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The data every gym owner needs is finally here! Two-Brain's sixth annual “State of the Industry” guide was released on Nov. 10 on "The Sevan Podcast." Check out this rebroadcast as hosts Sevan Matossian and Matt Souza break down key gym business stats with Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper.The free 72-page guide delivers critical benchmarks and insights from thousands of gyms worldwide, giving you the clarity to make confident decisions about pricing, staffing, retention and growth in 2026.How long are gyms keeping clients, and what's driving retention?What's the difference between big group, small group and one-on-one training, and why does this matter for your bottom line? How many members should you have before hiring your first coach? Why hasn't coach pay increased despite rising gym revenues?How do you survive the November to December slump and capitalize on the January rush? Should you invest in paid ads, or are there smarter ways to grow? And, of course, how much are gym owners making?This episode is all about trends, surprises, best practices and actionable takeaways from the data. Get the guide and use it to build a profitable fitness business. Download the brand-new “State of the Industry” report via the link below! Links"State of the Industry" ReportGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:00 - Intro and guide overview4:10 - Background on Chris and Two-Brain15:16 - Retention and churn19:48 - Gym growth by client count25:19 - Millionaire gym owners28:14 - CrossFit's impact and future41:58 - Big group, small group and one-on-one59:49 - Cost to open a CrossFit gym1:06:51 - Tips for paid ads1:17:27 - Seasonal gym trends1:33:07 - Two-Brain Summit1:34:13 - Coach pay and development

How many clients should your gym have? What should you charge? When's the best time to run classes?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper shares highlights from Two-Brain's 2025 “State of the Industry” report—a comprehensive analysis of stats from gyms around the world, including thousands of Wodify clients.Chris is joined by Wodify's CEO, Brendan Rice, to discuss what the numbers reveal about gym performance as we move into 2026.They discuss trends in retention, attendance and profitability, and they share how top-performing gyms are increasing average revenue per member while cutting discounts.Chris and Brendan also talk about the shift toward small-group training, why fewer offerings often lead to higher profits, and how gyms can use this year's data to set smarter goals for 2026.Tune in, get the facts and use them to build a stronger, more profitable gym.  Want the real numbers behind gym success? Grab the brand-new “State of the Industry” guide via the link below.LinksState of the Industry 2025Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call3:49 - The retention magic number8:21 - Class times in high demand15:22 - Class sizes & small group option22:59 - Headcount & revenue per member36:20 - Demographic shift opportunity

If you want to improve lead flow, add more high-value clients and generate more revenue, these three simple words can work wonders: “Bring a friend.”In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” gym owner and chiropractor Dr. Braeden Cordts shares his secrets for using bring-a-friend events to replicate his very best clients and grow his membership. Braeden walks through his plan to get red-hot leads into a workout at Kôr Fitness & Performance in Minnesota, and then he lays out his air-tight follow-up process for turning those leads into clients. The final step: He uses a system to ensure every new member he recruits is a source of future referrals.Braeden's plan has produced amazing results: He's increased his membership nearly tenfold in just four years.Tune in to hear the full breakdown, then schedule your own bring-a-friend event to add clients and revenue before the end of 2025.Need an extra cash boost? Get the free “Year-End Revenue” guide in Gym Owners United, linked below. LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:29 - Process for bring-a-friend events6:45 - Bring-a-friend workout example8:12 - What to do after the workout13:15 - How to follow up with leads19:58 - Mind-blowing gym metrics

The holidays are coming—and for most gyms, that means fewer check-ins, more cancellations and panic about cash flow. But it doesn't have to be that way.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper shares five simple tactics gym owners can use to boost year-end revenue without falling into the discount trap.He explains how smart, seasonal offers—such as holiday retail presales, meaningful gift cards and “save your spot” promotions—can generate real income while keeping your clients engaged and excited.Chris also dives into using bring-a-friend events and January kickstart programs to attract new leads, re-engage old clients and strengthen relationships with current members.All five tactics are practical, repeatable and proven to work in real gyms just like yours.  Want to boost cash flow and retention? Get Coop's free “Year-End Revenue” guide in Gym Owners United, linked below. LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:01 - Retail presale5:32 - Gift certificates9:04 - Reserve spots for January12:44 - Bring-a-friend party17:45 - January kickstart group

What does it take to run two thriving gyms and serve more than 900 clients?Tyler Quinn has the answers: He operates two Denver fitness studios with nearly 1,000 members combined. But here's the surprising part: He didn't reach these members with paid ads or gimmicks like discounts. Seventy percent of his new clients come from referrals.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Mike Warkentin asks Tyler about the systems and strategies behind building high-volume gyms that actually work.Tyler explains how to stand out from competitors, how to scale Two-Brain best practices such as No Sweat Intros for 1,000 clients, and why fundamentals like clean facilities and genuine care drive 16-month retention.His gyms prove you don't need low prices to get high member counts, but you do need to build strong systems and provide great results for clients.Tune in to hear how Tyler scaled to 900+ clients without sacrificing quality.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:17 - Tyler's business model7:59 - How his client count has changed21:01 - Challenges of huge client counts26:18 - How he finds so many clients32:45 - The keys to retention

The average big-group gym has 129 members—but some Two-Brain gyms are thriving with 300-700 clients.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks down what the Top 10 gyms for client headcount are doing differently. Coop explains how five critical systems allow these gyms to retain clients for over 24 months, deliver a consistently high-quality experience and attract new members month after month.He also shares real insights from the leaders on how they reactivated former clients and found the perfect balance of class size and pricing to maximize value.Key detail: These gyms don't need 300+ members to be profitable; every single one would be way into the black with just 150. That's your first target: 150 high-value members who stay for two years or more. After you hit that, you'll have a world-class business and can scale up if you want to.Tune in to hear how these elite gym owners grew their member counts with proven business fundamentals and mentorship—not gimmicks or discounts.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Industry average client count1:36 - Gyms with the most clients2:46 - 5 things the Top 10 share5:42 - Quotes from the leaders11:25 - What the leaders don't do

