CrossFit changed the fitness industry forever—but with affiliate numbers declining, gym owners are asking, “What’s next?”

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper digs into why affiliate numbers keep shrinking, where former CrossFit gyms are going and what gym owners can do right now to stay competitive.

He explains how novelty-driven methods such as Hyrox are pulling attention and why the lack of clarity from CrossFit HQ has created uncertainty for affiliate owners.

Coop lays out a solution for managing methods and giving clients what they want in confusing times: adopting the Prescriptive Model. Instead of just selling class packages, he shows you how to actually coach clients with tailored prescriptions that blend strength, aerobic and high-intensity training to get results.

Done right, this approach improves retention, helps clients accomplish goals and ensures your gym thrives no matter what brand name is on the door.

Tune in to learn how to implement the Prescriptive Model in your gym and build a business that wins—whether it is affiliated with CrossFit or not.

Links

Gym Owners United

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3:03 - Why affiliates leave CrossFit

6:36 - Hyrox taking over competition

9:09 - Who has the best classes?

11:46 - Why ClassPass doesn’t work

13:57 - Solution: The Prescriptive Model

The key to steady gym growth and stronger retention? Turning your best members into your best recruiters.

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper explains how to use affinity marketing to strengthen your community, keep members longer and bring in more people just like your favorite clients.

Passive referral programs rarely work, so Chris shows you how to actively connect your clients’ families, coworkers and friends to your gym.

He even provides an inside look at Two-Brain’s Affinity Marketing Cheat Sheet, shows you exactly when to ask for referrals and explains how to start those conversations without making them feel awkward or transactional.

Tune in to learn how to build a referral system that generates steady growth and improves retention at the same time.

Links

Gym Owners United

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1:18 - When to ask for a referral

5:53 - Duplicating your best clients

13:35 - The goal review conversation

20:52 - Hosting group events

24:35 - Affinity marketing highlights

In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper presents hard numbers and explains why the gap between 3% and 5% churn can be the difference between stability and collapse.

He shares lessons from two decades of studying the science of retention, showing how most gyms don’t fail because they need more leads but because they can’t keep the people they already have.

Coop explains why contracts aren’t the answer, why chasing Facebook leads and six-week challenges can actually erode your community, and how gyms with 300+ members can get into trouble fast if they’re bleeding members.

Chris also breaks down the two key metrics every gym owner should track to boost retention and revenue—length of engagement (LEG) and average revenue per member (ARM)—and explains why retention is really just “sales over time.”

Tune in for Coop’s full retention playbook, then apply his tips to keep members longer, change more lives and build a profitable business that lasts.

Join Coop’s free retention workshop on Sept. 30 at noon Eastern in Gym Owners United (linked below).

Links

Gym Owners United

Book a Call

0:19 - When clients stay longer

7:10 - 3% versus 5% churn

11:29 - A better retention metric

13:11 - Onboarding and goal reviews

17:24 - Keeping people for 2 years