fitSpot Guru
fitSpot Guru is your weekly guide to mastering fitDEGREE! Each week our team will take on topics related to our software provided by our clients or our internal team. The goal is to leave the episode with a greater understanding of fitDEGREE and how it can be used to optimize your business! Got a question or a suggestion? Email us at support@fitdegree.com!
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Episode 315: When to Cancel vs When to Keep a Class
11/13/2025
Episode 315: When to Cancel vs When to Keep a Class
What We Cover In This Episode: Why knowing the financial baseline, and “break-even point” when evaluating class profitability and fixed costs is crucial for studio owners [5:08] How to approach evaluating attendance trends and what to track [6:09] The way that balancing instructor versus owner-led classes will indicate financial risk [7:24] A reminder to always consider the ripple effect of cancellations and the full impact doing this can have [7:59] How to communicate class changes proactively by presenting them as a strategy to better serve members [9:09] What you can do to leverage fitDEGREE tools to track class popularity [16:54] Strategies for boosting low attendance numbers before cutting the class [17:13] The advantages in considering a pop-up or special series instead of a weekly slot [17:27] How to maintain instructor and member trust by communicating changes well in advance [17:41] Quotes: “What makes average business owners to good business owners, to maybe even great business owners, is making decisions with data and your gut and not waiting too long to make the decision.” [Nick, 3:32] “Cancelling a low attendance class can free resources for a higher demand timeslot, but frequent cancellations can train clients not to trust your schedule…I understand this idea of freeing up resources, but at the end of the day, it might not.” [Nick 8:02] “Your schedule should serve both the business and the community, and the smartest studios are making data-driven decisions, not knee-jerk reactions.” [Nick, 20:53] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/38941990
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Episode 314: Decision Fatigue Is Real: How to Keep Making Smart Choices When You’re Tapped Out
11/06/2025
Episode 314: Decision Fatigue Is Real: How to Keep Making Smart Choices When You’re Tapped Out
What We Cover In This Episode: Why it’s so important that business leaders and owners learn to recognize the subtle signs of decision fatigue now, before it’s too late [5:04] How to audit your decision load by identifying and offloading low-impact, repetitive choices [6:27] The magic that happens once you implement default settings for your life and business [7:45] Tips and strategies for designing a system that protects creative energy [10:05] The way to begin mastering the critical business strategy of finding your 'good enough' point [11:22] What the “Two-Minute Decision Rule” is and what it looks like in practice [14:15] How to win your morning by creating a decision-free morning schedule [14:52] Why using a parking lot task list will help you maintain focus and overcome decision fatigue [15:47] An efficiency hack that will significantly reduce time and mental friction if you use it [18:28] Why in order to truly scale and delegate, you’ll need to systemize the repeatables in your business [20:36] Quotes: “Saying ‘no’ is often a smarter business move than saying ‘yes.’ You as an owner should be the King or Queen of saying no.” [Nick, 2:33] “You are going to exhaust yourself if you are chasing perfection in every single bucket of the business. Make peace with ‘good enough’ and then keep it moving.” [Nick, 12:39] “Decision fatigue is not a sign that you are failing, it is proof that you are doing too much mentally. The goal isn't to stop making decisions, it is to build systems to protect your brain power for what actually matters.” [Nick, 22:16] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 313: The Features You Didn’t Know You Needed (and Already Have)
10/30/2025
Episode 313: The Features You Didn’t Know You Needed (and Already Have)
What We Cover In This Episode: Why Spot Booking is now free for all studios and how it can be used for safety, accessibility, and improving the client experience [3:27] The way to offer a premium experience to your top-tier clients by using Spot Booking early access for priority class registration [10:55] A new functionality that helps studio owners save on credit card processing fees [12:52] How to restrict classes based on experience level (using tag-based restrictions [24:11] Quotes: “Any report that is technically a client facing list, so your sales report, client report, memberships, anything with clients listed in a column can be filtered by tags.” [Megan, 23:07] “We think announcements are one of the most under leveraged features in fitDEGREE. Remember, you can always do tag-based discounts on member-only announcements, intro offer, client announcements and things like that.” [Nick, 23:46] “I really think it expands the business for every type of modality that you just don't want clients to outgrow the studio, and this is an easy way to keep them engaged.” [26:12] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/38771490
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Episode 312: New Year, New Vibes — Prepping Your Studio for a Fresh Start
10/23/2025
Episode 312: New Year, New Vibes — Prepping Your Studio for a Fresh Start
