Level Up Your Gym

We're ending Season 1 of the Level Up Your Gym Podcast with a BANG!

Carlos Castro has been a veteran in the fitness industry internationally for over 20 years.

He began his journey educating himself on fitness to become a trainer. He was successful in opening his own gym in Columbia and continues to teach strength training and nutrition all across the globe.

The keys behind his global success?

1.) You Do Not Know Everything

2.) You Cannot Fix Everything

3.) Create A Welcoming Environment

Chris Brainard and my paths have crossed a few times over the years through online and business development courses.

Sports and training have always been a large part of Chris's life. He played football competitively in both highschool and college.

He was inspired to give back; to help athletes be successful on and off the field.

Fast forward to today, his business APE Fitness and Performance is successful in training both athlete and adult clients.

Along his journey of business growth and success, Chris has taken away 3 top tips to manage gym growth.

1.) Your Journey is Unique

2.) Strategize Referrals

3.) Train Your Trainer

Scott Schutte was a highly requested feature on the podcast, recommended by many past guests.

Scott has been working in personal training for 15 years.

Most recently, he has been working hard to educate trainers on lifestyle accountability coaching.

He's even published a book on the topic, Redefit: Fitness Redefined.

There are so many outside factors that affect clients from meeting their gals.

Lifestyle accountability coaching helps dig deep into helping clients outside of the gym with their mindset, relationships, and emotions.

This is done though quick 15 minute meetings to discuss any outside roadblocks that might be getting in the way of their fitness.

Through his years of experience of redefining connection in the gym, Scott has taken away 3 top tips to share.

1.) Know Yourself

2.) Be Willing To Adapt

3.) There Will Always Be Problems

Long time, long distance friend Scott Caulfield has years of experience in coaching and management.

Scott currently works at Colorado College where he directs the oversight, development and management of individual and group strength and conditioning programs for all student-athletes.

He has over two decades of involvement in fitness and athletics.

And with that all comes a plethora of wisdom.

He has learned how to lead and train with resilience, strength, and compassion.

To do so, it is important to understand that...

1.) Nothing Is Above You

2.) Always Seek To Improve

3.) Make Your Clients Feel Important

Dr Larry Dake (yes, he's smart) has worked his way through education administration from social studies teacher, to district administrator, to elementary principle, to now assistant superintendent.

Larry has always been eager to learn new things which has lead him to positions of leadership and management.

Overseeing operations and hr of an entire school district means that you are responsible for many people and all of the working pieces in between.

Similarly, as a business owner, you are accountable for all of the functions within your business.

But, that doesn't mean that you have to be the one executing them.

Larry shares this and more important lessons he's learned as a leader on Episode 31 of the Level Up Your Gym Podcast, “Rising To The Challenges of Leadership - A Conversation with Dr. Larry Dake" .

As I opened my second gym years ago, I reached out to Mark Freid for assistance with brand refinement and marketing.

He brought me clarity about my brand promises and how to think creatively.

Mark is the founder of Think Creative Inc., where they help business owners build brands that people believe in.

And he shared is top 3 foundational tips for doing so!

1.) Make Every Decision Based Out Of Love

2.) Support and Appreciate Your Staff

3.) Think Creatively

Drew Massey from Game Time Sports has a wealth of knowledge on how to be successful in the fitness industry.

If you want to amplify your gym, incorporate these tips for business success.

1.) Identify What Makes Your Sessions Great

2.) Use Your Members As A Marketing Tool

3.) Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin

David has been working in liability and risk management in the athletic/fitness industry for over 25 years.

It's safe to say that he knows what he's doing

It's important to be proactive and preventative rather than reactive.

1.) Have a Solid Liability Waiver

2.) Emergency Preparation

3.) Have Facility Rules Signs Posted

These tips are just a peek into the knowledge that David had to share on Episode 28 of the Level Up Your Gym Podcast, “How to Conquer Gym Liability and Risk Management" .

The pandemic has impacted the fitness industry in ways we could have never imagined.

From my experience working through the shut downs, regulations, capacity restrictions, etc, I have found 3 ways to manage your gym through COVID to set yourself up for success now and in the future.

1.) Communication to Members

2.) Special Offerings

3.) Marketing Strategy

Real Estate professional Jeremy Strifler knows the ins and outs of commercial real estate.

As a gym owner, you're likely going to be renting your first facility space.

But what is the right location?

Are you overpaying?

How do you negotiate with your landlord?

From his experience, Jeremy put together his top 3 tips to locating your first gym facility.

1.) Know Your Clients