Starting a successful movement gym requires finding the right location, renovating the space, and building a strong community.
Being an effective gym owner involves learning how to communicate effectively, delegate responsibilities, and balance commercial and educational aspects.
Running a gym during the COVID-19 pandemic requires adaptation, such as offering online classes and maintaining a sense of community through virtual connections.
Deep dives
Starting a Gym and Overcoming Challenges
Matt Bernstein and Rodrigo each share their journey of starting their own gyms. Matt's interest in physical fitness started when he became a firefighter and he wanted to become more physically capable. He started with P90X and eventually got into CrossFit, which sparked his interest in building a career in the fitness industry. He initially wanted to open a children's gym but ended up starting his own facility in Boulder, Colorado. Similarly, Rodrigo, with a background in physical education and capoeira, discovered a passion for movement through the teachings of Ido Portal. He gradually transitioned from teaching in regular fitness gyms to opening his own facility in Brasilia, Brazil. Both Matt and Rodrigo faced challenges in the process, such as finding the right location, renovating the space, and building a community. Despite the obstacles, they persevered and created successful gyms.
Lessons Learned: Being an Entrepreneur and a Boss
Both Matt and Rodrigo admit to making mistakes as entrepreneurs and business owners. Matt initially struggled with taking on the role of a boss and had fears about being a leader. He had to learn how to communicate effectively, have tough conversations, and delegate responsibilities to ensure the smooth running of the gyms. Similarly, Rodrigo found it challenging to balance the commercial and educational aspects of the business. He learned the importance of empathy, trusting his team, and decentralizing decision-making. Both entrepreneurs emphasize the importance of continuous learning, seeking mentors, and actively involving the community in shaping the gym's vision and values.
Adapting During COVID-19 and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for both gyms. They had to temporarily close their doors, which led to financial hardships and the loss of students. However, they adapted by offering online classes and maintaining a strong sense of community through virtual connections. Although the gyms have reopened, they acknowledge that the effects of the pandemic are still being felt. They are working to rebuild their communities, balancing commercial and educational aspects, and finding new ways to provide a healthy and supportive environment for their students. Despite the difficulties, Matt and Rodrigo remain committed to their vision of creating movement spaces that transcend traditional fitness approaches.
The Journey of Growing and Evolving
Matt and Rodrigo continuously reflect on their journeys and strive to improve their gyms. They recognize the importance of learning from mistakes and seeking feedback from both teachers and students. They constantly adjust their teaching methods, program offerings, and business strategies to meet the evolving needs of the community. As the gyms expand, they face new challenges such as managing multiple locations, hiring and developing talented staff, and ensuring the financial stability of the businesses. Both entrepreneurs remain passionate about their work and are committed to providing high-quality movement experiences while fostering a sense of unity and growth within their respective communities.
Importance of Finding a Balance Between Teaching and Business/Research
The podcast episode explores the challenge of balancing teaching, running a business, and pursuing research and creation. The speaker emphasizes the need to allocate time for personal development, research, and creating new material. They express the importance of finding a balance between teaching and other pursuits, such as entrepreneurship and research. Additionally, they highlight the challenges they faced in hiring marketing professionals and explain the difficulty of conveying their unique message within the fitness industry.
Struggles and Strategies in Managing Membership Prices and Financial Health
The episode also delves into the financial aspects of running a gym and discusses the challenge of pricing memberships to maintain financial health while considering the financial diversity among members. The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of finding a pricing structure that accommodates everyone and mentions providing scholarships and discounts to alleviate the financial burden for some members. They share their desire to find alternate sources of income for the facility to achieve financial stability and to avoid solely relying on increasing the number of members. Both speakers express their commitment to transparency and building a community-focused gym environment centered around the importance of support, vulnerability, and shared values.
Do you ever wonder what it takes to successfully run a movement gym? Are you curious about the challenges and triumphs that come with such a venture? Get ready to unravel these mysteries as we welcome Matthew Bernstein and Rodrigo Salulima, gym owners in the U.S. and Brazil, to our podcast. Together, we'll illuminate the financial and entrepreneurial aspects of starting a gym, delve into the responsibilities of teaching classes and managing a business, and discuss the importance of building a thriving community within your gym.
Matt and Rodrigo are known to be one with the first people to create such gyms in the world. So get ready to benefit from their experience.