What We Cover In This Episode: Tips for maximizing the end of the year by strategically treating December like an “off-season” [5:15] How to create maximum impact with minimal effort during this time [5:45] Why it's essential view your business as a marathon, and reset expectations before the January rush hits [6:20] What you can do to visually revitalize your space and the reasons this is such an important process [9:46] How to retain staff and optimize performance as you approach a brand-new year [10:19] Why you must test your funnels and ensure the client experience feels intentional [12:03] Key strategies to use for re-energizing your client base in 2026 [13:19] Quotes: “Most businesses are seasonal. You can either have complete panic that the studio is slow and you're freaking out or you can embrace the slow down and say, ‘How am I going to use this time to the best of my abilities?’” [Nick, 2:57] “Treat December like an off-season, where you can take a step back and look at the big picture. See what is working, what is not working, what feels wrong and what your space says about your brand energy.” [Nick, 5:22] “Align your team before the chaos of January hits…it really is important to make sure the team is feeling refreshed instead of worrying about what didn't happen in 2025 at this point.” [Nick, 6:22] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/38629135
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Episode 311: Manager or Master Multitasker
10/16/2025
Episode 311: Manager or Master Multitasker
What We Cover In This Episode: The key indicators that signal your business is ready for a manager, moving you from being the bottleneck to stepping back and focusing on growth [3:36] Some of the red flags that will indicate it is not the right time for you to hire a manager [10:36] Actionable advice on finding the right leader who will multiply your impact, not just manage your current chaos [14:16] The way that listing specific daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities prevents confusion and ensures you hire a manager who manages, not a co-owner who creates [16:10] How to approach using a 90-day trial phase for the new hire [18:58] What you can do to empower your manager and track their effectiveness [19:58] Mastering the “Slim Team Model” and the essential tactics for success when your studio is owner-operated [20:34] Quotes: “If you bring someone on, and they don't have a playbook, you are not bringing on a manager you are bringing on a co-owner.” [Nick, 11:17] “Give your instructors a career. Give your manager a career. The more invested they can be in your business, the better work they are going to do. If they’re managing four jobs and you’re just one of them, it’s going to feel like it’s their fourth job.” [Nick, 13:04] “Some people are phenomenal followers/assistants, and the second you put them into a management position or role they will crumble, because it is not who they are, it’s not how they operate, it’s not where they thrive.” [Megan, 14:58] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 310: Small Core Staff vs. Large Staff — Which Is Right for Your Studio?
10/09/2025
Episode 310: Small Core Staff vs. Large Staff — Which Is Right for Your Studio?
What We Cover In This Episode: How to assess your financials by analyzing what percentage of your monthly revenue is dedicated to payroll [3:16] What clients really value and prefer in the studio in terms of staffing [4:07] What happens when you define your ideal allocation for teaching, managing staff, and business growth [6:08] How to approach growth and what you need to be evaluation and questioning as an owner [14:36] The main reasons why owners prefer small core staff over a larger one and the things to watch out for with this sort of model [17:32] Why owners choose larger staffs and the risks that accompany this type of set up in the studio [19:05] Quotes: “If you do not have a path for people to grow forward, then whenever teaching becomes a burden or a studio is willing to pay more, they are probably just going to dip out.” [Nick, 6:38] “[With[ the smaller staff you're going to want those W-2s. If you have them as independent contractors but you only have four or five instructors, that sounds scary as hell to me.” [Megan, 8:24] “You can have the same studio, the same mission, vision, values, same class formats, everything, if you are in a different part of town, it is just going to be different people, it's going to be a different culture.” [Nick, 17:05] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 309: Studio Safety Basics
10/02/2025
Episode 309: Studio Safety Basics
What We Cover In This Episode: Why you must ensure every studio has the core safety tools on site [3:17] The key reasons that your staff should be equipped with basic emergency training [3:32] What to consider when building a culture of awareness and prevention [4:09] How to identify the non-negotiables that every studio should keep in its space [7:42] The importance of providing baseline training for all staff [8:01] The way to create clear protocols so safety becomes second nature, not an afterthought [9:11] A reminder to make sure to have the must-have tools on-site, such as a first aid kit, AED, and fire extinguishers [9:28] Why staff training should include essential certifications like CPR [13:29] How safety should be a core part of your communication with clients too [16:33] What happens when you conduct regular maintenance and reviews of all safety protocols and equipment [18:22] Quotes: “It is kind of a space to differentiate amongst other studios but also amongst clubs that have classes or franchises in particular…[it shows[ you’re really clean and prepared for accidents to happen.” [Nick, 17:04] “We can talk about how much people hate role playing for sales. I imagine how much they hate doing role playing for safety, but there is really no way to reenact it other than getting reps in, simulated reps in.” [Nick, 21:08] “It’s a boring and scary side of the business, but it is super important and it could be a differentiator for you in the area. If something happens at one place and they don’t handle it so well, and something happens at your place and you do handle it well, it’s going to build up a lot of trust and certainty.” [Nick, 21:57] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/38356600
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Episode 308: Holiday Marketing Campaigns That Actually Work
09/25/2025
Episode 308: Holiday Marketing Campaigns That Actually Work
