Run a Profitable Gym

You won’t build a successful gym by guessing what people want. You just can't read minds—but every entrepreneur tries to do that, and it's costly.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper provides the simple fix: Start using the “just ask method"—a proven way to boost every single metric in your gym.Chris walks through exactly which questions you must ask to improve your gym’s marketing, sales, retention, pricing, ROI on expenses, staff development and net owner benefit.The key insight: Don't guess; just ask.For example, you might assume clients want a kettlebell class because you love kettlebells. If you meet with clients and ask what they want, you might discover 10 of them are training for running events, and you have a prime opportunity to boost average revenue per member with a race prep program.Or perhaps you can't hold onto staff people. What if you ask what they want to earn and accomplish, then show them how to do it? They'll stay longer and allow you to focus on building the business as the CEO.Watch to discover the questions top gym owners ask to improve every key performance indicator and build incredibly profitable businesses.Get Coop’s “Exactly What to Say” guide in Gym Owners United, linked below.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Stop guessing & just ask5:17 - Improve your marketing & sales13:25 - Boost client retention & value17:53 - Cut expenses & pay yourself more25:13 - Payoff of the “just ask” method

In 2015, Corey Lewis expanded to a second gym before he was ready. He ended up with two failing locations instead of one thriving facility.This mistake nearly sunk his business. Now, as a Two-Brain mentor, Corey helps gym owners avoid feels-good-in-the-moment traps that come with severe long-term consequences.In this episode, Corey joins Mike Warkentin to break down some of the most costly mistakes gym owners make:✅ Expanding before systems are in place.✅ Promoting staff too quickly.✅ Abdicating instead of delegating.✅ Discounting rates.✅ Chasing shiny objects instead of caring for "the golden goose."Corey explains how mentorship helps gym owners see past emotion to make decisions based on data. For example, if a gym owner is avoiding a much-needed rate increase, Corey will run the numbers, lay out the plan and provide accountability. He's successfully guided dozens of Two-Brain clients through this process: None lost all their members, and all made more money.Don't make mistakes that will take years to fix. And don't avoid correcting your errors because you don't have a plan. Get help, make smart decisions and reach your Perfect Day sooner.Use the link below to get free tools to help you run a profitable gym!Don't have a gym yet? Start one with help from Two-Brain—just click the link below.LinksFree ToolsStart a GymGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:33 - Expanding too soon5:44 - No systems and poor retention10:17 - Promoting staff who aren’t ready13:09 - How to avoid costly mistakes20:59 - Resources to start a gym

Just because a decision feels good now doesn’t mean it’s the right one for your gym’s long-term success.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper breaks down 12 choices that seem smart in the moment but can sabotage a gym's profitability down the line.He explains how mistakes such as paid-in-full deals and monthly discounts erode value and bleed out revenue, and he shares how short-term conveniences, such as hiring friends or subleasing to trainers, create downstream operational headaches.You’ll hear how ego-driven decisions to criticize competitors or train to be the best athlete in your gym steal focus from the systems that actually grow revenue.Coop also discusses retention and pricing errors, and he explains how three major growth traps—expanding too early, trying to serve everyone and buying failing gyms—create more problems than they solve.Tune in to learn the sustainable strategies top gyms use to avoid these mistakes and make smart decisions that pay dividends for decades.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:23 - Discount death spiral8:07 - Staff and space nightmares14:40 - Ego-driven mistakes21:33 - Retention and pricing errors24:50 - Growth without foundation

How do you turn 13 leads per month into sustainable gym growth?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper and chief marketing officer John Franklin analyze new data from Two-Brain's 2025 “State of the Industry” guide and show you how to use it to grow your gym in 2026.John, who is also co-founder of Kilo, explains why most gyms still struggle to get enough leads, what high performers do differently and how to make the most of every lead.The pair dig into the numbers behind pricing, sales and average revenue per member, and they list simple changes gym owners can make to dramatically increase revenue.To help you close more sales at your gym, Chris and John role-play common scenarios, demonstrating how to handle objections—such as timing, price and spousal concerns—and help clients take action. They also provide tips to help you survive the slowest months of the year so you stop getting crushed by seasonality.Watch this episode, then take action to generate more leads and add more clients to your gym every month. If you want to dig deeper into the numbers, download the full “State of the Industry” report for free via the link below.LinksState of the IndustryGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:08 - Lead generation and nurture12:38 - Seasonality and planning18:07 - Live sales role-play30:03 - Pricing strategies and psychology41:42 - Sustainable gym ownership

A year from now, your gym will be better or worse. That is a hard truth. And “better” doesn’t happen by accident. It only happens if you, the CEO, choose a direction, set priorities and execute today.To help you thrive next year, Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper shares the exact annual plan he's using at his gym, Catalyst. It's 12 months of simple, battle-tested activities that will:✅ Improve retention.✅ Produce leads and new clients.✅ Generate revenue.✅ Boost average revenue per member.✅ Reduce stress.✅ Inspire and retain staff.✅ Put more cash in your personal bank account.Customize Coop's plan or use it verbatim. But get something in place right now so you control your destiny in 2026.To get Coop's "Essential 12-Month Gym-Building Plan for 2026"—including a customizable event calendar—use the link below to send him a DM through our Gym Owners United group.Links👉 Message Coop here: Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Intro3:43 - January, February, March14:32 - April, May, June27:17 - July, August, September35:09 - October, November, December40:22 - Grow your gym in 2026

