The 2025 Intramural Open: Build Community, Retention and Profitability
Jan 6, 2025
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Imagine hosting an unforgettable event that strengthens community ties and boosts your gym's revenue. Discover how the Intramural Open fosters competition while encouraging peer support. Learn about assembling teams, scoring methods, and activities designed to engage gym members. This event not only retains clients but also generates income through entry fees and merchandise. Plus, find out how to make clients feel celebrated, motivating them to continue their fitness journey with you for another year.
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Quick takeaways
The Intramural Open promotes community engagement and retains gym members by fostering a celebratory and inclusive atmosphere focused on participation over competition.
Implementing structured pre-open programs and themed events alongside a registration fee can significantly enhance profitability and member satisfaction in the Intramural Open.
Deep dives
The Origin of Intramural Open
The concept of the Intramural Open is inspired by the author's high school experience, where students were organized into teams that competed in various sports. This model fostered a sense of community through accountability and participation, as students were encouraged to attend and engage in activities to earn points for their team. The author reflects on how this strategy was effective in creating enthusiasm among participants, emphasizing the importance of showing up rather than merely focusing on winning. Translating this to a gym setting, the Intramural Open aims to cultivate the same spirit of camaraderie and motivation among gym members.
Creating a Positive Gym Environment
The initial approach to CrossFit's Open workouts resulted in a divide between competitive athletes and casual gym-goers, creating an atmosphere that could lead to burnout and discouragement among many members. To counter this, the Intramural Open was designed to retain the excitement of competition while focusing on participation and community involvement, akin to a celebratory event rather than a competitive battle. This approach aims to foster a positive environment where all members feel valued, regardless of their fitness level, and encourages them to partake in the gym culture fully. Creating a 'birthday party' atmosphere is key to ensuring that members see the experience as enjoyable and fulfilling.
Pre-Open Activities and Team Dynamics
Setting the stage for the Intramural Open involves organizing pre-open programs aimed at boosting client confidence and providing opportunities to work on weaknesses before the main event. Engaging gym members in clinics and personal training sessions facilitates skill development and enhances participation rates during the Open. The selection of team captains is crucial, focusing on individuals who can motivate others rather than just the top competitors, promoting a fun and inclusive environment. The draft process for team selection is designed to create excitement, with captains actively recruiting members, making participants feel special and integral to the event.
Operational and Revenue Considerations
To make the Intramural Open profitable, gym owners should establish a registration fee that conveys the importance of the event and ensures commitment from participants. Providing an engaging atmosphere and additional experiences for attendees, such as themed shirts or celebratory events, adds value to the registration fee. The focus should be on celebrating members' achievements and creating memorable experiences, which can lead to increased retention and community engagement. Furthermore, leveraging the excitement generated by the Intramural Open can result in additional revenue streams through sponsored events or supplementary training offerings.
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The Spirit of Community and Competition: Lessons from Intramural Open
What if one event could help you build community, retain clients and boost your gym’s revenue?
In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how to make the 2025 Intramural Open a profitable and meaningful event your members will never forget.
From choosing team captains to creating teams to scoring , Chris outlines exactly how to turn the Intramural Open into a win for everyone.
He also explains how the event can become a huge revenue generator through entry fees, prep courses and merchandise sales. Even better, he lays out a plan to put clients on podiums so they're fired up to train with you for another 12 months.
If you’re ready to celebrate your clients and grow your gym in 2025, this episode is for you!
00:27 - Where the intramural idea comes from 05:21 - The 2025 Intramural Open guide 13:30 - Set-up activities 17:21 - The workouts 27:41 - Plan to share the load
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