What We Cover In This Episode: What you can do to make gifting easy for your members [4:45] How launching campaigns by late October can help you avoid the "holiday noise" that starts around Thanksgiving [5:33] The key reasons why campaigns should be designed with tight retention dates [7:24] What to consider when doing a gift card push around the holidays [15:20] How creating a referral challenge can boost engagement and get you new clients [15:40] Things studio owners can do to leverage Black Friday and Small Business Saturday [16:00] Why pre-selling January memberships can be a powerful marketing strategy [16:50] Final thoughts on offering an "introductory series" for new clients and what this can lead for them and your business [22:09] Quotes: “I think with branded material or any kind of promotional material, don't go cheap, either don't do it or make sure it's high-quality.” [Nick, 12:01] “Celebrate the studio, celebrate the small business, give back, encourage them to support small businesses instead of the large franchises in the area…take advantage of Black Friday, Cyber Monday; it’s not just for e-commerce. It can also be for the local businesses.” [Nick, 16:09] “The goal is to get people started not necessarily to keep people going because if you are providing value, the value is what keeps them coming back not because they scored a great black Friday deal.” [Nick, 21:36] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 307: Why We Removed Chat (and What It Means for Your Studio)
09/18/2025
Episode 307: Why We Removed Chat (and What It Means for Your Studio)
What We Cover In This Episode: Why the chat feature was removed from the FitDegree app, and how it strayed from the original goal we had for it [3:12] The timeline and impact of the chat feature's removal, including details on what will and won't be affected by the change [11:26] How studios can find alternatives for client communication now that the in-app chat is being removed [13:20] The best platforms for internal communication, and why they are better than in-app chat for staff [14:41] How to communicate this change to your members to keep the transition professional and positive [16:25] The way to address complaints from clients who are unhappy about losing the chat feature [17:14] Quotes: “The client-facing app is good enough for where it needs to be, and we've got to get back to where we started, of solving studio owner problems and focusing on that.” [Nick, 6:58] “I would rather spend those months building out something like a sub-management tool that is actually solving a problem instead of trying to force this novelty feature to work.” [Nick, 10:55] “Announcements and text messages is where you should have been before the chat, and that is where we are suggesting you go back to after the chat [removal].” [Nick, 14:33] “This is a decision that we felt like we had to make to be a better software platform and for our studios to be better business owners.” [21:38] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/38105400
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Episode 306: Hiring & Training Seasonal Staff
09/11/2025
Episode 306: Hiring & Training Seasonal Staff
What We Cover In This Episode: How to decide between seasonal hires or a skeleton schedule during busy periods [3:44] What to consider when building a streamline training plan for your team [9:27] Why you should use reporting tools to check last year's attendance data for better planning [11:56] The way to utilize onboarding cheat sheets to get new staff up to speed quickly [12:43] Why considering “shadow shifts” is an effective strategy when onboarding seasonal staff [13:09] The benefits of offering staff incentives for less desirable shifts [13:26] How announcing changes in your app can keep your team informed and engaged [14:50] Why you should consider using AI to help with your planning and our thoughts on how you can start doing this [18:05] Quotes: “We can decide that we want to hire seasonal staff, we can also decide we want to go down to a skeleton schedule, [but] just make that decision with intentionality [and] have a strategy behind it. If you want to go the other way next year, you can, but at least go in with a plan and see if the plan works instead of just trying to wing it and hope for the best.” [Nick, 3:22] “Just look at that historical data and decide what you need to do. Maybe you need to listen to the data and act accordingly. Maybe you need to see the data and throw a curve ball at it. [Nick, 12:22] “I feel like it's time to recognize that you're a small business owner (16:30) and just be ready, you know? Like this is kind of the burden you have of being a small business owner, that you almost have got to put a lot of holiday plans on standby and be ready. [Nick, 16:46] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 305: Surviving Instructor Time-Off Season
09/04/2025
Episode 305: Surviving Instructor Time-Off Season
What We Cover In This Episode: Why standardizing the way instructors request time off is a key strategy for a smooth season [4:08] The reasons that building a reliable sub pool in advance of the season is an effective strategy to focus on [5:28] Why it's essential to over-communicate schedule changes [9:14] How to streamline communication and substitutions utilizing specific software [9:44] The benefits you’ll see by proactively managing time off and requiring instructors to submit requests well in advance [12:13] What you can do to incentivize last-minute coverage [17:47] Why you should have a flexible format for classes for those times when you can't find a sub [20:50] Tips for preventing instructor burnout by balancing the workload among your substitute instructors [21:15] Quotes: “I just don't want to be bogged down on a weekly basis. So who are those members that are there consistently, that are a big part of the community, and that are qualified to teach? [Nick, 5:54] “I always think that's a great idea, having a pool of subs at all times, but I feel like this is something that I'm pretty sure Net Gym software will automate for you. Even if you're not using Net Gym, it's a great idea to have some sort of blocking system.” [Megan, 6:55] “You might have your core people that you do rely on to cover subs, and that could be your core people in a sub pool or it could be your core lead instructors that are treating this more like a career and not just a part time gig.” [Nick, 21:26] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/37945790
