Ep.66 - The Gym Group: Success secrets at low cost and a passion for people

As founder director at The Gym Group, John Treharne is on the brink of one million members since starting it in 2007. He knows how to build innovative and inclusive initiatives that work for the people, and this episode will help you improve and develop any business.

Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/1s-Bfsuo0Rk 

John is no stranger to the demands of fitness and working out, as he used to play squash for England. In business, his ability to meet and exceed the needs of members and his team has seen him win awards and continue a career of triumph after triumph.

He’s floated a company on the stock market twice and explains how learning to run a business properly and managing private equity investors is key to success, sometimes even over a passion for the market itself.

John knows the customer well, and has implemented his knowledge in both improving the experience of gym goers and staff alike over decades.

To start with, John borrowed money against his house to open his first concept. His growth success level reached 22 clubs at around one a year, whereas now that figure has risen to 20 per year.

Today, The Gym is the largest low-cost gym operator in London, and has recently opened a new location in Monument with other locations all over the UK. It’s owned predominantly by large city institutions that have a long-term view on investment.

Put simply, John is all about the people. The Gym is the only business in the sector with a Gold Investors in People award, and continues its understanding and inclusive approach to fitness around the UK.

 

Episode highlights :

• Learn how the equipment found in gyms and the behavior of gym-goers have both changed over the past decades, and how The Gym has evolved with these changes.
• How staying open all of the time expands your customer base into a whole new market such as shift workers.
• The difference between investment set-ups and how funding decisions ultimately affect the longevity of your business.
• How to break down barriers to fitness, such as the fear that you need to be fit before you even go through the doors to become a member.

  

Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with John Treharne …