growth and start making more money. Once you achieve a consistent $30k income month after month, it becomes much easier to reach $40k, $50k, or $60k a lot faster.So the biggest question is, how do you break through that ceiling?In this episode, Tim and Randy share the three essential pillars you need to break through that ceiling:Systems that help streamline your operationsLead flow that keeps new clients comingAutomation that acts like another employee who never forgets, works 24/7, and never has a bad dayThey also present a comprehensive coaching progr

Ever felt like finding the right staff for your gym is like searching for a needle in a haystack? You're not alone.As gym owners, we understand the agony of endless interviews, the pain of desperate hires, and the heartbreak when a valued coach leaves, taking clients with them.But you can break free from this cycle and build a team that not only stays but also grows and helps your gym business thrive!And we all know it’s not about hiring highly educated staff. They may know everything in theory, but if they are disconnected from your clients, they won't succeed – and neither will your business.It’s about finding people who inspire loyalty and really click with your clients, making them keep coming back to your gym.So, in this episode, Tim and Randy share 7 tips for finding and keeping such rockstar staff.If you feel it’s time to change your hiring strategy, tune in and find out what you need to focus on to build a dream team that really connects with your clients.Let’s dive in!Key Takeaways:Intro (00:

Are you a gym owner who feels guilty about checking work on vacation? If your answer is no, you're probably a rare lucky person because this is something most people in the fitness business struggle with.It’s tough to completely disconnect when your business feels like your baby. And it’s even tougher when society expects you to achieve the perfect work-life balance no matter what.But what if work-life balance isn't the goal we should be chasing? What if there’s a way to integrate your work into your daily life and achieve synergy between your business and personal life instead of trying to balance them?This approach could significantly reduce the stress and guilt of checking emails or taking work calls during personal time.But to truly achieve work-life synergy, and not just sit next to your family working while they're having fun, it's essential to do a few things:build effective systemsempower your team to make decisionsmaintain momentum to ensure your business runs smoothly without your co

In any well-established neighborhood, you’ll probably find gyms on nearly every corner. Yet, while some gyms lose clients, others not only keep their members but also attract new ones from other places.So, what makes people leave one gym and stick with another?Considering today's inflation and rising living costs, it’s easy to guess that people cut their gym memberships to save money. But it’s not always about the budget. The real issue often lies in the experience and the perceived value for the money spent.Often, gym-goers start out motivated and ready to hit their fitness goals, but if they feel like just another face in the crowd, they’ll probably leave soon. Generic group classes might satisfy casual exercisers, but those looking for real results might find them lacking because there’s not much personal attention.On the other hand, gyms that offer more tailored services, like semi-private training, really make members feel valued and understood, helping them stick around longer. Also, offering a comb

Words matter. It may not seem like a big deal, but the way you label your service can really shape how clients see its value – and, of course, what they're willing to pay for it.This is why it’s important not to confuse "semi private training" with something that many others might refer to as "small group training." Small group training sounds like a lesser version of large group classes. It brings to mind an image of a few people doing the same routine, which usually fits more with budget fitness options.On the other hand, semi private training offers customized workouts that are tailored to each client's needs, giving it a more exclusive and private feel.That’s why removing the “group” vibe from a service allows gyms to charge a premium price. It shifts the perception from a cost-saving option to a premium product that stands out in a sea of generic fitness offerings. This approach not only builds our gym's reputation but also significantly increases revenue by attracting clients