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with gym owner and Two-Brain mentor Tim Caputo about a simple idea that brought in $720 in one hour—and generated six new leads.It all started with a client suggestion that evolved into a “moms and kids” pop-up class. The event sold out quickly, generated profit right away and opened the door to a steady stream of high-quality referrals.Tim explains the strategy behind his pricing and promotion, how he used the class to build relationships and why this type of event works even in slower seasons.He also shares how he designed the workout to be fun and accessible while creating an experience that kept participants talking long after it ended.Tune in to hear how a single pop-up session can generate immediate income and new leads. LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:07 - Pop-up class logistics4:20 - Pricing & marketing the class8:11 - Post-event lead generation10:22 - Planning the pop-up class14:49 - Changes for his next pop-up

Feeling pressured to run a Black Friday deal at your gym? Don't do it.Your gym is a premium service provider, and it should compete on results and relationships, not price.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder and CEO Chris Cooper breaks down the dangers of discounting and explains why most gym owners who offer sales end up trapped in the “discount death spiral.”Black Friday deals attract the wrong clients and weaken your brand, and you have better ways to grow your gym during the holiday season.Coop shares simple, high-value alternatives, including running bring-a-friend events and adding bonus offers that don't undercut your pricing. Tune in to learn how to make this Black Friday your most profitable yet—without slashing your rates or cheapening your brand.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:20 - Why not offer discounts?2:43 - 5 dangers of discounts7:26 - Focus on value instead8:07 - Run alternative promotions13:36 - Use the Prescriptive Model

Can a gym be profitable with just 15 to 20 members? The answer is yes—and Oskar Johed is proving it.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin sits down with Oskar, co-owner of two thriving CrossFit facilities in Sweden, to talk about why he chose a different path for his third gym: a small-group training model.Oskar breaks down the advantages of small-group training, from lower overhead and reduced staff burnout to higher client retention and stronger profitability.In a small-group model, gyms with limited square footage can break even with just a handful of high-value members—and scale up to major profitability with 80 to 100 clients.Oskar also explains why individualized attention in small-group settings produces better results and how he uses affinity marketing and community partnerships to grow without relying solely on ads.Listen and find out how to blend the best of group and personal training to build a sustainable, profitable gym.LinksThe Prescriptive ModelSemi-Private Launch PlaybookGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:46 - The burnout problem7:52 - Pricing small-group training14:20 - Using the Prescriptive Model18:40 - Advantages of small group27:32 - Oskar's marketing strategy

If you try to scale your gym the wrong way, you might kill it.In this episode, Two-Brain founder and gym owner Chris Cooper shares how his first attempt at scaling nearly bankrupted his family. But you don't have to guess like he did.Today, Coop walks you through safe, profitable scaling using small-group and semi-private training.He explains the difference between the two services and how to transition existing clients into them, whether they're coming from one-on-one or big-group training. You'll also learn how to price small-group training correctly and connect members to fill sessions quickly. If you're looking for a tested method to grow your gym without burning out or going broke, tune in to hear the exact steps.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:18 - Coop's big mistake3:10 - Going from PT to small groups8:13 - The data on small groups10:17 - Going from big to small groups13:22 - Advertising small group training

Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with attorney and former gym owner Matthew Becker of Gym Lawyers PLLC about how to use AI safely in your business without creating massive liability.Matthew breaks down the legal risks gym owners face when using AI tools, including operating outside their scope of practice, violating privacy laws and infringing on copyright.Improper AI use can even increase exposure to lawsuits and eliminate liability protection.So how can gym owners use AI without endangering their businesses?Matthew recommends fitness entrepreneurs use AI as a research and education tool, not as a substitute for professional services, and leverage it to streamline admin work, generate ideas and polish client-facing materials.Check out the full episode to find out how to save time with new technology while keeping your gym insulated from legal risk.You can get in touch with Matt at Gym Lawyers PLLC via the link below. LinksGym Lawyers PLLCGym Owners UnitedBook a Call3:06 - Scope of practice dangers7:32 - Increasing exposure & liability14:23 - Skipping professional support17:12 - Uploading confidential information25:34 - How to use AI safely

CrossFit changed the fitness industry forever—but with affiliate numbers declining, gym owners are asking, “What's next?”In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper digs into why affiliate numbers keep shrinking, where former CrossFit gyms are going and what gym owners can do right now to stay competitive.He explains how novelty-driven methods such as Hyrox are pulling attention and why the lack of clarity from CrossFit HQ has created uncertainty for affiliate owners.Coop lays out a solution for managing methods and giving clients what they want in confusing times: adopting the Prescriptive Model. Instead of just selling class packages, he shows you how to actually coach clients with tailored prescriptions that blend strength, aerobic and high-intensity training to get results. Done right, this approach improves retention, helps clients accomplish goals and ensures your gym thrives no matter what brand name is on the door.Tune in to learn how to implement the Prescriptive Model in your gym and build a business that wins—whether it is affiliated with CrossFit or not.  LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call3:03 - Why affiliates leave CrossFit6:36 - Hyrox taking over competition9:09 - Who has the best classes?11:46 - Why ClassPass doesn't work13:57 - Solution: The Prescriptive Model

