Should gym instructors be allowed to build their own brands and email class participants?
Yes, they should. But only when there are clear rules, consent, and respect between gyms, instructors, and members. That answer sounds simple. But the truth? This is one of the hottest debates in fitness today. Why? Because gyms are no longer just four walls filled with weights. They’re communities. And instructors? They’re the heartbeat of […]
Are fitness franchises profitable in 2025?
Yes, fitness franchises are profitable, but not all of them. On average, franchise owners see 15%-30% net profit margins. And many franchises break even in 18-36 months. Big names like Planet Fitness, Crunch, Orangetheory, and Anytime Fitness are still expanding and delivering strong earnings. At the same time, weaker or celebrity-driven brands have crashed, leaving […]
Marketing your pickleball business: A complete playbook
Pickleball is no longer a sports trend; it’s booming. Alone in 2023, over 36 million Americans played the game, making it a fast-growing sport. New courts are showing up in gyms, public parks, retirement communities, and even inside converted warehouses. But just because pickleball is trending doesn’t mean your business will grow automatically. New clubs, […]
How to design the perfect fitness website: Must-have elements + 5 best gym website designs
Most gym website designs look the same: generic layouts, buried price lists and a contact form that feels like an afterthought. Yet gym owners often say, “We have the best trainers and classes in town, but our website just doesn’t bring in new members.” And that’s exactly the problem. When a potential client lands on […]
Can close-knit be too close?
On Anastasia’s small island, personal connection wasn’t just part of the business; it was the business. A keen fitness trainer, she’d built up a loyal following of coachees who showed up every week. There were socials, and there was esprit de corps. There was everything a gym trainer could want. When she got sick, everyone […]
Pickleball or paddle ball? Here’s what no one’s telling you
They look similar. They sound interchangeable. But they attract completely different crowds and offer completely different business outcomes. So if you have to choose which one to go with, which should it be? To answer this question, we have to better understand what these relatively new games are about, a little of their history and […]
20+ high-impact email templates every gym should use (+ how AI does it smarter)
Unlike WhatsApp communication, emails are still an undefeated and less intrusive way to reach members and prospective customers. But an average person receives 121 emails per day. So, how do you make sure that one from your gym lands in the inbox, gets read and is responded to? Well, it entirely depends on your email […]
Passion vs. plan: What really keeps a gym running?
Walk into any gym, and you’ll usually find the owner falls into one of two camps. A passionate trainer who turned their love of fitness into a business. Or a planner who saw a market opportunity and built a gym from the ground up. Both types exist, and both can succeed. But not all do. […]
130+ gym event ideas to make your gym go viral
These kinds of headlines feel catchy at first, but leave you uninspired once you click in. Do a member challenge. Host a fundraiser. Try a yoga day. They’re not bad ideas. But they’re everywhere and too mainstream. They feel like homework, not energy. Because your gym doesn’t need 100 event ideas that don’t work for […]
When De banking hits gym owners
The Woodland Highlander Wrestling Club, a volunteer-run team proudly affiliated with USA Wrestling, had finally leapt into the modern age. Payments went digital. No more chasing checks after practice. No more spreadsheets that felt like relics from 2002. Clean, simple workflows for registration, dues, and tournament fees. A win, you might think. Then came the […]
How to write a gym newsletter that your members actually open (read and click)
Ever feel like you’re shouting in the void? You post an update on Instagram… Response? [Crickets chirping]. Then you emailed your members. Got 20% open rate, 2% clicks, and nobody showed up to the challenge you hyped for two weeks. For gym owners, communication isn’t just about announcements; it’s how you build connection, increase member […]
Can your gym survive without software? Elaine tried. Here’s what happened
“I thought sticky notes and spreadsheets were enough. But now, I’m just tired.”— Elaine, Gym Owner Elaine didn’t set out to run a gym the hard way. She just did what many small gym owners do: she trusted her memory, her planner, and a couple of spreadsheets. And for a while, it worked. Her gym […]