Run a Profitable Gym

Oskar Johed, co-owner of CrossFit Medis and CrossFit Sikla, shares tips for offering great service at your gym. Focus on basics, improve coaching, show empathy to clients. The importance of personability and empathy in the fitness industry. The power of a good product in a gym business and its connection to customer loyalty. Coaching development and the significance of feedback.

102 leads, 45 appointments, 26 shows and 16 sales: These are real September stats for Vel Bates’ gym, 3D Fitness, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.In today’s episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Mike Warkentin talks with Vel, who shares the plan behind the numbers.Vel breaks down the main elements at the top of his marketing funnel: organic social media and paid ads. But his leads don’t just book free consultations automatically—so he’s got a lead-nurturing system designed to get people in the door, too.Then Vel explains how he closes sales by using the Prescriptive Model in an office packed with social proof from real clients. But the process doesn’t stop after initial sign-up: Vel’s clients commit to a 90-day journey he lays out for them in detail. This step alone has increased his gym’s retention and onboarding success. Vel’s built a system that truly works, and he’s sharing it with you so you can start bringing more clients into your gym today. LinksCheck out Vel’s gym: 3D FitnessVel's Instagram account: Hercules_BatesThe Prescriptive Model Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call00:56 - No. 1 secret for more appointments06:58 - Testimonials13:51 - The super-important things18:47 - Emotional connection26:38 - The sales binder

Do you have a plan for growing your gym in 2024?  In today’s episode, Chris Cooper goes over Two-Brain’s free 2024 annual plan: It's designed to help gym owners like you get more clients, increase average revenue per member, improve retention, inspire your staff and pay yourself more. Chris runs through a basic but every effective plan month by month, detailing how you can level up your gym with client Goal Review Sessions, coach evaluations, marketing funnel audits, and more.If you’re a Two-Brain client, your mentor is already working with you to create a fully customized, detailed plan complete with done-for-you resources, instructional videos and accountability. But if you don't have a mentor yet, this general plan will help you stomp the accelerator in January. Coop's 2024 annual plan for fitness entrepreneurs is available in our Gym Owners United group. LinksGet the Guide: Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:22 - Why you need a plan5:23 - January to March17:27 - April to June27:47 - July to September32:25 - October to December

Having trouble staffing your gym? You aren't alone.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper sits down with Joe Venuti and Alessandra Bisalti of CrossFit MASS, who share how they’ve used "guided access" to transform their gym in the face of staffing shortages. Essentially, they’ve learned to leverage technology. In a guided or enhanced access model, clients receive individually designed programming delivered to their phones and can access the gym during non-coached hours to get their workouts done. The gym's clients still receive top-tier fitness services, while Joe and Alessandra get to enjoy reasonable working hours and flexible time off.Because numbers never lie, Chris breaks down a model profit and loss (P&L) statement to show how guided access could be used to generate over $100,000 in net owner benefit.If you’re a gym owner who is struggling to secure staff, check out the guided access plan and decide if it might work in your fitness business.LinksBook a CallGym Owners United0:01 - Guided access in practice25:38 - P&L statement27:05 - How many clients to break even28:26 - Bringing in new clients32:56 - Bring in a backup36:31 - The big picture

In this special episode produced in collaboration with “Gym World Worldwide,” John Franklin chats with Curtis Christopherson, owner of Innovative Fitness.Curtis' personal-training gym chain spans 23 locations, with each averaging over $1 million in annual revenue. Curtis is also the owner and founder of WRKOUT, a revolutionary digital platform designed for wellness professionals. He explains how he blew up his brand by prioritizing community and connection, even within a personal-training model. As a direct result of this focus, his studios boast an impressive client retention rate of 7.2 years. Curtis also shares how he balances his many commitments as a father of two by hiring great staff and carefully managing his time.Take top tips for success from Curtis and John and start applying them in your gym today.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call4:19 - Packaging and pricing11:16 - Curtis’ marketing18:21 - Bucket-list goals23:20 - Ready to expand43:01 - Processes and systems