The key to steady gym growth and stronger retention? Turning your best members into your best recruiters.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how to use affinity marketing to strengthen your community, keep members longer and bring in more people just like your favorite clients.Passive referral programs rarely work, so Chris shows you how to actively connect your clients' families, coworkers and friends to your gym. He even provides an inside look at Two-Brain's Affinity Marketing Cheat Sheet, shows you exactly when to ask for referrals and explains how to start those conversations without making them feel awkward or transactional.Tune in to learn how to build a referral system that generates steady growth and improves retention at the same time.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:18 - When to ask for a referral5:53 - Duplicating your best clients13:35 - The goal review conversation20:52 - Hosting group events24:35 - Affinity marketing highlights

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper presents hard numbers and explains why the gap between 3% and 5% churn can be the difference between stability and collapse.He shares lessons from two decades of studying the science of retention, showing how most gyms don't fail because they need more leads but because they can't keep the people they already have.Coop explains why contracts aren't the answer, why chasing Facebook leads and six-week challenges can actually erode your community, and how gyms with 300+ members can get into trouble fast if they're bleeding members. Chris also breaks down the two key metrics every gym owner should track to boost retention and revenue—length of engagement (LEG) and average revenue per member (ARM)—and explains why retention is really just “sales over time.”Tune in for Coop's full retention playbook, then apply his tips to keep members longer, change more lives and build a profitable business that lasts.Join Coop's free retention workshop on Sept. 30 at noon Eastern in Gym Owners United (linked below). LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:19 - When clients stay longer7:10 - 3% versus 5% churn11:29 - A better retention metric13:11 - Onboarding and goal reviews17:24 - Keeping people for 2 years

Kevin Munoz gives his training plans away for free—and still closes 80% of sales! Find out how he does it in this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym.”Today, host Mike Warkentin talks with Munoz about how he built $500+ average revenue per member (ARM) at his gym, Peak PT. Kevin shares the exact strategies that helped him land on Two-Brain's Top 10 ARM leaderboard, which runs from $502 to $854. At Peak PT, Kevin uses Two-Brain's Prescriptive Model to sell, and he'll give prospective clients an entire training plan in free consultations to boost the "know-like-trust factor." He shows so much value that eight in 10 prospects sign up even though they could walk out with a free training plan. There's more: Munoz explains why cutting low-value services boosted his revenue, how semi-private training fits into his business and why overdelivering during his on-ramp program makes conversions to recurring memberships simple.He also details the community partnerships, referral systems and client events that keep new leads flowing into his gym without heavy reliance on paid ads.Tune in for a step-by-step look at how one gym used systems and value to acquire better clients, increase retention and produce ARM north of $500 per month.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:52 - What drove his ARM increase?8:05 - Where to find high-value clients10:56 - High-conversion sales process15:12 - Finding Two-Brain to now25:16 - #1 tip to boost ARM

Ready to find out how the top gyms in the world earn between $500 and $850 per member each month?Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper reveals the latest leaderboard for average revenue per member per month (ARM) and explains exactly how the Top 10 gym owners earned their spots. You'll hear about 10 proven tactics used by the leaders, including bundling services, offering semi-private training, selling with the Prescriptive Model and using simple billing changes to boost revenue.Coop also shares tips on referrals, pricing and niche specialization, and he explains why showing value is always more effective than cutting prices.Tune in for actionable strategies you can apply immediately to raise your ARM and build a more profitable, sustainable business.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:51 - Increase rates, value and referrals2:51 - Add PT and niche down4:21 - Bundle high-value services6:31 - Sell with the Prescriptive Model7:03 - Strategic billing and location

Gym growth is simple when you understand the only six metrics that really matter in fitness businesses.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks them down so you can improve your gym:Average revenue per member (ARM)Length of engagement (LEG)Return on investment (ROI)Effective hourly rate (EHR)Net owner benefit (NOB)Client headcountUsing data from over 15,000 gym owners who contributed to Two-Brain's 2024 “State of the Industry” guide, Coop presents the industry averages for each metric so entrepreneurs know exactly where they stand in comparison.Then, he equips gym owners with specific tactics to improve each metric and explains why many gyms actually don't need more members to generate additional revenue. Plus, Coop dives deep into marketing with Two-Brain's four-funnel system: referrals, content, social media and paid ads. He even shares an exclusive preview of the clients-only worksheet Two-Brain gym owners use to audit marketing performance, and he provides actionable fixes for each funnel.Tune in to learn how to track and improve the critical numbers in your gym business.Want Coop's $100K checklist? Head to Gym Owners United using the link below and send him a DM.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call2:14 - Average revenue per member (ARM)8:23 - Length of engagement (LEG)14:33 - Return on investment (ROI)21:48 - Effective hourly rate (EHR)27:14 - Net owner benefit (NOB)32:47 - Client headcount37:13 - Four marketing funnels45:13 - Auditing and fixing your funnels59:34 - Getting more leads

What's stopping your gym from growing?In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper explains how gym owners accidentally limit their business growth and presents a four-level framework for leadership mastery.The progression moves from self-leadership (controlling your focus and energy) to team leadership (getting staff aligned without micromanaging), peer leadership (influencing equals without authority) and community leadership (expanding impact beyond your gym).The key insight: Before you can lead others effectively, you must first master yourself.Fix the owner, fix the business.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:57 - Self-leadership6:45 - Team leadership10:30 - Peer leadership14:23 - Community leadership18:31 - How to grow as a leader

Overwhelmed by conflicting business advice? Cut through the noise with Chris Cooper's proven system for building wealth as a gym owner. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris explains how to move beyond the passion-first mentality that keeps most fitness entrepreneurs stuck and broke.He breaks down his four-phase roadmap for gym-owner wealth: Founder, Farmer, Tinker and Chief. These phases show you what to focus on right now, what to ignore and how to move toward financial freedom.Coop also shares candid stories from his early years of gym ownership, including mopping floors personally and trapping his business in Founder Phase. Everything changed when he focused on fixing the foundation first, stopped trying to market a broken gym, and started doing the right things as a CEO and business owner.Now as the CEO of Two-Brain Business, Cooper has helped thousands of fellow gym owners fix their businesses, too. He's minted more than 60 millionaire gym owners, and hundreds more are earning over $100,000 per year.It's time to break free from day-to-day operations and start building wealth. Tune in to get the full blueprint.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:28 - Why gym owners get stuck7:44 - Founder Phase10:51 - Farmer Phase14:34 - Tinker Phase19:36 - Chief Phase

