Run a Profitable Gym

Good coaching is necessary but insufficient for a world-class fitness business. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks down why a gym owner must first focus on building a strong foundation for their business before working to improve their coaching. In the early stages, most gym owners are good coaches but weak entrepreneurs, so they must upgrade their business skills first. Once strong business systems are in place, gym owners can pivot to service delivery as the next big opportunity for growth. Chris shares six key client outcomes that define great coaching and explains why earning more certifications isn’t always the best way to achieve these results. He also introduces the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast and free public group, designed to help coaches bridge the gap between advances in training science and real-world application.  Use the links below to check out the “Strength Coach Collective” YouTube channel and join the collective’s free group to connect with other coaches, share insights and help your team grow. Invite your coaches to join, too!  For more support on the business side, join Gym Owners United, also linked below. LinksStrength Coach Collective PodcastStrength Coach Collective GroupGym Owners UnitedBook a Call02:18 - How important is coaching?04:17 - When to elevate coaching05:33 - Getting clients results10:39 - The gap between science and coaching12:05 - Strength Coach Collective

Raising rates at a gym can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be—if you have help from a business expert. When done correctly, a rate increase can strengthen your business and allow you to provide greater value to your members. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with Chris Lomen, owner of Ripple Effect Community Fitness, who raised his rates by 15 percent and didn’t lose a single member. Chris shares exactly how he planned and communicated the price change, why annual increases are a smart business move, and how he overcame his fear of upsetting clients. He and Mike also discuss common pricing mistakes, how to phase out discounts and why keeping rates too low actually hurts both gym owners and members. If you’re hesitant about increasing your prices, tune in to hear this gym owner’s top tips, then get a mentor's help to plan a rate increase that will improve your P&L statement so you can serve members better.  To learn more, check out our episode with Greg Strauch, a Two-Brain mentor who has helped nearly 100 gym owners implement successful rate increases, linked below.LinksGreg Strauch EpisodeGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  01:45 - Real rate increase numbers08:24 - Planning the rate increase13:38 - How members responded17:11 - Why remove discounts?19:52 - No. 1 tip for gym owners

Most gym owners don’t make enough money—not because they need more clients but because their rates are too low. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how to set your prices the right way so your gym becomes profitable and pays you what you deserve. Too many gym owners copy their competitors’ pricing or assume their clients can’t afford to pay more. Chris walks you through a better approach, starting with using the Rule of 50 to determine your minimum membership price. He explains how to set a target for average revenue per member (ARM) and why constantly chasing more clients won’t increase your gym’s profitability if your rates are too low. Using a profit-and-loss statement (P&L), he shows you exactly how to calculate rates that cover your gym’s expenses with 50 members so you can build a strong, profitable business.   To download Chris’ sample P&L, join Gym Owners United. And find out what other gyms are charging in our “State of the Industry” guide, linked below. Links"State of the Industry" GuideGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  03:35 - Find your break-even point08:17 - Average revenue per member (ARM)14:12 - Do you need more clients?18:00 - Increase ARM without raising rates 20:29 - Recap: How to set rates

When a nearby gym shuts down, its members risk losing their momentum—but you can step in to offer them a welcoming community where they can continue their fitness journeys. That’s just what Matt Michaud, owner of EverProven, did when two gyms in his area closed their doors. This influx of new members helped his gym earn a spot on all three of our sales leaderboards: set, show and close rates. In one month, Matt's gym closed a whopping 22 sales in 28 appointments. The key is that Matt led with a Help First mindset: He and his staff focused on helping displaced members keep their fitness on track, without being pushy or “salesy.”In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with Matt, who details the exact steps he took to ensure a seamless transition, from initial communication with the previous gyms’ owners to adjusting his systems to handle rapid growth. You never know when a gym near you might be forced to close, so tune in to ensure you’re ready to help.Links“Help First” by Chris CooperGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  01:08 - Helping displaced gym members08:12 - Mechanics of outreach14:15 - Prescriptive Model with groups20:46 - Avoiding staff overwhelm23:51 - Long-term lead nurture

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper reveals the monthly leaderboards for set, show and close rates in top gyms around the world. These gyms aren’t just getting a ton of leads—they’re following through by booking appointments, getting people to show up and closing sales. Chris shares the exact strategies these top performers are using, from lead-nurture systems to high-converting sales processes.He also highlights four owners whose gyms landed on all three leaderboards. You’ll hear from one of them, Matt Michaud, in our next episode, airing Feb. 27.Tune in to learn how some of the best gyms in the industry are dominating sales and marketing, then take action to improve your sales funnel. LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  00:51 - Key marketing metrics 03:44 - Leaderboard breakdown 07:36 - Gyms on all three leaderboards11:37 - Tips from the leaders18:54 - Where to learn more

Kieran O’Dwyer, a gym owner and marketing expert from Australia, shares his insights on lead generation strategies. He emphasizes the importance of trust in attracting potential clients through organic content. Discover his simple four-post content cycle that includes technique videos, client success stories, and community engagement. Kieran explains how authenticity and consistent posting can enhance your online presence. Plus, he introduces the 'Golden Hour' concept for maximizing marketing efforts and achieving better conversion rates!

Discover how to attract 30 new gym leads in just 30 days without spending on ads! Learn about innovative tactics like selling through chat and utilizing '5130 posts.' Explore strategies for generating referrals, re-engaging past members, and making lead magnets. Chris Cooper emphasizes the power of building relationships and community engagement. Whether you choose to implement all tactics or focus on a few, the key is taking action and tracking your results for ongoing success!

Growing a gym from $800 to $25,000 per month doesn’t happen by accident. Gym owner Ian Smith achieved this revenue increase by working with a Two-Brain mentor to refine key entrepreneurial skills.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Ian breaks down the five skills that fueled his gym’s growth: objective reflection, focus, tact, forward thinking and an abundance mindset.Objective reflection has allowed him to make data-driven decisions instead of emotional ones, and focus has helped him eliminate distractions and dial in on the work that moves his business forward. Practicing tact has empowered him to better handle tough conversations, and he’s used forward thinking to plan for long-term growth. Finally, by adopting an abundance mindset, he’s become more confident in his gym’s ability to provide value to clients—and ensure they see that value.Tune in to learn how to apply these skills and grow your gym.Links“The Golden Hour”Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call  02:25 - Objective reflection05:05 - Improving focus09:10 - Tact and de-escalation13:02 - Forward thinking17:34 - Abundance mindset

Here’s a hard truth: You might be the main reason your gym isn't more successful. Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper shares five essential entrepreneurial skills that will help gym owners break through self-imposed limits:- Focus- Objective reflection- Tactful action - Forward thinking - Cultivating an abundance mindsetHe also explains why knowledge alone isn’t enough and provides practical tips for honing these skills and applying them to your business. You’ll learn how to better handle tough conversations, make proactive decisions and develop a mindset that fosters long-term success. Tune in to learn how to master these skills and remove the ceiling on your gym's growth.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  03:23 - Focus and do the work6:52 - Objective reflection10:05 - Tact and de-escalation14:12 - Forward thinking and problem solving16:18 - An abundance mindset

Discover the secrets to choosing the perfect mentor for your gym business. Reflect on your past successes and the coaching styles that inspired you. Learn about common pitfalls gym owners face when selecting a coach. Gain insights on essential qualities like empathy and experience that ensure effective mentorship. Plus, find structured exercises to clarify your mentoring goals. This guidance will empower you to connect with a mentor who truly drives results!