What does it take to be a successful gym owner? Our research reveals fitness leaders seek knowledge from a variety of companies and industries, always applying the best of these practices to their own company. Our owner, Gym Insight founder Lawrence Fagan, followed this path in his evolution from computer engineer to gym owner to technology entrepreneur. As he grew personally and professionally, he searched out industry mentors and studied their success, replicating their advice in his own companies.
We’re going to help you do that, too. In today’s blog, we’ve distilled the key management ideas of Mark Mastrov, founder of 24 Hour Fitness, and industry superstar, for your benefit. We culled these points from podcasts and interviews listed at the end of this article.
Be a strong leader
Mastrov describes his management style as an upside-down pyramid. His job is to help solve problems by coaching, listening, and empowering his people to be as passionate about their jobs as he is about his.
Top takeaways:
- Be responsive; answer calls and emails quickly so employees can keep moving on their jobs.
- Know the business from the top down — from maintenance to check-in. Gym owners should be able to do what everyone on payroll can do.
- Tell the truth. All the time.
- Focus on the prize.
Measure what you expect
Top business leaders are disciplined with their time, establishing protocols that keep their fingers on the pulse of the business.
Top takeaways:
- Hold regularly scheduled meetings with employees and key people.
- Review performance reports daily.
- Establish clear goals and performance targets.
Invest in your people
Strong leaders recognize their gyms are only as successful as the culture they’ve created.
Top takeaways:
- Train well and often.
- Pay employees handsomely.
- Empower employees to make decisions.
- Allow them to do what they do best.
Build good systems
Mastrov sought out industry titans, such as sales expert Tom Hopkins when creating a les system for 24 Hour Fitness. He did the same for operations, management and personal training — absorbing ideas from throughout the fitness industry to create effective systems for his clubs. Today, he says, many of these types of management tools are available off the shelf.
Top takeaways:
- Design clean, simple manuals.
- Implement systems for each gym division.
- Update and review systems regularly.
- Train employees relentlessly.
Hire well
Recognizing talent in people is a special skill, and almost a gift.
Top takeaways:
- Look for the “town mayor” — that person with charisma, brains, and leadership skills.
- Allow passion to develop. Give employees time to recognize the opportunities before them.
Embrace competition
When Mastrov ran 24 Hour Fitness competitors from throughout the country visited, learned, and often took key ideas from his gyms. His thought? We are all different and unique, but in the same industry, trying to do the same thing — help people live healthier, happier lives. By working with competitors, rather than against them, we strengthen the whole community.
Final thoughts
Mastrov sees a leader as one whose job it is to understand their people.
As he said on Adam Mendler’s Thirty Minute Mentors Podcast, “You got to be able to roll up your sleeves and do what everybody else does … A leader understands their business from top to bottom, and then gives great direction. They’re there to help solve problems. They’re there to help push people along … help people grow and advance and achieve. And, so, you spend time listening to your people, finding out what their goals and aspirations are, and then your job as a leader is to help them, help them get there. And give them that opportunity and give them good coaching along the way, if they’re struggling, or if they’re not ready, or they’re not right, you’re honest and forthright with them.”
Wow! How helpful to learn from leaders in the field. Thank you for reading our blog today. We are a gym management software development firm with the tools you need to run an effective and profitable fitness center. Our software builds in easy methods to track stats and measure goals. For example, Membership Dues Goals and Revenue/Sales Goals dashlets reside on the dashboard. Daily, monthly and retention goals are easily retrieved from our extensive Reports selection. We provide all the data, numbers, and stats you need to predict, control, and manage sales across your gyms. For a free demo, feel free to call Anthony or Natalia at 855-FOR-GYMS (855-367-4967).
Podcasts:
- Escape Fitness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8-C0LqoefU&t=2705s
- The Corp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ZjohGti28
- Thirty Minute Mentors Podcast Transcript: Interview with 24 Hour Fitness Founder Mark Mastrov — Adam Mendler in the Media
