Fitness Business Blog

What to Consider When Going Into Business With a Partner

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

There is a lot to consider when taking the leap into small business ownership. The ante is upped substantially when any entrepreneur decides to open a brick-and-mortar fitness studio. The everyday stresses of typical business ownership become magnified as rent payments, utility bills, and payroll become a monthly reality.

It seems logical that having a partner to share the experience – and workload – would be a win-win. No one person can truly be the jack-of-all trades and excel at all aspects of business ownership.

AFS Recap from NASM Optima

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Another weekend, another solid fitness conference. This time it was NASM's Optima event held in Scottsdale, AZ. With 30 years behind them, NASM pulled out all the stops to celebrate.

From social events, morning workouts, networking opportunities, VIP events and a central fitness EXPO, NASM had a little something for every fitness professional who decided to attend.

Here are the Benefits of Training at Various Heart Rate Zones

Thursday, October 12, 2017

As fitness professionals, we get plenty of questions about exercise intensity: What is the best intensity to burn fat? What is the best intensity to improve my running time? What is the best intensity for recovery?

The answers to these questions, as with most fitness questions, is going to be – it depends!

AFS Recap from the 2017 Club Industry Show

Monday, October 9, 2017

It's always a pleasure to head back to Chicago (the birth place of AFS) and even more exciting to have the opportunity to connect with so many AFS supporters.

With nearly 20 meetings and the host of 4 different education sessions, the 2017 Club Industry Show was another huge success for all those involved.

Understanding Sales Tax for Fitness Studios

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

If you’re like most fitness studio owners, just the thought of managing any type of tax makes your stomach churn. Sales tax, along with other taxes, involves thousands of pages of tax law that can be worded in confusing ways.

Our goal is to try to help you understand the basics to guide you in the right direction.

LivingFit Rx Has Exceptional Retention Rate Thanks to Power Plate

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Thank you to Debi Teeple, Owner/Coach from LivingFit Rx in Indianapolis, IN for taking the time to answer some questions from AFS.

Debi and her husband Cary began LivingFit RX with a vision to help people improve their quality of life. Debi has experienced several health trials of her own, so she knows first-hand how hard it is to maintain good health.

Designing Member Challenges for a Big Impact at Your Studio or Gym

Sunday, September 17, 2017

One highly effective way to engage members of your studio or gym is to offer challenges. Ask any member with a mildly competitive side, and they’ll probably light up at the chance to participate.

This post will highlight key ideas to think about as you design challenges. Since MYZONE offers a unique “Challenges” feature that easily allows you to create challenges around heart rate training, some of the tips below will reference MYZONE. However, they can apply to you regardless of the technology you’re using (if you’re using it at all).

6 Successful Pre-Sale Strategies to Get Butts in Your Indoor Cycling Seats

Thursday, September 7, 2017

For many of us, the phrase “Pre-Sale Strategies” may conjure up memories of a temporary office space with signage, a rendering of the new gym structure that’s ‘coming soon,’ and an eager salesperson ready to sign people up at a special introductory rate. On the surface, I give that effort one big YAWN!

But—truth be told—it is part of a thoughtful pre-opening game plan to get people to saddle on up to your indoor bikes, while your team delivers that critical first impression of the new studio in town.

Invest in Your Future by Getting out of Your Studio

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

If I could pass along any words of wisdom to studio operators, it would be this: Get out of your studio. Investing all your time inside the walls of your facility is doing you harm.

I say this because sometimes business owners have a tendency to get so caught up in the day-to-day operations that they forget to look ahead and they forget that resources exist to help them improve their business, increase revenue, and serve their clients more effectively.

5 Bookkeeping Tips for New Fitness Studio Owners

Friday, August 18, 2017

You’ve finally made the decision to open your own fitness studio. Congratulations! By now you have probably spent a bunch of time looking into locations, studio build out, equipment, staff, and so much more.

Now is such a busy and exciting time for you. But if you are like many new fitness studio owners, you likely haven’t given much thought to bookkeeping.