Depending on whom you ask, we are already in a recession, or it's just around the corner. But there's little doubt that a recession will hit us at some point in 2023.Many fitness entrepreneurs and those looking to invest in this industry are asking whether it's safe to invest during a recession.The answer, as always, is it depends.For Alloy Personal Training, we have been in business for more than 30 years and what we've seen is actually that our business does well during recessions. Having gone through the economic downturn of 9/11 and the 2008/9 recession, we can say our model is recession-proof.The simple reason is that our avatar client, who holds about 70% of our country's disposable income, is not as affected by the recession as other segments of the population.Our target clients have a great willingness and financial wherewithal to commit to their fitness, regardless of the economy. Fitness is an integral part of their lives.This is not the case for other fitness concepts, which might fold during difficult times.In this episode, Rick and Kimberley Daly offer some wisdom to those considering investing in fitness franchise businesses in 2023.Key Takeaways- Investing in fitness during a recession (00:26)- The psychology of premium fitness concepts (03:14)- You can't control the economy (06:25)- What makes the alloy personal training fitness model different (09:19)- How Alloy beats the competition (13:02)Additional Resources:- Kimberley Daly's LinkedIn and Youtube Channel ------ Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick interviews serial entrepreneur and franchise consultant Meg Schmitz. Meg has a unique background and a great lens on risk tolerance and success.Meg has been nicknamed the franchise guru and the franchise fashionista by, among others, The Wall Street Journal. She helps people looking for franchise opportunities connect with a franchisor that’s the right fit for them.A franchise consultant plays a huge role in preparing candidates and introducing them to the franchisor professionally.They also address any questions, concerns, or doubts you may have about entrepreneurship before you jump into the ‘lily pad.’Tune in to hear Meg’s story and her unique perspective on business, franchising, and life.Key Takeaways- Who is Meg Schmitz (01:39)- The role of a franchised consultant (10:54)- Biggest obstacles for franchisees (26:31)- Don’t go from a warrior to a worrier (27:51)- The top misconceptions about franchising (34:02)- Trust your gut (35:22)Additional Resources:- Text Meg Schmitz: 847-302-2601 - Website - Instagram----- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Rick and Matt discuss the main perks of owning an Alloy Personal Training franchise over other franchises. Alloy offers a ton of perks that very few, if any, franchises offer to help our franchisees have the best chance for success.One of the fears new franchisees have, especially those coming from employment, is losing benefits such as their health insurance or 401k. Here at Alloy, we offer all our franchisees a full suite of benefits so that they don’t worry about that.  Another major perk of becoming an Alloy franchisee is we help people become entrepreneurs. We want franchise owners to feel confident as they operate and thrive in their own Alloy fitness centers.But these are not the only perks we offer; we care deeply about our franchisees and their well-being, and that’s why we have a whole suite of perks no other franchises offer. (We are sure about this)Tune in to learn more about them. Key Takeaways- Why the Alloy Franchise stands out (04:10)- PEO services to our franchisees (06:39)- We help you become an entrepreneur (07:49)- Discounts from all our Alloy vendors (12:35)- Our sales hit team (17:38)- Our 31 years of experience in business (20:48)- Our customer avatar (22:15)- We do good by supporting great causes (22:50)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts! 

Today on the podcast, we have one of the foremost experts in nutrition and exercise in the world. Alan Aragon has been a nutritional researcher for more than 3 decades. Most people in the fitness industry must have come across one of his very many science-backed writings.He has been moving the fitness industry towards more of an evidence-based information approach. He has published in popular nutrition and fitness magazines and peer-reviewed scientific journals.In this episode, Rick and Alan discuss what the latest research shows about nutrition, training, and supplementation for the 40+ demographic.  Some of the nuggets that Alan shares with us include:- Protocols for strength training in middle and older age groups- Protein intake and supplementation - Positive effects of strength training for ALL age groupsHere at Alloy Personal Training Franchise we follow an evidence and science-based approach for all our training programs and nutritional guidance.Tune in to learn the latest from one of the most influential figures in the fitness industry.Key Takeaways- Who is Alan Aragon (01:11)- The evidence-based fitness and nutrition movement (04:53)- Alan Aragon Research Review (08:26)- Fighting age-related muscle loss (12:08)- Strength training for older adults (15:13)- Positive effects of training on cognition (20:09)- Protocols for training in middle and older aged adults (22:52)- Protein intake in the general population (30:15)- The association between higher protein intake and greater fat loss (33:48)- Protein supplementation (37:07)- One important piece of advice from Alan (01:00:14)Additional Resources:Alan's websiteSubscribe to Alan Aragon's Research Review Publication - Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Matt and Rick discuss the 3 reasons that make fitness a great business. From the financials to the purpose, fitness is a compelling investment opportunity.More and more people are becoming aware of fitness's impact on their overall health. In fact, muscle mass has been recognized as one of the markers of longevity. And with only about 20% of the population actively working out, there is a great untapped opportunity.Having a business that literally changes people's lives gives you a purpose to wake up and hustle every day, besides ensuring a return on investment.Tune in to learn more about the fitness opportunity. Key Takeaways- What’s so cool about being in the fitness business? (02:05)- The ROI of a fitness business (03:07)- Everyone needs fitness (04:13)- Subscription-based income model (08:36)- Doing good (14:04)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts! 

