Thinking about opening your own gym?
In this episode, Business for Unicorns’ Mark Fisher joins Stuart to unpack exactly what it takes, from capital and space size to pre-sales and starting models.
They explore why now might be the best time in decades to go into gym ownership, how to avoid the most common launch mistakes, and why “small and simple” beats “big and fancy.”
If you’ve ever thought, “I want my own place…”, this one is an excellent roadmap.
Here are 7 things you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why now is a great time to open a gym—and why in-person coaching/community is more “AI-proof” than online-only offers.
- How to know if you’re actually ready—a simple readiness lens (incl. effective forecasting + spending time with real owners).
- Start-small strategy—ideal floor space for a 6:1 model, what to avoid with leases, and the “Goldilocks” schedule that doesn’t burn you out.
- Independent Trainer Plus vs. “real” gym—which path fits your lifestyle, earnings, and appetite for staff/overhead.
- Pricing & capital—penetration pricing done right, realistic build-out ranges, and why too-cheap early can still be profitable.
- 6:1 model mechanics—member targets, utilization math, and the big scheduling mistakes that kill margins.
- Pre-sales that actually work—8-week runway, founder’s offers, paid ads expectations, and the one giveaway every local gym should run.
