Navigating the Strength Training Boom, Enhancing Customer Service, and Innovative Marketing Strategies: Episode 534

Navigating the Strength Training Boom, Enhancing Customer Service, and Innovative Marketing Strategies: Episode 534

Author: Justin Tamsett | Fitness Business Leader January 9, 2025 Duration: 43:08

With a staggering 181% increase in strength equipment usage between 2012 and 2022, as reported by Track My Gym, strength training has become the hottest trend in the fitness industry. In the first episode of the new season of the Fitness Business Podcast, host Justin Tamsett explores this trend with key expert Paul Byrne, as well as explores other key strategies with industry experts Jennifer Poljacik, David Steele, and Lauren Becker. The episode covers enhancing leadership, driving innovation, and boosting profits through developing a growth mindset, creating a strong culture, investing in team members, and leveraging technology to improve the member experience.

 

Key highlights from the episode:

- Paul Byrne discusses the strength training trend and its implications for gym businesses. This trend is driven by social media, influencers, and changing consumer preferences.

- Delivering exceptional customer service is crucial for gym businesses. Key strategies include defining service standards, understanding customer needs, and going the extra mile to create raving fans. 

- Modern marketing in the fitness industry requires a shift from linear CRM processes to more organic and responsive interactions. Utilizing texting, AI, and retargeting ads can automate and speed up the marketing process, focusing on convenience, reviews, and ease of membership to attract and retain customers.

Leave us a voicemail!

 

Our favorite quotable moments:

"Consider making your gym [micro] influencer friendly. You have a room in the back where you have good lighting, you have the equipment you need. They can go back there and make it a place where they like to come and shoot their content." - Paul Byrne

"Creating the best customer experience can only benefit your bottom line and increase customer retention and staff satisfaction... One of the most helpful tools that I have used with my teams over the years is a wonderful book called Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles." - Jennifer Poljacik

"It's time to rethink the way we think of our prospects and how they interact with us, to get them from looking at us - to membership... We need to make it better." - David Steele

 

Resources:

Fitness Business Podcast's LinkedIn Community
Mystery Shopping for Fitness Businesses - Website
Paul Byrne - LinkedIn
Harrison Co - Website
Link to Strength Training Report - Access Here
Link to GLP-1 Report - Access Here

Merch Sponsor:
GRIT Fitness - Website
Be a Merch Sponsor - Here

In The Trenches With A REXer:
Jennifer Poljacik - LinkedIn
212 Fitness - Website and Facebook
REX Roundtables - Website and Email

Wise Words:
David Steele - LinkedIn
Sneeze It - Website

Trusted Suppliers:
Club Com - Website, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok
Lauren Becker - LinkedIn
Wellness Space - Website
Solution One - Website
Egym - Website

 

About Your Host:

Justin "JT" Tamsett is a seasoned fitness industry veteran and passionate advocate for promoting physical activity. His mission is to reduce the health care costs across the globe by having more people move and move more often.  JT's hope is that his daughter Zoe can grow up in a world full of opportunity rather than one where governments and communities don't have the burden of an ageing and sickening population. With over 30 years of experience, JT has owned gyms, coached fitness classes, and now specialises in business coaching for fitness entrepreneurs. 

Through his company, Active Management, JT provides guidance and support to gym owners worldwide, empowering them to build successful businesses and contribute to a healthier society. He also leads 8 REX Roundtables in the US and Australia, spoken at over 40 conferences in 23 countries, and consulted with gyms worldwide. JT's commitment to improving health extends beyond his professional endeavours, as he has also dedicated himself to coaching various sports and actively participates in industry organisations.

Related: weight training, beginner weight lifting, weight lifting program, strength exercises, strength training for women, strength training for seniors, strength training for women over 50, strength training for beginners, training for women, workout for women, gym workout, weight training

Please note: We only recommend products we care about (affiliate links support our free content). Thank you for your support!


Running a fitness facility means balancing a dozen spinning plates at once, from member happiness to keeping your team engaged and the bottom line healthy. While plenty of conversations in the industry fixate on getting new leads in the door, Fitness Business Podcast: Leadership, Innovation, and Profit digs into what happens after they join. Host Justin Tamsett, known widely as JT, operates from a core belief: sustainable growth isn't just about marketing, but about mastering the human elements of leadership and creating a business people don't want to leave-neither your members nor your staff. In each episode, you'll hear JT's straightforward, actionable advice drawn from his deep experience as a global fitness business leader. The discussions move beyond theory to tackle the real operational challenges gym owners and managers face daily, focusing on practical strategies to improve member retention, foster a loyal company culture, and implement innovations that drive genuine profit. This isn't a surface-level chat; it's a dedicated resource for those ready to build a more resilient and impactful fitness business. If you're tired of the constant churn and seeking a smarter path to long-term success, this podcast offers the grounded perspective and leadership insights often missing from the conversation.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Fitness Business Podcast: Leadership, Innovation, and Profit
Podcast Episodes
497 What's Happening At CrossFit With New CEO Don Faul [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit, is passionate about harnessing the power of community for fitness. In this interview, JT talks with Don about the hugely popular CrossFit Games, which are so beloved among fans, and what he…
496 Music Licensing Laws All Fit Pros MUST Know with Denise Imbesi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Music licensing has been a barrier that many fitness professionals have had to navigate. But with all the music laws, it's hard to ensure you are following the rules, so you don't not end up in music infringement jail. W…
493 Recapping the Highlights of IHRSA 2023 with Allison Flatley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:41
Did you attend IHRSA 2023 or miss this year's conference? Well, don't worry, because Allison Flatley and I will recap the highlights of the biggest trade shows this industry has to offer. Listen along as we share a few a…
491 Anne Mahlum: Boutique Fitness Forecast & Trends for 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:07
Staying ahead of the curve is a must for any fitness boutique business, and Anne Mahlum knows how to navigate these waters better than anyone. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, she's able to look into the future of…
489 How to Get Your Emails Opened with Jay Schwedelson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:13
Unlock the secrets to email success! Jay Schwedelson can show you all the hottest ways to get your members excited about engaging with your campaigns. With so many emails in our daily lives, it's important that yours sta…
488 Reena Vokoun: Women Leading the Fitness Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
This episode celebrates female fitness professionals who are blazing a trail towards progress! Reena Vokoun, CEO & Founder of Passion Fit, LLC ignites an inspirational spark with her words, encouraging female warriors to…