The Business of Boutique Fitness

Y'all, Two industry leaders I'm absolutely fascinated by – Jennifer Maanavi, founder of Physique 57 (one of the best barre brands in the world), and Jack Thomas, creator of The Fit Guide (the gold standard for fitness excellence, like the Michelin Star guide for our industry). They're both revolutionizing how we think about hospitality in boutique fitness! Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 661: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker, Jennifer Maanavi of Physique 57, and Jack Thomas of The Fit Guide. ● Building boutique from scratch: Jennifer started Physique 57 in 2005 when boutique studios didn't exist - told architects she wanted it to feel "like coming to my house to work out" ● Hospitality over amenities: Their most successful studio had wear and tear but sold the most memberships because of warm feeling and community - proves it's about connection, not expensive finishes ● Two types of training: What to teach (mechanics for safety) vs. how to teach (hospitality that brings people back) - "you can tell people to do 10 jumping jacks one way, or another way" ● Sales as service: Reframing sales from pushy to helpful - like a washing machine store, clients need guidance to find what's right for them, not to be left to figure it out alone ● The Fit Guide standards: 250 metrics evaluating every element of the member journey - only 90%+ scores earn five stars, representing the top 1-2% of the industry ● Modality gaps revealed: Yoga scored lowest across all seven cities (guru mentality putting teacher at center), while barre scored highest (natural teaching opportunities) ● Gratitude mindset: "We're just so grateful that you're here" - understanding everything clients go through just to show up for class creates servant leadership culture Check out how both Physique 57 and The Fit Guide are elevating standards across our industry. The opportunities are massive when we focus on hospitality - and Jennifer's right, "the hero of the story is the client." Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Y'all, combining our high-touch approach with personalized client data is gold. Cue this fascinating conversation with software engineer, trainer and data nerd Jason Moore. Episode 666: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker and Jason Moore of Spren left me with a feast of food for thought regarding what's possible in our industry. Measurement & motivation: tracking progress through meaningful personal data Body image: capturing body comp, RMR and HRV with your phone's camera Expanding access: adding value with on-brand, personalized, 24/7 AI coaching Data processing: enhancing credibility through coach training & education Evolving capacity: launching V02 max measurement capability and more Spren's technology equips coaches to connect the dots and deliver outcomes that change lives. Discover more in this chat with Jason, the founder and CEO of Spren, in Episode 664. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Y'all, when you've been in this industry as long as I have, you can feel the big shifts coming. But even I wasn't prepared for the Pilates explosion we're witnessing right now. It's unlike anything we've seen before, and if you're not paying attention, you're missing the boat on the biggest opportunity in boutique fitness. Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 663: The Pilates Explosion - Global Growth with STOTT Pilates' Beth Gibbs-Bartel. ● Education empire: STOTT Pilates has trained 80,000+ instructors across 100 countries with unmatched anatomical focus ● Asia domination: unprecedented growth in China, Middle East, and APAC regions driving global expansion ● Reformer revolution: studios shifting from 6-machine comprehensive setups to 20+ reformer-only concepts ● Know your limits: instructors finding their sweet spot for class sizes (hint: it's probably around 16 max) ● Chair emergence: stability chair group classes becoming the next big trend, especially in innovative markets like Australia ● Silver surge: aging population will drive return to privates and semi-privates as boomers seek personalized attention ● Social media catalyst: TikTok trends directly correlating to studio boom 3-6 months later ● Content creation: new facilities incorporating influencer and content spaces into studio design Whether you're thinking about adding Pilates to your offerings or you're already in the space, Beth's insights on global trends, equipment evolution, and the future of Pilates education will help you ride this wave instead of getting swept away by it. And meet Beth (who's about to take her own company's certification!), after you hear from her in Episode 663. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Y'all, For boutique fitness studio owners, scaling from a single location to a multi-club empire while maintaining premium standards seems impossible. But what if you could learn from someone who's done exactly that? Meet Rob Beal, Fitness Director at Third Space, who's helped grow them from 4 to 13 premium clubs across London and built the highest-valued fitness concept per square foot worldwide. Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 662: Building Premium Fitness Empire - Lessons from Third Space London. ● Own your IP: keeping all training, programs and instructors in-house instead of outsourcing to freelancers ● Pilates leads the pack: Reformer Pilates is their #1 performing modality, now in 10 of 13 clubs ● Strength over HIIT: consumer demand has shifted from high-intensity to strength-focused programming ● Recovery revolution: spa, wellness and recovery services are essential for premium positioning ● Data-driven future: integrating wearable tech data and AI to enhance personal training ● Medical integration: longevity services and preventive health will dominate premium fitness ● Culture through growth: moving star performers to new locations to maintain standards and mentorship Whether you're planning your second location or dreaming of a fitness empire, Rob's insights on team development, real estate strategy, and staying ahead of consumer trends will reshape how you think about growth. And meet Rob (who's about to become a dad!), after you hear from him in Episode 662 Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

