Chris Cooper's Blog, page 28

Two-Brain Tinkers: Wealth, Leadership, Lifestyle and Scaling

To watch this episode on YouTube, click here.

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Creating Millionaire Gym Owners: The Two-Brain Tinker Program

What happens when you own a stable, profitable gym business that pays you $100,000 a year or more?

You challenge yourself to go further as an entrepreneur.

When you aren’t scrambling to make rent while working 60-hour weeks, you can dream big. Instead of trying to survive, you get to focus on thriving.

What does “thriving” look like? It varies from gym owner to gym owner, but here are a few common characteristics:

Achieving a net-worth goal, usually $1 million to start.Achieving freedom of money and time while still young and healthy.Leaving a legacy for a family.Having an increasingly greater impact on the local community.

The program that helps gym owners accomplish these goals is called Tinker, and it’s the fourth phase of mentorship with Two-Brain.

Tinker Ready?

For a review of the first three phases of mentorship, read this post.

So when is a gym owner ready to move from stage three to stage four? The timelines vary, but, on average, we can get a gym owner to the Tinker level in two years, one month and nine days—regardless of starting point.

Gym is currently a tire fire you can see from space? No problem. We can help you fix it in about two years—if you’re willing to focus and do the work.

Some gym owners move much faster, and we’ve had people ascend into the Tinker program in less than 12 months (example: Bryce Broome).

In our mentorship program, we identify entrepreneurs who are reaching their net owner benefit (NOB) goals—usually $100,000 a year—and get on calls with them to talk about their plans for the future. Our mentors also recommend clients who aren’t quite at the $100,000 NOB level but have elite-level entrepreneurial skills and are pursuing Tinker-level projects, such as buying a building or opening a second location.

In general, gym owners are ready for Tinker when they have a profitable business, they have money to invest, they have the free time to ask “what’s next?” and they want to pursue personal growth in a group of like-minded people who will hold them accountable for accomplishing great things.

What great things have other Tinkers accomplished? Well, we’ve certified 54 millionaire gym owners overall and seven in the last quarter alone. That’s 54 fitness entrepreneurs who are dramatically improving their communities and creating financial legacies for their families.

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of other stuff that makes me smile from ear to ear:

One Tinker went from $0 in real estate to $2.5 million in under two years.Another went from a net worth of $400,000 to $2.4 million in three years.Another went from zero rental properties to nine doors in two years.Another gym owner hit $100,000 NOB, joined Tinker and grew the gym by 30 percent in the first year.Another took 10 vacations with their family in a year.Another partnered as an investor/mentor to run additional locations without day-to-day responsibilities.Another started a new business outside fitness that is currently earning $50,000 a month.Another grew their gym by 20 percent after growing just 1.5 percent the year before.Another increased NOB by $15,000 in a year.Another adjusted strategies and got back $40,000 in taxes.One Tinker bought a vacation home and took six holidays with family.
The Structure

How do we help entrepreneurs do all this?

The Tinker program rests on four pillars: wealth, leadership, lifestyle and scaling (current business or future businesses). We focus on helping gym owners improve in each area.

To do that we use these tools:

A detailed on-ramp curriculum, including resources on decision making, leadership, financial foundations, long-term vision, ROI generation and more.Four meetups a year in person, with expert speakers, workshops, 90-day sprint plans and networking.Weekly mastermind breakout calls focused on the four pillars, with peer support.A coach to hold each Tinker accountable with biweekly calls/check-ins.Calls with a Tinker mentor when needed.Monthly/bimonthly webinars from expert speakers (wealth building, branding, SEO, advanced sales tactics, etc.).A Tinker-specific toolkit with resources for elite-level gym owners.A dedicated Facebook group in which Tinkers interact and support each other.

ROI in the Tinker program is measured in different ways:

For financial goals, we can measure net-worth growth.For scale-related goals, we look at NOB and specific goals attached to existing or new businesses.Leadership-related ROI is measured by staff retention and career growth, as well as the Tinker’s effective hourly rate (EHR, or income divided by hours worked).Lifestyle goals are harder to measure, but increasing vacation days and time spent with family give us a starting point. Tools such as a “happiness quotient” provide additional insight, but the greatest proof of lifestyle ROI is often when a Tinker hits a self-selected balance of time off and time passionately invested in businesses.
Challenge Yourself and Grow!

It’s common for our mentors to tell clients “you’re ready for Tinker” and have those clients question their readiness. That’s normal. “Impostor syndrome” is a real thing—even for longtime Tinkers. Fear of leaving the comfort zone is common, too.

Think about telling a gym client, “You’re ready to deadlift 400 lb.” A few will race to the bar and lift, while many others will look nervous and unsure even though you, the coach, know they have the strength.

It’s the same with entrepreneurship: Our expert mentors know when a client is ready to join our top gym owners in the Tinker program.

When you are in a room full of people who make you feel welcomed but challenged, then you’re in the right room. We’ve developed the Tinker program to push you to achieve great things and reach your full potential. You’ll have the support of the mentor team and every other Tinker as you set goals, make plans and execute. We’ll celebrate your successes, too.

As a group, we believe in each other and motivate each other, but we don’t accept self-limitation and complacency. We work through those issues to find success.