Two Brain’s annual “State of the Industry” report is out! With metrics from over 13,400 gyms, the guide provides valuable insight into how gym owners can build better businesses. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin sits down with Chris Cooper and John Franklin to highlight key points from the guide. Chris is the CEO and founder of Two-Brain Business, and John is the chief marketing officer at Two-Brain, head of marketing for Kilo, and host of the podcast “Gym World Worldwide.”Chris and John break down some of the most notable stats in the report—including rent expenses, owner’s salary, staffing costs and revenue streams—and they offer tips on how gym owners can improve their numbers.Two-Brain produces this industry-defining report every year and shares it for free so you can level up your business, create opportunities for your team, and change your clients’ lives. Get the guide through the link below and take action! LinksGet the report: "State of the Industry 2023"Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:39 - Gym expenses and revenue12:37 - Gym membership18:46 - Staff costs and wages23:06 - Gym owner's income26:32 - Class sizes37:39 - Gym owner's hourly rate41:18 - Revenue streams49:47 - Marketing, sales, lead flow56:28 - Mentorship 

Every year, Two-Brain Business pours a ton of resources into our “State of the Industry” report, which is regarded by many experts and organizations as the best in the fitness space.  We give the report to gym owners—like you—for free every year so they have the info they need to build world-class businesses.In today’s episode, Chris Cooper highlights some of the key takeaways from our 2023 report, which contains data from 13,444 gyms. Chris explains how to compare your gym against the average in six key categories: client headcount, average revenue per member per month (ARM), length of engagement (LEG), effective hourly rate (EHR), return on investment (ROI), and net owner benefit (NOB). Then he tells you how to use these numbers to set your next goals and move your gym into the top 1 percent of fitness businesses.Get the full “State of the Industry” report for free today and start using it to make great decisions for your family, your staff and your clients.LinksGet the report: "State of the Industry 2023"Book a CallGym Owners United0:01 - The 2023 report05:23 - Additional revenue streams08:55 - Access: another option10:57 - ARM honorable mention12:49 - Your private report card

Steve Ramsbottom has worked with stars such as Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Jessica Alba, as well as Paralympic medalists and countless other professional athletes.The owner of Performance Institute in British Columbia, Canada, Steve is also one of Two-Brain’s revenue leaders for September 2023.  In this episode, Mike Warkentin sits down with Steve as he shares the secrets of his success—from how he ended up training some of the biggest stars in Hollywood to how he climbed the revenue leaderboard. When it comes to boosting profits, many gym owners talk about things like outreach and marketing. But Steve’s primary focus is building a culture of excellence for the clients and staff of his gym, and that’s had a tremendous effect on revenue and retention. Listen to learn Steve’s top tips for superhero-sized revenue, then take action to improve your numbers.  LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:46 - Working with stars9:50 - Memberships not sessions12:57 - Referral tunnel19:01 - Get to know your clients23:40 - Care for clients

The best gym owners in the world share three things: They know their niche, they create a culture of discipline in their businesses, and they build and preserve momentum.Finding your niche allows you to become the best at what you do, which increases client value. Discipline ensures your gym consistently operates with excellence—whether you’re in the building or not. And momentum helps you make incremental gains every day so you’re always moving toward your larger goals.In today’s episode, Chris Cooper breaks each element down so you can take your gym from good to great. Great gyms get clients the results they want, create good careers for staff members, and pay their owners more than they could make working at another gym.You can’t take a shortcut to greatness, but you can take actionable steps today to start moving toward virtuosity in business. LinksBook a CallGym Owners United1:25 - Find Your niche4:22 - Your ARM10:56 - Frameworks and responsibility16:32 - Incremental gains

Eric Conner is killing it. His gym grosses over US$50,000 a month in a really tough market just outside Los Angeles. Since 2016, he’s increased revenue by 100 percent. In 2022-2023 alone, he increased his gross by 20 percent. And he’s done it without running ads. Today, Eric has multiple staff members who are building careers at his gym while they're supported by benefit plans. And as CEO of a thriving business, Eric has time to branch into other areas, such as investing in real estate and mentoring other gym owners.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Eric shares how he used multiple revenue streams and a mindset shift to transform his gym. According to Eric, the meteoric rise began when he decided to turn his hobby into a real business. One of his first moves: He started using Two-Brain’s Prescriptive Model, which is proven to increase revenue and improve retention. LinksLearn how to use the Prescriptive ModelGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:43 - Growing in a tough market7:01 - The Prescriptive Model8:31 - Leadership skills13:47 - Other revenue streams25:33 - Call five clients