Why is youth training the fastest-growing segment in fitness?Today on "Run a Profitable Gym," Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper sits down with youth performance expert Bill Parisi to analyze the explosion in sports and fitness training for kids.Over the last 35 years, Bill has built a network of more than 100 Parisi Speed Schools, with most locations averaging $20,000 in revenue per month while operating only four to five hours per day.In this episode, Bill explains how NIL (name, image and likeness) deals have motivated parents to invest in training: Top college quarterbacks now earn seven figures!He also discusses the pros and cons of early specialization for young athletes and compares average metrics from youth-training gyms and the fitness industry as a whole.To help gym owners capitalize on demographic shifts, Bill and Chris share practical strategies: how to use events to generate referrals, how to balance seasonal variations in retention, and how to hire and keep quality coaches. Check out this episode to discover how youth training could boost your gym's revenue and help you create a greater impact in your community.To get more gym business data on demographics, rates and revenue, use the link below to download Two-Brain’s 2025 “State of the Industry” report.Links"State of the Industry"Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:01 - Why youth training is exploding12:04 - The early specialization debate19:45 - Youth training metrics33:28 - Retention in a seasonal business37:41 - Hiring & retaining quality coaches

What does it take to earn the top spot on Two-Brain’s revenue leaderboard?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin interviews gym owner Brandon Stratton to discuss the upgrades and operational systems that have allowed Bell House Training Co. to gross $1.2 million annually. Brandon explains how a strategic rebrand, smart price adjustments and the removal of outdated discounts produced an immediate 10-15% revenue jump with minimal member attrition.You’ll learn how Bell House keeps churn low with strong client follow-up systems, proactive communication and workflows designed to catch consistency dips before they become cancellations.Brandon also shares how community-driven marketing brings in high-quality clients, how he manages seasonal attendance swings and why mentorship gives him the clarity he needs to find solutions faster.Tune in to hear about the tactics that support a top-grossing gym—and learn how you can use them to increase revenue and help more people in your own business.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:35 - Brandon’s revenue streams8:39 - Causes of revenue increase13:41 - Goal: help more people18:39 - His biggest challenges22:50 - Why get a mentor?

Good news! Revenue is up in gyms worldwide from 2024 to 2025.And for the first time ever, the average monthly revenue across Two-Brain’s Top 10 leaderboard has crossed US$83,500—over $1 million annually.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper reveals what the highest-grossing gyms are doing to generate between $70,000 and $119,000 per month in consistent, sustainable revenue.He shares insights from mentors working with these top-performing gym owners and highlights common strategies: tracking key metrics, implementing strong retention systems and using the Prescriptive Model to sell high-value services.You’ll notice these gyms didn’t boost revenue with fancy marketing tactics or Black Friday sales. Instead, they reached the Top 10 by building strong systems and using sustainable, proven revenue-generation tactics.Watch for the full breakdown of strategies used by top-grossing gyms and then start working toward your next revenue goal today.Get the latest “State of the Industry” guide via the link below and find out how your gym compares to thousands around the world.Links"State of the Industry"Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Intro1:18 - Top 10 revenue8:05 - Track metrics & do the work11:19 - Systems for scaling14:32 - Your next steps

This episode features important visuals. For the best experience, watch it on YouTube. Gym owners, if you need more clients, this training is for you.In this detailed video, Two-Brain Business founder Chris Cooper breaks down his bulletproof system for fixing your leads problem forever by creating a never-ending stream of people who are eager to join your gym.You’ll learn the exact strategies top gyms use to keep their sales pipelines full—and even receive plug-and-play lead-nurture scripts that convert curiosity into commitment. With step-by-step directions, Coop shows you how to set up four marketing funnels that will consistently attract gym leads year round:🗣️ The Referral Funnel—Turn your best clients into recruiters through structured conversations and personal connections.📝 The Content Funnel—Share helpful, trust-building material that attracts people who already need your help.📱 The Organic Social Media Funnel—Post consistently to highlight your community and spark real conversations.🚀 The Paid Ads Funnel—Use targeted campaigns to amplify what’s already working and bring in a steady stream of new leads.Plus, to ensure you take action, Chris teaches you his Golden Hour strategy: You'll learn how to set up a daily plan that will help you stay focused, create content and make marketing a habit.Tune in to learn how to stop constantly chasing leads and start controlling your pipeline with repeatable systems used by thousands of successful gyms worldwide. Want a free copy of all seven worksheets from this training? Send Coop a DM via the link below.LinksDM CoopGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 1:06 - Part 1: Maximize Sales From Your Leads 5:53 - Lead Nurture Scripts8:03 - Booking Best Practices 19:16 - Worksheet #1: Lead Nurture Checklist19:27 - Part 2: Get More Leads 20:17 - The Referral Funnel 22:37 - Worksheet #2: Seed Client Exercise 24:43 - Worksheet #3: Affinity Marketing Cheat Sheet 38:15 - The Content Funnel 47:20 - Worksheet #4: What to Write About 49:57 - Worksheet #5: Golden Habits Checklist 50:09 - The Organic Social Media Funnel 51:29 - Worksheet #6: What to Post Where 58:34 - Worksheet #7: Sell-by-Chat Review 59:00 - The Paid Ads Funnel

The skills you’ve learned through fitness training can help you grow your business—if you know how to apply them.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder and CEO Chris Cooper explains why workout habits directly translate to gym ownership and entrepreneurialism.Every gym owner already has 11 critical fitness skills, such as resilience, adaptability, discipline and virtuosity, and Coop provides a plan to use those assets to grow your business. Coop also details his simple Golden Hour habit—doing one thing every day to grow your business before doing anything else. This daily period of focused effort can transform your gym the same way daily training transforms your body. Tune in to learn how to employ skills you already have and build a stronger, more profitable gym.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:06 - Habits, resilience & virtuosity 9:58 - Progressive overload & recovery12:57 - Measurement, coaching & feedback20:33 - Accountability & adaptability22:39 - Long-term vision & hope