The Business of Fitness Blog
Learn about the business of fitness in the PushPress Gym Management blog. Trends, best practices, case studies, tips and more!
Category: Member Experience & Retention
What to Do When a Gym Member Tells You They Have Cancer
A cancer rehab specialist's 3-step plan: what to say, when to refer out, and how to keep them training.
The Gym Walkthrough: How to See Your Facility Like a First-Timer
Mismatched chairs, sheetrock that needs patching. Your staff walks past it daily. Prospects don't.
What Your Belt Distribution Is Telling You About Your Academy's Business Health
A gap between white and blue belt hits your revenue 12 to 18 months later. Most owners never look.
Martial Arts School Exit Interviews That Win Google Reviews
Omar Kadi runs a scored exit interview on every cancellation. The members who loved it leave reviews.
The 3 Gym Events Every Owner Should Run (And Why They Work)
90% member turnout, about $9,000 raised, up to 10 new members a night. Three CrossFit owners show how.
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5 Revenue Lessons Big Box Gyms Use (That Work for Small Gyms Too)
Lifetime copied boutique programming. Meanwhile, it was running circles around us on the business side.
Gym Member Retention: The Complete Guide (2026)
Signing people every week but the roster won't budge? That's not a lead problem. It's a retention one.
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The First 90 Days Retention Playbook for Gym Owners
Dave Kovar keeps his quit rate at 3% across 3,000+ members by turning new sign-ups into a habit fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a BJJ Gym in 2026?
Expect $10K to $100K upfront, and $120 to $200 a month for unlimited. Here's where the money goes.
How PSKC Runs a Gym That Changes Lives
Dale King opened a $5-a-workout gym in one of Ohio's poorest counties. Then he ditched the whiteboard.
How AI Coaching Tools Help Gym Coaches Build Stronger Member Relationships
Paul Markhauser uses AI to greet new members and coach around injuries. It brings him closer to them.
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How to Run a Reactivation Campaign for Former Gym Members
Your warmest leads are already in your CRM. Dave Kovar reaches out to former members three times a year.
How to Reduce Gym Churn: The 3 Moments Members Quit
Around month 3, months 6 to 7, and at renewal. Data from thousands of gyms shows when to step in.
What is a Winter Arc? And How to Master Yours
Start in October, build through the holidays, hit January already rolling. Your members want in.
How to Make Gym Goals You'll Actually Keep in 2026
"Get in shape" is too vague and "work out every day" isn't realistic. Seven ways to set goals that last.
PushPress Wrapped: Our Top Moments of 2025
30M+ check-ins, 100+ feature releases, and a lot of gym owners who showed up for each other.
10 Best Fitness Gifts for Gym Lovers
Picked by the 30+ gym owners and operators on the PushPress team. Gifts lifters will actually use.
Harness the Power of Priority Booking at Your Gym
Popular classes fill in minutes and frustrate members. Priority Booking lets premium plans reserve first.
The Power of a New Gym Member’s First Day
Sharon almost turned around in your parking lot. What happens next decides whether she becomes a member.
Gym Onboarding Series, Part 4: Creating An Unforgettable First 90 Days
You've nailed the No Sweat Intro and PT sessions. Here's how to make the rest of the first 90 days stick.
Gym Onboarding Series, Part 2: Why Onboard with PT-First
Onboarding gets gym owners heated. What PT-first is, why gyms choose it, and where it falls short.
If You Got it, Haunt it: Eight Fun Gym Halloween Ideas
November and December are slow. Keep members consistent in October with a little spooky fun.
How a Michigan Gym Uses Committed Club to Increase Member Retention
Cryptid CrossFit gets 50 to 60% of members into Committed Club every month. The bar is 14 check-ins.
Gym Owners’ Guide to Rockin’ the Customer Journey: Part 4 (Retention)
Keeping a member costs less than finding a new one. Five ways to make sure they stick around.
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