Run a Profitable Gym

The Future Is Niche: Specialization for the Win in Your Gym Biz

The future belongs to gyms that specialize.The data proves it: Small group training has a 7% higher profit margin than large group training, and length of engagement in niche gyms is double the industry average.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper lays out how niching down will transform your gym. Yes, you can find and own a niche without kicking out existing clients.When you niche down, everything gets easier: Marketing becomes crystal clear, referrals become automatic, your schedule shrinks, facility costs drop, staffing simplifies, and retention skyrockets.Generic “fitness for everyone” gyms compete on price and lose. Specialized gyms charge premium rates and win.Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Find your people and serve them exceptionally well.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Intro0:40 - The industry right now5:25 - Why niche down?8:39 - How to find your niche18:37 - What isn’t a niche?

How to Buy a Gym Step by Step

Buying a gym can be one of the best business decisions you’ll ever make or one of the most expensive mistakes of your life.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain Business CEO John Franklin and attorney Matthew Becker of Gym Lawyers PLLC walk you through exactly how to buy a gym without overpaying, buying a disaster or landing on legal landmines.Matthew has handled over $50 million in gym transactions, and John has personally bought and sold five gyms in New York City.In this step-by-step training, the pair break down:The formula for valuing a gym.Factors that impact the valuation.How to define and find the gym you’re looking for.The legal process for buying a gym.Options for financing a gym purchase.Before you commit to a buy, check out this show and make sure you're setting yourself up for long-term success in the fitness industry.LinksFree valuation calculator: "How to Buy a Gym""How to Value a Gym: SDE, Multiples and What a Gym Is Actually Worth"Book a CallGym Lawyers Consultation2:41 - How to value a gym17:14 - Define your “buy box”18:55 - The search22:12 - Legal and financing36:43 - The full playbook

Gym Owner Burnout Is Real: Here's How to Deal

If you burn out, your gym dies. That’s why taking care of your mental health is the best business decision you can make. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains why burnout happens to gym owners and how to prevent it.If you pour your energy into clients all day, manage staff, call leads, clean bathrooms and run your business, then go home and scrape the bottom of the bowl for whatever’s left for your family, you'll eventually run out of gas.Your clients will know exactly when that happens. And they'll walk out.  Chris shares six practical strategies for improving your mental health before you burn out, including setting boundaries, finding someone to talk to and systemizing your business.You can’t sell your clients energy if you don’t have it. Tune in to learn how to keep your cup full—and your gym alive.Connect with gym owners just like you at the Two-Brain Summit. Get tickets via the link below!LinksTwo-Brain Summit TicketsGym Owners UnitedBook a Call1:46 - What we’re really selling6:18 - The money problem9:29 - Mental health strategies 1-315:37 - Mental health strategies 4-621:35 - The Two-Brain Summit

Coop's Comfort Zone Challenge: How to Deal With Big Biz Changes

Most gym owners stay stuck because of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of confrontation. Fear of making things worse.But here’s what Chris Cooper learned after 15 years of mentoring gym owners: The only thing stronger than fear is love.You have to love the local people who need your help more than you fear publishing that Instagram post. You have to love your family enough to fire that coach who’s hurting your gym.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris presents gym owners with a challenge: Expand your comfort zone.Coop gives you 10 difficult scenarios to choose from and a simple four-day process for practicing them until they become easy:Day 1: Practice the uncomfortable task in a mirrorDay 2: Practice with a supportive friend or spouseDay 3: Practice with your mentorDay 4: Do it for realYour comfort zone is like a muscle. When you exercise it, it gets bigger—and you become more capable of making the changes your business needs.To get the free Comfort Zone Challenge worksheet, DM Chris in Gym Owners United, linked below.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Intro1:57 - How to change3:27 - Do you care enough?11:01 - Comfort Zone Challenge15:09 - Which gym owners succeed?

Two-Brain Summit 2026: 2 Days, 16 Speakers, Unlimited ROI

The Two-Brain Summit is back for its 10th year this June in Chicago, and it’s bigger than ever before!Get your tickets via the link below and make June 6-7 the most valuable weekend of your entire year.Headlining the owners side, bestselling author Mike Michalowicz will teach you how to stand out and attract the right customers to your gym. You’ll also hear from fitness business experts such as:- Matt Souza of “The Sevan Podcast” and “Souza’s Show”- Street Parking co-founders Miranda and Julian Alcaraz- Rick Mayo, founder of Alloy Personal Training (1992)And while you’re leveling up as a gym owner, your coaches will be honing their skills with some of the best in the industry, including: - HWPO’s Michele Letendre, CrossFit Games coach and former athlete- Power Monkey’s Dave Durante (gymnastics) and Chad Vaughn (weightlifting), both former elite athletes- Bill Parisi, fascia expert and founder of Parisi Speed SchoolTune in as Chris Cooper presents the full lineup and shares exactly what gym owners and coaches will be working on at the world's biggest gym business conference.  Then, use the link below to get your tickets before prices go up on Apr. 1.LinksTwo-Brain Summit TicketsGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:01 - Intro2:16 - Saturday lineup: Owners9:18 - Saturday lineup: Coaches11:50 - Sunday lineup: Owners18:30 - Sunday lineup: Coaches