The Small Group Gym Pod #1: How Mike MacDonald built a 200-member SGPT gym that’s lasted 10 years.
Sep 1, 2025
01:04:41
Running a small-group gym isn’t easy. Most owners get stuck at 30–60 members, burn out trying to do everything themselves, or struggle to build systems that actually help them grow.
That’s why I sat down with Mike MacDonald, owner of AKR Fitness in Aberdeen, who’s just celebrated 10 years in business and grown to 200+ active members with a thriving team behind him.
In this episode, Mike opens up about:
- The hardest stage of growth for SGPT gyms (and how he got through it).
- Why hitting milestones like 100 members doesn’t mean you’ve “made it.”
- The systems and mindset shifts enabled him to step back from doing everything himself.
- His philosophy on running a gym as an “infinite game” rather than a finish line.
Whether you’re at 20 members or 200, this conversation with Mike is filled with lessons you can apply to your own SGPT gym today.