This week, we're going back to revisit an old episode where Tim and Randy talked about the unique factors that make your gym stand out from the crowd.  

Understanding these factors is important, as success in the fitness industry isn't just about luck or chance; it requires a strategic approach and careful consideration of certain factors.

From gym location to training models to programming, we've uncovered a handful of essential elements that hold the power to drive your gym to unparalleled success.

So, whether you're a seasoned gym owner looking for new ideas or someone considering venturing into this dynamic field, this episode is for you.

If Tim were to start all over again, these are the most important factors that he’d consider to guarantee success.

By incorporating these elements into your fitness business, you can attract and retain more clients, increase revenue, and elevate your gym to new heights of prosperity.

Let's dive in and explore the secrets to creating a gym that not only thrives but also stands out in a competitive market.

Key Takeaways:

Intro (00:00)

Location, location, location (05:51)

Semi-private training model (10:55)

Programming for a higher price point (16:25)

Semi-Private Pro App (21:13)

Automation is your friend (22:30)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Managing people is tough in any business. Gyms are no exception. You need to deal with different personalities and the fact that life outside the gym affects how your team acts inside it. Also, over time, they may become too comfortable and stop following the gym's rules.

Sounds familiar?

Most gym owners have likely faced coaches who start to slack off at some point. It begins with them not fully meeting their responsibilities, and before you know it, the whole atmosphere in the gym starts to shift because the same vibe starts to spread among the team.

This isn't just about a few missed tasks. It’s a far more important thing because it affects clients’ experience by changing the energy and consistency that your clients love.

So you, as a gym owner, need to get your team back on track, but how? You don't want to come off too strong and risk losing your staff. (Especially at a time when finding and retaining good trainers is super challenging.)

But then again, you can't just let things slide.

So, how to find the balance of being firm yet fair, making sure your team knows what's expected but also feeling valued? Sounds good but tricky, doesn’t it?

Well, if you want to find out how to establish systems for team communication and performance checks, correct team shortcomings, take personal responsibility, and lead by example, all while maintaining the positive atmosphere your clients expect, this episode is for you.

Join Randy and Zach as they share tips and strategies to keep your team motivated and in line.

Tune in, it’s worth it!

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Challenges of maintaining client experience (01:46)
• Importance of leadership in team accountability (04:38)
• Systematic approach to problem-solving (06:49)
• Balancing empathy and firmness (11:15)
• Role of regular team meetings (14:41)
• Concept of leader as chief reminding officer (17:06)
• Developing a culture of improvement (22:22)
• Effectiveness of performance reviews (25:09)
• Recap (30:05)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

A milestone is reached for Tim and Randy - the Built to Grow podcast hits the 500th episode! 

Over four and a half years, they've consistently delivered twice-weekly episodes packed with insights to inspire and educate their audience.

But this one is a bit different. Over the last month, gym owners have been calling in with their questions, and Tim and Randy are going to answer them in this special edition.

The questions range from client onboarding to memorable episodes, gym stability, the ideal structure for a $1m micro gym, transitioning to a semi-private model, and a lot more. Actually, each of these topics could be an episode in itself!

So don’t miss out on this landmark ‘7 in 1’ episode, as Tim and Randy explain 7 things other gym owners found challenging. 

Tune in and learn what other gym owners are curious about.

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• What our client onboarding process looks like (02:29)
• The most memorable episode (11:55)
• How to create more stability in your gym (15:04)
• Standing out in the semi-private training competition (27:51)
• An ideal organizational structure for a $1m micro gym (40:34)
• When a gym starts earning steady income (49:07)
• Switching to a semi-private gym model without losing members (59:45) 
• Here's to another 500! (01:16:36)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

There are two mistakes gym owners often make.

Some of them get really into making their programs and become so involved that they can't step back and see the bigger picture. 

It’s a kind of paradox - although deep involvement in programming can be a gym's unique strength, it can also be its Achilles' heel. The personal touch in programming is often what's actually holding back the gym's growth.

On the other hand, there are gym owners who only think about the business side and let their coaches do all the programming. In that scenario, things can feel out of control, where everyone does their own thing. 

Obviously, neither approach is perfect for growing a gym.

The key is to find a balance and make a system that keeps the stuff that makes your gym unique and makes it easy to get bigger without losing that unique experience.

The system should be easy to use and should make sure every client gets the same great experience, even if it's with different trainers. This doesn’t mean you need to make every workout the same. You just need to make sure the feeling and the quality is the same. 

This is the topic of this week’s episode, where Randy talks with Zach Columbia, a coach and fitness director experienced in implementing gym programming systems. 