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Episode 304: No-Show & Late Cancel Policies That Actually Work
08/28/2025
Episode 304: No-Show & Late Cancel Policies That Actually Work
What We Cover In This Episode: Why your studio's demand should dictate your no-show and late-cancel policies [4:35] Tips on how to select a penalty that deters repeat offenders without alienating your best members [6:36] The key ways in which waivers can be a powerful tool for formalizing your policies [9:01] How to use automated notifications and your client communication channels to ensure members are always aware of your policies [15:30] Why it's crucial for your entire team to understand and enforce your policies in the exact same way [15:49] The reasons that making your policies as black and white as possible is the ultimately the best strategy to put in place [19:28] Quotes: “Choose a penalty that deters repeat offenders without alienating members. So it's not really going to be your best members that you're thinking about with this, you kind of have to think of your worst members when you're thinking about this.” [Nick 6:36] “If you update your cancellations polices, add a new waiver, [or] if you just have studio policies in general…all of these things can be in a waiver called ‘your studio policies.’” [Megan, 9:04] “Call them studio policies, call them studio etiquette, this is how we protect our culture at the studio so we can create a welcoming environment.” [Nick, 10:16] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 303: Bartering in Fitness: Legal Do’s, Don’ts, and Danger Zones
08/21/2025
Episode 303: Bartering in Fitness: Legal Do’s, Don’ts, and Danger Zones
What We Cover In This Episode: The key difference between an independent contractor and an employee to be aware of as a studio owner [6:36] Why having contractors in your studio might not be in your best interest and the hidden "pain points" that could arise [8:29] How to choose the best practices for classifying staff as either 1099 independent contractors or employees, depending on your state's laws [10:54] Where bartering really fits in for a boutique fitness business [15:28] Best practice for bartering with a contractor in a legal way [21:34] How to pay someone legitimately as a contractor in a common law state [27:00] Quotes: “Is bartering even possible? Is it possible to pull off effectively and legally, and get away with it or should we treat bartering like a bad word?” [Nick, 21:03] “If you ever aspire to be a business that is profitable it is just one of those things, you can't really count yourself as profitable if you're not hitting the things that you need to hit to be a proper business.” [26:31] “Personal liability coverage is considered a benefit, so if you were going to do that you would have to tell that contractor they are not covered under your insurance. Either they have to operate within your business without insurance or here is a resource to go get a small trainer policy.” [28:16] LINKS: Matt’s & Gym Ventures fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 302: Should You Start Fresh or Buy Existing? A Studio Owner’s First Big Decision
08/14/2025
Episode 302: Should You Start Fresh or Buy Existing? A Studio Owner’s First Big Decision
What We Cover In This Episode: Why your business model should match your personal strengths and tolerance for uncertainty [1:27] The “Vision Test” and why a profitable studio might not be the right choice for you [2:18] How to approach building hype for your new studio before the doors even open [7:55] The specific risks involved when you inherit a studio’s client base [8:49] What to be aware of in terms of the hidden costs involved when purchasing a studio [11:27] Why expanding nearby to a second locations requires an certain evolution of your business [27:19] Final considerations in relation to your appetite for risk [28:55] Quotes: “A purchase of a studio means you are inheriting certain members which could be a head start, but it also could be a gamble if they are tied to the old owner or the brand.” [Nick, 9:10] “Don’t forget financial risk. New studios often have high upfront costs for build out, branding, or marketing. An existing studio may have lower start-up costs but could come with hidden issues like overdue bills, outdated equipment or staffing challenges.” [Nick, 11:22] “I really feel like it is opportunity based, but I would say if you were buying a studio you are marrying into that brand and you are just kind of keeping it afloat for the next 5 to 10 years.” [Nick, 18:02] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 301: The Power of Pause: Managing Freeze Requests Strategically
08/07/2025
Episode 301: The Power of Pause: Managing Freeze Requests Strategically
What We Cover In This Episode: How reframing the freeze request at allows studio owners to view it not as a cancellation, but as a retention opportunity [3:56] Why having a clearly defined policy is essential for consistency in managing freeze requests [4:47] The way to effectively communicate the expectations around freezes [9:42] How to keep the door open and effectively reach out to members [14:07] What you can to do utilize membership adjustment features [15:24] How adding automated tags or labels to track membership freezes, suggested at simplifies monitoring current freeze statuses [17:07] Why considering educational touch points is so beneficial [18:21] Quotes: “Communicate the expectation. Freezes should come with a confirmation that is going to outline the start date and end date, and what happens to their payment cycle.” [Nick, 9:42] “When someone emails in for a cancellation or a freeze, that is just a request and they should still have to follow through, even if it's as simple as confirming the email receipt, so you have that to fall back on, or if you're able to get them to sign something.” [Nick, 12:29] “You're a small business, and in order to stay in business, you need this expected recurring revenue, and if you kind of let people freeze willy-nilly, that is just going to put the business in uncertainty.” [19:15] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 300: Back to Routine, Back to Revenue: How to Capitalize on the Fall Rush
