The truth about gym profitability in 2026

🌎 Mateo Lopez sits down with Clark Hibbs from Yellow Rose Fitness to unpack the 90-day onboarding system that transformed his gym’s retention. Clark shares how consistent check-ins, personalized guidance, and clear structure help members stay for 30+ months.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Yellow Rose Fitness - (https://www.instagram.com/yellowrosefit/?hl=en) Yellow Rose Fitness(website) - https://yellowrosefitness.com🎙️ Listen On:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GymWorldWorldwide🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) Revenue and Initial Nutrition Focus(0:50) Introduction to Gym World and Guest(2:15) Yellow Rose Fitness Overview(3:50) Gym Culture and Customer Service(4:41) Onboarding Program Details(18:11) Nutrition Integration and Coaching(25:58) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(26:44) Tracking Attendance for Retention(30:18) Marketing and Sales Strategy(36:17) Automation and Systemization(38:49) Improve Onboarding Process(43:33) More Leads With Kilo

🌎 Every year, Two-Brain drops the State of the Industry report, the most complete look at what’s actually happening inside gyms. This week, John Franklin sits down with Chris Cooper to break down the 2025 numbers: why leads aren’t your problem, how semi-private models are taking over, and what’s really driving higher owner income.The real data. The real trends. No fluff.Download your free copy here: https://twobrainbusiness.com/the-state-of-the-fitness-industry-2025/P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/twobrain/ Two-Brain Business - https://www.instagram.com/twobrainbusiness/?hl=en Two-Brain Business (website) - https://twobrainbusiness.com/🎙️ Listen On:YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@GymWorldWorldwide 🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) Gym Industry Revenue and Coach Compensation(0:28) Introduction to State of the Industry(1:53) Starting a Gym from Scratch Today(3:43) Pivoting from Group to Semi-Private Coaching(4:40) Lead Nurture and Marketing Challenges(6:24) Lead Source Breakdown and Content Marketing(13:01) Revenue and Pricing Strategies(15:16) Semi-Private Coaching and Small Group Training(20:05) Attendance and Churn Prediction(25:44) Profitability and Sustainability(37:47) Future Trends and AI in the Fitness Industry

🌎 In this episode, host Mateo Lopez sits down with Conor Oakley from Forged Fitness to talk about one of the fastest-growing trends in fitness — HYROX. After nearly a decade as a CrossFit affiliate, Conor rebranded his gym and became Ottawa’s first HYROX partner.Mateo digs into how Conor made the switch, what it takes to integrate HYROX without losing your existing members, and why this model might be one of the best new opportunities for gym owners.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Forged Fitness - https://www.instagram.com/forged_fitness_hintonburg_/ Forged Fitness (website) - https://www.crossfithintonburg.com/ Ottawa Fitness League - https://www.instagram.com/ottawa_fitness_league/🎙️ Listen On:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GymWorldWorldwide🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) HYROX Trend and Gym World Introduction(2:34) Transitioning to HYROX(4:12) Impact on Existing Members and Introduction Strategy(9:18) Marketing and Retention Strategies(20:25) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(24:25) Challenges and Opportunities in the Market(26:03) Class Management and Staff Training(30:18) Community Events and Competitions(36:57) Future Plans and Expansion(43:44) Final Thoughts and Contact Information

🌎What happens when you blend a gym with a medical clinic? Jon Cheung figured it out. He built Evolve Strength — a hybrid fitness and healthcare model where trainers, physiotherapists, and specialists all work under one roof. It’s a system that keeps 7 gyms full, helps 15,000+ members, and generates up to $600K per month per location. Mateo Lopez talked to Jon about how he built it, how he structured leases for maximum efficiency, and why this “shopping mall for health and fitness” could be the future of gyms.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Evolve Strength - https://www.instagram.com/evolve_strength/Evolve Strength (website) - https://www.evolvestrength.ca🎙️ Listen On:YouTube: https://youtu.be/THEtj0faRL4🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) Gym Utilization and Equipment Rotation(2:23) Introduction to Evolve Strength(4:15) History and Evolution of Evolve Strength(6:33) Gym Layout and Equipment Selection(10:39) Reddit AMA and Equipment Feedback(13:50) Balancing Equipment Usage and Personal Trainers(17:02) Space Utilization and Revenue Generation(32:09) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(32:40) Sales Process and Business Education(44:45) Franchising and Expansion Plans(51:13) Startup Costs and Staffing(1:00:11) Future Plans and Market Strategy

🌎 John Franklin sits down with Josh Mildren and Benny Woolford from REVL Training — the duo who launched a gym franchise during COVID and grew it to 42 locations across five countries. They break down how REVL built an $11M global brand through tight programming, a proven presale playbook, and a focus on culture that’s fueling their next move into North America.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:REVL Training - https://www.instagram.com/revl.training/REVL Training (website) - https://revltraining.comJosh - https://www.instagram.com/joshmildren/Benny - https://www.instagram.com/bennywoolford/🔥 Show Notes:(0:00) Opening Global Locations and Initial Challenges(3:13) Gym Layout and Training Methodology(4:52) Impact of COVID-19 and Franchise Structure(7:11) Growth and Expansion Plans(18:21) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/) (18:52) Training Blocks and Community Building(21:22) Studio Economics and Staffing(30:43) Marketing and Member Engagement(38:10) Franchise Support and Growth(39:56) Future Plans and Market Entry