Recruiting the best staff for your fitness business is arguably the single most important factor that will determine your success as a business owner.However, as any fitness entrepreneur will tell you, finding, hiring, and retaining the best talent in our industry is a big challenge.In this episode, Rick speaks to Jessie Stackhouse, founder of Just Fitness Staffing, about recruiting for a fitness business.She is Alloy’s one and only vendor for talent acquisition in the fitness space.Jessie shares what she is seeing out there in the talent market and some of the things you can do to make yourself attractive to great candidates.The fitness talent market is very different post-Covid. You can no longer rely on posting open positions on job boards and expect to find great candidates.You have to do more.Luckily, Jessie is here to share some secrets to help you.Tune in!Learn more at: http://bit.ly/alloy_franchiseKey Takeaways- Jessie’s background in the fitness space (01:26)- The challenge of fitness staffing (11:44)- How Jessie manages to find good candidates (12:49)- Why there’s a shortage of applicants for fitness positions (15:14)- Building a team for a franchise business (17:40)- Why it’s hard to find talent post-Covid (21:39)- How to get people interested in your job (25:58)- What are the compensation/benefits candidates are looking for (31:42)- Culture is king (37:08)Additional Resources:Contact Jessie Stackhouse ✅Website✅Email: jessie@justfitnessstaffing.com ✅LinkedIn- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Last week we started the tongue-in-cheek conversation of 31 ways to ruin your fitness business to celebrate 31 years of serving customers in the personal training space.In today’s episode, we continue from number 15 to number 31.As much as these are hilarious takes from Rick and Matt, important business lessons can be learned.Running a business requires patience, effort, and great determination, yet many businesses are ruined by silly missteps by their owners. These are some of the things you’ll be hearing in this two-part series.If you’ve not listened to part 1, make sure to check it out first!Learn more at: http://bit.ly/alloy_franchiseKey Takeaways- Get into politics and make it public (00:41)- Go by feels, not data (02:12)- Start arguments on social media (06:55)- Sell braces, not the smile (10:49) - Make it all about you (13:19)- Charge less (16:08)- Say it once and never say it again (19:37)- Have at least 3 business partners (23:24)- Avoid hard things (27:12)- Build an elaborate morning routine (31:07)- Sleep with clients (38:26)- Start a podcast (40:08)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

We are officially 31 years in business. That’s no mean achievement for any business, let alone one in the fitness space.But we are just getting started…. With over 80 franchises awarded already and many more coming up, the future looks good.But to celebrate the milestone of 31 years in business, Rick and Matt explain the 31 ways to ruin your fitness business.With more than 3 million customers served, 4 brand iterations, and over 2500 clubs licensed/consulted, Rick has seen it all in the fitness and business world and has some great points he puts across in this episode.Hint: Do the opposite of these!Check them out!Learn more at: http://bit.ly/alloy_franchiseKey Takeaways- Trust your emotions, not logic (04:55)- If something works, don’t do it again (08:08)- Be fancy; basics are for suckers (12:19)- Invest in things, not yourself (15:04)- React, don’t think (22:02)- Listen to people less successful than you (24:44)- If you fail once, you quit (30:13)- Have at least 8 streams of revenue (33:01)- Always swing for the fences (38:15)- Be like Scott (41:43)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts! 

In most fitness businesses, there are two main levers you can pull. The first one is sales, where you get a lead in front of you and have a process to convince them that you have the solution to their problem.The second lever, which is KEY to growing your business, is a good retention model to keep the customers IN your business. The fitness industry has always struggled with this lever.If you want to grow and fill up your gym, you're probably not going to get there if you're putting water in a leaky bucket. You've got to plug those holes, which is the retention side.Many brands/individuals are good at one and not the other. This is the paradox between sales and retention.Both are equally as important to a business. There are times in your business when you should focus more on sales and other times more on retention. But the sales process is somewhat intertwined with the retention play.In this episode, we discuss the healthy friction between sales and retention and how to build a culture that can achieve both.Make sure to check it out!Learn more at: http://bit.ly/alloy_franchiseKey Takeaways- Matt's new role at Alloy Franchise (00:46)- The 2 levers in a fitness business (04:31)- The difference between sales and retention (06:12)- The sales process is intertwined with the retention play (10:06)- Achieving both sales and retention (17:33)- Systems vs. culture (20:28)- A system gives you more opportunities to have great experiences (27:02)Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Losing some of your customers to local competition can be painful. And when they’re directly stealing customers from you, it can really set the alarm bells ringing.So while sometimes you should pay attention to what they’re doing, it’s always about balance. Sometimes you can lose sight of what you’re trying to do just by focussing on competitors too much.In this episode, Rick and Matt are going to explain how much attention you should pay to your competition, why the scarcity mindset is killing you, and what you should really be focusing on instead.Make sure to check it outLearn more at: http://bit.ly/alloy_franchiseKey Takeaways:Intro (00:00)Matt’s views on local competition (04:14)Chasing the wrong customers (07:27)Should you worry about competitors? (19:00)Doing the basics right (24:15)Episode wrap-up (30:47) Additional Resources:- Alloy Personal Training- Learn About The Alloy Franchise Opportunity---------You can find the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you haven’t already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!