Studio Launch Diaries

We sat down to talk about the 10 biggest mistakes new gym owners make when they launch their studios. We know these mistakes because we've made them ourselves, and we've seen our clients make them too. We wanted to keep this real and share stories from our own experience so others don't fall into the same traps. We went back and forth with our own top five each. It got us thinking about the things...

In this episode, we break down the four big buckets every studio owner needs to get right—marketing, sales, operations and finances. We talk honestly about where we’re strong, where we’ve slipped, and what we’re doing to keep each area working well. We share how we think about Facebook ads, team systems, consult calls and even managing finances with our dad (yep, our CFO). The goal? Help you think...

In this episode, we share what it was really like to go through a price increase at one of our locations. We talk through why we did it, how we did it, and what we learnt from the reaction. We cover the honest fears we had before hitting send, the careful planning behind it, and how we made sure it added more value — not less — for our members. If you’ve been putting off a price increase for month...

Join the waiting list for Studio Prep Kit: cardybrothers.com/prep We’re building something new and we wanted to bring you behind the scenes as we map it all out. Over the past few months, we’ve been developing GymHQ, a full operating system for studio owners. But after digging into our email list, podcast listeners, and social followers, we realised something big: most of you don’t own a studio ye...

In this episode, we talk about why we started this podcast and how we’ve grown from helping one studio owner to launching a full-on movement. We open up about the shift from personal trainer to business owner, what that mindset change really takes, and how freedom doesn’t just come from going online. We also unpack our offer timeline for the rest of the year—what’s working, what’s not, and how we’...

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 activiti...

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 r...

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 ove...

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 t...

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...

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 av...

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 fu...

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 act...

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 sys...

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...

This week, we’re talking all about our Christmas party—what went right, what we learned, and how we plan to make the next one even better. From five straight hours of dancing (and the sore feet to prove it) to hilarious moments on the dance floor, we had an absolute blast celebrating with our team and members. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. We also share some honest reflections about running a...

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...

This week, we unpack why our upcoming Christmas party is wildly over budget but totally worth it. From building community through events to Jack’s transformation into a seasonal dresser, we cover the wins, the laughs, and even the small fixes that make a big difference. We also dive into business insights: experimenting with new memberships, retention data, and why we believe gyms are about more t...

In this episode, I’m joined by our new creative lead, Henry. We chat about the journey of building a content strategy for Revamp and how Henry’s role has shifted from capturing moments to creating a more structured social media approach. We go over our weekly content cycle, share how we’re using Notion to stay organised, and discuss why working with a team that’s open to new ideas and collaboratio...

This week, I’m (Jack) running solo to answer 10 sales questions without much prep, so you’ll get my genuine take on each one. I dive into different ways we handle objections, like how to approach the “spouse objection” or the balance of getting support versus asking for permission. I share stories from my own sales journey—from negotiating in everyday settings to building rapport in gym consults—a...

This week, we’re celebrating a huge win! After months of hard work, we’ve successfully filled our second gym to capacity—over 60 spots secured, and we’re not done yet. We talk about how we applied the same launch process from our first studio and proved that our system works. Plus, we share some lessons we’ve learned along the way, from managing the intake numbers to automating our onboarding proc...

In this episode, we talk about how we’re almost at full capacity for our second location. We share the ups and downs of launching a new studio and how quickly we’ve moved from one location to two. From closing deals and onboarding clients, to working through the little complications that come with growth, we discuss it all. We also give an inside look into the systems we’re using to manage operati...

We dive into the highs and lows of launching our new fitness studio this week. From breaking sales records to navigating unexpected challenges, we talk about what it takes to make big moves while keeping our sanity intact. We share the rollercoaster moments, like hitting 90+ consultations booked in a day and the pressure of living up to expectations. We also dig into strategies for managing high-s...

We took some strategies from MrBeast’s videos to boost our gym’s promotion. This week is a big one for us because we’re launching a new gym location and need to fill up our consultation spots. We’re breaking down our approach and sharing our progress along the way. We chat about mistakes, lessons learned, and what it’s like to document everything so openly. Things are a bit more nerve-wracking whe...

In this episode, we dive into how we landed 19 business partnerships from just one post. We share the strategy behind it, break down what worked, and how you can apply the same approach to grow your business. We also give an update on our gym studio launch. It’s been an exciting journey, and we’re stoked to talk about the waiting list, the progress we’ve made, and what’s coming next. It’s a mix of...