🌎 John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) chats with Joe Gaunt (https://www.instagram.com/joehealthlabshq) from Zeno Health Club. They talk about creating a standout client experience and Joe's new health and wellness venture that could soon reach the American market.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Zeno Health Club - https://www.instagram.com/zenohealthclub/Zeno Health Club (website) - https://zenohealthclub.com/Health Labs HQ - https://www.instagram.com/healthlabshq/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Joe and Zeno Health Club(7:08) The space(9:34) Membership packages and pricing (13:43) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(14:15) Marketing and member acquisition  (19:55) Challenges and lessons learned(22:26) Staffing the gym(25:18) HYROX affiliation(27:35) Advice for gym owners and social strategy(33:58) Health Labs HQ and future plans (40:53) Where to go to find Joe

🌎 We talk to a lot of gym owners on Gym World, but today John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) flips the script. Mateo Lopez sits down with him to find out exactly what John would do if he opened another gym tomorrow. From the type of gym he’d run to how he’d price it, this episode is packed with lessons you can apply to your own business.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing John(6:12) Buying vs. starting a gym(9:28) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(9:59) Acquiring a gym(12:24) Real estate and site selection(15:39) Niche models, pricing strategy, and premium facility(28:15) Hiring and retaining a good team(32:19) Non-negotiable processes and systems(35:02) Advice for new gym owners(39:20) Closing remarks

🌎 Ken Williams and Jessika Loving opened their first CrossFit gym well after the “peak era” of CrossFit. Today, they run four successful locations. In this conversation with Mateo Lopez, they break down how acquisitions, solid systems, and smart processes helped them grow after COVID and carve out a model that stands out in a crowded market.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Ken - https://www.instagram.com/kennywilliams30/Jessika -https://www.instagram.com/jessika_loving/?hl=enCrossFit SBR - https://www.instagram.com/crossfitsbr/D-Town CrossFit - https://www.instagram.com/dtowncrossfit/?hl=enCrossFit McKinney - https://www.instagram.com/crossfitmckinney/CrossFit Prosper - https://www.instagram.com/crossfitprospertx/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Ken & Jessika(5:51) Transition to CrossFit and initial challenges(11:16) Gym space and layout(18:22) Expansion (23:17) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(23:49) Acquisition and considerations for gym owners(34:34) Operational systems and processes(39:42) Front-end offer and conversion process(46:57) Future plans and where to find Ken & Jessika

🌎 Thinking about opening a gym or fixing the one you’ve got? Kilo CEO Kaleda Connell (https://www.instagram.com/heykaleda/?hl=en) joins Mateo Lopez to share the biggest lessons she’s learned as a gym owner and what she'd do differently if she started today. Get insights on pricing, space, staffing, and the systems that set gyms up for long-term success.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Kilo - https://www.instagram.com/kilogyms/Kilo (website) - https://usekilo.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Kaleda(5:36) Differences in the gym industry today(7:50) Pricing strategies(13:48) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(14:20) Staffing, admin tasks, and space(19:47) Selling the business(24:46) The role of software and automation(28:25) Lessons learned and advice for gym owners(35:01) Would Kaleda open a gym again?(36:59) Where to find Kaleda

🌎 Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion of suicide and related topics, which may be distressing to some viewers. View discretion is advised. John Franklin (https://www.instagram.com/johnisbuilding/) talks with Anthony Amen (https://www.instagram.com/anthonyamenfitness/) of Redefine Fitness. Anthony opens up about overcoming setbacks after COVID, the highs and lows of gym ownership, and what it takes to run a 7-figure business with a $90K-per month location.P.S. If you like the show, then you'll love the Gym World newsletter. Every Friday, John Franklin breaks down the possibilities of making money in the fitness industry. Subscribe here (https://usekilo.com/gym-world/) so you don't miss out.📱 Socials:Redefine Fitness - https://www.instagram.com/redefinefitnessli/Redefine Fitness (website) - https://redefine-fitness.com/🔥 Show Notes:(00:00) Introducing Anthony(1:11) Anthony's background and personal struggles(4:27) Transition to gym ownership(7:32) What is Redefine Fitness?(9:28) Run a successful gym with Kilo (visit https://usekilo.com/)(10:00) Challenges, successes, and building a strong team(23:07) Expansion and growth(28:54) Choosing the right location(33:43) Raising rates(35:55) Managing churn  (38:11) Marketing strategies(43:48) Advice for gym owners (51:05) Future aspirations and where to find Anthony