With a staggering 181% increase in strength equipment usage between 2012 and 2022, as reported by Track My Gym, strength training has become the hottest trend in the fitness industry. In the first episode of the new season of the Fitness Business Podcast, host Justin Tamsett explores this trend with key expert Paul Byrne, as well as explores other key strategies with industry experts Jennifer Poljacik, David Steele, and Lauren Becker. The episode covers enhancing leadership, driving innovation, and boosting profits through developing a growth mindset, creating a strong culture, investing in team members, and leveraging technology to improve the member experience.
Key highlights from the episode:
- Paul Byrne discusses the strength training trend and its implications for gym businesses. This trend is driven by social media, influencers, and changing consumer preferences.
- Delivering exceptional customer service is crucial for gym businesses. Key strategies include defining service standards, understanding customer needs, and going the extra mile to create raving fans.
- Modern marketing in the fitness industry requires a shift from linear CRM processes to more organic and responsive interactions. Utilizing texting, AI, and retargeting ads can automate and speed up the marketing process, focusing on convenience, reviews, and ease of membership to attract and retain customers.
Our favorite quotable moments:
“Consider making your gym [micro] influencer friendly. You have a room in the back where you have good lighting, you have the equipment you need. They can go back there and make it a place where they like to come and shoot their content.” - Paul Byrne
“Creating the best customer experience can only benefit your bottom line and increase customer retention and staff satisfaction... One of the most helpful tools that I have used with my teams over the years is a wonderful book called Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles.” - Jennifer Poljacik
"It's time to rethink the way we think of our prospects and how they interact with us, to get them from looking at us - to membership... We need to make it better." - David Steele
Resources:
Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses - Website
Paul Byrne - LinkedIn
Harrison Co - Website
Link to Strength Training Report - Access Here
Link to GLP-1 Report - Access Here
Merch Sponsor:
GRIT Fitness - Website
Be a Merch Sponsor - Here
In The Trenches With A REXer:
Jennifer Poljacik - LinkedIn
212 Fitness - Website and Facebook
REX Roundtables - Website and Email
Wise Words:
David Steele - LinkedIn
Sneeze It - Website
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