And the results speak for themselves. We have the data and the numbers. We’re cranking out new millionaires every quarter. If you participate in the program, utilize the resources, believe in yourself, connect with your peers, do the hard work and listen to your mentor, you will get results.

If you’re nearing your net owner benefit goal and asking “what’s next?” your mentor will be talking to you about Tinker very soon.

If you’re in the earlier stages of mentorship, consider this a preview of what’s to come if you stick to the plan and keep putting in the work every day.

And if you don’t work with a Two-Brain mentor yet, the average gym owner can reach the Tinker level in just over two years if they do the right things at the right time.

To hear more about an exact plan to help you earn $100,000 a year and reach millionaire net worth as a gym owner, book a call here.

The post Creating Millionaire Gym Owners: The Two-Brain Tinker Program appeared first on Two-Brain Business.

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Gym Management Software in 2024

What Is Gym Management Software?

Gym management software is designed to help gym owners and other fitness professionals efficiently manage their day-to-day operations by simplifying many of the administrative duties involved in running a gym, like member management, scheduling and payment processing.

Many gym management systems have expanded to include lead nurture and other marketing tools, as well as add-ons and integrations for tasks like programming and workout tracking, with the goal of providing all-in-one functionality.

Why Gym Management Software Is Essential

Running a gym is no easy task, especially in today’s competitive fitness industry. Gyms are offering more and more services—group, small group/semi-private, personal training and nutrition, to name a few—and growing to serve an increasing number of members. 

With this growth comes rising costs and a greater need for efficiency. That’s where gym management software comes in. The right software can streamline operations and keep business organized, saving gym owners valuable time and money, while allowing them to focus on optimizing and growing their businesses.

Who Needs Gym Management Software?

Anyone who operates a fitness facility—whether it’s CrossFit, functional fitness, personal training, HIIT or martial arts—needs gym management software.

Most gym owners got into this business simply because they want to help others. And now more than ever, people need gyms. Healthspan and lifespan are on the decline, as Two-Brain founder and CEO Chris Cooper has discussed extensively. A thriving gym can help more people get healthier and fitter—but to have a successful gym, owners can’t afford to be encumbered by unnecessary paperwork and admin tasks. 

Key Features to Look for in Gym Management Software

When deciding which software is best for your gym, consider the following key features and compare them against your gym’s needs. 

Member Management

Explore the software’s features for member management. Can you view clients’ visit and purchase histories and account balances? Can you send them contracts, waivers and other documents through the platform? Are there tools for communication, engagement and retention?

Class and Scheduling Management

Look for features related to class and appointment scheduling and management. Can clients manage their own bookings? Does your gym need a class waitlist feature? Do you want clients and staff to receive automated scheduling notifications? Are there tools for managing class sizes? 

Billing and Payment Processing

Does the software include automated billing and integrated payment processing? What is the fee per transaction? Can fees be passed to clients? Can clients make credit card and ACH payments? Does the software allow you to sell packages or memberships? Does it have retail capabilities?

Marketing and Communication Tools

Are there built-in marketing and communication tools? Are these priced separately as add-ons? Can you build email campaigns and send SMS notifications? Does the software integrate with social media? Can you manage your leads and sales pipeline through the platform?

Reporting and Analytics

How user-friendly is the reporting dashboard? Can you easily pull performance metrics, member activity reports and financial reports? Do these reports contain all of the key metrics you’ll need for your business? 

Integration With Other Tools

What tools does the software offer integrations with? SugarWod, Mailchimp, Zapier, QuickBooks, or any other tools you use regularly? Does it have an open API so you can add custom integrations in the future? 

If the gym management software is missing any features your business needs—like 24/7 access or a customer relationship management system (CRM)—make sure integrations are available to fill these gaps.

User Experience and Support

Is the software easy to use for the owner, staff and clients? How steep is the learning curve? Does it contain significantly more features than your gym requires? How often do users report glitches or outages? Is the software mobile friendly? Does it have an app, and if so, can it be custom-branded to your gym? How supportive is the customer service team? Is the software regularly updated to keep up with industry trends and user feedback?

The Purpose of This Guide

This guide is not intended to recommend any particular software; it is designed to help you make an informed decision about what gym management system will work best for your gym.

We evaluated each gym management software based on the features stated on its website, feedback collected from Two-Brain’s free, private Facebook group, Gym Owners United, which has over 9,000 gym owners from around the world, and public Reddit forums, along with real user reviews from the software evaluation platforms G2 and Capterra.

When evaluating and comparing the software, we looked at the key features discussed above—member management, class scheduling and management, billing and payment processing, marketing and communication tools, reporting and analytics, integration with other tools, and user experience and support.

Top Gym Management Software in 2024

Based on our research, the top six gym management software in 2024 are, in no particular order:

PushPressWodifyMindbodyKiloGymMasterZen Planner

We’d also like to give honorable mentions to:

WodBoardWODHOPPERBeyond the Whiteboard (btwb)WellnessLivingTriibPike13Glofox

Now, let’s dive into our analyses of the top six software. 

PushPressOverview

CEO Dan Uyemura set out to create PushPress after struggling with existing platforms at the CrossFit gym he attended. The company’s goal is for its software to be inexpensive, easy to use and make gym management simple. Since its launch in 2013, PushPress has grown to a team of 86 and serves over 2,000 fitness businesses worldwide. Last year, PushPress upgraded its appointments feature, allowing clients to book appointments and pay on their own—remedying our main critique in past reviews.

