We just wrapped up our first two events of the year and wow, it’s been busy! In this episode, we look back at how they went, what we’d change, and why these types of events matter so much for building a strong studio community. We talk about how we plan, budget, and promote each one—especially what we’ve learned the hard way. If you’ve ever thought about running member socials or off-site activities at your gym, this one will give you loads to think about. We also share our best tips to get bums on seats and make sure your event doesn’t flop. Let’s dive in. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 02:00 – What went down at Ninja Warrior (and who got injured)05:00 – Clip &amp; Climb and helping members push past fear06:45 – The budget chat: where we went wrong last year10:45 – Why we plan all events at the start of the year14:00 – How we promoted events using poems and teaser posts15:00 – Smarter signups with Stripe and CRM landing pages17:00 – Why events boost retention and re-signs19:00 – Building repeatable event systems that save time and money ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#39: What We’d Do Differently After Two Big Member Events

In this episode, we look back at everything that happened for us in Q1 across both gym locations. We share what worked, what didn’t, and how we’re planning for Q2. We also walk you through the exact quarterly review template we use inside Gym HQ—our full operating system for gym and studio owners. You’ll hear real numbers, wins, lessons we learned, and what we’re doubling down on next. If you’re running a gym and want to grow it the right way, this one’s for you. ************************** <a href="https://military-chance-781.notion.site/1b9f900d40cf816284ebeb60b79730c6?pvs=105" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST FOR GYM HQ</a> <a href="https://thefitpreneur.notion.site/Quarter-1-1a1f900d40cf81f78fc9fac401afb644?pvs=74" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE FOR FREE QUARTERLY PLANNING TEMPLATE</a> ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 00:00 – Intro &amp; what this episode is all about01:00 – What Gym HQ is and why we built it02:30 – Our biggest win this quarter: centralised online sales05:00 – How we kept a premium feel with online consults06:30 – First events of the year and what we learned08:00 – Lessons learned around time, systems and team care10:40 – Full Q1 numbers breakdown from Location 113:00 – Full Q1 numbers from Location 215:00 – How we now manage our waiting list differently16:40 – Top 3 goals going into Q218:50 – Creative ways we’re telling client stories20:40 – Plans for a run club and future events22:30 – Optimising systems, processes and AI lead handling24:00 – Wrapping up with key takeaways and template download info ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#38: Breaking Down Our Q1 Numbers: Leads, Sales & Lessons

We’ve been flat out with events lately, but in this episode, we wanted to talk about something that keeps popping up with gym owners—and honestly, we’ve fallen into the same trap too. It’s the habit of focusing on the wrong stuff. Decorations over foundations. Looking busy instead of doing the real work. We talk about the things that feel productive—like tweaking your Canva posts or stressing over your Instagram grid—but don’t actually grow your studio. Then we get into what does move the needle: sales, retention, knowing your numbers, and building the kind of business that lasts. This one’s a bit of a rant, but it’s a useful reminder for us too. If you’re a studio owner who sometimes loses focus or overthinks the small stuff, this episode’s a line-in-the-sand moment. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 01:45: Focusing on the wrong stuff05:20: Decorations vs foundations09:00: Avoiding hard things like sales12:00: What foundational work actually looks like20:50: A simple action plan to shift focus ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#37: Are You Focusing on the WRONG Things in Your Gym?

If you’ve ever run Facebook or Instagram ads and felt like they didn’t quite land, this one’s for you. We talk about the real reason ads stop working, why it’s probably not your targeting, and how to tell if it’s a business problem or a marketing one. Plus, we walk through a simple framework based on the five stages of awareness, so you can match your message to what your audience actually needs to hear. We also share what’s working right now for us and our clients—from narrowing offers to launching high-trust ad campaigns and even using body scans to spark action. Nothing fluffy, just real examples and stuff we’re testing inside our own studios. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 00:00 – Why we’re doing audio-only today01:00 – When gym ads don’t work and what to check first03:00 – The five stages of awareness (and how to use them)06:00 – How to shift your message as your market evolves10:00 – Real example: narrowing your offer to cut acquisition costs14:00 – Moving leads down the funnel with smarter headlines17:00 – Behind the scenes: building systems to scale20:00 – A summer idea to spark walk-ins using body scans ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#36: How to Run Gym Ads That Stand Out in a Crowded Market

This is a replayed episode from last year. In it, we talk about how to build an appointment funnel for your gym. We dive deep into the steps you need to take to create a seamless journey for potential clients, turning them from interested leads into lifelong members. We'll cover everything from organising your calendar to automating appointments and creating valuable content that fills any gaps in your funnel. This isn't just about booking more appointments; it's about making sure those appointments turn into loyal clients. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: [02:45] - Why Every Gym Needs an Appointment Funnel[05:30] - Top Tips for Organising Your Calendar Like a Pro[11:15] - The Secret to Automating Your Appointments[18:40] - How to Create an FAQ Page That Converts[26:55] - Fill-the-Gap Content: The Game Changer for Your Funnel[33:20] - Success Stories: How Real Gyms are Crushing It[40:10] - Must-Know KPIs for Mastering Your Appointment Funnel ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#15: How to Build an Appointment Funnel for Your Gym [Replay]