After consuming free Two-Brain content for three years, gym owner Tyler Ouwendyk signed up for mentorship. Less than a year later, he earned a spot on the Top 10 leaderboard for net owner benefit (take-home pay), which ranges from US$17,000 to $45,000 per month. Tyler runs three facilities in a town of 30,000 people: two 24/7 access gyms with memberships capped at 400-500, plus a group training studio that launched with 52 members on Day 1 and hit 130 clients in eight months.In this episode, Tyler shares the Two-Brain strategies that contributed most to his gyms' success:Eliminating all discounts and sales.Raising prices to reach the top of his market.Creating proper onboarding systems. Adding goal reviews to drive retention and upsells.He also explains how mentorship accelerated his growth through expert guidance and accountability. Now, as a Tinker-level gym owner, Tyler's focus is on building wealth through real estate, life insurance and other investments. His advice to gym owners who are considering mentorship? “Just do it. It's not a cost; it's an investment. You're gonna see the ROI right away.”  LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:50 - Getting results from free content3:54 - Goal reviews in an access gym9:53 - Why go from free to paid help?13:43 - How mentorship added speed17:54 - Opening a profitable new gym

Many gym owners burn out because they reinvent everything daily. In this episode, Chris Cooper shows you how to systemize your gym without killing your creativity.He introduces the concept of “freedom within a framework”—the solution to decision fatigue, staff chaos and businesses that get stuck in the Founder Phase forever.Coop explains exactly where to systemize and where to be creative in each area of your business:MarketingSalesRetentionOperationsLeadershipYou'll also hear how Two-Brain Business mentors help fitness entrepreneurs build solid systems that support their gyms' growth without forcing a model or method. Stop starting from scratch every day and start building the stable, profitable gym you want to run.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:19 - The problem and its solution4:41 - Marketing and sales systems9:26 - Retention and referral systems11:53 - Ops and leadership systems17:26 - Mentorship gives you freedom

Think you need a huge gym and hundreds of members to make serious money? These gym owners proved that wrong by generating $600 average revenue per member (ARM) in just 1,400 square feet.In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Mike Warkentin sits down with Jake Parton and Jenser Gomes from Evolver Fitness in Connecticut, who made Two-Brain's Top 10 leaderboard for net owner benefit (owner take-home) with only 90 members.Jake and Jenser reveal how they built a high-ticket, high-touch personal-training model that keeps overhead low and maximizes profit. They share their bootstrap approach to opening during the pandemic and explain how they lost 85 percent of their clients before rebuilding with systems that now allow them to work fewer hours while earning more.Also up for discussion: their referral-based marketing strategy that eliminates the need for expensive ads and their extraordinary retention system that keeps clients for years. Tune in to hear how these gym owners worked with a mentor to create the systems that transformed their business and allowed them to build a team of trainers to deliver high-quality service.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:27 - Key to high net owner benefit in a small gym4:42 - Planning for high ARM9:57 - Earning more for their time14:47 - Acquiring and retaining clients27:25 - Systemizing their business

In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper reveals the monthly leaderboard for net owner benefit—what gym owners actually pocket from their businesses.The top-earning fitness entrepreneur takes home over $45,000 a month!So what are our elite gym owners doing that others aren't?The Top 10 includes gyms from Belgium, Norway, Canada and Hong Kong, proving location doesn't limit earning potential.The leaders also proved small gyms can dominate: One top earner has only 90 members, and another operates in just 1,400 square feet of space.Chris breaks down the two key factors behind high net owner benefit for gym owners: consistency in delivery and total business excellence.You'll also find out which business models are driving these impressive income stats. Some gym owners focus strictly on one-on-one coaching, while others use semi-private training or a combination of high-value services to increase revenue.Listen to learn about the marketing, sales, retention and staff-development systems that separate top-earning gym owners from those who are barely breaking even.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:58 - Top-earning gym owners revealed4:43 - Keys to high net owner benefit8:45 - Staff systems support growth10:53 - Models with the highest NOB15:56 - What all 10 have in common

Think you need 300+ members to run a profitable gym? The data says otherwise.In fact, the average gym can generate an extra $45,000 per year just by keeping the clients it already has for two extra months.In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper cuts through the noise with hard numbers from the “State of the Industry” report—the most comprehensive data set in the fitness industry.He walks through the six metrics every gym owner needs to make smart business decisions:➡️ Average revenue per member (ARM)—earn more without adding clients.➡️ Length of engagement (LEG)—keep members longer.➡️ Net owner benefit (NOB)—your rewards as an entrepreneur.➡️ Return on investment (ROI)—which expenses allow you to increase revenue.➡️ Effective hourly rate (EHR)—are you a trainer or a CEO?➡️ Client headcount—the lives you are changing with fitness.Listen to hear all six metrics explained, then help build the next report by filling out the survey via the link below.Links"State of the Industry" SurveyGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:32 - Earn more per client3:10 - Keep clients longer6:17 - Take home more money7:57 - Increase return on investment11:11 - Earn more per hour

