Built To Grow Fitness Business

Why Large Group Training Is Dead and How Your Gym Can Adapt


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The large group training model is on its way out, and this isn't just guesswork. It's what the numbers from many gym chains are showing.

Take Orangetheory, for example. At their recent convention, they revealed that most members stick around for only three to four months. This short stay means gyms like these are always hustling to get new members. It's a hard way to keep a gym going.

Of course, new gyms will continue to open with large group models because it's easy to start: you just need a big open space, basic equipment, and coaches who focus more on motivation than deep training skills.

However, this business model is not sustainable in the long run.

One of the reasons is the low price point. To make it work financially, you need a lot more members compared to higher-priced, semi-private, or one-on-one training clubs. 

Plus, with the same number of members leaving each month, these gyms need to constantly replace a significant number of clients every month just to break even. It's a quick way to exhaust the local market.

Another issue is too much competition and little room to offer something unique, as these types of training and offerings are quite similar from gym to gym.

Also, new members might initially like the workouts, but they quickly stop improving. Although the model includes bodyweight exercises for resistance, the workouts don't get harder over time, which is not enough for constant progress.

So, here’s something crucial to understand if you’re running a large group model and not making a significant profit: in the next two to three years, this model will become entirely obsolete. 

It isn't just a 'red ocean' due to high competition; now it's more than that – it’s a dead end. And to stay ahead in the fitness world for the next 15-20 years, you need to change things up.

So, if you’d like to find out how to move on from outdated models and embrace the change that's essential for long-term success, tune in to this episode. Tim and Randy will be discussing how to make this switch from the large group model to a more sustainable one.

Don’t miss out on this hot topic - let’s dive right in!

Key Takeaways:

  • Intro (00:00)
  • The challenges of the large group training model (01:47)
  • Why large group training model isn’t sustainable for business (03:18)
  • Boot camp model lacks progressive overload (06:52)
  • Large group training will become obsolete in 2-3 years (10:20)
  • When you do change… (14:45)
  • Shifting away from the "race to the bottom" mentality (17:24)
  • Recap (18:22)

Additional Resources:

- Business Accelerator Program 

- Learn more about The Iron Circle 

- Business Talk with Fitness Professionals Facebook group 

- Jump on a call with Randy

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Built To Grow Fitness BusinessBy Tim Lyons and Randy Angsten

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