By Lee Robinson Visa just handed consumers a new button. Here’s what that means for every gym operator who built their retention strategy around the old one. There’s a moment every subscription business should prepare for, and most don’t until it’s too late. It’s the moment when the friction of keeping members from canceling via a phone call or other more efficient “click to cancel” methods but rather require an in-person visit or a certified letter is going to… Continue reading The Era of Billing Inertia Is Ending. What Fitness Operators Need to Do Right Now.
Stop Thinking About Revenue. Start Thinking About What You’re Actually Collecting.
By Lee Robinson I’m going to say something that might sting a little bit. But I think gym owners need to hear it. Most of you know your revenue number. You know how many members you have. You know your monthly dues rate. You know your top line. What most of you don’t know — and I mean really know, down… Continue reading Stop Thinking About Revenue. Start Thinking About What You’re Actually Collecting.
You’re Playing Checkers. Private Equity Is Playing Chess. Here’s What’s Actually Happening.
By Lee Robinson I was sitting in a room with Pete Moore a few weeks ago. Pete teaches at Harvard on mergers and acquisitions. He’s done dozens of deals in the fitness space. And he was walking a group of gym owners through how private equity actually works. He put it simply: you’re a gym owner thinking about mortgaging your house… Continue reading You’re Playing Checkers. Private Equity Is Playing Chess. Here’s What’s Actually Happening.
They’re Not Joining Your Gym for a New Year’s Resolution: They’re Joining Because Fitness Is Their Healthcare
By Lee Robinson I played D1 football. I’ve been in gyms my entire life. And I’ve been in the fitness industry for 20 years. So when I tell you that what I’m seeing right now in terms of consumer behavior is unlike anything I’ve experienced, I need you to hear me on this. The generation walking through your front door right now doesn’t think about fitness the… Continue reading They’re Not Joining Your Gym for a New Year’s Resolution: They’re Joining Because Fitness Is Their Healthcare
Built for Operators: The Gym Economics Series: The K-Shaped Economy Is Real — And It’s Already Reshaping Your Gym
By Lee Robinson I’ve spent 20 years in the fitness industry. I’ve watched recessions come and go. I’ve watched operators panic during COVID and rebuild after. But what I’m watching right now is something different from anything I’ve seen — and most gym owners don’t even know it’s happening. We’re in a K-shaped economy. Not a recession. Not a recovery. A split. If you’re not familiar with the term, here’s the picture: imagine… Continue reading Built for Operators: The Gym Economics Series: The K-Shaped Economy Is Real — And It’s Already Reshaping Your Gym
Wellness Watch Report: The Latest Fitness Industry Data on Member Behavior & Retention
The Wellness Watch Report is ABC Fitness’s ongoing look at the data behind member behavior, retention, and engagement, refreshed with every new edition. Each report draws on proprietary platform data from 30,000+ fitness businesses and 40 million members, paired with year-over-year consumer research, so the numbers reflect what’s actually happening on the gym floor and… Continue reading Wellness Watch Report: The Latest Fitness Industry Data on Member Behavior & Retention
How Enterprise Gyms Cut Attrition with Smart Member Communication Cadences
Every member who walks out the door takes more than just revenue with them; they take momentum, community energy, and future referrals. Attrition doesn’t just hurt your bottom line. It drains staff morale, weakens member engagement, and damages your reputation. And with new customer acquisition costing five times more than retention, keeping members is the… Continue reading How Enterprise Gyms Cut Attrition with Smart Member Communication Cadences
How a Collections ROI Calculator Can Boost Your Bottom Line
Late or missed payments might seem minor, but across hundreds or thousands of memberships, they can add up to tens of thousands in lost revenue each year. The longer a payment goes uncollected, the harder it becomes to recover. Our automated billing system already collects 2-3% more revenue on average by retrying failed payments intelligently… Continue reading How a Collections ROI Calculator Can Boost Your Bottom Line
How Fitness Clubs Can Join in on the Pilates Trend
The Pilates trend reflects the current shift towards low-impact movement, longevity, and recovery. In 2024, Pilates was considered the #1 workout worldwide, with bookings up 84% from the previous year. Pilates also presents an opportunity to push fitness club innovation forward, encouraging operators to rethink how they use space, design classes, and deliver value. For… Continue reading How Fitness Clubs Can Join in on the Pilates Trend