“Get 500 members.” “Online coaching is dead.” “Don't raise your rates.” How much of the gym business advice flooding your social feeds is actually true?In this episode, Chris Cooper cuts through the BS with a crucial request for gym owners: Be part of Two-Brain's annual “State of the Industry” report.Every year, thousands of gyms worldwide contribute to the report, along with software platforms such as Wodify and Kilo, creating the largest fitness business data set in the world.The data is reviewed by an independent analyst and then published to help gym owners make informed decisions about pricing, staffing, marketing and more—one gym owner even saved $100,000 on a lease just by reading the report. The more gyms that participate, the clearer the picture becomes for every gym owner.Please take five to 10 minutes to fill out the survey via the link below. In return, you'll get immediate access to 19 of Two-Brain's best resources and an advance copy of this year's “State of the Industry” report delivered straight to your inbox.Don't just listen to the loudest voice you hear. Let's separate fact from fiction together. Links"State of the Industry" SurveyGym Owners UnitedBook a Call

Hate writing but love talking? Here's how one gym owner uses AI to create everything from SOPs to sales scripts without typing a single word.In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Mike Warkentin sits down with gym owner Ryan Webb to explore how AI tools have transformed his gym's operations—with minimal investment of time or money.Ryan shares his workflow for using Wispr Flow and ChatGPT to save hours each week on essential business tasks.He explains how Wispr Flow transcribes and improves spoken thoughts, which ChatGPT can then turn into marketing copy, staff playbooks, sales scripts and much more.These AI tools can even help gym owners navigate tough conversations with employees.This episode will equip you with a complete system for quickly turning your thoughts into polished content that helps you grow your gym.LinksStreamline Ops With AIWispr Flow Book a CallGym Owners United0:58 - Using ChatGPT and Wispr Flow03:49 - Other uses for these tools06:38 - Shortcut for creating staff playbooks12:41 - Feedback on sales scripts16:55 - Future plans for scaling AI

Tired of wearing every hat in your gym? AI can handle repetitive tasks so you can focus on the work only you can do. Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how gym owners can use artificial intelligence to automate their businesses without losing the human touch that gyms need. He walks through the three-step process of systemize, optimize, automate—explaining that many gym owners fail to use AI successfully because they're trying to automate broken or undefined processes.Once solid systems have been optimized, gym owners can use AI for basic customer service, habits coaching, inventory management and similar tasks, which frees up their time for high-value work.Coop also shares specific tools Two-Brain gyms are already using, from Garmin Clipboard for tracking athlete data to ManyChat for nurturing leads.Check out the full episode to learn which tasks to automate first in your gym so you can start buying back your time.  LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  3:02 - AI for ops and systems8:05 - AI for inventory management15:21 - AI for habit-based coaching18:37 - AI for marketing & brand25:38 - Massive opportunity for gym owners29:39 - Culture, community & identity

What if one simple daily habit could help you grow your gym?In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Chris Cooper invites you to join him in his Golden Hour—a daily routine that grew his gym and other businesses.  This business-building hour is structured with the GOLDEN acronym:- Go to a place where you can focus.- Open your mind with a brain dump.- Lead with marketing reps.- Do your big projects.- End at the hour.- Next steps.Chris details each component and provides specific examples, from creating content on Monday to mining leads on Thursday.Tune in to see the exact process that's helped top Two-Brain gyms grow 32 times faster than the industry average.Then get your free copy of “The Golden Hour” by Aug. 8, 2025, via the link below—and use it to transform your business.Links"The Golden Hour"Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call  5:13 - Get the free book on Amazon6:11 - GOLDEN acronym breakdown12:21 - Big projects vs. marketing reps18:10 - Real wins from gym owners23:05 - Why gym owners need hope

Overwhelmed by business advice and the mountains of fix-your-gym resources?That's common, and overwhelm kills action. To help, Chris Cooper walks through six of his books for gym owners and helps you choose the one that will help you get big-time results today.

Most gym owners struggle to close in just half of sales consultations. Korey Schindler closes at a 93 percent clip.In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," Korey, co-owner of Impact Fitness in Florida, reveals how he achieved his incredible close rate by following up with leads 381 times in one month. His efforts produced 44 sales consultations and 41 new members.Korey breaks down the process he follows to turn cold Facebook leads into paying clients: He follows up with lightning speed, relies on script-based conversations—which he still rehearses even with 10 years of sales experience—and uses a systemized consultation process.He also shares how Two-Brain mentor Nick Habich helped him discover he didn't need better closing skills; he actually needed more leads to supercharge his sales engine. This realization pushed Korey to set up the lead ad system that's now driving record revenue in his gym.Tune in for the step-by-step process that put Korey on Two-Brain's sales and marketing leaderboards, plus scripts and strategies you can implement today.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:02 - No. 1 reason for A+ sales metrics6:22 - How Korey gets leads to book9:49 - How Korey gets leads to show13:02 - How Korey closes21:58 - The value of mentorship

Every month, Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper shares real gym data and actionable tips from top performers. In July 2025, it's all about marketing excellence.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym," Chris presents the leaderboards for three key marketing metrics that tell you if your sales funnel is leaky or locked down: Set rateShow rate Close rateInstead of just buying more ads, these Top 10 CEOs refined their systems so more leads booked appointments, more prospects showed up and more people committed to memberships.Six gyms made all three leaderboards, proving their marketing systems are A+.From logging 400+ monthly follow-ups to rehearsing every sales consultation, our leaders share their secrets. Chris reveals exactly how these world-class gyms filled their calendars with No Sweat Intros, nurtured leads so they actually walked through the door and closed sales using the Prescriptive Model.Tune in to for practical tactics you can use today to tighten your gym's marketing and sales processes.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call   3:04 - Set rate leaderboard4:10 - Show rate leaderboard5:56 - Close rate leaderboard6:56 - What excellence in marketing means9:26 - Lead-nurture strategies12:33 - Product-market fit

Tired of watching small mistakes drain your gym's profits? Here's how to stop paying the “dumb tax” once and for all.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how seemingly small business mistakes compound into million-dollar losses over time. More importantly, he tells you how to stop making these gym-sinking errors.Coop presents three types of mistakes that destroy gym profitability:Compounding problems get worse over time. Example: hiring without proper training systems.Delaying problems punish you for procrastinating. Example: avoiding necessary price increases.Mounting problems are fueled by the increasing momentum of repeated errors. Example: dumping more members into a gym with a broken pricing model.Chris also gets brutally honest about his own expensive mistakes as a gym owner, and he calculates the real cost of inaction and poor systems so you can see how errors affect P&L statements.Tune in for the full breakdown and then take action before profit-killing mistakes put you on the path to bankruptcy.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  0:01 - Intro1:39 - Compounding problems7:59 - Delaying problems11:43 - Mounting problems14:58 - What's the cost of change?