Real User Feedback

PushPress offers flexibility by allowing users to stack features they need. Users praise its ease of use, quick implementation, and intuitive interface for both gym staff and members. Several users highlight its excellent customer support and note that the company works to constantly improve the product and adapt to industry trends. Gym owners appreciate the variety of features and integrations available and say the software helps them streamline operations and make data-driven decisions. 

Some users find the reporting tools clunky, incomplete, and difficult to use. Users report experiencing glitches around lead management, payment processing, and websites not properly integrating with Google. Others express frustration with not being able to perform all admin tasks from the mobile app.

Pros and ConsProsConsUser-friendly
Easy to implement
Customer supportClunky reporting
Workflow glitches
Limited mobile functionalityPricing

PushPress gym management software ranges in price from $0 to $229 USD per month, based on the gym’s size and desired features.

PushPress uses Stripe for payment processing, and credit card fees range by plan from 2.75% to 4.19% plus 30¢ for all plans. They charge between .79% and 2.19% plus 30¢ for ACH payments. In both ranges, the highest percentage fee is for its free plan.

Best For

PushPress’s ease of use and free plan for gyms with up to 100 members makes it an excellent choice for small gyms and new gyms looking to grow. 

WodifyOverview

Wodify was founded by Ameet Shah in 2012 to help gym owners streamline operations and improve member experiences. Initially focused on CrossFit gyms, it has grown into a comprehensive platform used by over 5,000 fitness businesses around the globe. In 2023, Wodify introduced a new CEO, Brendan Rice, who aims to strengthen the company’s role in helping fitness businesses grow through technology. Under his leadership, Wodify has introduced new product strategies, like the option to pass payment processing fees to customers and a “Free Unlimited” plan.

Real User Feedback

Users describe Wodify as an all-in-one solution, packaging multiple features into one convenient platform. Gym owners and clients find the interface easy to use and note that recent updates have enhanced the app’s functionality, making day-to-day interactions smoother. While some users report issues with support, others praise Wodify’s team for being responsive and professional and appreciate having dedicated account managers and transparent updates. Users appreciate the ability to track long-term workout data and find Wodify’s custom reporting tools valuable for deep-diving into business metrics. 

Many users express frustration with Wodify’s back-end interface and report glitches, freezes, and loading issues, especially from mobile devices, with several users criticizing the overall lack of functionality on mobile devices. Some users say that Wodify’s customer support falls short, noting unresolved issues and lack of communication, as well as unexpected rate increases without prior notice. A few users report struggling with failed transactions and issues with refunds, while others note high payment processing fees. 

Pros and ConsProsConsEase of use
All-in-one solution
Custom reporting toolsLack of mobile functionality
Back-end interface issues
Rate increasesPricing

As of 2024, Wodify offers a free plan, called “Free Unlimited,” supported by a 7.5% service fee added onto client transactions. Pricing for Wodify’s other plans—Engage, Grow and Promote—ranges from $99 to $299 USD.

Credit card payments on Wodify incur a fee between 2.6% and 3% depending on the plan plus 30¢, and ACH payment fees are 1.5% plus 30¢ across all plans.

Best For

Wodify’s features make it a great fit for CrossFit gyms that need workout tracking. 

Additional Resources 

Check out Two-Brain’s interview with Wodify CEO Brendan Rice here, discussing the software’s newest features in 2024.

MindbodyOverview

Founded in 2001 by Rick Stollmeyer, Mindbody provides software solutions for wellness businesses like gyms, salons and spas. Initially a desktop program, Mindbody transitioned to a cloud-based system in 2005 and quickly became a leader in the fitness and wellness industry. In 2021, the company acquired ClassPass, whose CEO Fritz Lanman took over as Mindbody CEO in 2022. 

Real User Feedback

Users appreciate Mindbody’s comprehensive features and add-on options, as well as its ability to handle complex structures like contracts and recurring payments. Users praise its detailed analytics and reporting capabilities. Long-term users, especially those with large gyms, appreciate the software’s reliability. Gym owners and members appreciate the mobile app and say it provides a streamlined user experience. 

While feedback on customer support varies, with some users reporting positive experiences, many report poor customer service, citing long waits for responses, difficulties resolving issues, and feeling like they are not prioritized. Mindbody is often criticized for its price, especially by smaller gyms that do not need all of its features, and several users express frustration with unexpected price hikes. Many users also note that the software’s payment processor comes with high fees, making the software even more expensive. Users report frequent system downtime at inconvenient times, and some see the back-end software as overly complex with many buried features. Other users complain about the lack of customization and flexibility for tasks like booking, attendance, and website integration and describe the dashboard as outdated compared to its competitors. 

Pros and ConsProsConsReliability
Quality of product
Robust featuresCost
Poor customer support
ComplexityPricing

Mindbody offers four plans with different levels of features—Starter, Accelerate, Ultimate and Ultimate Plus. Pricing ranges from $169 to $699 USD per month.

For U.S. transactions, Mindbody charges a 3.5% plus 15¢ fee for remote payments, 2.75% for payments made using a physical card reader, with an additional 15¢ fee for tap-to-pay, and 1% plus 50¢ for ACH transactions. Information on international transactions can be found on their website.