Join them as they discuss making a system that allows you to grow your gym without losing what makes it special. Learn how to bring in more clients, maybe even open new locations, and still keep the quality high.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• The paradox of personal involvement in programming (02:25)
• Systemizing programming for scalability (04:48)
• The importance of brand control (09:01)
• Creating a brand through systemized programming (14:04)
• Challenges of team adoption (20:56)
• Importance of coach-to-coach sessions (24:55)
• Growth vs. scale (29:22)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Pain is often seen negatively but can be a key ally for entrepreneurs, especially gym owners. Although this might sound counterintuitive, the truth is that it's pain, not pleasure, that really pushes you to succeed. 

Take your gym clients, for instance. Many start their fitness journey motivated by a desire to get fit, lose weight, address back pain, you name it... Initially, they're disciplined and regularly attend the gym. 

But after they see the first results and start enjoying their new look, they often start to make excuses, skip sessions, start treating themselves to junk food… and eventually get back where they started.

Sounds familiar? 

The same applies to business success. After gym owners reach a certain milestone, they often just stop doing what they did to get there. Let’s say it is making $30k a month. Some gym owners struggle to exceed this benchmark for years.

Why? 

It's often because they're missing that initial push, that discomfort that got them moving in the first place. Because nothing compels us to take immediate action as some kind of pain. When we're in discomfort, whether physical or in our business, we're driven to seek solutions urgently.

Another reason is settling into a comfort zone. In business, reaching a comfort zone is a warning sign. Comfort breeds stagnation. To thrive, one must constantly set challenging goals, pushing boundaries beyond the familiar. 

This principle holds in both business and fitness, along with other life aspects. True success isn't in avoiding pain but in the ability to face and use it as a catalyst for growth.

So, do you feel like your business has stagnated for too long? 

Then this episode is for you because Tim and Randy discuss the role of discipline and resilience in achieving success. They explore how discomfort and pain can be powerful motivators to reach new heights in business.

Tune in to discover how to break out of stagnation and use pain as a stepping stone to greater success. 

Let's dive in!

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Pain as a motivator (01:44)
• The dangers of a comfort zone in business (06:21)
• Discipline in fitness and business (09:29)
• Military training insights (15:13)
• Recap (20:03)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcas

Work-life balance is something ordinary people aim for. But for those who want to be among the top 5% of their industry, it's a different story.

If you run a gym and want to be really successful, it's not just about working hard. You need to be literally obsessed with your goals. This means your work will often take over your personal life.

Entrepreneurs face huge pressures in balancing these aspects, and it's a tough path that not everyone can stay on. The support and understanding of family play a crucial role in this. They need to be on board with the sacrifices that come with striving for top-tier success. 

But achieving great business success doesn’t mean sacrificing family life and free time for good. Short-term sacrifices are aimed at achieving long-term gains. The idea is to invest heavily in your professional goals now, to enjoy a more fulfilling life later. 

It's a trade-off: intense focus on your work now, so later you can enjoy the benefits, like more time, a better lifestyle, and financial freedom.

This path is not easy. It requires a mindset shift from balancing to prioritizing, from distributing efforts to channeling them towards a singular focus. The belief is that these intense periods of work will eventually lead to a state where you can end up in a really good place and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

However, this level of success is not for everyone. Only those willing to forego the traditional balance can hope to reach the heights of the top 5%.

Are you one of them? 

Tune in for this week’s episode and find out as Tim and Randy are challenging the conventional notion of work-life balance, offering a more integrated approach where work and life coexist instead of being separate.

Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Challenge to work-life balance concept (01:30)
• Pressure on entrepreneurs (02:50)
• Redefining family time and success (08:08)
• Work-life integration for entrepreneurs (11:18)
• The necessity of providing (13:37)
• Entrepreneurial success metrics (15:33)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

As 2024 unfolds, it's time to decide what we want for our gyms this year.

In the past, the focus might have been on increasing gross revenue or boosting member count. But now, your focus probably should be shifted towards simplifying operations. 

Simplifying doesn't just make things easier; it also brings better results. You become more efficient, save time, and even see a rise in your profits because you're doing fewer things but doing them well.

When we look at gyms, we often see they're trying to do too much – from one-on-one sessions to various group classes and semi-private training. They offer packages of all sorts, trying to cater to everyone. 

But this approach can be overwhelming. It confuses both the gym and its clients, as there's no clear focus.

A gym trying to be everything to everyone ends up being a master of none. It loses its unique identity. The key is to find what your gym does best and focus on that. 

Even though trainers might be skilled in various areas, a gym excels when it sharpens its focus on a few specific services. By doing this, you create a clear identity in the market, attract the right clients, and set your gym up for success. 

In this episode, Tim and Randy explain how to simplify business operations to boost efficiency and profitability.

Join them and learn how to make 2024 your gym's best year.

