The Race to the Bottom: How to Set Your Gym Apart From Competitors
Jul 1, 2024
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Chris Cooper, Founder of Two-Brain, joins the podcast to discuss battling commoditization in gyms. He highlights the Prescriptive Model, finding out what clients truly value, and not competing on price. Emphasizing to be a five-star steakhouse and charge rates reflecting value.
To combat commoditization in the fitness industry, gym owners should shift focus from price to value creation through personalized coaching and tailored services.
Gym success depends on creating ongoing value for clients through content marketing, showcasing expertise, and building trust for long-term client retention.
Deep dives
Understanding the Race to the Bottom in the Fitness Industry
In the fitness industry, racing to the bottom signifies a focus on price over value, leading to commoditization. This race creates a spiral where margins decrease, businesses struggle, and clients prioritize cost over quality. The emphasis on certifications or equipment by gym owners may not align with what clients truly value, perpetuating the commoditization cycle.
Challenges of Early Business Growth in Fitness Industry
Early gym success can stem from novelty attracting early adopters. However, over time, retaining clients becomes challenging as the industry saturates and competition increases. The trend of commoditization poses a threat to gyms relying solely on group coaching models, creating high churn rates and pricing pressure.
Value of Personalized Coaching in Fitness Business
Effective coaching goes beyond generic programming, focusing on personalized guidance and goal-oriented strategies. By engaging in goal reviews and tailoring services to individual client needs, gym owners can enhance retention and client satisfaction. Demonstrating ongoing value through refined coaching leads to improved client loyalty and business growth.
Establishing Value through Content Marketing and Client Focus
Value creation involves leveraging content marketing to showcase expertise and attract ideal clients. By offering free valuable information and showcasing client success stories, gyms can differentiate themselves and attract clients seeking personalized solutions. Focusing on client goals, refining services, and building trust through continuous value delivery can shift the gym's focus from price competition to client-centered growth strategies.
Many gyms are “racing to the bottom” with lower and lower prices that destroy their value.
This happens because of commoditization: When clients can’t differentiate between options, they choose the cheapest one, so many gym owners feel pressure to compete on price.
But this approach shrinks the profit margin until the gym is forced to go out of business.
In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin discusses how to battle commoditization with Chris Cooper, Two-Brain founder and CEO.
Chris shares how gym owners can use the Prescriptive Model with constant refinements to build more value for clients. He also supplies listeners with a strategy for finding out exactly what their clients value—and it’s usually not what you think.
You don’t have to compete on price if you aren’t trying to be the cheapest gym in town. Instead, “be a five-star steakhouse” and charge rates that reflect your value.