Best For

Mindbody is best suited for multi-location gyms or gyms looking for complex functionality.

KiloOverview

Kilo was founded in 2020 with a focus on making life easier for gym owners. Kilo offers three main products: a Gym Website, Gym Lead Machine, which is a website with built-in marketing automations, and The Kilo Stack—everything included in Gym Lead Machine plus gym management software.

Real User Feedback

Users note that Kilo’s comprehensive lead generation tools and intuitive sales pipeline have led to better client acquisition. Reviews also highlight their website building service, saying it has made their sites more attractive and easy to find. Users consistently praise the responsiveness and helpfulness of the customer support team, stating they quickly address issues and go above and beyond to assist gym owners. Gym owners appreciate that Kilo consolidates multiple systems into one platform, saving them time and money by reducing the need for additional software. Some users highlight Kilo’s strong mobile capabilities, making it easy for gym owners to manage their businesses on the go. Gym owners appreciate that Kilo is frequently updated with new features, keeping up with industry trends and customer needs.

Some users note that the software has a bit of a learning curve due to its complexity of features, but note that after becoming familiar with the interface, it proves to be user-friendly and efficient. Some feedback suggests reporting options could be more customizable for tracking lead quality and organizing lead data. A few users noted Kilo’s high price point.

Pros and ConsProsConsResponsive customer service
Consolidates multiple systems
Strong mobile capabilitiesCost
Learning curve
Does not offer gym management software as a standalone product Pricing

Kilo’s gym management software, The Kilo Stack, which also includes a website and marketing automation software, is currently priced at $550 USD every four weeks (or $5,500 annually) with a $999 set up fee.

Kilo uses Stripe to process payments. Credit card payments incur a 2.9% plus 30¢ processing fee, and ACH payment fees are 0.8%.

Best For

Kilo’s bundled packaging positions it as the obvious solution for gyms looking for an all-in-one website, marketing and gym management software. 

Additional Resources 

Check out Two-Brain’s interview with Kilo CEO and co-founder Kaleda Connell here, where she talks about her journey from gym ownership to becoming CEO of a startup tech company. 

GymMasterOverview

GymMaster, founded in 1997, is a cloud-based gym management software featuring 24/7 access control. Used across over 75 countries, GymMaster aims to maximize productivity in gyms of all sizes by offering a comprehensive solution that is accessible from any internet-capable device. 

Real User Feedback

Gym owners note that the software is very user-friendly, making it easy for both experienced staff and new hires to navigate the platform. GymMaster’s customer service is praised for being responsive, kind, and helpful. Users consider it a more affordable option than some of its competitors, especially for gyms looking for 24/7 access control. Users appreciate being able to automate tasks like billing and class booking and comment that the software’s comprehensive features simplify gym operations. Gym owners value the software’s Bluetooth-based access control system.

Some users report frequent glitches with the software, including malfunctions with door scanners, but note that customer service is quick to resolve these issues. A few users noted difficulty transferring data over to GymMaster from their previous gym management software. As GymMaster is based out of New Zealand, users note that it can be challenging to coordinate times with customer service. 

Pros and ConsProsConsCustomer service
Ease of use
Data collectionLack of features
Back-end complexity
System errorsPricing

GymMaster’s pricing is based on the size of the gym, and aside from access control, all plans include the same features. For gyms that do not need access control, GymMaster’s pricing ranges from $89 to $209 USD per month. With access control, it is $129 to $249 per month. They also offer an Enterprise option for multi-location gyms.

GymMaster allows users to choose from several third-party providers for payment processing, including Stripe, Bluefin, Paysafe, and Square (see the full list here). More information on these provider’s fees can be found by following the hyperlinks. On top of these fees, GymMaster charges an additional 20¢ on each Stripe transaction.

Best For

GymMaster’s Bluetooth-based access control system makes it the clear choice for 24/7 gyms, and its low starting price offers a strong option for new or small gyms.

Zen PlannerOverview

Zen Planner was founded in 2006 as an all-in-one software solution for martial arts studios. Since then, it has grown to serve fitness businesses around the world. In 2019, Zen Planner’s parent company, Daxko acquired the workout software SugarWOD and began offering an integration between the two software—though the agreement is nonexclusive and SugarWOD continues to work with other platforms.

Real User Feedback

Zen Planner users praise the intuitive interface and ease of managing members, invoicing, and scheduling, and note that the reporting feature is robust and adaptable. Customer service is generally seen as responsive and helpful, though some users note poor communication with the Zen Planner team. Users appreciate how well the system handles class sign-ins across multiple devices. 

The software is criticized for outdated and redundant features, particularly its email and calendar systems. Users express frustration over high payment processing fees and frequent system crashes. Some users find the platform to be clunky and find features to be confusing. Others note that the software is best suited for martial arts studios. 

Pros and ConsProsConsCustomer support
Ease of use
Robust reportingCost
Limited customization
Outdated Pricing

Zen Planner’s pricing ranges from $99 to $348 USD per month, depending on desired features. All tiers include the same membership management options and access to the SugarWOD integration, but other features vary by plan. 