07/31/2025
Episode 300: Back to Routine, Back to Revenue: How to Capitalize on the Fall Rush
What We Cover In This Episode: How to adapt your studio's schedule and offerings to meet the specific needs and routines of parents and teachers returning to their structured lives [5:08] Effective strategies to help clients build lasting habits throughout September, ensuring long-term retention [6:35] Ways to craft "welcome back" emails with special class challenges or limited-time offers to re-ignite client interest for the fall season [10:41] How to use back-to-school specials to offer targeted discounts or bonus class packs specifically for teachers, parents, and students [13:07] What an optimized afternoon class schedule will allow you to do with the Fall rush [14:19] Ideas for forging collaborations with local schools and PTAs that will help you reach parents and teachers directly [14:46] Compelling self-care social campaigns that will set you up for success this Fall [15:00] What to keep in mind with the benefits of offering youth sports preseason and school programs [15:57] Quotes: “Regardless of whether people are a parent, a teacher or just living their best solo life over the summer, summer throws us all off. We want to eat, we want to drink, we want to tan. We don't want to wake up for that 5 AM alarm clock to get to our sessions.” [Nick, 7:34] “If you develop consistency in these people’s lives through the month of September it is going to carry them, because if they can do a whole 30 days of consistency, especially coming off of the slugs that we become by the end of summer, they are just going to feel so much better remember, and that is because of you.” [Nick,11:50] “It’s almost like creating referrals. You don't create referrals because you want to create referrals, you create referrals because you create an amazing experience, and those people want to share with their friends that experience.” [Nick, 20:49] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 299: Click-to-Cancel is Canceled? What Studio Owners Still Need to Know
07/24/2025
Episode 299: Click-to-Cancel is Canceled? What Studio Owners Still Need to Know
What We Cover In This Episode: Why the much-anticipated FTC click-to-cancel rule was halted just days before launch, and how it impacts your fitness business [3:06] The need for continued vigilance, even after the rule was nullified [6:22] Essential federal rules for your business and what to do to get clarity on the ongoing federal requirements your studio must follow [6:59] State specific laws to be aware of if you are operating in California and NY [10:00] Expert tips on having clear sales scripts, ensuring waiver signatures, and following up with clients for strong, compliant membership onboarding [12:27] fitDEGREE’s built-in compliance tools and how it will help you navigate these developments like a pro [18:45] Quotes: “The court ruled the FTC violated section 18 of the FTC act by skipping this analysis, which would have allowed for more robust public feedback. So for now, the rule is nullified, but don't count it out. The FTC could revise and reissue it or even appeal to the Supreme court. [Nick, 6:23] “So don't make it difficult to cancel a membership. If you want to make it an email, make an email. Make sure you're staying on top of that email and also don't trick people into a three- month membership that also continues to roll on going forward.” [Nick, 7:30] “It does give you a chance to be a more transparent business in the area. And I think there's just so many small things to follow on a state level and pay attention to. It's almost like you'd rather just get ahead of the curve and not have to keep up with these things or spend legal fees in trying to have someone else research this for you.” [Nick, 12:04] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/37431230
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Episode 298: Handling Client Complaints Without Losing Your Mind
07/17/2025
Episode 298: Handling Client Complaints Without Losing Your Mind
What We Cover In This Episode: How to separate your personal feelings from client feedback to maintain a clear perspective and prevent burnout [6:20] The reasons why you should take a moment to compose yourself before addressing a complaint, whether in person or via message [9:10] Tips for using a consistent framework to acknowledge, clarify, restate policies, and politely close interactions [10:25] Why it’s important to understand that many complaints stem from external factors affecting the client, not necessarily your business [11:59] How to log and track complaints with by establishing a reliable system for ongoing use [12:48] The main things to consider in terms of auditing your systems after receiving big complaints [13:36] Key benefits you’ll unlock when you empower your team to handle complaints [15:12] Quotes: “It is your job to pinpoint the actual issues, so you want to acknowledge the emotion and meet them where they are at. Be understanding, be sympathetic, be empathetic..and then you want to identify the actual issue.” [5:43] “You want to empower your team to escalate and redirect the problem without needing to run every issue by you. You want them to be able to handle these issues on their own.” [15:42] “Here is the truth. Client complaints are part of the game, but they don't have to wreck your mood, your day, or your leadership energy.” [17:54] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/37360465
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Episode 297: Membership Perks That Don’t Cost a Dime (But Feel Like a Fortune)
07/10/2025
Episode 297: Membership Perks That Don’t Cost a Dime (But Feel Like a Fortune)