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• More is not better; more is more (03:05)
• Just because you can doesn't mean you should (04:56)
• The financial impact of membership freeze policy (09:15)
• The importance of understanding client needs (12:15)
• Operational streamlining (15:43)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

January is here, and for gym owners, it's not what many think. It's a common myth that gyms are overflowing with new clients turning their New Year's resolutions into practice. But the truth is, things are quite different.

On January 1st, you won't see a crowd rushing to the gym, all feeling guilty after the holidays. In fact, expect few new faces in the early days of the month.

Even though many people put health and fitness at the top of their New Year's resolutions, they don't always jump into action right away. In reality, gym sign-ups usually don't pick up until February, sometimes even March.

Why is this? 

Well, one reason is the so-called "holiday hangover" effect. People might want to start exercising, but it often takes them some time to get going.

Another usual thing in January is the rise in gym cancelations. With so many gyms throwing out tempting deals, some of your current members might be drawn to try other places.

And when money is tight, gym memberships are often one of the first things people cut from their budget.

So, if you just started in the gym business and thought January would be your busiest month, you should think again. 

But don't worry - Tim and Randy have got your back. They'll help you set realistic expectations and prepare for what's really coming.

In this episode, they'll show you how to stand out among other gyms, tweak your marketing and member retention plans, and tackle the unique challenges that gym owners face in January.

Tune in and let them help you survive this stressful period.

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• January myths debunked (00:58)
• Client retention challenges (04:41)
• Dealing with clients canceling gym memberships (05:37)
• A fatal mistake we made last year (08:21)
• Lifestyle clients on open-ended contracts (11:37) 
• A numbers game (14:06)
• Year-round efforts matter (15:13)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

Tired of the same old gym strategies that produce the same old average results? Can you imagine yourself scaling your business with new approaches that go far beyond gym-related stuff and traditional marketing?

No?

Yes?

You don’t know?

Easier said than done?  

Well, Tim and Randy have a solution for you! 

They know exactly where you can learn how to diversify your income, build a strong personal brand, manage finances, scale up, develop investment strategies, lead effectively, understand tax benefits and strategies, master negotiation tactics, and so much more.

That place is the Iron Circle, where gym owners aim not only to add another $1,000 to their income but to double it and go even further. 

In this episode, Tim and Randy dive into the upcoming changes and enhancements for their Iron Circle community in 2024. 

They discuss plans to expand the community, add varied events, and feature high-profile speakers like Jeff Hoffman, co-founder of Priceline.com, Jesse Cole of Savannah Bananas, and Gino Wickman, founder of EOS. 

So, if you want to find out more about the upcoming trends and strategies in the fitness industry for 2024, join Tim and Randy for this episode as they talk about the importance of being part of a community like the Iron Circle, scaling gym businesses, leveraging expert insights, and focusing on broader skills beyond gym operations.

Tune in and learn what’s in store for 2024!

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• Scaling Iron Circle events (01:54)
• Speaker lineup (03:24) 
• February event in Orlando - Jeff Hoffman (04:01)
• Personal branding with Jesse Cole (06:15)
• Growth Summit in Chicago - Gino Wickman (09:36)
• The importance of developing various skills (13:06)
• Recap (16:58)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

---

If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!

There's a common financial roadblock that many gym owners face - the $30,000-a-month revenue mark.

It's like hitting a ceiling that's hard to break through. In fact, many of them remain stuck just below that magic number for years, and it’s a pattern more common than you might think. 

This might be connected to the Dunbar number, which is about 150. This number represents the amount of personal relationships you can realistically manage in a business setting. 

If you consider an average gym membership fee for larger group training sessions at around $200, and you multiply that by 150 members, you land right at that $30,000 monthly revenue mark. 

Of course, gym models vary - some might charge more than $200, others less, but most gyms find themselves averaging about $200 per member. Even when gyms sell extra things like merchandise or run special programs, it often doesn't help them make much more than $50,000 to $60,000 a month.

So, the big question for gym owners is: what can you do differently? What strategies or changes can you implement in your gym to not just break the $30,000 ceiling but leap forward to, say, $50,000 or more?

That’s exactly the topic that Tim and Randy are discussing in this week’s episode. 

Join them as they talk about the psychological aspect of the Dunbar number, the importance of adaptability in business models, and the benefits of shifting from a large group training model to a semi-private model. 

They also share success stories of gyms that shifted to a semi-private model and the strategies they use to break through the common $30,000 monthly revenue barrier.

This is an episode you won't want to miss - tune in now!

Key Takeaways:

• Intro (00:00)
• $30,000 revenue ceiling (00:41)
• The Dunbar number and its impact on membership (01:47)
• The large group model limitations (06:41)
• Pros and cons of raising rates (10:53)
• The shift to the semi-private model (16:02)
• Recap (17:31)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program winninggym.com/call

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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If you haven't already, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts!