WTF Gym Talk

The amazing crew over at Sweatnet Charlotte + I have been working on bringing together studio and gym owners in our city. Creating a venue where we can all collab, commiserate, share best practices and work together to build better businesses. This is a lengthy one, but I gurantee it's worth the watch. It's also uploaded on the podcast as well if you don't have 40 minutes stare at a screen. Here's...

Rachele is a badass. Lawyer. Entreprenuer. Cancer Survivor. Team USA Aquathlon. Triathlete. Mother of 5. The list goes on. But what I'm mostly interested in with Rachele is her knowledge in helping gym owners understand the type of IP (trademarks vs. copyright vs. patent), understanding non-competes and creating membership agreements that won't leave you holding the bag. You'll enjoy this one.

My dude Mike Archangel from Archangel CrossFit in AZ came through with a question regarding head coaches - What are the duties/responsibilities of a head coach? How many hours should your leadership team players be working/week? Sure, Mike. I'll give it a go.

Don't build the gym or studio YOU would love. Go beyond that. Building something that initially and prominently serves you first is going to prove to be a very expensive & unsuccessful endeavor.

the video of this on my Facebook biz page is def. better...but you'll get the idea.

CrossFit Awaken was nice enough to shoot me over a video on how he's used his 30 Day Goal Board to generate new revenue. So I figured I'd chime in and help enhance that strategy.

I'm all for stealing. All for it. What I think is fucking lazy is plagiarizing word for word or play by play something. I don't even care that you took something from someone else. That's not what bothers me. What bothers me is this is a huge tell that you are going to get crushed in this game if you can't spark your own design + creative part of the brain. Steal to spark inspiration, but then mak...

Sit down in a quiet place where you can think uninterrupted. Write down all the things in your business you wish you would have done differently. Circle all the items that are still possible to change. Get off your ass and change them.

Patience is a layup piece of generic business advice that can be given to almost all dilemas you face as an owner. But let's break it down to specifics in the microgym industry.

Craig is my kinda guy. Loud. Honest. And actually knows his shit when it comes to the fitness industry. As someone who started exploring the business model of CrossFit back in 2005, it's really awesome to talk shop with a guy I looked up to since his infamous CrossFit Journal video dropped back in the day where he started explaining the business side of this microgym explosion. So sit your ass dow...

Are you coach/instructor at someone's gym and you're looking to jump ship and start your own gym? I've got you covered.

A question I get too often...unfortunately... "How do I handle those clients that are just a pain-in-the-ass?"

How many gym/studio owners feel like they should be getting more referrals? Most. Probably you included. Here's the crux of the issue that I think you're overlooking.

Detour Athletics and Frazier Fitness LLC dropped a few questions, so I figured I'd make time during lunch to answer them. "Do you outsource your marketing for Urban MVMNT?" "Should I puruse a garage gym or go straight for brick + mortar?" Thanks for the questions fellas.

Had a few gym owners send in some questions that I address here. Thank you guys for the questions regarding professionalizing staff and creating full time positions for staff.

I used to think that vacations were for 9-5ers and people who hated their work. I used to think that taking a vacation was a sign of weakness as a business owner. But that perspective has changed. And my hope for you is that you get your business to a place where vacations become testaments to the awesome job you've done building an actual business.

Mike is the author of some of my favorite biz books: Profit First Pumpkin Plan Surge The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur His newest book, Clockwork, dropped on Aug 21st and he was gracious enough to come on the podcast and discuss how to remove yourself from the DOING of the business and get into the mode of DESIGNING.

I believe in a few core tenants when it comes to handling cancellations, the policies surrounding them and what to do with that incoming data. Enjoy.

My guess? You may not. It may actually own you.

Take a moment to thank anyone who has ever given you an inch during your journey as a business owner. Regardless if that's financially, emotionally or mentally...anyone who has given you that extra little something that allowed you to turn an inch into a mile. Tell them you love them. Tell them you appreciate them. Tell them you hope to return the favor to someone else who needs an inch. Do it now...

If is underperforming and it’s causing you to sacrifice happiness or creating grief in your life...but you still find time to spend 5 days at the CrossFit Games or take another vacation with your fellow yogis...then you my friend are full of shit. Let’s talk about.

***I apologize for the poor audio....but shit happens*** Instafamous. It's the current celebrity status that brands are searching for and they generally don't know where to start. In the fitness industry, if you look hot in yoga pants, you can have a pretty descent following and make some good money posting for various brands. But what if you used those powers to create something bigger? Something...

Recently I was requested to elaborate more as to why I still pay $3000/annually for my CrossFit affiliation, but I refuse to use the name in any marketing language, signage, etc. I had done this once, but sure...I'll dig into it deeper. Hope this helps clarify.

Money. We all need it to start our business. When we get some, we typically spend it. Which means we need more. Clayton Ferrer, owner of Rigquipment Finance flew down to Charlotte, NC to kick it with me at Urban MVMNT and jam on the financial side of the microgym industry. His company lends money to gyms + studios who need it...who can show they are going to use it wisely and pay it back. Equipmen...

The longer I’m in this game the more I realize how much of both ends of the spectrum with design and math we need to have. The math is what helps us run a great business, know our numbers, plan for the future, logistics, etc. The design allows us to make emotional connection with others, create the infrastructure to our organizations, build amazing spaces, etc... My thoughts these days reside arou...