Zen Planner has recently switched over to its own internal payment processor. Credit card transactions accrue a 3.13% fee plus 31¢, and gyms are charged $32.94 per month for this service, as well as a $10.62 “Card Account Updater” fee. ACH/EFT processing is an optional service with a 63¢ fee per transaction and a $25 monthly spend minimum. Users can opt-out of using Zen Planner Payments and use a third-party payment processor, but it would not be integrated into the software.

Best For

ZenPlanner’s level tracking and family management systems make it an ideal choice for martial arts studios and gymnastics gyms.

Comparison Table: Top Gym Management Software

How to Choose the Right Software for Your Gym

Remember that gym management software is not one-size-fits-all. What’s best for a large multi-location gym might not work as well for a small personal training studio. Consider your gym’s type, size, budget and unique attributes. To ensure you find the best possible solution for your gym, take advantage of demos and free trials before making a final decision. 

Considerations for Switching 

For those who already have gym management software, the idea of switching can be daunting, especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and money into your current system. 

Current Pain Points

If you’re thinking about making a switch, start by identifying the pain points of your existing software. Have you already explored solutions with its customer service team? Sometimes, as Wodify CEO Brendan Rice stated during the software panel at this year’s Two-Brain Summit, customers are underutilizing available features, often because they simply aren’t aware of them.

If you have not been able to find a solution with your current provider, consider the pros and cons of switching to a new one. Will the new software solve your pain points? How much of an impact will this have on your gym’s operations? 

Downtime and Data Migration

Consider the potential for system downtime, and do your due diligence to ensure there will be a smooth migration process for critical data, like membership information, class schedules and contracts. Check if your new software platform offers assistance with this migration. 

Keep in mind that some providers hold your customers’ credit card information hostage and either will not give it to you or will charge you as much as $1,000 to transfer it to a new provider. In some countries, it is illegal to transfer recurring ACH info from provider to provider, making the transition even more difficult.

Contracts and Hidden Costs

When considering the pricing of a new gym management provider, be sure to factor in the cost of credit card fees and other hidden transaction fees, as these vary from provider to provider. It’s also crucial that you read over your contract with your current gym management software to ensure you are actually able to make a switch; some contracts lock you in for up to three years.

Staff Training

Finally, consider the time needed to get your team comfortable using the new software; finding a platform with strong customer support is especially valuable when making a transition like this.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that your new software offers long-term value that will outweigh the short-term inconveniences that come with switching. 

The Future of Gym Management Software

Gym management software has certainly come a long way since our last review in 2022. New trends and technology have emerged, like greater all-in-one functionality, artificial intelligence (AI) tools and passing fees to consumers. 

Emerging Trends and Technologies All-in-One Functionality

Companies like Kilo are redefining what it means to be an “all-in-one” gym software provider. In the past, this term typically referred to a gym management system that boasted features for member management, class scheduling, payment processing and reporting. Now, many gym owners are drawn to companies that also provide customer relationship management software (CRM), comprehensive marketing tools/automations, website development and search engine optimization. Gym owners are also looking for software that allows a variety of integrations, ensuring all of their needs can be met from one simple platform. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

GymMaster and Kilo have begun to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into their features, and others will likely follow suit. GymMaster has integrated with OpenAI to offer an AI writing assistant, while Kilo offers premium add-ons for AI content writing, an AI booking bot, and conversation AI to automate text, email, and social media responses. 

Passing Fees to Customers

This year, Wodify introduced the option to pass on processing fees to customers, and its Free Unlimited plan takes this a step further by allowing gym owners to use the software for free in exchange for customers paying higher fees. Similarly, ZenPlanner’s “Flex Fee” feature allows gyms to add their own fee to each transaction to offset their expenses. These models are likely to pave the way for similar features from other gym management providers.

Conclusion

The wide market for gym management software offers excellent options to suit gyms of all types and sizes. PushPress stands out for small and new gyms due to its free plan and ease of use, while Wodify is a good choice for CrossFit gyms or other gyms that need comprehensive workout tracking. Mindbody’s powerful features are well suited for large, multi-location gyms, and Kilo offers gyms of all kinds an all-in-one solution that integrates gym management with marketing automation and website development. GymMaster is ideal for 24/7 access gyms, and Zen Planner is a reliable option for martial arts and gymnastics gyms.

As you make your decision, consider your gym’s top priorities and budget. We recommend narrowing your search down to your top three choices and scheduling demos for each. Bring a list of questions to these demos to make sure the software meets your needs. Many platforms also offer free trials that allow you to explore their features.

FAQs
What are the steps for implementing gym management software?Identify your needs.Research and compare software options.Request demos and free trialsChoose a software.Plan the migration of data (if switching from an existing platform).Train your staff.Go live, and monitor performance.
Where can I find additional resources to help me choose a gym management software?Our interview with Kilo CEO Kaleda Connell Our interview with Wodify CEO Brendan Rice“Transaction Fees: Eat Them or Pass Them On to Clients”Recap on the software panel at the 2024 Two-Brain Summit (26:01-28:22)CapterraG2 

Click here to book a call and talk about mentorship.

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Best Gym Management Software in 2024 appeared first on Two-Brain Business.

Earn $100,000 a Year as a Gym Owner Through Mentorship

You probably don’t need more knowledge to improve your gym.

In fact, I bet you have too much knowledge already. You can Google just about any topic and find an answer or ask AI to create a plan to improve your business.

So why are so many gym owners still struggling?

