
Gym World Worldwide
Gym World is a weekly show about making money in the fitness industry.
Join the co-founders of Kilo, John Franklin and Mateo Lopez, as they interview some of the industry's most successful entrepreneurs.
Latest episodes

Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
This gym owner got 3,000 members with no paid ads
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez chat with Mike Orefice (https://www.instagram.com/mikey_orefice/) from Iron Vault about how he leveraged social media and branding to build a 7 figure business with 3,000 members in just 5 years.
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
Iron Vault - https://www.instagram.com/iron.vault
Iron Vault (website) - https://ironvault.company/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Mike
(1:35) What is Iron Vault?
(9:16) Brand and content strategy
(24:37) Marketing and sales
(29:39) Membership models
(33:42) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(34:14) Influencer gyms and refining systems
(41:41) Revenue streams and events
(49:51) Handling negative reviews
(57:30) Future plans and where to go if you want to find Mike

Jan 3, 2025 • 1h 8min
Gym owner opens 7 powerlifting gyms in 4 years
Thomas Lilley, the innovative owner of Zero Weakness, shares his remarkable journey of expanding his powerlifting gym chain to eight locations in just four years across three countries. He discusses the importance of mentorship and how strong coaching fosters community. Thomas dives into successful pricing strategies and the significance of standardizing equipment to enhance efficiency. He also reveals common pitfalls for gym owners and emphasizes the delicate balance between coaching excellence and effective business management.

12 snips
Dec 27, 2024 • 42min
This gym owner started a gym with just $12
Amanda Fritscher, the dynamic owner of Lionheart Gym, shares her incredible journey of starting a gym with just $12. She discusses the challenges she faced and highlights the significance of personal connections in the fitness world. Amanda reveals innovative marketing strategies and the importance of community in growing her business. From expanding services to integrating unique offerings like coffee culture, she emphasizes building a strong gym culture. Her insights on leadership and sustainable operation are valuable for anyone looking to thrive in the fitness industry.

Dec 20, 2024 • 56min
Gym owner forced to rebuild 7-figure gym from scratch
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez sit down with Simon Anderson (https://www.instagram.com/simonandersonpt/) from SOMA in Sydney, Australia to talk about how he built a super premium 7-figure health and wellness club from scratch—not once, but twice.
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
SOMA Health & Wellness Club - https://www.instagram.com/somahealthandwellness/?hl=en
SOMA Health & Wellness Club (website) - https://somacollection.com.au/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Simon
(1:10) What is SOMA Health & Wellness Club?
(6:14) Lessons from the service industry
(11:53) Opening and running a gym business through COVID
(22:22) Gym usage and operations
(33:23) Marketing and member engagement
(39:27) Financing the gym
(46:16) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(46:48) Future prospects and improving the business
(52:53) Where to go if you want to find Simon

Dec 13, 2024 • 1h 2min
So, you want to build a 7-figure gym?
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez chat with Luka Hocevar (https://www.instagram.com/lukahocevar/?hl=en) of Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance about top strategies in coaching, service delivery, and marketing that can take your gym to the next level.
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World
newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance - https://www.instagram.com/vigorgroundfitness/?hl=en
Vigor Ground Fitness and Performance (website) - https://www.vigorgroundfitness.com/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Luka
(1:59) Luka's start in the fitness industry
(9:06) Qualities that make a good coach
(16:25) Advice to be a top gym owner
(29:35) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(30:07) Proven marketing strategies to grow a gym
(44:45) Building a local presence and expertise
(52:08) Luka's gym mentorship program
(58:46) Where to go if you want to find Luka

Dec 6, 2024 • 41min
This wellness franchise is scaling to 200 locations
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez sit down with Jamie Weeks, founder of SweatHouz (https://www.instagram.com/sweathouz/) and the largest Orangetheory franchisee. They discuss Jamie’s experience as a franchisee and how it’s helping him scale his wellness studio concept to 200 locations in 6 years.
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
Jamie - https://www.instagram.com/jamieweeksatl/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Jamie
(2:51) What is SweatHouz?
(5:00) Lessons from a franchisee
(8:06) Staffing and quality control
(11:04) How SweatHouz is different from other franchises
(16:49) Advice for new franchisees
(19:25) Future offerings at SweatHouz
(22:23) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(22:56) Consistent quality and customer experience
(24:45) Tracking metrics
(26:55) Role models
(29:32) Future of wellness and fitness
(34:00) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
(38:49) Where to go if you want to find Jamie

Nov 29, 2024 • 53min
This training gym has been profitable for 23 years
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez sit down with Andy McCloy (https://www.instagram.com/andymccloy_bci/) to discuss how he built Body Creations Inc (BCI) Sports Performance & Fitness and the lessons he’s learned over 30 years in the fitness industry.
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
BCI Sports Performance & Fitness - https://www.instagram.com/bci__sports__performance/
BCI Sports Performance & Fitness (website) - https://bodycreationsinc.com/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Andy
(2:01) Overview of BCI Sports Performance & Fitness
(3:12) Andy's fitness career journey
(13:37) Building BCI
(22:25) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(22:57) Packaging and pricing
(29:28) Sales and marketing strategies
(37:57) Future plans and expansion
(48:33) Andy's advice for gym owners
(50:42) Where to go if you want to find Andy

Nov 22, 2024 • 1h 10min
How to run a more profitable gym in 2025
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) and Mateo Lopez reunite with Chris Cooper to unpack the 2024 Two-Brain Business State of the Industry report, sharing eye-opening insights into how gyms and their owners are performing.
Download your free copy here: https://twobrainbusiness.com/the-state-of-the-fitness-industry-2024/
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/twobrain/
Two-Brain Business - https://www.instagram.com/twobrainbusiness/?hl=en
Two-Brain Business (website) - https://twobrainbusiness.com/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Chris
(1:39) What is the State of the Fitness Industry?
(7:03) Revenue
(14:39) Number of clients
(22:28) Membership pricing
(25:09) Average revenue per member
(31:58) Length of engagement
(39:56) Lifetime value
(48:02) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(48:35) Staff expenses
(51:23) Fixed expenses
(57:47) Profit
(1:02:15) Effective hourly rate
(1:05:10) Resources to run an above average gym

Nov 15, 2024 • 41min
Inside a powerlifting gym with 560 members
Michael Scullin, owner of Palmetto Pump House in Charleston, SC, shares insights from his vibrant powerlifting gym serving over 560 members. He discusses the essential role of community and staff in creating an inclusive environment for all fitness levels. Scullin reveals effective marketing strategies and the importance of branding in retaining clients. He also reflects on his transition from a corporate job to gym ownership and plans for future expansion, emphasizing the innovative practices that keep his gym thriving.

Nov 8, 2024 • 51min
Gym owner makes $1M/yr from 150 members
🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) met up with Eric Chang (https://www.instagram.com/coachericfreedom/) from Reason Fitness to discuss how he built his gym into a $1M-a-year business with just 150 members.
P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.
📱 Socials:
Reason Fitness - https://www.instagram.com/reasonfit/
Reason Fitness (website) - https://crossfitreason.com/
Eric's personal website - https://www.ericfreedom.com/
🔥 Show Notes:
(00:00) Introducing Eric
(2:22) Starting a career in fitness
(11:22) Opening the gym
(17:52) What is Reason Fitness?
(26:12) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)
(26:44) Challenges and evolution of CrossFit
(32:31) Team structure at the gym
(35:43) Exploring new opportunities and lifestyle coaching
(47:45) Future plans and where to go if you want to find Eric