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The Fitpreneur Podcast
#32: How to Open a Fitness Studio in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide
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.
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And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.
Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com
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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.
Click here to join the waiting list
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SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Why in-person fitness is trending in 2025
2:15 - The benefits of owning your own studio
4:10 - Finding the right location and model
8:01 - Negotiating leases and financial planning
13:45 - Building anticipation with a waiting list
15:22 - Hiring and managing coaches effectively
19:48 - Facebook and Instagram ad strategies
22:08 - Converting clients with sales consultations
24:48 - Creating an onboarding process that works
26:10 - Building a strong member community
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FIND US ELSEWHERE:
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Facebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothers
Twitter: x.com/cardybrothers
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28:40|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 NEWSLETTERAnd 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#35: What No One Tells You About Running an Open Gym (6 Hard Lessons)
28:28|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 NEWSLETTERAnd 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#34: Online vs In-Person Consultations: What’s Really More Effective?
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21:38|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 MENTIONEDHow We Used a Simple Survey to Transform Our Gym BusinessTurning the data into charts using Canva**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd 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#31: How We’re Planning 2025 for Our Fitness Studios
22:25|We’re rolling up our sleeves and planning out an entire year for our fitness studios. With colourful pens, a giant calendar, and a lot of brainstorming, we’re mapping out 2025. We cover everything from member events to team meetings, creative sessions, and campaign timelines—sharing how we organise for not one, but two studio locations. Along the way, we reflect on lessons from 2024, the feedback we’ve received, and how we’re adjusting to make next year smoother and more exciting for everyone. If you’re a fitness studio owner or aspiring one, you’ll find loads of practical takeaways for structuring your year.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:0:00 – Intro to our planning process1:00 – Annual planning: member events, meetings, and key dates7:00 – Why feedback shapes our planning for the new year12:00 – The role of creative meetings and programme updates18:00 – Reflecting on 2024 and setting the stage for 202521:00 – Wrapping up the year and a thank you to our listeners*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers#30: What We Learned Throwing a Christmas Party for 80 Gym Members
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25:51|We’re diving into the 10 traits that separate successful gym owners from the rest. After years of working with studio owners and running our own, we’ve noticed patterns that define thriving gyms and their leaders. From putting clients first to staying accountable, we’re sharing practical insights and real stories to help you level up your business. Expect honest advice, a few rants, and actionable takeaways for any gym or studio owner looking to grow their community, improve their service, and stay ahead in the game.**************************SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTERAnd learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com*************************SHOW NOTES:0:19 - Why asking for feedback can feel scary (and why you should do it anyway)2:00 - Trait #1: Putting clients first (and what we’re changing in our gym)5:00 - Trait #2: Why it’s not just about your wallet7:58 - Trait #3: No cutting corners (and investing in what matters most)9:51 - Trait #4: Accountability is key12:00 - Trait #5: Delegating with confidence and structure14:01 - Trait #6: Focusing on big outcomes instead of minor details16:01 - Trait #7: Embracing informed feedback18:06 - Trait #8: Investing in education for long-term growth19:35 - Trait #9: Why you should “Google it” first21:27 - Trait #10: The importance of tracking numbers*************************FIND US ELSEWHERE:Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothersFacebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothersTwitter: x.com/cardybrothers