Fifty Years of Fitness Knowledge: Jim Adams and Chris Cooper

Jim Adams knows a few things about the fitness business—after all, he's been in it for more than 30 years.

He's been a personal trainer in big-box gyms and he's opened his own studio. He's worn all the hats of his business and he's learned how to hire and develop a great team. He's also the founder and host of the Masters in Fitness Business Podcast, where he speaks with successful fitness entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Chris picks Jim's brain on everything from the lessons he's learned developing his business acumen to where the fitness industry is going today and the top marketing mistakes microgym owners make.

Links:

Masters in Fitness Business
Catalyst Strength and Functional Nutrition
Incite Tax: Profit First for Microgyms
Driven Nutrition
Gym Owners Handbook

Contact:

Jim: Jim: trainerjimfe@gmail.net or jim_a@catalyststl.com
Chris: chris@twobrainbusiness.com

Timeline:

1:24 – Scratching his own itch with the Masters in Fitness Business Podcast.

3:24 – Great trainer, bad business owner.

5:18 – Overcoming ego.

7:02 – Where the fitness industry is headed.

10:29 – Why microgyms are perfectly poised to take over the market.

11:12 – What gym owners need to do to set themselves apart. 

14:38 – How COVID has changed marketing in the fitness industry. 

19:39 – If he could start all over again.

21:10 – The biggest marketing mistake gym owners make.

23:41 – Market to the 80%, not the 20%.

27:23 – Choosing his target demographic. 

28:54 – How to appeal to the 80%.

30:13 – The problem with egos in the training business.

32:18 – How to build and maintain a career in fitness.