Owning a gym can be incredibly fulfilling, offering the opportunity to inspire and connect others through the shared pursuit of health. However, long-term gym growth can sometimes be blocked by overwhelm without the right boundaries in place.
From managing client expectations to balancing your personal life, setting boundaries - and sticking to them - is crucial for your well-being and the sustainability of your gym.
Welcome to the Gym Growth Blueprint Series! We asked gym owners, “What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a new gym owner?” As gym owners ourselves, the PushPress team is passionate about helping others succeed.
Today’s advice comes from Brittney Thompson, owner of Enid CrossFit in Enid, OK.
“Set your boundaries and stick to them,” she said. “And never forget your why.”
If you’re not sure where to start, or which areas need boundaries, you’re not alone! Let’s look at some of the more beneficial areas to help you get started.
Seven Areas to Set Gym Growth Focused Boundaries.
1. Member Relationships.
Building strong relationships with members is vital for business success. And it’s not uncommon for gym owners to become friends - even close ones - with members. But this can sometimes be a fine line to walk, especially if people expect to be exceptions to your rules.
For example, let’s say you’re closed on Sundays. Your friend Joe wants to work out that day so you give him a key. When he starts inviting others to join him and before you know it, your friendly deed starts to feel like you’re being taken advantage of.
At the end of the day, you are running a legitimate business, not a hobby gym. It’s important for gym growth - and your sanity - that your members all understand they are not exceptions to your rules.
2. Gym Communication.
Setting boundaries around gym communication allows you to avoid working around the clock and being at your members’ beck and call.
For instance, you could set and communicate a policy that any messages you receive after 6pm on weekdays will be answered by noon the following day. Or weekend messages will be answered by noon on Monday. This helps you manage your time efficiently and helps members respect your time.
Further, you can also set communication platform boundaries. Instead of allowing members to text, email, Facebook message or Instagram DM you, consider telling them which platform you prefer for gym-related questions, concerns and comments.
Pro Tip: Want to learn more about how the PushPress Members App can help you centralize communication in one place? Book a demo with our team today!
3. Community Engagement.
Your community is likely one of the best features of your gym. And while community engagement is important, it’s another area where it’s important to set boundaries.
Think about the gym events you have on the calendar throughout the year. It can be tempting to not only attend every one, but to be involved in the planning, too. But doing so can often lead to overextending yourself and not focusing on the gym ownership tasks that will help with gym growth.
Therefore, the first step is to choose events wisely. Participating in local events can boost your gym’s visibility, but pick those that align with your values and mission. Don’t feel obligated to say yes to every opportunity. Instead, choose those that will genuinely enhance your community presence without draining your resources.
Secondly, enlist the help of your team to plan, coordinate and execute your gym’s events. Get involved only as much as needed by letting staff members utilize their strengths. This way, your members get to attend a variety of fun events and you can still focus on running a successful business.
4. Scheduling.
Your members lead busy lives, and sometimes it’s challenging to work around their schedules. But setting boundaries means reminding yourself that you’re also busy, and your time is valuable.
When it comes to scheduling appointments like personal training or nutrition coaching, set your schedule and stick to it. It will be tempting to allow clients to convince you to come in on your off day. But sticking to the boundaries you’ve set for yourself protects your time and energy.
It’s worth noting that the PushPress Appointments feature allows you to input availability in advance. This limits client’s ability to ask you for exceptions.
Class scheduling is no different. It can be easy for an owner with gym growth in mind to agree to add a new class time to the schedule. But there’s a lot more that goes into creating the optimal gym class schedule than member requests. To ensure quality over quantity, define how many classes you can reasonably offer without compromising member experience. Further, avoid the temptation to overextend yourself or your staff, as this can lead to burnout and diminish service quality.
5. Staff Management.
In the same way your team contributes to successful gym events, they can also help with gym growth by managing daily operations. And there are two main areas where you can set boundaries for a healthy work environment.
First, clearly establishing each staff members’ roles and responsibilities is critical. This gives clear direction about expectations and helps to prevent any misunderstandings. Not only will this help you with retaining coaches, it should boost productivity and foster respect among team members.
Second, maintaining professional relationships will go a long way in the cohesiveness of your team. While it’s also natural to develop friendships with your staff, it’s crucial to keep the relationship professional. Be transparent and approachable while setting consistent boundaries with staff, to prevent favoritism and ensure a fair workplace.
6. Business Operations for Gym Growth.
Operational boundaries is another must-have for effective gym management. So what does that mean? Simply, by taking the time to create your gym systems, policies and procedures in advance, you can help your gym run more efficiently.
And when it comes to projected gym growth, financial boundaries should be a priority. This means setting your budget for anything from new equipment to marketing, and then sticking to it. Keep track of your income and expenses diligently, and track your important gym metrics. Also, don’t hesitate to revisit your financial plan regularly.
7. Personal Well-Being.
As a gym owner, your health and well-being are just as important as those of your members and coaches. In order to take care of others, you have to take care of yourself first.
As gym owners ourselves, the PushPress team gets it. Gym owner burnout is a real thing and can be prohibitive to gym growth. We’re here to help.
First, schedule downtime for yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in the never-ending hustle of running your business, but it’s also vital to prioritize your own health. Whether it’s exercise, relaxation or a hobby outside the gym, put it on your calendar. Then hold yourself accountable, to not only recharge but to serve as a model for your members and staff.
Also, this is a good time to reflect on your ‘why.’ Always keep in mind the reason you started your gym in the first place. Whether it was to inspire others, create a community or promote wellness, this core purpose should guide your decisions. When faced with challenges, reflecting on your ‘why’ can help you reinforce boundaries and remain focused on the big picture.
In Summary: When it Comes to Gym Growth, Set Boundaries and Stick to Them.
Setting boundaries as a gym owner is not just about protecting your time and energy. It’s about creating a sustainable business that reflects your values and mission. You must clearly define your limits to build a thriving gym environment.
Seven areas of focus include member relationships, gym communication, scheduling, community engagement, staff management, business operations and personal well-being.
Embrace this journey with confidence, knowing that prioritizing your boundaries will contribute to a healthier gym community for everyone involved.
