Do you have a “me” or a “we” fitness business? Zach Colman reveals the transformative concept of building a community brand in the fitness industry. He explains that a community brand is more than just a platform—it's an evolution from a personal brand to a collective ecosystem of shared values and experiences. Coleman emphasizes that modern fitness businesses must move beyond transactional interactions, recognizing that people now crave genuine connections and meaningful experiences. By focusing on core values, communication, and creating an environment where members feel understood, fitness leaders can differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
You’ll also hear from Jared Williams about the best equipment layout for your gym, as well as Hailey Rowe about a time management strategy that will help you stay organized and on track.
Key highlights from the episode:
Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Resources:
Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses - Website
Zach Coleman - LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram
GymMark - Website
Merch Sponsor:
Be a Merch Sponsor - Here
In The Trenches With A REXer:
Jared Williams - LinkedIn
The Dynamic Fitness - Website, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
REX Roundtables - Website and Email
Wise Words:
Hailey’s Website, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Hailey’s Podcast.
Trusted Suppliers:
Sarah Pellegrino - LinkedIn
Wellness Space - Website
Smart Health Clubs - Website
Saltbox - Website
Reinig Insurance - Website
Club Com - Website, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok
About Your Host: Justin "JT" Tamsett is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience who aims to reduce global healthcare costs by promoting physical activity. Through his company Active Management, he provides business coaching to fitness entrepreneurs, leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, and has spoken at over 40 conferences across 23 countries. His ultimate goal is to create a world of opportunity for his daughter Zoe by helping more people move and stay healthy, while empowering gym owners to build successful businesses that contribute to a healthier society
Related: Community Brand Development, Fitness Business Strategy, Brand Identity for Gyms, Athletic Brand Marketing, Fitness Community Building, Gym Member Experience, Values-Based Business Leadership, Fitness Industry Branding, Community-Focused Fitness, Gym Marketing Strategies, Personal Brand Evolution, Fitness Business Ecosystem, Member Retention Techniques, Athletic Brand Communication, Fitness Community Advocacy
With a staggering 181% increase in strength equipment usage between 2012 and 2022, as reported by Track My Gym, strength training has become the hottest trend in the fitness industry. In the first episode of the new season of the Fitness Business Podcast, host Justin Tamsett explores this trend with key expert Paul Byrne, as well as explores other key strategies with industry experts Jennifer Poljacik, David Steele, and Lauren Becker. The episode covers enhancing leadership, driving innovation, and boosting profits through developing a growth mindset, creating a strong culture, investing in team members, and leveraging technology to improve the member experience.
Key highlights from the episode:
- Paul Byrne discusses the strength training trend and its implications for gym businesses. This trend is driven by social media, influencers, and changing consumer preferences.
- Delivering exceptional customer service is crucial for gym businesses. Key strategies include defining service standards, understanding customer needs, and going the extra mile to create raving fans.
- Modern marketing in the fitness industry requires a shift from linear CRM processes to more organic and responsive interactions. Utilizing texting, AI, and retargeting ads can automate and speed up the marketing process, focusing on convenience, reviews, and ease of membership to attract and retain customers.
Our favorite quotable moments:
“Consider making your gym [micro] influencer friendly. You have a room in the back where you have good lighting, you have the equipment you need. They can go back there and make it a place where they like to come and shoot their content.” - Paul Byrne
“Creating the best customer experience can only benefit your bottom line and increase customer retention and staff satisfaction... One of the most helpful tools that I have used with my teams over the years is a wonderful book called Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles.” - Jennifer Poljacik
"It's time to rethink the way we think of our prospects and how they interact with us, to get them from looking at us - to membership... We need to make it better." - David Steele
Resources:
Fitness Business Podcast’s LinkedIn Community
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses - Website
Paul Byrne - LinkedIn
Harrison Co - Website
Link to Strength Training Report - Access Here
Link to GLP-1 Report - Access Here
Merch Sponsor:
GRIT Fitness - Website
Be a Merch Sponsor - Here
In The Trenches With A REXer:
Jennifer Poljacik - LinkedIn
212 Fitness - Website and Facebook
REX Roundtables - Website and Email
Wise Words:
David Steele - LinkedIn
Sneeze It - Website
Trusted Suppliers:
Club Com - Website, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok
Lauren Becker - LinkedIn
Wellness Space - Website
Solution One - Website
Egym - Website
About Your Host:
Justin “JT” Tamsett is a seasoned fitness industry veteran and passionate advocate for promoting physical activity. His mission is to reduce the health care costs across the globe by having more people move and move more often. JT’s hope is that his daughter Zoe can grow up in a world full of opportunity rather than one where governments and communities don’t have the burden of an ageing and sickening population. With over 30 years of experience, JT has owned gyms, coached fitness classes, and now specialises in business coaching for fitness entrepreneurs.
Through his company, Active Management, JT provides guidance and support to gym owners worldwide, empowering them to build successful businesses and contribute to a healthier society. He also leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, spoken at over 40 conferences in 23 countries, and consulted with gyms worldwide. JT’s commitment to improving health extends beyond his professional endeavours, as he has also dedicated himself to coaching various sports and actively participates in industry organisations.
Related: weight training, beginner weight lifting, weight lifting program, strength exercises, strength training for women, strength training for seniors, strength training for women over 50, strength training for beginners, training for women, workout for women, gym workout, weight training
Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!