Most gyms don't fail because of one big disaster. They fail because of small, repeated mistakes that drain money, energy and time until the owner burns out.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper explains how to spot and avoid common mistakes in your gym—in other words, how to stop paying the “dumb tax.”From undercharging to chasing the wrong metrics, Coop shares how he paid the dumb tax in his own gym and learned some tough lessons.He explains how to replace guesswork with clear data, build pricing and systems that work, and make decisions that increase revenue instead of eroding it.Ever feel like you're working harder and harder but never getting ahead? This episode will show you how to break the cycle and start building a sustainable, profitable gym.  LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  0:52 - What is the dumb tax?3:47 - Always chasing more clients4:34 - Undercharging and discounting6:18 - Confusing the model with the method8:09 - How to avoid the dumb tax

In this episode, gym owner and CrossFit Games athlete Bryce Broome shares how he built a profitable, systemized gym that lets him take regular time off to travel, train, compete and recharge.In fewer than two years, Bryce has developed a team that handles day-to-day operations when he's away—without sacrificing client care or profitability.He explains how business planning with a Two-Brain mentor set his gym up for success from Day 1: Before opening, he planned for staffing costs and scalability, identified his ideal culture, and hired staff who aligned with that culture. The result? A gym that pays him well and gives him time to enjoy life outside it. Proof: Bryce did this interview while on vacation, and he'll be taking more time off to compete in the CrossFit Games at the beginning of August.Tune in to hear Bryce's story and find out how you can start building a business that allows you to live the life you want.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:20 - Breakdown of Bryce's gym10:45 - Providing careers for staff15:22 - The value ladder exercise19:17 - How Bryce takes regular vacations28:05 - Advice for other gym owners

Stop wearing every hat in your gym. It's time to move from coach to owner.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper shares the exact steps gym owners can take to reclaim their time, take regular vacations and build businesses that run on systems. He walks you through the process of “climbing the value ladder,” aka buying back your time:- Identify the roles you fill.- Calculate the replacement cost for each role.- Write step-by-step instructions for each role.- Delegate roles from lowest to highest value.- Take time off to test the system.- Identify problems and upgrade instructions so they're perfect.Coop also explains how to coach and evaluate staff and why gym owners often mistake poor systems for “people problems.”Tune in for the full playbook, then apply it and put it to the test by finally taking some time off.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  0:48 - The steps to take time off2:57 - How Coop climbed the value ladder4:26 - Get the systems out of your head8:45 - Activate your staff11:52 - Is it a people or process problem?

If you're not regularly sitting down with your clients to talk about their goals, you're leaving money on the table.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” gym owner and chiropractor Dr. Brian Strump shares how quarterly Goal Review Sessions became one of the most effective tools in his gym for increasing retention, referrals and average revenue per member.Brian walks through exactly how his team at Live Active Charlotte uses these short conversations to keep clients engaged, identify new opportunities to help them, and increase gym revenue without running ads or pushing sales.He also breaks down how he tracks key metrics and gets buy-in from his staff.Tune in to hear the full breakdown, then implement goal reviews and watch what happens to your gym's revenue and your clients' results.  LinksSemi-Private Launch PlaybookGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:05 - Why use goal reviews?8:53 - Impact on gym metrics13:42 - When to do goal reviews18:56 - Goal reviews help clients23:50 - Brian's No. 1 tip for gym owners

In this episode, Chris Cooper shares a preview of his upcoming training session for gym owners: “How to Add $10K in PT Without Adding a Single Member.” During the live, interactive webinar, you'll learn how to sell PT confidently, prescribe it in Goal Review Sessions and No Sweat Intros, and set simple targets to quickly grow your revenue. Coop will also show you how to overcome common mindset barriers. For example, many of your members actually need one-on-one coaching to get better, faster results, and other members don't need PT but want it because they prefer convenience, attention and privacy.You don't have to chase new members to boost your gym's revenue. Find out exactly how to add $10K with personal training on July 8 at noon Eastern in Gym Owners United: http://gymownersunited.comLinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  

John Bartholomeo, one of Two-Brain's Top 10 leaders, added $15,000 in monthly revenue through annual planning and smart gamification of challenges at Mohawk Valley Wellness.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” he shares how his gym uses simple, repeatable systems to run revenue-generating nutrition challenges and events that clients love.These events aren't last-minute attempts to fill revenue gaps. They're part of a clearly defined annual plan that's created each year in collaboration with a mentor to drive engagement, retention and profitability.John reveals how he turns nutrition into a competitive game, using streaks and point systems to boost client results, consistency and fun. He also explains how challenges help onboard new clients and support long-term retention.You don't have to reinvent the wheel to bring in more revenue. Tune in to find out how predictable planning and mentorship can improve your gym's bottom line.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:08 - $15K per month in additional revenue3:44 - Planning events and challenges6:60 - Gamifying nutrition challenges15:47 - Converting to ongoing programs18:51 - Where mentorship fits in