What We Cover In This Episode: How you can use priority booking access to create exclusivity, without any extra effort on your part [4:51] What you can do on members’ birthdays or anniversaries to make them feel seen, special, and appreciated [6:50] The way that offering members first dibs on events recognizes their loyalty and consistent support [7:59] Ideas for featuring a "member of the month" on your announcements or social media [9:22] How using client goal tracking recognition to acknowledge members who hit streaks or milestones, fosters motivation as well as a sense of accomplishment [10:20] Why product drops and exclusive member events are effective strategies to use in your studio [10:56] What you can do that will allow members to ask questions and engage directly with your team each month [14:45] More ideas on using “sneak peeks” and behind-the-scenes content as membership perks [15:57] Quotes: “A low-key strategy that you might want to do when you're doing these things is get members talking about [the perk]. If members are talking about it with each other, then they are doing free marketing for you.” [Nick, 3:08] “The class packs are nice, but at any point they can just walk away from their investment or not renew, and you would still have rent due the next month. Your recurring members are the lifeline of your business.” [Nick, 9:07] “No matter what modality you are in, you can give someone a starter pack. Whether it is a branded water bottle, a branded T-shirt, branded grip socks, you can give them a very small gesture. If they are paying you $179 a month for their membership you can spend 40 of that to give them a small collection of goodies that are going to make them feel real good.” [13:11] “Perks do not have to be costly to be valuable. The real magic comes from connection and consistency.” [17:50] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 296: No More Temperature Checks: Intro Offers Just Got Smarter
07/03/2025
Episode 296: No More Temperature Checks: Intro Offers Just Got Smarter
What We Cover In This Episode: The ways in which the new updates to our latest software platform release will make your intro offers more accessible to potential clients [2:36] How the new update allows for direct refunds to client account balances, streamlining the process and retaining funds for future purchases [5:33] What you can now do to directly edit recurring membership prices on individual client profiles, and the benefits you will see by doing this [8:49] The most effective processes for implementing price increases and the reasons that pairing price adjustments with signed documents or waivers protects your business [12:05] Quotes: “We’re trying to not gatekeep your intro offer from people who have just gotten a taste of your business. It is really just gatekeeping it from people who have proven a regular occurrence.” [Megan, 5:06] “If someone is aware of your studio, we want you to confidently say ‘download the app and the app is going to take care of the rest for you.” [Nick, 8:08] “Price increases are one of those things that if you handle it well, it's not a huge deal but if you don't handle it well, they can become a big burden, and maybe not even worth doing it all together.” [12:08] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 295: Life Hacks for a Successful Studio Staff Meeting
06/26/2025
Episode 295: Life Hacks for a Successful Studio Staff Meeting
What We Cover In This Episode: How to apply the three core principles for a successful staff meeting [4:39] Why breaking down your meeting agenda effectively using a standing template leads to consistency [11:53] The way that rotating who leads the "wins and shout-outs" section will boost team engagement [14:45] Why using shared notes or Slack threads makes for seamless communication and easy recall of meeting outcomes [15:17] Tips for ensuring all discussion topics are clearly defined and communicated before the meeting starts [16:03] What to consider about using anonymous forms for hard feedback [17:02] How ending your meeting by asking staff for a quick score helps gauge effectiveness and gather immediate feedback [17:36] Quotes: “I think a really successful meeting is when everyone going into the meeting knows what is going to be talked about…the meeting is actually making sure we are all on the same page.” [Nick, 5:11] “It’s not a monologue. You might introduce the topics, [but] think of yourself as more of the MC of the meeting and not necessarily the sole speaker during the meeting. This isn't just announcements, they can read announcements in an email.” [Nick, 5:57] “You definitely want to preset the agenda; this isn’t something you just walk in and figure out. You want to have it set in advance, you want to inform anyone who will be speaking or needing to prepare things to be prepared, and then you can execute.” [Megan, 7:30] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 294: Should Your Studio Take a Break? The Pros and Cons of Summer (or Winter) Shutdowns
06/19/2025
Episode 294: Should Your Studio Take a Break? The Pros and Cons of Summer (or Winter) Shutdowns
What We Cover In This Episode: What “taking a break” means and does not mean and why this is important to understand as a studio owner [4:21] Proactive things you can do during a pause or break to keep the momentum going for your business [6:41] Steps to take in the studio to get your clients excited upon your return [8:08] How taking a break could result in being a big win for you [10:26] A few of the main drawbacks in taking a seasonal break to keep in mind [15:38] Quotes: “Having a short staff retreat, it could be somewhere local, it could be a day thing, it could be an overnight thing that is just a drive away, or you could take the time to do one-on-one check-ins. Just get aligned with your instructors and get their pulse on the studio.” [Nick, 11:29] “This time off is either a true rest because you are burnt out, or you are actually saying that you need to tackle a big item that you need all your focus on and you’re not going to let yourself get distracted with small day-to-day things.” [Nick, 18:16] “Taking a seasonal break is not lazy, it is considered leadership. Done right, this pause can create space to repair, reflect and reignite your passion for the studio.” [19:48] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36960695
