Do you feel like we’re bombarded by flashy gym marketing ads promising the moon but delivering only dust? They guarantee something like a thousand leads or clients in a ridiculously short time and even promise a money-back guarantee if they fail. But, guess what: they will fail, and they definitely won’t return your money. And this is just one example of the hundreds of insanely tempting claims we hear every day. But remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In this...

The better you are as a coach, the more likely clients are to quit. Quite a paradox, isn’t it? Many gym owners notice that clients who achieve their goals often stop coming. If you're new to this, you might be wondering what went wrong. But those of us who've been around know this is pretty common. People usually hit the gym with specific goals in mind, not necessarily to make it a lifestyle. So, don’t take it personally if they left your gym after losing 30 pounds – you could have provided...

Every gym owner wants their clients to be loyal to the gym, not just to the coaches. Yet, it's common for clients to follow a coach when they leave. To prevent this, gym owners should standardize a high-quality program that every coach can deliver. This way, if a coach does leave, their clients can easily switch to another trainer seamlessly. So, are you worried about losing clients if a coach leaves? And how much freedom do your coaches have? If they're crafting their own programs within...

Many gym owners complain that they feel like they're throwing money into a black hole with Facebook ads without seeing any return. Have you noticed a drop in your Facebook ad performance in early 2024? Although the situation is improving now, there was a period when leads were captured but remained unresponsive despite calls, texts, and emails – like they were not genuine, but bot-generated to boost ad stats without actual engagement. This issue with Facebook has led Tim and Randy to address...

“I'm making money while I’m sitting here in the cafe, and I don't even have to be at work on Monday.” How many professionals can say something like this? Definitely not many. Doctors, lawyers, professors, pharmacists, dentists – these traditional professionals are highly respected. However, their careers constantly require them to trade time for money. That’s something gym owners don’t have to do. Of course, when you decided to become an entrepreneur and probably leave your 9 to 5, you...

Many gym owners are trapped in their businesses, constantly putting out fires. Yet others seem to enjoy their freedom to the fullest as their gyms grow smoothly.  Why does this happen? Well, their secret lies in delegating tasks and giving the team the power to make decisions. This strategy not only improves efficiency but also empowers the staff, creating a proactive and independent team culture. To step back from day-to-day operations, gym owners need to overcome their control issues and...

Would you buy what you’re selling if you walked into your gym? This is something gym owners and personal trainers should consider, especially given the fitness industry's not-so-great image. And, to be honest, the bad reputation is justified because there's been years of low-quality stuff out there. Why does this happen? Most of the time, the problems stem from not being professional enough and lacking clear regulations. These issues get worse with varying quality of services, messy rules,...

This is the million-dollar question (literally): How does a gym reach the $1M milestone? Tim and Randy have the answer, and they're eager to share it through a unique event designed specifically for gym owners aiming for success. They're pulling back the curtain at an in-depth event at Legacy Personal Training in Scottsdale, AZ. Attendees will get a firsthand look at everything from daily operations to client training methods, pricing strategies, and how to run winning ad campaigns. In just...

Just like other entrepreneurs, gym owners often find themselves caught in a never-ending cycle of busyness, finishing each day worn out and still feeling behind on their to-do list. If only a day had like 36 hours…  A 36-hour-day is something out of our reach, but there is a tool that could help you accomplish more in a week than you did in a month. It is called Motion, and it can help you organize your chaotic schedule and ensure you focus on what truly matters. You’re probably skeptical,...

Many gym owners believe they've hit the max on how much money they can make. It can feel like running into an invisible wall. ⁤ ⁤Whether it's $30,000, $35,000, or $70,000, moving past those numbers can sometimes feel impossible. ⁤⁤Even when you think you're making some progress, you might find yourself sliding back down. ⁤⁤Frustrating, right? ⁤ ⁤Many gym owners face this challenge. ⁤⁤So, the real question is: How can we continue to grow past these barriers? ⁤ ⁤In this week's episode, Tim and...

Have you ever wondered why the same marketing strategy succeeds in one market but fails in another? Often, it's because gyms take the easy road, neglecting the hard work of crafting a message that speaks directly to potential clients. In this episode, Tim and Randy discuss this topic, sharing insights from their experience and a game-changing meet-up with marketing guru Todd Brown.  They describe how attending a workshop, which cost them $12,000, completely changed their approach to tailoring...

It's tough to be just another fish in the sea. And if you're running a large group training gym, that's exactly your business's position. Although large group sessions have their charm, they're not the golden ticket to business growth or client satisfaction they once were. These days, more and more gyms are leaving this model behind. Tim’s gym did just that 14 years ago, switching to a semi-private model. And that proved to be a true game-changer. Semi-private training strikes the perfect...