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how the Top 10 gyms on the revenue leaderboard drive consistent, high-level monthly income.These gyms have moved beyond the "group only" model to add high-value services such as personal training, small-group training and semi-private training. Some gyms are generating significant revenue with challenges and special events that include gamification to drive retention.Chris shares what the top performers have in common—such as strong client avatars, structured annual planning and a focus on delivering measurable results—and explains why mentorship is a key part of their stories.He also serves up quotes and tactical insights directly from gym owners who are generating $61,000-$114,000 per month.Aiming for a big revenue milestone? This episode will show you what's possible and help you start working toward your goal today.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 1:26 - Top 10 revenue leaderboard2:53 - What the Top 10 have in common8:06 - Tips from revenue leaders9:45 - Gamification and challenges15:42 - Success is possible

Erik Zeyher's gym, Warlock CrossFit, generates over $200,000 in annual revenue from its semi-private training program. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Erik breaks down the exact steps he took to build a premium program that works across the board—for clients, coaches and the business. As Erik puts it, “It is aces.”Erik shares how he structures sessions, pricing and coach pay, and he explains how he generated internal buzz around the program to fill it fast. When his first semi-private session filled up in just 45 minutes, Erik knew he had a winner. He also gets into logistics issues such as scheduling, onboarding, space constraints and last-minute cancellations.Now, with expert mentorship and dialed-in systems, Erik can rely on his semi-private program to add $15,000-$22,000 to his gym's revenue each month. Thinking about adding a high-value semi-private personal training program? Tune in to hear from a gym owner who's done it successfully.LinksThe Prescriptive ModelPrerequisites for Semi-PrivateGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Semi-private revenue boost6:51 - Increased coach pay12:41 - Biggest challenge in this model18:36 - Time and space logistics29:36 - Should gyms implement this?

Small-group and semi-private training can dramatically increase your gym's revenue, improve coach pay and boost client results.In this episode, gym owner and semi-private specialist Daniel Purington shares exactly how to build a high-revenue, high-retention semi-private program from the ground up.Certain prerequisites must be in place before you offer this service. If you miss steps, your program will flounder, you'll get frustrated and your members won't sign up for coaching that can help them get better results faster. Daniel's got your do-this-first checklist. Daniel also identifies the biggest mistake gym owners make when building semi-private programs, offers his tips for success and explains how to fill your program. Hint: You don't need to spend money on ads or create a new marketing campaign.As a bonus, Daniel breaks down how his own gym—Woodslawn Fitness in Portland, Oregon—runs concurrent sessions in just 650 square feet, generates $230 per session and pays his semi-private coaches up to $11,000 a month.Thinking of adding a high-value revenue stream to your gym? Tune in for a step-by-step guide.LinksThe Prescriptive ModelGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 1:00 - Small group & semi-private revenue3:25 - How to know if you're ready6:56 - Big vs. small group logistics14:13 - How to fill a program20:41 - Next steps to get started

Does your gym really need more leads, or are you wasting the leads you already have?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” marketing expert John Franklin shares six simple strategies that will help you book more intros and close more sales without spending a dime on ads. Even small improvements in your lead-nurture process can produce huge returns—just one extra sale per month can add over $17,000 in revenue to a gym.John explains:How and when to contact leads.How to personalize lead nurture so your gym stands out. How to use long-term lead-nurture tactics that convert cold leads into paying clients months down the line.How to use automations without losing the human touch.He even shares a never-miss script you can use verbatim to start more conversations.Tune in to hear all six strategies, then start implementing them today to convert more leads into high-value gym members who stay for years.  Links2026 Two-Brain Summit TicketsGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 0:29 - Call your leads7:55 - Follow up with leads11:12 - Optimize availability15:32 - Personalize lead nurture20:49 - Long-term lead nurture

Today, Two-Brain Business founder Chris Cooper previews his new lead-nurture webinar and free checklist guide. If you're chasing more leads but not seeing results, this training is for you.Learn how to stop wasting the leads you already have, get more leads to show up and improve your conversion rate by 21X.Ready to unlock hidden profit with 10 proven lead-nurture strategies? Attend the free training on June 17 at noon Eastern in Gym Owners United.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  

If you're struggling to keep your gym afloat or feeling stressed about your business, this is the podcast for you.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper shares a powerful message for owners who are exhausted, overwhelmed or unsure what to do next:You're not alone.Coop explains how gym owners can turn things around and why “hope” isn't a feeling. It's a decision.Chris lays out the real reasons gyms fail and lists the key differences between those that thrive and those that shut down. Then he lists the exact first steps to take if you're losing money and offers a formula for creating hope.No gym should be left behind. This episode will show you how to move forward.And if you want to move forward at the greatest speed, get a coach. Mentorship gives gym owners the clarity, focus and accountability they need to transform struggling gyms into world-class businesses.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  0:18 - Why we leave no gyms behind3:10 - Defining success for owners & coaches6:51 - What separates those who get results8:12 - Creating hope with the GAP formula10:36 - What you can do right now

Knowledge won't grow your gym—action will.In this episode, Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper explains how to close the gap between learning and doing so you can move your business forward.For gym owners, the cost of inaction is high: wasted payroll, lost revenue, clogged marketing funnels and low retention. Chris has seen thousands of gym owners get stuck in a cycle of compounding mistakes—not because they lacked information but because they didn't have someone to help them sort through the info and figure out what to do "right now."The solution? Building a clear plan for your gym with an expert mentor who will tell you exactly what to do and hold you accountable for doing it.If you've been consuming videos, blogs and books without making progress in your business, tune in to find out what separates growing gyms from stagnant gyms.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  0:32 - The implementation gap1:31 - The cost of inaction3:54 - How mistakes compound4:49 - Value of an outside perspective7:38 - Why Chris still has mentors

