Author: Conor Hawkins

The fitness franchise industry presents incredible opportunities, but the reality of opening a new business can be stark: only about 35% of new businesses in the United States survive their first 10 years.  This is not because owners lack passion, but because they lack the right systems, planning, and positioning. Franchising tells a different story.… Continue reading 5 Traits of Successful Fitness Franchises

Every year brings its own surprises, but 2025 was a turning point that the fitness industry did not expect. Economic turbulence, shifting consumer behavior, new payment realities, the rise of GLP-1 medications, and the explosion of mobile-first everything. Yet through all of it, fitness didn’t slow down. In our latest webinar, leaders Junae Barnhart, Khal… Continue reading WATCH: What 2025 Taught Us: Building Smarter, Stronger Fitness Businesses in the Year Ahead

The Challenge: Too Many Tools, Too Little Time  When SETS Hybrid Training founder Anthony Kapasakis started his first bootcamp twelve years ago, he couldn’t have imagined how fast things would grow. What began as outdoor workouts with a few friends snowballed into packed sessions, then multiple studios, and eventually, a thriving franchise network with more… Continue reading How SETS Hybrid Training Scaled a Community-Driven Franchise with ABC Glofox

The fitness industry is changing fast, and AI is leading the charge, shaping how we work, plan, and communicate. 72% of business leaders say it will be their most significant competitive advantage in the next decade. ABC Fitness’s latest webinar, The Intelligent Fitness Operator: Thriving in the Age of AI, brought together industry leaders to… Continue reading The Intelligent Fitness Operator: Thriving in the Age of AI

Growth hacking for fitness business owners in 2025 means finding creative, low-cost ways to attract and retain members. One of the most important metrics to track in this pursuit is your “cost per lead“. This metric tells you exactly how much you’re spending to acquire each potential member. When you know how to calculate cost… Continue reading Growth Hacks for Gyms: 7 Proven Ways to Lower Your Cost Per Lead

In a fitness world that’s always changing, one truth stands firm: belonging matters more than ever. The latest ABC Fitness Wellness Watch report—“The Power of Belonging: How Community Is Redefining Fitness”—explores how connection, community, and technology are transforming member engagement and reshaping what it means to be “fit.” What Is ABC Fitness Wellness Watch? Each… Continue reading The Power of Belonging: How Community Is Redefining Fitness

What if you could sleep better, feel better, and connect with your colleagues through self-care and active living?  When brainstorming ways to inspire wellness and connection among our team in 2024, we decided to pursue something new: a summer challenge powered by our very own ABC Trainerize app; inspired by our Best Life corporate value.… Continue reading Healthier Habits, Stronger Team: Inside the Best Life Games Wellness Challenge