Because there’s too much info out there, and it’s overwhelming. When you have 1,000 options, it’s hard to select one, so most of us either choose nothing or work on too many things at once.

That’s where a mentor makes all the difference in the world.

A mentor’s job is to help you decide exactly what action to take at the right time and then provide the accountability you need to actually do the work. By working with a mentor, you’ll cut through the noise so you can make the most progress in the shortest amount of time.

We deliver our mentorship in distinct stages so we can give you exactly what you need “right now.”

Your gym is unique, and I don’t want you to have a carbon copy of my gym or your mentor’s gym or anybody else’s gym. I want to help you optimize your gym, so our mentorship plan is flexible. We can speed up or slow down as you need to; the timelines I’ve laid out below are approximate.

Here’s a quick brief on the first two stages of mentorship:

Phase 1

Goal: Generate quick wins and new revenue by building and selling a high-value service to high-value clients (we do this fast).

Mentor contact: Every seven to 10 days.

Plan: You’ll do the work with a mentor. No course, no toolkit at this point. You get on a call and actually do the work with an expert so you win early, gain momentum and establish great habits.

Timeline: 6-8 weeks

Phase 2

Goal: Accumulate habits so you can grow your gym forever.

Mentor contact: Every 10 days.

Plan: You’ll complete projects that will give you total control of your business operations. Areas of focus include retention, sales and marketing, finances and metrics, and client journey. You’ll build a dashboard for your business and learn to analyze your gym and solve problems as a CEO.

Timeline: 2-3 months.

And here’s a detailed look at the third stage of mentorship for gym owners.

Phase 3

Goal: Increase profitability and create careers—for you and your staff. First target: $100,000 net owner benefit (or your personal profit goal).

Mentor contact: Every two weeks or every month.

Plan: Dashboard analysis with a mentor and use of targeted tactics to improve key metrics fast.

Timeline: Variable based on your exact goal and level of focus (some people move very fast in this stage).

The third phase of mentorship is about growth. We’ll teach to how to optimize your gym by going all in on your marketing and sales, your team and your product. You’ll create careers for yourself and your team members. You’re going to turn the habits you built in the previous stages into entrepreneurial skills that will serve you for the rest of your life in any business you run.

To succeed at this level of entrepreneurship, you must become a CEO: You’ll learn how to develop your team and improve profitability. (Quick look ahead: Can you see how those skills could help you in any business venture you ever pursue?)

In this stage of business, you cannot create opportunities and careers for your staff until you’ve proven that you know how to create a great career for yourself. You are the test case for your business.

If your business can’t pay you a salary, you have no business offering anybody else a salary, right? You must prove that you know how to create a career and that your business is strong enough to support you. As you work toward your profit goal—$100,000 is a common starting point—you’ll learn how to create opportunity and income for others, too. But you come first.

This stage is about growth: You’ll focus on “doing the reps,” polishing skills and constantly upgrading your business. To help you, we have a massive toolkit of plug-and-play resources you can use. But we don’t just dump the pile in your lap. Remember, it’s not about knowledge.

Here’s the process: You’ll get on a one-on-one call with your mentor every two weeks or every month, and you’ll dig into your metrics by accessing the dashboard you built in phase 2. Your dashboard will allow you and your mentor to see what’s most important right now.

Do you need more revenue? More clients? Is your average revenue per member (ARM) too low? Is your retention weak? Are your expenses too high? Do you need more leads or a way to get leads to book appointment? Do you need to get better at sales?

Without a dashboard, you can’t determine what to focus on. I wasted years doing too many things at once and putting in work that didn’t measurably improve key performance indicators.

Now, you and your mentor can look at your dashboard and say, “Here is our biggest opportunity right now. And here is exactly how we’re going to make an extra thousand dollars next month.”

(I’ll give you a secret tip: Our mentors are all working to get you an extra thousand dollars on every single call—minimum.)

Here’s an example: Your dashboard shows that your greatest opportunity is increasing head count. So your mentor lays out a plan to get five more clients at $300 each. You’ll get exact instructions on how to use our toolkit to get those five clients, and your mentor will check the steps off as you complete the tasks. This isn’t rah-rah, go-get-‘em, motivational stuff. This is data-backed, nuts-and-bolts, do-exactly-this-right-now stuff.

On the next call, you repeat the process: Analyze, plan, execute.

This is what entrepreneurial growth is all about: It’s learning new things and adding them to the things that you are already doing on repeat. That’s how your business compounds and grows.

And that’s how we’re getting gym owners to earning $100,000 in profit in an average of two years, one month and nine days—regardless of starting point.

Think about that: Even if your gym is in very bad shape right now and you’re barely paying yourself, you could be earning $100,000 a year in about two years’ time (or less if you move fast).

Real-Life Results

Want to see this process in real life? Bryce Broome, owner of Souris Valley CrossFit, worked with great focus and moved very fast:

He used a mentor to open his gym.He matched the salary of his previous job in his first month after opening.He reached $100,000 net owner benefit within three months of opening.He joined our Tinker program (see below) eight months after opening.

Here’s a 90-second summary from Bryce himself:

What’s Next?

The end of the third stage is really when you hit your profit goal—often but not always $100,000 a year.

After that, you’ll be invited to enter the fourth phase of mentorship—the Tinker program.