Tim's journey into the fitness business wasn't a typical success story. He was working in construction management when he decided to open his own gym, although he had no experience in the industry before that. He wanted to create the perfect workout space and planned to fill his gym with equipment he personally loved. However, his dream quickly hit a wall – the gym wasn't making money because the model he loved failed to meet market demands. As his rent abatement period was nearing its end,...

Many gym owners think the number of members defines success. But that’s not true. What truly matters is not how many people walk through the door but the revenue each member brings in. (After all, revenue is what pays the bills). So, like in any business, your main focus should be on maximizing net profit and ensuring that what came in isn't just for show but has real financial backing. If you want to build a solid business foundation for future growth, you need systematic processes and a...

For many gym clients, fitness success is often boiled down to the numbers they see on the scale. However, there's a whole spectrum of benefits that don't make it to this narrow view, which even gym owners may not always be aware of. These moments include realizing you're hitting the golf ball further, hiking with ease, or simply enjoying playtime with the grandkids without nagging back pain. These are the real, though often unrecognized, wins that your gym brings into your clients'...

Why do some gyms thrive while others struggle, even when they all offer pretty much the same thing? The secret isn't in the equipment or even in the types of classes offered; it's not about what they're selling, but how they're selling it. Many gym owners get caught up in listing amenities, such as the weight of their dumbbells or their state-of-the-art facilities. But that's not what really attracts people. It's like saying, "Our hotel has beds and bathrooms." Sure, but what does it offer...

Many gyms face the same problem: their websites seem like ghost towns where potential clients visit but never stick around.  Imagine someone lands on your website, curious and ready to learn more, but there's no way for them to just say, "Hey, I'm interested!" without committing to a purchase or a class. It's like throwing a party and forgetting to send out invites – how can you expect a crowd? One thing is sure – this way, gyms miss a huge market segment. Picture the old food pyramid, but...

When gym owners decide to step back from day-to-day operations to maybe open a second spot or just focus more on their business growth, it shakes things up a bit.  You're likely the go-to person in your gym, knowing all your clients by name, what they like, what they don't… But eventually, focusing on the bigger picture means you won't be around as much. That’s the point when some clients might start feeling left out. (You can’t blame them – suddenly, the friendly face they’re used to seeing...

Have you ever wondered why so many gyms offer free trials yet struggle to keep their doors open? Or, put simply, do free trials really work? Many people think that offering something for nothing is the golden ticket to a booming business. But that 'free' offer can actually cost you much more than you might think.  In fact, outside the fitness world, free services are pretty uncommon. So, why would they be a good choice for gyms? One of the biggest drawbacks is that free trials attract the...

Adding random classes at 8 AM or 9 PM because a couple of clients said they could make it, only for them to drop out later — sounds familiar, right? This is just one example of how gym owners try to please everyone but end up creating a schedule that's hard to follow.  Another issue arises when offering sessions that never expire. Picture someone from 2019 showing up for their sessions in 2024. This might sound bizarre, but it's a real issue that leaves gym owners without a steady membership...

Do you know what's really going wrong behind the scenes at your gym?  This question goes beyond workouts or diets. Ask yourself: Why do your clients leave? Why isn't your gym making more money? How dependent is your gym on your coaches, and could they potentially steal your clients?  If you don't have answers, or if you’re not satisfied with them, this episode is for you. This time, Tim and Randy are tackling some tough truths in the fitness industry. It's not about pointing fingers, but...

This week, Tim and Randy dive into a hot topic: should gyms pass credit card processing fees onto their clients?  With the potential to save gyms tens of thousands of dollars annually, the decision seems financially sound. However, the issue goes beyond just numbers, especially in the fitness industry, which is not just any business.  The personal connection between gyms and their clients makes adding extra fees more complicated. Gym owners must think about balancing their finances and...

Imagine having access to secret business metrics that could dramatically increase your retention rates, optimize your operations, and enhance your customer service. That’s exactly what Tim and Randy’s guest can offer gym owners. In this episode, Tim and Randy sit down with Dan Uyemura, CEO and founder of PushPress, to discuss how technology is transforming fitness business operations.  Dan shares his journey from opening a gym to developing PushPress, a gym management software focusing on...

This episode recaps the Iron Circle Winter 2024 mastermind experience, a three-day gathering for gym owners held in Orlando. This wasn't a typical business retreat - it was a deep dive into what makes a business truly successful beyond the numbers. One of the guest speakers was Jeff Hoffman, the founder of Priceline.com. This brilliant speaker inspired all participants to reflect on their leadership and the impact they have on their teams and communities. During his 8-hour-long speech...