CrossFit Mondego has 429 members—and they're not bleeding out the door.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Mike Warkentin sits down with one of CrossFit Mondego's owners, Luísa Mesquita, to find out exactly how she and her partners transformed a gym with high churn into a 400-plus-member powerhouse with great retention.Luísa breaks down the key additions that fueled their explosive growth, including a data-driven referral funnel that consistently brings in new leads without ad spend.In addition to expanding client count, CrossFit Mondego has boosted its revenue with a high-value on-ramp program, as well as small-group and hybrid training.Luísa explains how her Two-Brain mentor, Brian Foley, helped the gym's owners make gradual changes to move the needle and scale with sustainable systems—without burning out.Listen to Luísa's full story, and then use her tips to build a gym where more people stay longer and pay more.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  2:12 - How retention has increased5:32 - The impact of on-ramp12:50 - Additional programs driving growth19:47 - Hyrox at a CrossFit gym24:30 - Why Luísa slowed down ads31:56 - Advice for getting more clients

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper presents the leaderboard for gyms with the most paying members.Coop reveals what the leaders have in common: They all focus on improving business fundamentals—such as retention, staffing and repeatable systems—instead of chasing shiny objects such as ad campaigns.Another commonality: boosting average revenue per member (ARM) rather than just adding a ton of cheap, new members. To accomplish this, many have added high-value options such as small group training, personal training and Hyrox programming.Chris also shares real quotes from these leaders, including one from an owner whose gym halved its ad spend while increasing front-end revenue.Tune in to hear tips from top gym owners for growing your client headcount without spending your hard-earned profit on advertising.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 0:01 - Intro1:42 - Gyms with the most clients3:05 - What they have in common4:53 - Quotes from the leaders9:43 - CrossFit gyms in Europe

Gym owner Aaron Scott followed Two-Brain content for six years before finally signing up for mentorship. When he did, everything changed.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Aaron shares exactly how he doubled his revenue at CrossFit Structure in the U.K.—without dramatically increasing his client count.He reveals how implementing high-value onboarding, raising rates with confidence and improving back-end systems helped him grow monthly revenue from £7,500 to over £15,000.With mentorship, Aaron also increased average revenue per member (ARM) by £40 and tripled his length of engagement (LEG).Building the right systems allowed Aaron to reduce stress and buy back hours so he can spend more time with his family. If you've been sitting on a pile of free content but still feel stuck, tune in to hear what happened for this gym owner when he finally started working with a business expert.LinksThe Prescriptive ModelGym Owners UnitedBook a Call 1:28 - Before and after mentorship6:00 - Results using free resources7:44 - Immediate changes with a mentor11:60 - Three rate increases15:49 - Aaron's recent accomplishments

If your gym isn't paying you at least $100,000 a year, you need to listen to this podcast—or check it out on YouTube to see the visuals.Chris Cooper shares the six reasons gym owners fail and provides the tools fitness entrepreneurs need to solve these problems.Coop was a struggling gym owner, too, and this is the exact video that would have saved him 15 years ago when he was struggling to pay the rent as an overworked, underpaid gym owner.The data-backed, battle-tested resources in this video have:Helped over 2,700 gym owners take home 24.9 percent more than the average gym owner.Produced almost 300 gym owners who earn six figures or more.Minted almost 60 new millionaires.There's no catch. Two-Brain leaves no gym behind. These resources are designed to give you a few quick wins and help you build momentum. Get our A+, gym-saving resource package today.To move faster and accomplish your goals sooner, work with a mentor. A mentor analyzes your business and tells you exactly what to focus on right now so you don't get overwhelmed.Because all the knowledge in the world is useless without action.LinksFree Tools Package for Gym OwnersBook a Strategy SessionGym Owners United1:11 - Problem 1: Inconsistent Lead Generation4:27 - Problem 2: Charging Less Than You're Worth7:49 - Problem 3: High Churn15:27 - Problem 4: Underpaying Yourself16:49 - Problem 5: Flying Blind on the Numbers21:43 - Problem 6: Finding and Keeping Great Staff

Robin Sowden-Taylor added Hyrox to his gym and credits it with bringing in 30+ new clients and thousands in extra revenue.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with Rob, owner of ION Strength & Conditioning in Wales, who opens up his books and shares the exact ROI he's getting from Hyrox. He breaks down what he's paying, what he's earning and how the program has improved lead generation and member retention—without changing his gym's core identity.Rob runs Hyrox classes alongside his existing strength-and-conditioning model, filling underused class times while generating additional revenue and community engagement from Hyrox events.If you're considering affiliation or looking for a new revenue stream, tune in to hear exactly what Hyrox delivered for ION Strength & Conditioning.LinksHyrox in a CrossFit Gym Gym Owners UnitedBook a Call  1:02 - ROI on Hyrox affiliation6:13 - Rob's pricing and retention11:15 - Extra revenue from events12:52 - Is it difficult to get started?16:30 - Adding Hyrox to a CrossFit gym

Is affiliation worth it—or is it just another unnecessary expense?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper breaks down how to measure the true value of an affiliation or licensing agreement, using clear steps and real-world examples from brands such as CrossFit, Hyrox, CNU Stretch and Parisi Speed School.You'll learn what affiliation actually gives you (and what it doesn't), how it compares to franchising and where a brand fits into your gym's business structure. Coop introduces a simple ROI formula to help you determine whether affiliation is helping you attract clients, generate revenue and improve retention—or just adding complexity without a clear return.Whether you're considering affiliation or questioning the value of your current brand, this episode will help you make a data-driven decision instead of guessing.LinksAffiliation Comparison Chart Affiliation Value FormulaGym Owners UnitedBook a Call  0:01 - Intro0:49 - What does affiliation buy?5:13 - Where a brand fits in your gym9:01 - How to measure affiliation value11:07 - Other revenue from affiliation