That’s where things become very fun: You get to unleash your habit-formed entrepreneurial skills to super-size your gym business or any other venture you want to focus on.

You’ll level up as a leader, scale your business, invest externally, fix your lifestyle, hang out regularly with other top entrepreneurs, think like an investor and learn to mentor staff.

Here’s what just a few Tinkers have done through mentorship:

One went from $0 in real estate to $2.5 million in less than two years.Another took just three years to drive net worth up from $400,000 to $2.4 million.A third reached $100,000 net owner benefit and then grew their gym by another 30 percent in the first year of Tinker.And all our Tinkers are helping clients become fitter and healthier in stable, profitable gyms that provide great careers for staff members.

Again, we’re getting gym owners to the Tinker level in an average of two years, one month and nine days—regardless of starting point.

And we’re helping gym owners move faster: It took us seven years to produce the first 26 millionaire gym owners but only seven months to produce the next 26.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s develop a high-speed, tactical plan to accomplish your goals today.

To find out more about how you can work with a mentor to live the life you want, book a call here.

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Stages of Two-Brain Mentorship: From Quick Wins to $100k and Beyond

To watch this episode on YouTube, click here.

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Exactly How Top Gym Owners Plan for Tough Months

You need an emergency financial plan for your business.

If you don’t have one, you’ll:

Lose a lot more sleep than you should.Lose investment income because you’re holding too much cash in your business.Panic when you have small revenue dips.Inadvertently grow small dips into major problems.Take the wrong actions at a desperate time.Risk going under completely.

None of that is good, and a simple plan will put you in a much better position.

Two-Brain mentor and gym owner Kenny Markwardt presented “When the S*$& Hits the Fan” to our Tinker group of upper-level gym owners in Ohio in late September, and I dug into his emergency plan on “Run a Profitable Gym.”

I’ll give you the early steps here to put you on the right track.

First, Kenny breaks down financial downturns into revenue drops of 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent. A 10 percent drop is concerning but not cause for panic if you’re prepared to take corrective steps beyond “hope it gets better.”

Drops of 20-30 percent are dangerous and require swift action. A 40 percent drop is a full-on emergency—the kind of wound that will kill a business fast (think, “pandemic”).

Our Tinker clients got a complete Income Stress Test calculator so they could crunch numbers on a spreadsheet.

The goal: Help gym owners balance cash flow (including alternative sources of revenue) and cash reserves against costs.

On “Run a Profitable Gym,” Kenny and I batted about various sound strategies for dealing with downturns once you know how much you’ve lost and how much you need to get back above water. They range from running a specialty program and starting Goal Review Sessions with clients all the way to laying off staff and talking to a landlord about lease payment adjustments.

The point here: You have options in every situation (and a mentor can help you choose the one that will bring the greatest return on the shortest timeline).

Your First Step

Kenny’s exercise is fantastic—it’s like getting a financial AED and bolting it to the wall of your business just in case something bad happens.

So where should you start today?

You don’t have to jump in at the deep end and create a detailed plan for a 40 percent revenue drop. That would be overwhelming if you’re on your own.

Here’s your starting point: Start by tracking your finances carefully this month, then keep doing so.

You’ll need to create or obtain a profit-and-loss statement and learn how to read it. Figure out your where your money is going and what return you’re getting on your expenses. How much cash is coming in—and when? What’s your profit margin?

That’s Point A. Without that info, you can’t make any plans. Once you run your numbers, you’ll have the data you need to prepare for downturns—or to increase revenue and profit.

If you aren’t tracking these numbers, spend an hour doing so today—or spend the hour connecting with a bookkeeper or accountant who can provide what you need. It will be time well invested, and it’s a step toward joining the ranks of upper-level gym owners who are laying detailed plans for tough times.

If this first step seems overwhelming, or if you run your numbers but don’t know what to do next, here’s your plan: Book a call to talk to a mentor who can teach you how to track your metrics and do exactly what’s needed to improve them.

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When the S&*$ Hits the Fan: Preparing for Downturns at Your Gym

To watch this episode on YouTube, click here.

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Rep Week: Getting More Clients Through Current Clients

The best new clients come from your current clients.

This is an established truth in the fitness industry.

When a client refers a friend, you get someone:

Who already knows your service.Who already knows your rate (and can probably afford it).Who already has at least one friend in your gym.Who already knows what to expect.Who already knows, likes and trusts you—this regard is very hard to buy, no matter how much money you spend on ads.

The problem with referrals: Waiting for them doesn’t work.

Waiting is far too passive. You can wait all year for “the gym” to come up in a conversation between a client and a work buddy.

And your clients aren’t salespeople: They’re not going to convince their friends to join (but you could).

Affinity Marketing takes the process from passive to active. And you’re not even asking for referrals; you’re asking how you can help. This is a major difference. If you present your offer in the right way, it won’t feel like a sales pitch to your clients. It’s just a helpful proposal from a trusted coach.

To deliver your offer smoothly, you must practice.

Go through the Affinity Marketing plan at least 20 times in the next few days. Practice on your dog, on your neighbor or spouse, or in the mirror. 

Helping, Not Selling

In Goal Review Sessions with clients (full plan here), you have built-in opportunities for Affinity Marketing.

When you ask a current client “are you happy with the progress you’ve made?” and the client says “yes!” then you should continue on the current path and turn to marketing.