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Episode 293: The Power of Feedback: Listening Without Losing Yourself
06/12/2025
Episode 293: The Power of Feedback: Listening Without Losing Yourself
What We Cover In This Episode: How to approach integrating feedback into your core process and why it’s such a good idea to do this [5:53] Strategies for choosing the optimal feedback format [7:52] Why not all feedback is created equal and the importance of segmenting your audience to understand their unique perspectives [8:46] Ways you can leverage tools to streamline feedback collection [16:26] Why feedback needs a clear evaluation systems and strategies that will help you implement a structured approach to evaluation [17:48] Final thoughts on creating quarterly review sessions for your team to identify trends and next action steps [20:30] Quotes: “We want to do this with purpose and intentionality. We just don’t want to have a suggestion box, get a bunch of feedback and then not review it. If you’re going to ask it, you’ve got to listen for it.” [Nick, 3:14] “I’m not going to you this is going to happen today, tomorrow, next week, next month next year, but I have documented it and upon our next update we always circle back, review our feedback and then press forward.” [Megan, 11:04] “When people are not happen and you kind of just say we’re not going to do that, they’re going to start to get bitter and resentful. When people bring up a problem, they don't want to just be brushed off, they want some type of solution.” [21:44] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36864350
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Episode 292: Delegate Like a Pro: How to Onboard, Train, and Track a Virtual Assistant
06/05/2025
Episode 292: Delegate Like a Pro: How to Onboard, Train, and Track a Virtual Assistant
What We Cover In This Episode: How to prepare your business for a virtual assistant before you post for help [4:23] Things to keep in mind when hiring the right VA for your fitness studio [7:51] Where and how to source a VA, including the top platforms available right now [10:06] Why it’s important to create quick wins for a confidence and trust boost with your new team member [11:15] The essential tools for VA communication and task management [13:57] What the key metrics are for measuring virtual assistant success [15:03] Quotes: “There's nothing worse than when you try to delegate something and you get to the point where you go, ‘I might as well just do this myself’, because sometimes you’re wrong, but sometimes you’re right. If you’re right it’s back on your plate, but if you’re wrong, you have to hope that the next hire works or it’s your fault that it’s not working out.” [Nick, 15:24] “The whole reason we’re talking about hiring a VA or delegating work is that you are getting [to do] higher value work. So you’re able to focus on growth, leadership, member experience, and focus on the things that improve the quality of the studio.” [Nick, 16:25] “A VA is for things that you wish software could do but AI isn't there yet. It’s like you could explain exactly what to do and that person could do it.” [Nick, 18:35] LINKS: (on Facebook) fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 291: Do, Delegate, Delete: The Studio Owner’s Guide to Choosing VA, Team, or Tech
05/29/2025
Episode 291: Do, Delegate, Delete: The Studio Owner’s Guide to Choosing VA, Team, or Tech
What We Cover In This Episode: Why energy, not just time, is your most valuable resource as a business owner [2:43] How to determine what tasks you should be doing yourself [6:28] When to delegate in-house versus to a virtual assistant [10:21] What to consider about deleting and/or automating tasks [17:05] Tips for leveraging AI and automation [17:29] Why implementing a weekly time audit to identify and label tasks is so powerful [19:16] Quotes: “If you are doing something over and over again with the exact same logic, there is no nuance to it, you should not delegate to that person, you should automate it.” [Nick, 18:59] “Every time you do a task, you're going to ask yourself, does this need me? Can I trade someone to do this? Can tech do it faster? This is the ironic part, with less error.” [Nick, 19:24] “Let the team support your studio heartbeat, let your VA handle the systems you create and let technology handle whatever needed your hands in the first place.” [Nick, 22:52] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36715810
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Episode 290: Cracking the Code on Client Retention: Small Tweaks, Big Impact
05/22/2025
Episode 290: Cracking the Code on Client Retention: Small Tweaks, Big Impact
What We Cover In This Episode: How the three main pillars of retention make up the foundational strategy for boosting client retention [6:04] The way to use tactical behavior tracking to identify at-risk clients [6:26] Why starting a consistency club to recognize and reward members for maintaining regular attendance streaks is such an effective strategy [11:03] The importance of intentionally connecting new members with both staff and established regulars and what happens when you do this [15:50] LINKS: Episodes , , , & with Niki Riga fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 289: What Could Go Wrong? Summer Events, Outdoor Classes & Staying Prepared
05/15/2025
Episode 289: What Could Go Wrong? Summer Events, Outdoor Classes & Staying Prepared
