The Training Table

In this episode, Nick and Chris discuss the tactical aspects of starting a gym in 2026, covering everything from financial planning and marketing strategies to class scheduling and niche targeting. They share practical insights for gym owners at any stage of their journey.

keywords

gym startup, fitness business, marketing, class scheduling, niche marketing, gym operations, founding offers, social proof, gym marketing strategies

key topics

Financial planning and runway for new gyms

Pre-launch marketing and building anticipation

Class schedule design and member engagement

Niche targeting and demographic focus

Using social proof and reviews to grow

Adapting plans and strategies over time

The importance of marketing early and often

Balancing coaching and business management

takeaways

Start with more capital than you think you'll need

Begin marketing before opening day to build awareness

Keep class schedules simple and scalable

Focus on a niche to stand out in the market

Leverage social proof early to attract members

Be flexible and adapt your plans as you learn

Don't overcommit to full schedules initially

Prioritize building a community and reputation

sound bites

"Have a financial runway greater than expected"

"Start marketing before opening day"

"Focus on a niche to stand out in the market"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

00:05 Nick's upcoming high rocks race and training insights

01:00 Nick's plans for multiple races and endurance challenges

02:40 Starting a gym in 2026: tactical considerations

03:01 Financial runway and capital planning for new gyms

04:11 The importance of marketing early and building anticipation

06:56 Pre-launch marketing strategies and content creation

08:37 Sharing the process and building social proof

09:26 Class scheduling and avoiding overextension

11:00 Starting with a limited schedule and scaling up

13:15 Timing classes for maximum attendance and flexibility

15:02 Defining your gym's model and niche focus

16:36 Marketing tactics: ads, social media, and community engagement

20:30 Pricing strategies and founding offers

23:25 Branding, reputation, and reviews

26:31 Targeting the right audience and niching down

32:37 Adapting plans and evolving your gym model

34:03 Balancing coaching and business management

35:11 Final thoughts and advice for new gym owners

In this episode, Ryan McStockard shares his approach to balancing family, business, and personal growth. He discusses time management, building strong teams, and the importance of intentionality in entrepreneurship.

keywords

entrepreneurship, time management, team building, work-life balance, personal development

key topics

Balancing family and business priorities

Time management strategies for entrepreneurs

Building and mentoring high-performing teams

The role of gut feeling and relationships in business decisions

Scaling a business through strategic partnerships

takeaways

Prioritize family and set hard boundaries for work and personal life

Invest in relationships and trust your gut when building teams

Use forcing functions to accelerate growth and change

Focus on creating systems and processes to delegate effectively

Continuous personal development is key to entrepreneurial success

sound bites

"My time is an investment in what will make me proud"

"You have to really want it and commit to the vision"

"You need some forcing functions to get out of your comfort zone"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Ryan's background

02:12 The importance of family first

03:46 Managing time and priorities

06:31 Daily routines and boundaries

10:53 Acquiring the bodywork business

13:27 Building a team with skin in the game

17:46 Long-term vision and scaling plans

22:18 Mentorship and developing leaders

25:41 Forcing functions and learning through doing

30:36 The joy of trying and learning

35:14 The process of iteration and growth

37:26 Recommended books and mindset tools

39:24 Closing thoughts and where to find Ryan

In this episode, Chris and Nick explore the power of referrals in growing a gym business. They discuss strategies, misconceptions, and practical tips to leverage social proof and community engagement for sustainable growth.

keywords

gym marketing, referrals, community building, social proof, gym growth strategies, crossfit, functional fitness, business

In this episode, Nick and Chris discuss effective gym onboarding strategies, emphasizing personalized touches, community building, and practical tips to make new members feel welcomed and engaged from day one.

keywords

gym onboarding, member experience, community building, fitness marketing, member retention, gym culture, personalized onboarding, gym marketing tips, crossfit, functional fitness, hospitality, unreasonable hospitality

In this episode, Chris and Nick explore ethical sales tactics, the importance of building trust, and how to effectively guide potential clients without being pushy. They share real-world examples from home improvement and gym industries to illustrate best practices for sales and customer relationships.

keywords

sales tactics, gym industry, trust building, ethical selling, customer relationships, objections handling, sales process, client onboarding, confidence in sales, long-term success, crossfit, functional fitness, nsi, no sweat intro, consultation, free intro

In this episode, Nick shares his experience with purchasing a commercial building for his gym, discussing the financial considerations, process, and strategic insights for gym owners contemplating real estate investments.

keywords

gym ownership, commercial real estate, SBA loans, business financing, gym growth strategies, crossfit, business, small business

Summary

In this episode, Chris and Nick explore the ins and outs of buying and selling gyms, including startup costs, valuation, owner financing, and the impact of owner involvement on business value. Perfect for aspiring gym owners and current owners looking to exit or optimize their business.

keywords

gym ownership, buying a gym, selling a gym, owner financing, gym valuation, startup costs, gym business, gym industry, gym sale, gym entrepreneurship

How do you let someone try your services initially? In this episode, Nick and Chris explore the nuances of onboarding and trial offers in fitness gyms, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches based on gym size, training model, and market. They discuss different strategies from free trials to consultative processes, and how these impact member engagement and business success.

keywords

fitness onboarding, trial offers, gym membership strategies, coaching, gym marketing, member retention, fitness business models, crossfit, personal training, nsi, lbo, free intro, free trial

Cancellations are no fun, but they're part of running a gym. In this episode, we explore effective systems and mindset strategies for managing gym cancellations, emphasizing the importance of clear policies, communication, and empathy to foster long-term relationships and referrals.

keywords

gym cancellations, membership management, gym owner tips, customer retention, gym policies, cancellation process, member feedback, gym systems, coaching, customer service, crossfit, micro gym, functional fitness

Summary

In this episode, Chris and Nick explore the relevance of elite fitness competitions like the CrossFit Games for the average gym-goer and discuss how gyms can position themselves in the fitness industry. They analyze marketing strategies, the importance of realistic expectations, and the future of competitive versus general fitness.

keywords

CrossFit, fitness marketing, gym owner strategies, elite fitness, general population fitness, sports vs exercise, gym branding, fitness industry trends