Say: “That’s great. We’re super proud of you!”

Pull out your camera and ask if you can film a short video. Hit record and ask, “What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about my gym before you joined?”

Next, ask, “Who’s been the most helpful to you on your journey? I’d like to send a thank-you card.”

Finally, get a name and contact information, then reach out and offer to help the client’s spouse, coworker, friend, etc. Be very specific.

Two examples of how to do that:

Ask your client: “How would you feel about calling them right now, while I’ve got you here?”

This is 50-50; some clients won’t feel comfortable, and that’s fine. If the client agrees, call the new lead and say, “Hey, Brian! I’m sitting here with Sam and we were just talking about you! She’d like to invite you in to work out with her. What do you say?”

Practice asking your client for a contact and permission to call, then practice the phone conversation!

If the client would rather not have you call a friend, you can email instead. CC your client on the email for credibility.

Subject line: [Your client’s name]

Text: Hey [lead name], I was just chatting with [client] and we agreed that we’d love to have you in for a partner workout. [Client’s] next appointment will be [exact date and time]. Can you make it?”

Your assignment: Practice Affinity Marketing 20 times in the next seven days!

Practice Building Relationships

Affinity Marketing—or any kind of marketing, really—makes many gym owners feel uncomfortable. But marketing is really just building relationships. It’s meeting new people and offering to help them.

The question I ask myself is this: “Do I care enough to overcome my awkwardness and help this person?”

That’s why the majority of new clients at my gym, Catalyst, come from the personal relationships I, our coaches and our clients make.

The thing that stops most gym owners from succeeding isn’t their knowledge: It’s their fear.

You overcome fear through practice.

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Rep Week: Simple Sales Scenarios to Boost Your Close Rate

When I visited Westside Barbell years ago, I was surprised (and a bit disappointed) to find all the lifters doing sets of 50.

I wanted to see bleeding noses and bulging eyeballs and 900 lb. on a bar. But Louie Simmons had everyone doing high-rep work that day.

He told me he wanted to help his elite lifters “hardwire” the movements. I was familiar with the concept in kids, but this was new: Even pros have to get a lot of basic reps in to make progress.

I always think of Louie, who died in 2022, whenever I remember this wisdom a friend shared with me: “Sales is a perishable skill.”

To help you keep your skills sharp, I’m going to give you some work to do. Put in the practice reps now so you’re ready when you’re sitting in the sales office with a client who badly needs your help.

Sell to Your Dog First

We’ve been tracking data on lead generation, appointment bookings and sales conversions for years.

Your ability to get people to join your gym really comes down to one thing: Your skill in getting interested people to sign up.

You must Help Best: Make the prescription that will help the client, then get the client to accept the prescription. If you don’t, you can’t help anyone get fitter.

The sales office is really the narrowest point in the funnel. Lead generation, lead nurture and ads—they’re much easier. The hard part is learning to say, “Would you like to join us?”

After tracking this data with more than a thousand gyms around the world, we know that teaching you the “how” isn’t the big difference maker.

The reps really make the difference.

Telling you exactly what to say is less important than telling you to practice saying it.

Even though experience counts, you shouldn’t get your reps on a live audience. It’s too expensive. Instead, practice on your coaches. Or your spouse. Or your dog. Or the mirror.

But you must practice if you want to thrive when a troubled parent who wants to provide a positive example for an overweight child is about to leave your office without signing up because she doesn’t want to feel stupid after getting tossed into a group class.

Today, I want you to practice the scenarios below five times each. If you’re really shy, practice in front of a mirror—top salespeople do it all the time.

Practice Reps: Sales 

1. A prospective client wants to lose 25 lb. in the next five months. Present your plan, including nutrition coaching and exercise. Present the price and ask the person to buy.

2. A lead comes to a No Sweat Intro and says, “I know what I need to do. I just need you to hold me accountable for doing it.” Close the deal.

3. A prospective client says they want to sign up but must check with a spouse. Help the person take action now.

4. A prospective clients says, “I need think it over. I’ll get back to you.” What do you say so you can start helping the person now?

5. A lead listens eagerly to your prescription and then says, “That’s more than I thought I’d pay for a gym membership.” What’s your response?

Bonus: A prospective client wants to earn a scholarship to a Division I football program. Your client avatar is 35-60-year-old professionals who have general health and fitness goals. Help the lead solve his problem.

Practice Is Progress

It doesn’t matter if these practice sessions go well. And it doesn’t matter if you feel like an idiot while you’re practicing. Stumbling, fumbling, hesitating—they’re all normal.

Just like your first lifts with a barbell felt weird, your first sales reps will feel weird. But we both know what happened when you practiced with the barbell. So push through the discomfort and think about the reward.

If you do, you’ll help more people get the results they want, you’ll create better careers for coaches, and you and your gym will earn more.

Need even more motivation to practice? Get this: If you can’t convince them to join your caring circle of fitness, they’ll waste their money somewhere else. They won’t benefit from your expertise, and they won’t accomplish their goals.

It’s really your duty to be good at this. So practice.

And if you have staff who sell, it’s your job to mentor them to success. Practice with them.

Either way, put in the reps so you can help more people.

Need some insight to help you nail your practice sessions? Check this out:

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Get Your Reps In: Practice Scenarios to Grow Your Gym

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