What We Cover In This Episode: Pre-event planning strategies to pay attention to when creating a successful outdoor event [4:56] The necessity of clear communication with attendees regarding location, parking, weather expectations, and what to bring [6:55] An important reminder to confirm location permits or partnership agreements before hosting outdoor fitness events in public spaces or other venues [12:09] More client communication tips that will set your event up for success [13:49] The basics of a contingency plan to have in place and other considerations to keep in mind in terms of logistics on the big day [15:10] Quotes: “I think this is a huge blunder when people don’t do this. You’re going somewhere new, and that means for existing clients that are coming, it’s also new to them. So, where are you going to be? Draw a map, maybe get some drone footage coverage if you can do that, make Instagram posts about it and tell them where they can park.” [7:46] “Always treat your outdoor events like a business, not a block party. Your reputation and liability are on the line....you want to create a community gathering as best you can, you want it to feel like a party, but it is a business first.” [8:19] “Send a day before text and email with location, parking tips, weather expectations and what to bring. I think that leading up to this they should know where they’re going to park, they should know where it’s going to be, but weather expectations is something that you can do earlier in the week to get people prepared.” [13:54] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36452725
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Episode 288: Click to Cancel & FTC Compliance
05/08/2025
Episode 288: Click to Cancel & FTC Compliance
What We Cover In This Episode: Details on the FTC negative option rule coming into effect May 14th and why compliance is key when it comes to protecting your boutique fitness business [3:51] The clear and easy to use option to keep your business compliant as well enhancing the client experience [5:38] How FitDegree provides control over in-app cancellation options [8:05] The new reporting feature in FitDegree that allows studios to track membership cancellations, along with optional push notifications for real-time alerts and more [11:07] Quotes: “This is going to be about transparency, it is about consumer protection, tha’s why it is being enforced, and it’s about making sure people don't feel trapped in a membership they can't get out of.” [Nick, 4:03] “It is not a ‘nice to have’, it is a federal law. You need to stay compliant and it's one of those things that if you do a little bit of work upfront you are going to avoid legal headaches down the road. It’s also going to build trust with your clients.” [Nick, 4:46] “We saw some softwares come out with this feature before us and they simply just threw a cancel button on there. We took our time… with our development team.” [Nick, 8:19] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
/episode/index/show/fitdegreepodcast/id/36393805
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Episode 287: From Side Hustle to CEO: When to Go All In
05/01/2025
Episode 287: From Side Hustle to CEO: When to Go All In
What We Cover In This Episode: The key financial readiness benchmarks you should be considering before transitioning to full-time [4:55] What operational systems are key for a fitness studio transitioning from part-time to full-time [9:01] Why it is so important to test if your fitness studio can function without you [11:53] What analyzing the last three months of business will tell you about the position you are in to go all-in with your business [16:11] Free tools and resources you can use, including how the "Profit First Method" and how it can help you manage your business finances like a salary [17:19] Specific questions to ask yourself weekly as you assess if now is the right time for you to make the leap to full-time in business [22:07] Quotes: “Make sure all the systems are in place, so when you do the full-time jump you are trying to scale the business and not trying to figure out the business.” [Nick, 9:40] “It is twofold why you should be implementing software early on, because it is going to help with the scheduling, it is going to help with the billing, it is going to help with some communication and to use when onboarding new clients.” [Nick, 10:42] “Going full-time doesn't have to be reckless, it just has to be intentional. Use the data, build a plan, step into the role of the business that is waiting for you, that you want to be in.” [25:57] LINKS: by Ramit Sethi by Mike Michalowicz fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 286: From Slower Traffic to Summer Surges: How to Stay Ahead in the Heat
04/24/2025
Episode 286: From Slower Traffic to Summer Surges: How to Stay Ahead in the Heat
What We Cover In This Episode: Effective strategies for creating recurring revenue with summer-only Memberships [3:20] The benefits of summer outdoor fitness classes and how you can leverage the outdoors in your business [4:50] Some ways you can use seasonal promotions and loyalty rewards to maintain summer engagement [9:13] The importance of freeze options over cancellations for summer absences [10:46] Why you should be considering upgrading classes, adding classes and/or instructors during this time [14:45] How to implement referral programs for family and friends who are also on vacation to maintain traffic in your studio, along with other summer-specific programs and events you can tap into [16:09] Quotes: “Incentivizing people to be there when it's easier to not be there is always going to be a good idea, and it's going to be even more true during the summer when it's warm weather, longer sunsets, things like that.” [Nick, 10:33] “When it comes to decreased traffic, it is just about getting crafty with it. You have to get creative, people are leaving for the summer so say ‘hey, instead of cancelling your membership why don't you freeze it.’” [Megan, 11:39] “I think that the biggest thing is that you still want them to maintain this lifestyle to some degree, so that when things slow down with them they are ready and they are eager to get back in the studio and really bring that lifestyle back to the forefront.” [Nick, 12:13] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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