Gym owners face their share of unique management headaches.
It can sometimes feel overwhelming — from dealing with operational systems and staff members stealing clients… to keeping up with new regulations and maintaining all of your equipment.
But owning a business of any kind is all about learning how to rise to challenges, anticipate new ones, and lead employees to your own vision of success, despite the little bumps along the way.
So, let’s look at some of these gym management headaches you might experience at some point – and, more importantly, how to overcome them like a handy dose of aspirin.
Streamlining Systems
First up, let’s talk systems. A robust gym management system is the backbone of efficient operations.
But make sure you choose systems that are not restrictive. You want to be able to export and analyze all your own information freely.
Integration is key across the board, so you’re not giving yourself more management headaches by trying to get, say, the accounting software to connect with the marketing platforms.
Read “Clients: Track Them Efficiently”
Find systems with user-friendly interfaces and strong customer support. These days, that can seem impossible but do a little digging to make sure you and your staff won’t be left to wing it all the time when questions come up.
The streamlining of systems applies to your communications with members, too. Naamly’s state-of-the-art tools make it easy for you and your team to keep up with each member to keep them engaged.
Our tools help you keep members longer, so they can become lifelong, happy customers. They save you time, centralize information, and improve staff efficiencies. SCHEDULE A DEMO.
Staff Stealing Clients
It’s a tough pill to swallow when a trainer leaves and takes clients with them. But it’s a common fact that this can happen when trainers leave on bad terms, or when someone decides to abandon their ethics.
Here’s what you can do to lower the chances of something like this adding to your gym management headaches.
- Create Clear Contracts: Have trainers sign agreements that spell out what you expect regarding client relationships after the trainers leave your employment. A lot of trainers might be inexperienced, so don’t assume they share a common baseline of knowledge.
- Client Relationships: Encourage clients to engage with multiple trainers. This not only provides a well-rounded fitness experience but also reduces the likelihood of clients leaving if they become too attached to a trainer who departs.
- Be a Positive Employer: Happy trainers are less likely to leave. Offer competitive pay, opportunities for professional development, and recognize their hard work. It’s so easy for a good trainer to get another job. You need to make it hard for them to want to leave your business.
- Build an Upbeat Customer Experience: You can help each member see how special they are to your business, not just to the trainers.
Staying Ahead of Regulations
Talk about gym management headaches! From health and safety standards to laws about data protection, regulations can be a nightmare for anyone.
It’s crucial to stay on top of it, though. And if you lack expertise in some areas, make sure to hire experts and not see it as a knock against your abilities.
You’re running a business. That doesn’t mean you’re supposed to do everything yourself.
You might need a lawyer, or at least keep one familiar with your business. Make sure all waivers are legally binding and up to date.
You might need an accountant, especially at tax time. Is your insurance adequate and paid up? Are you missing deductions that could save you money?
You might need a copy writer to help with ethical and appropriate marketing and advertising. Have you not sent an email to prospects since, like, forever?
- Make sure you and your staff are all trained on the latest health and safety protocols.
- Run safety drills regularly and keep everyone informed about emergency plans.
- Make sure your management systems have the tightest data protection available.
- Stay informed about what’s happening in your industry, community and state.
Management Headaches: Think Like You Coach
You probably tell clients that consistently using systems is the best strategy for making gains.
You probably don’t tell them to just wing it every day and hope for the best.
So, similarly, you need to apply systems to everything from retention to payroll. If that’s not your strong suit, find an operations officer who can take charge.
Retention
Surveys say half of new gym members quit within six months.
You can fight back with:
- Personalized onboarding for new members that makes the initial weeks more powerful for them.
- Accountability programs, like helping members track goals and participate in community challenges.
- Communications software to track engagement and contact members who don’t show up, like Naamly’s texting service.
Revenue & Expenses
If you want more management headaches, then please don’t keep track of how much money is coming into your business or how much you’re spending.
- Rely on management software to track revenue and expenses
- Use dynamic pricing for off-peak hours, premium services, and more
- Upsell, upsell, upsell – with small group training, nutritional coaching, and swag
Equipment Maintenance
Build a system that ensures your team is consistently checking on the status of all your equipment. Don’t just wait for members to complain! Be proactive and consistent so that you know when something isn’t working perfectly or an unexpected issue has come up.
That means keeping a schedule.
It also means making sure manuals and maintenance contracts are easily accessible.
And you want to stay current on what’s new in the marketplace, without having “shiny new object” syndrome and getting needlessly distracted. Ask your members, if you’re not sure.
Customer Experience & Relations
Sometimes, conflicts will come up between members, and they might create new management headaches when they expect you to solve everything.
So, before anything can happen, develop with your staff a conflict resolution policy and process. Make sure members know about it.
Be clear about your own rules for things like etiquette and attire, and let members know what they can expect regarding refunds or extended absences.
Keep a cool head to prevent minor conflicts from escalating.
Competition
We’re in a fiercely competitive industry, no doubt. But don’t get too worried. Instead, remember what sets you apart and what you offer that the other gyms don’t – whether they’re bargain-priced big boxes or super-expensive elite clubs.
You know why you’re in business and who you’re best at helping. You have reasons for everything you do. Remember them all anytime you worry about the new place out by the highway or the fancy place down the street.
You aren’t trying to be for everyone.
You know what you’re doing.
Stick to your guns and stick to your systems. Those management headaches might still come up sometimes, but they won’t be whopper migraines anymore.We are here to help. That includes providing the latest weekly news from our free Naamly Online University newsletter. Get it here.