We’re back after a short break, and today we’re diving into everything we’ve learned from running an open gym. It’s been nearly six years since we bought ours, and along the way, we’ve seen just about everything—good, bad, and downright ridiculous. We’re sharing what’s worked, what’s gone wrong, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about opening your own gym. From designing the space to avoiding expensive mistakes, we break down the biggest lessons we’ve learned. We also talk about the unexpected challenges, like why gym equipment breaks more often than you think, how to handle failed payments without losing your mind, and why serving the right people (not just hardcore lifters) is the key to success. If you’re a gym owner—or thinking about becoming one—this episode will help you avoid some major headaches. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 0:00 – The biggest mistake small studios make2:30 – Adjusting to life with two kids5:55 – The journey of buying and growing an open gym7:40 – Why gym layout matters more than you think11:30 – The hidden costs of running an open gym15:00 – Setting and enforcing gym rules (without exceptions)19:10 – Why you need to keep gym marketing fresh22:15 – The problem with serving only hardcore lifters25:40 – How we handle failed payments (without chasing people) ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#35: What No One Tells You About Running an Open Gym (6 Hard Lessons)

We’ve been diving deep into a new sales process that’s already showing some incredible results. In this episode, we break down how switching to online consultations has helped us hit a 100% show rate and an 89% close rate — all on Zoom. We talk about why we’re testing this process, what’s working, and where the cracks are starting to show. Plus, we get into how this new setup could make scaling future locations far smoother without losing that personal touch. We also chat about sales funnels, booking strategies, and how we’re centralising our sales process so we can focus more on growth and less on juggling schedules. And yes, there’s some love language talk in here too — because apparently, that matters more than we thought. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 0:00 – Early results from online consultations: 100% show rate &amp; 89% close rate0:39 – A deep dive into love languages (yep, really)2:00 – Why we’re experimenting with online consults and what it means for scaling3:47 – The problem with traditional sales consults at multiple locations5:00 – Centralising sales to future-proof growth6:14 – The pros and cons of online vs. in-person consultations9:17 – Breaking down the new online sales funnel12:00 – How we’re building trust during virtual sales consults16:00 – Optimising the process: what’s working and what’s not20:00 – The handover: from sales to studio manager23:08 – Our AI-powered appointment setter (and why it’s a game-changer) ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#34: Online vs In-Person Consultations: What’s Really More Effective?

In this episode, we’re diving into the power of client surveys and how they’ve shaped our business. We share what we learned from surveying our members, the surprising insights we gained, and how we’re using this feedback to improve everything from our services to our marketing. We’ll also talk about how we structured our survey, tips for getting more responses, and how we turned raw data into actionable steps that have already made a big impact. Plus, we’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we visualised the data and made it super useful. ************************** LINKS MENTIONED <ul><li><a href="https://fitnessentrepreneur.beehiiv.com/p/how-we-used-a-simple-survey-to-transform-our-gym-business" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How We Used a Simple Survey to Transform Our Gym Business</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEhHh4ptWhq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Turning the data into charts using Canva</a></li></ul> ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* SHOW NOTES: 0:00 – Survey results overview and why we started surveying clients.1:16 – Why feedback is scary but essential.4:39 – Our survey objectives and how we crafted the right questions.8:41 – The surprising insights we discovered from client feedback.10:06 – Strategies to boost survey completion rates.14:07 – How to use survey data to inform marketing and retention strategies.17:46 – Improvements we’re making based on feedback. ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#33: How to Use Client Surveys to Transform Your Fitness Studio

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about opening a fitness studio in 2025. Drawing from our experience launching two studios in one year, we walk through every step, from finding the perfect location to building a thriving community. We talk about why now is the best time for fitness professionals to transition from renting space to owning their own studio and share the systems we’ve used to hit capacity before opening our doors. You’ll hear why in-person fitness is on the rise, how to secure favourable lease terms, and the strategies we’ve used to pre-sell memberships. We also share tips for building a strong team, nailing sales consultations, and turning one-time clients into long-term members. Plus, we shout out some of the incredible success stories from our clients who’ve launched studios of their own. ************************** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio. Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com ************************* JOIN THE WAITING LIST FOR LAUNCH KIT Open and fill your gym/studio to capacity before you open your doors. It’s the exact process we’ve used to launch and fill both of our own studios—and now, we’re sharing it with a small group of clients. <a href="https://military-chance-781.notion.site/171f900d40cf808ca218c49b0e3b68d4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here to join the waiting list</a> ************************** SHOW NOTES: 0:00 - Why in-person fitness is trending in 20252:15 - The benefits of owning your own studio4:10 - Finding the right location and model8:01 - Negotiating leases and financial planning13:45 - Building anticipation with a waiting list15:22 - Hiring and managing coaches effectively19:48 - Facebook and Instagram ad strategies22:08 - Converting clients with sales consultations24:48 - Creating an onboarding process that works26:10 - Building a strong member community ************************* FIND US ELSEWHERE: Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers

#32: How to Open a Fitness Studio in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to The Fitpreneur Podcast with Jack &amp; Jacob! We're two brothers on a mission to help personal trainers like you build, grow and scale a fitness studio business. In our show, we'll share the secrets we've discovered from growing our own gyms. Plus, we'll give you tips that you can use to become the go-to for fitness in your local market. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of gym growth together. We're excited to have you with us!

The Fitpreneur Podcast

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