#35: What No One Tells You About Running an Open Gym (6 Hard Lessons)

We’re back after a short break, and today we’re diving into everything we’ve learned from running an open gym. It’s been nearly six years since we bought ours, and along the way, we’ve seen just about everything—good, bad, and downright ridiculous.

We’re sharing what’s worked, what’s gone wrong, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about opening your own gym. From designing the space to avoiding expensive mistakes, we break down the biggest lessons we’ve learned. We also talk about the unexpected challenges, like why gym equipment breaks more often than you think, how to handle failed payments without losing your mind, and why serving the right people (not just hardcore lifters) is the key to success.

If you’re a gym owner—or thinking about becoming one—this episode will help you avoid some major headaches.

**************************

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

And learn how to build, grow and scale your fitness studio.

Join 3,500+: gym owners here: https://www.thefitpreneur.com

*************************

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 – The biggest mistake small studios make

2:30 – Adjusting to life with two kids

5:55 – The journey of buying and growing an open gym

7:40 – Why gym layout matters more than you think

11:30 – The hidden costs of running an open gym

15:00 – Setting and enforcing gym rules (without exceptions)

19:10 – Why you need to keep gym marketing fresh

22:15 – The problem with serving only hardcore lifters

25:40 – How we handle failed payments (without chasing people)

*************************

FIND US ELSEWHERE:

Instagram: instagram.com/thecardybrothers

Facebook Page: facebook.com/cardybrothers

Twitter: x.com/cardybrothers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.