The Gym Owners Forum Podcast

What does the future really look like for independent gyms? And what do the latest industry statistics reveal?

In this episode, we sit down with Glen Thurgood, Chief Strategy Officer at Evolve, to explore the current state of the UK independent fitness industry and what lies ahead for independent gym owners.

Using industry data, statistics and insights, we break down the trends shaping the fitness sector, the challenges facing independent gyms and the opportunities that could define the future of the industry.

Whether you're an independent gym owner, fitness operator or industry professional, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. If you want to understand where the UK fitness industry is heading and what it could mean for your business, this episode is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations with industry experts, sharing practical advice and insights designed to help you grow your gym.

What's one piece of data that has made you think about the future of your gym?

#IndependentGyms #GymOwners #UKFitnessIndustry #FitnessBusiness #GymIndustry

We sat down with Luke Willmott, owner of Castle Gym Nottingham, to hear the story behind building the new Castle Gym, from the vision and attention to detail to the setbacks, costly lessons and realities of running an independent gym.Luke is refreshingly honest about the hardships he faced along the way, sharing what it really takes to build a gym, create an incredible member experience and put the community first.Whether you’re opening your first gym or running your fourth, this episode is packed with insights for gym owners, independent fitness businesses and anyone looking to grow and succeed in the fitness industry.If you’re a gym owner, make sure you watch the full episode, subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss our next conversation.

With experience spanning the military, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship, Dave shares valuable insights into growing an independent gym business, building loyal member communities and creating new opportunities for success in the fitness industry.In this episode, we explore how gym owners can think beyond traditional fitness services to deliver greater value, strengthen member relationships and build a thriving, sustainable business.From developing strategic partnerships with local high street businesses to improving in-gym marketing, increasing retail sales and introducing additional member services, Dave shares practical ideas that can help gym owners enhance the member experience, improve retention and unlock new revenue opportunities.A successful gym is about more than just equipment. It’s about delivering results, creating an exceptional member experience, building a strong community and offering meaningful value throughout the entire member journey.Whether you're an independent gym owner, personal trainer, fitness professional or entrepreneur, this conversation with D&G Consultation** provides actionable insights into gym business growth, member retention, fitness marketing and creating new ways to support and engage your members.🎙️ Watch the full conversation with D&G Consultation and discover how you can take your fitness business to the next level.💬 Join the conversation in the comments:What is one thing you could introduce into your gym to add more value for your members?👍 Enjoyed the episode? Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications for more engaging conversations, expert insights and practical strategies from across the fitness industry.#GymBusiness #FitnessBusiness #IndependentGyms #GymGrowth #FitnessIndustry #MemberRetention #gymmarketing

AI is moving quickly  but what does it actually mean for gym operators? In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Webster, Co-Founder of Twin Labs AI, to explore how AI can be used in the day-to-day running of a gym.

We talk about where AI can genuinely add value, from saving time and improving operations to supporting teams and creating better member experiences.

The question isn’t whether AI is coming to the fitness industry, it’s how you choose to use it.

Recovery is becoming an increasingly important part of the modern gym experience but creating a successful recovery facility is about more than simply adding new technology.

Juha Suoniemi, CEO of Neurosonic, discusses the growing role of recovery spaces in gyms, the importance of staff training, and how education can directly impact member awareness, engagement, and usage.

From recovery technology to wellness solutions, gyms have an opportunity to create a more complete member experience while opening new opportunities for engagement and retention.As the fitness industry continues to evolve, recovery facilities are set to become an increasingly important part of the gym of the future.

Follow for more conversations with industry experts, practical advice, and actionable insights to help independent gym owners build stronger, more successful businesses.

💬 What’s one upgrade or investment you’ve made in your gym that has had the biggest impact on your members’ experience?

Is your gym's AV system doing more than just playing music?

For many independent gym owners, audio-visual technology is something that's only thought about during a refurbishment or equipment upgrade. But from member motivation and class energy to first impressions and retention, your AV setup could be having a much bigger impact than you realise.

In this episode, we're joined by Ashley Bond, Managing Director of MADEAV to discuss why AV should be part of every gym owner's growth strategy, not just another box to tick. We cover some of the most important aspects of audio and visual such as

- How sound, screens and lighting influence the member experience

- Practical upgrades that can improve member satisfaction

- Advice for gym owners planning a refurbishment or new facility

No matter the size of your gym, understanding how your environment shapes the member experience could change the way you think about your facility.

Subscribe for more conversations with industry experts, practical advice and insights designed to help independent gym owners grow better businesses.