One brand I'm so excited to watch is LiveMetta – currently 11 yoga and Pilates studios (along with one spa) in Southern California. They're truly bringing something different to our space! Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 661: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker and Chris Farnsworth of Live Metta. Mission critical: embodying loving kindness as a foundation and culture Competition killer: thoughtfully expanding to fully own select markets Golden Rule: prioritizing relationships, ensuring support, paying well Lifelong learning: investing in professional development and continuing ed Change agent: donating to local nonprofits through LiveMetta Heart Space Check out how LiveMetta shines brightly in the boutique space. And meet co-founder, Chris (who I call my Southern brother), after you hear from him in Episode 662. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Y'all may assume that because 77% of boutique fitness studio members are women, marketing to females is a no-brainer. They're showing up anyway, right? Wrong. To grow, you must keep tweaking your outreach to this demographic. Learn how with Coach Rachel Prairie in Episode 660: Attracting & Retaining Female Clients in Your Studio. Get close up: know your client avatar's age, interests, hobbies and more Give them something to talk about: capitalize on word-of-mouth referrals Create touch points: cultivate community with events, programs and socials Make it easy: have great intro offers, flexible memberships and pricing options Educate & empower: share information about holistic wellbeing Win women by carefully customizing your studio's messaging, products and services. Review and refine your approach in Episode 660. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Want a relatively easy win-win for your studio? Consider partnering with another local business to drive traffic and boost sales in both places. This goes beyond sharing a flyer or offering a discount. Coaches Rachel Prairie and Sep Uyttendaele lay out the possibilities in Episode 659: Partnering with Local Businesses. Focus on fit: consider which businesses align with your brand and clients Create a wish list: identify local shops and ask members for recommendations Get creative: think events, programs, presentations and bundled services Make an offer: draft a detailed proposal outlining mutual benefits Build a relationship: collaborate closely, track key metrics, address snags Linking to the right business can deliver a valuable ROI that includes a flow of steady leads and increased brand awareness. Open your eyes to the opportunities with Episode 659. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

For boutique fitness studio owners, sometimes you're so deep in the weeds with sales, marketing and operations that you miss the big picture of what's happening in the industry. So step out for a moment to look at the landscape with Coaches Rachel Prairie and Conor McGarry in Episode 658: Emerging Trends & Innovations in Fitness. Follow the leaders: Pilates and strength are top trends in 2025 Go virtual: consumers want digital on-demand and livestream classes Custom fit: personalized instruction and options drive loyalty Welcome wellness: recovery products and services are hot Cultivate community: people crave connection and belonging Assess your current offerings, evaluate the opportunities and align new products and services with your brand. Episode 658 gets your wheels turning. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

I'm pretty sure that most (all?) of us didn't open a boutique fitness studio to stare at spreadsheets and crunch numbers. Yet that's part of owning a business. Learn what you really need to know with Coach Lindsey Hammond and guest CPA Kimberly Tara in Episode 657: Everything You've Been Too Embarrassed to Ask Your Accountant. Know your obligations: you'll owe income, payroll, sales and property taxes Pick smart partners: consider a bookkeeper, tax preparer or accountant Classify correctly: designate employees or independent contractors Pay yourself consistently: plan for revenue fluctuations to take home a check Look for loopholes: request that your accountant use tax strategies to pay less You'll find in Episode 657 that you don't have to know everything if you have pros on board. Check out Kimberly, a CPA-certified tax coach and strategist for mom entrepreneurs. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/

Y'all, be honest. Do you really understand what a mission, vision and core values mean for your studio and why they matter? And why should you care? Consider these essentials for a moment with Coach Matt Hanton and Lisa Taylor, Studio Grow's Bespoke program director, in Episode 656: Building Your Mission, Vision & Core Values. Learn the language: mission is what you do; vision is the utopia you're aiming for Know thyself: understand how your own values influence your business Insist on specificity: empty platitudes don't deliver direction or results Create your compass: thoughtfully articulate your studio's North Star Keep watch: ensure core values are observable, measurable and re-creatable Your mission, vision and core values define and embody your brand. Without them, you're simply running fitness classes. Explore the rationale and the process in Episode 656. Catch you there, Lise PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party! www.studiogrow.co www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/