Clients, Did You Know? 💡 

The Answer May Be at Your Fingertips!

Not long ago, I purchased a pec deck/rear delt machine for my home gym. I usually go with only commercial equipment, but I tried this machine out in person, and it felt pretty good on my previously torn pectoralis major. I ordered it, had it shipped to my house, and it arrived without any directions for assembly. There weren’t even any directions online that I could find. Long story short, if I had a Swear Jar in my house, it would have been overflowing that day. 

How does this relate to you? While it can usually be quite simple to navigate the Gym Insight software for your place of fitness, sometimes you may need a little guidance for a question you might have. Gym Insight prides itself on our excellent customer service staff who can answer all of your questions. However, we get it. There are days you don’t want to be on the phone or have to explain in an email what issues you may be having. You just want an immediate answer. 

Gym Insight has you covered with the Knowledge Base feature. It is built into the software and is available on the left of the screen as a small, white circular question mark. Click this when struggling with something and then choose “Search Knowledge Base” for that quick assistance. Scroll down the page to find the category you need help with or simply type in your own question. Then you will find step-by-step instructions along with photos to illustrate practically everything that can be done in Gym Insight. 

Here is the direct link to the Knowledge Base feature if you would like to mark it as a favorite or add it as a bookmark. Again, Gym Insight’s staff is more than happy to assist you with any issues, but Knowledge Base can provide instant feedback when you have a quick question. 

Science Corner 

Should a Person Do Cardio or Strength Training First?
The age-old question finally answered by science! 

I used to train with gruff and grizzled weightlifters who had 20 to 30 years more experience than I back in the day. After working out with them for a month, I finally became brave enough and asked, “Hey! Are we ever going to do cardio?” They all laughed. They replied that cardio would sap their strength. And then threatened to kick me out of the group if I asked about cardio again. 

Turns out, according to the latest research, they were kind of right. 

Most people, when training, will choose either to do cardio first or strength training based mostly on their own preference. However, science is now saying there are more benefits to starting every workout with lifting. 

Resistance training followed by cardio delivered the best results in improving fat loss, building and preserving muscle, and increasing lifespan. And there is solid common sense behind it. 

Fresh muscles, before being tired out by cardio, will be able to lift heavier weights, perform more reps, and even keep better form. Of course, it also depends on what a person’s goals are. If a person is training to run a marathon, they may spend very little time on strength training until after the race is over. But if you want the most health benefits, think of this motivational gym saying that has been around for a while.

“Don’t wish for more time in the gym—make the gym time count.”

Starting with resistance training seems like the way to go. 

Gym Life 🏋️

“It’s a Family Affair”

Turn Towards Family For Help at Your Gym

According to the U.S. Census Bureau from the Annual Business Survey, 10 percent of all businesses in the United States are jointly owned by spouses. Furthermore, another 11 percent of all businesses are couple-owned, with one spouse acting as the primary operator. The gym world is no different, as most couples often share a love for a certain lifestyle, so if one spouse owns a gym, the other spouse is not far behind. 

The tricky part is how to delegate the tasks that need to be accomplished for a successful gym. If you can learn how to divide roles with family members for your gym business, it can make things go much more smoothly. 

Consider the strengths of each individual. Is one person more social and able to handle the public much better? Is one better with marketing and finances and able to do the books each month? Does your family have younger members who could do the little things around the gym, such as the cleaning, stocking the bathrooms, and wiping down the mirrors and windows?

Bringing in family will help keep costs down, and the long hours may not seem so long with loved ones close by. When strengths are combined, they can often complement one another well and hide any weaknesses that one single person may have. 

If you operate your gym with a spouse or your entire family, we would love to hear how you designate the day-to-day duties. Reach out, and we may just do a full article on your business! (Free advertising and marketing to thousands of people could be a great thing for your gym!)

Pro Tips 📋

There Is a Huge Difference Between Being the Cheapest Gym in Town and Being the Best Gym in Town!

Many gym owners, especially when starting out, will promote that they have the least expensive membership rates around in an effort to attract new members. And while that may get a few people to walk in the door, being a few dollars cheaper a month is not always the best way to entice people. After all, I know a restaurant down the street where their burgers cost half as much as their competitors’, but their food has a tendency to make me sick! Most people will pay up for quality and atmosphere.

Be the most personal gym, not the cheapest. Try being the gym that offers what the people want. Check out the competitors and what they offer, and then go beyond. For some gym owners, that means taking advantage of Gym Insight software and allowing their business to be open 24 hours a day through digital keytags without the need for more employees. 

For others, find out what the members’ fitness goals are and send them quick messages about classes or personal training that could help them. If the goal is fat loss, point them towards fitness classes that are geared towards this. If they need more instruction and are a little bashful, hand-pick the trainer they should be working with. If there are members who are killing it every week in the gym but don’t seem to be changing yet physically, their diet might not be in check so offer time with a nutritionist.  

Personalized touches that make your members know that you are always thinking about them will increase revenue more than offering a discount service. Charge what you are worth and emphasize personalization. 

Feedback Loop 🗣️ 

The Gym Owner’s Newsletter —”Hoppy” Easter Everyone!

We hope you gym owners enjoyed Easter and were ready for one of the busiest gym days of the year… The day after Easter! Whether it was the battling for Easter eggs or having to hang around with the in-laws you are not that fond of, everyone seems to be ready for a serious workout the next day.

Thanks for taking the time to read our monthly round-up. Perhaps you found a few new ideas to try at your gym? Let us know what we can do for you!

Contact: 1-855-367-4967 / 855-FOR-GYMS

April 21, 2026 Ed. 29

Gym Management Software

Lawrence Fagan, President, Gym Insight