Independent gym owner Nicolas Denby reveals the reality behind the UK's business rates crisis and why many independent gyms are struggling to survive.After seeing his annual business rates increase from £16,000 to £42,000, Nick explains how rising costs, VAT, National Insurance, and government policy are making it harder than ever for small gym owners to grow, employ staff, and serve their communities.In this episode of the Gym Owners Forum Podcast, we discuss:- Why independent gyms are closing across the UK- The 145% increase in business rates- Why gym owners are campaigning for change- The Fair Rates for Fitness campaign- Why gyms are about far more than fitness—they create community, careers, and healthier lives- The future of independent fitness businessesWhether you're a gym owner, personal trainer, fitness professional, or simply interested in small business and UK politics, this conversation provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to run an independent gym.

The best business ideas usually start with a personal frustration. This one started with a protein shake that never got made.In this episode, Tom sits down with Orla, co-founder of Fuel Ignite Triumph, a brand new Irish company bringing automated protein and nutrition machines to gyms, events, and anywhere people need convenient, healthy fuel on the go. Recorded live at the Gym Owners Forum Stage at PerformX, this is Orla's first expo and the company's first time exhibiting anywhere.Orla shares the story behind the brand, how she and her co-founder Shirley, two working mothers juggling seven children between them, spotted a gap that no one in Ireland had filled. Coffee machines are everywhere. Proper protein machines are not. That simple observation became a business.The conversation covers how the brand is positioning itself to work for gyms of all types, the thinking behind the Fuel Ignite Triumph name and product range, and the very real challenge of building something from scratch while holding down a nine to five and raising a family. Orla is honest about what has been harder than expected, the paperwork, the time, the constant sacrifice of downtime, and equally honest about why none of that has made her want to stop.There is also a sharp bit of business thinking buried in here. When asked how she would respond to a competitor launching at half the price, her instinct is to go and learn from them, not fight them. That kind of mindset from a founder still in the early stages of building says a lot.If you run an independent gym and you have been thinking about additional revenue streams or ways to improve the member experience without adding to your team's workload, this is worth a listen.FOLLOW FOR MORE HELP AND SUPPORTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gym_owners_forum/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1941055312704468Website: https://gymownersforum.com/Email: [email protected]

Equipment, Standards and Taking the Leap - Shannon White on Building MFG from the Ground Up

Most gym owners know what bad equipment feels like. Few know what it takes to build something better.

In this episode, Tom sits down with Shannon White, competitive bodybuilder, qualified personal trainer, and co-founder of MFG, recorded live at the Gym Owners Forum Stage at PerformX. Shannon founded MFG alongside Jordan Peters with a clear goal: to create gym equipment built for everyone, from a first-time gym-goer who does not want to look lost on the floor, all the way up to IFBB pro athletes and Team GB competitors.

Shannon shares the thinking behind MFG's two-product lines, the core range and the performance range, and why that distinction matters for gym owners trying to serve a broad membership base without alienating anyone. The conversation also covers how gym owners can get clearer on who they are actually trying to attract, and how that decision should shape everything from kit selection to marketing and branding.

Beyond the equipment, this is a genuinely honest conversation about what it takes to run a business. Shannon talks about the mistakes she sees gym owners make repeatedly, getting pulled into the day-to-day when they should be working on the bigger picture, and why putting proper systems in place early is the difference between a gym that scales and one that grinds the owner into the ground.

She also speaks candidly about her own experience starting MFG, the learning curve of handing things over, trusting people to meet your standards, and why fear of failure is the one thing most likely to hold a gym owner back from the decision they already know they need to make.

If you are thinking about making a big move in your business or you are early in the journey and trying to figure out where to focus, this episode is worth your time.

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Website: https://gymownersforum.com/

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Most gym owners think the member journey starts when someone signs up. It starts long before that.

In this episode, Tom sits down with Grant Harrison, co-owner of The Fit Club in Redditch and a nearly 20-year veteran at Ashbourne, recorded live at the Gym Owners Forum Stage at PerformX. Grant has a rare perspective. He runs a real gym using the very systems he helps other operators implement, which means everything he shares is tested in practice, not theory.

The conversation covers what a full member journey actually looks like from the first point of awareness through to offboarding and re-engagement, and why most gyms are only managing a fraction of it. Grant walks through how The Fit Club structures its automations, from the initial inquiry through welcome sequences, induction bookings, four-week check-ins, and win-back flows, and explains how to identify exactly where members are dropping off so you can fix the right problem.

The episode also gets into how Grant manages his role as a gym owner, how he uses data without getting buried in it, and what is coming next in gym technology, including AI-assisted lead capture, digital wallet membership passes, and access-controlled studio spaces that open up new membership tiers.

If you are an independent gym owner who knows your follow-up process could be tighter but does not know where to start, Grant's advice is simple. Start somewhere. A new member welcome sequence today beats a perfect system you never build.

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gym_owners_forum/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1941055312704468

Website: https://gymownersforum.com/

Email: [email protected]