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 [email protected]!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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Episode 285: Gym Owners’ Legal Checklist: Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Planning for Growth
04/17/2025
Episode 285: Gym Owners’ Legal Checklist: Avoiding Costly Mistakes and Planning for Growth
What We Cover In This Episode: The difference between an LLC and an S-Corp, and how that affects liability, taxation and future growth [4:31] What the purpose of a legal entity is, and how it protects your personal assets from business lawsuits [7:04] How to negotiate commercial leases effectively, plus the strategies you can use to protect your wealth [15:45] What makes membership and staff agreements critical for a new gym business and why not having these in place isn’t an option [19:33] The significant financial risks of misclassifying staff and how the true costs this type of mistake can have [25:17] What specific lease clauses gym owners should negotiate, and how to get better protection within those contracts [29:32] What you need to keep in mind as you future plan for the sale of your business [35:08] Quotes: “The whole purpose of the legal entity is to protect your personal assets. Think about it as we're basically putting a roof over your head so that the lawsuit comes at you, at the legal entity, and it's going to bounce off you personally, and it's going to stick to the legal entity." [Matt, 6:59] “The lease is a contract and every contract is negotiable. So the landlord will present you with an initial copy of the lease and recommend that you hire somebody to go through and basically say, we like this language. We don't like this language." [Matt, 15:27] "So it's not really a question of whether or not you think you should have a membership agreement. You have to. By law." [Matt & Nick, 22:26] “We want to make sure that we are building an asset, this is an investment, this is an asset that is growing and it is nice and packaged up, because it's a nice little LLC and the more you operate in it the more you can remove yourself from the business it is going to increase its evaluation and then ultimately, we are going to try to sell it.” [Matt, 36:40] LINKS: Gym Lawyers Gym Wealth Strategies Their & Services fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 284: Zoom Out: Working ON Your Business, Not Just IN It
04/10/2025
Episode 284: Zoom Out: Working ON Your Business, Not Just IN It
What We Cover In This Episode: How to strategically carve out dedicated "CEO time" each week and why this focused time is so crucial [7:49] Why a time audit is essential for business growth [10:18] How to implement 90-day planning cycles for more agile and effective business growth [14:50] What you can do right now to shift your mindset from an instructor to a leader and why this transition is vital for a studio looking to scale [20:21] Tips for effectively delegating tasks to free up your time and how doing this can significantly improve your productivity and team empowerment [21:41] How to use journaling prompts to improve your mindset and leadership and you go on your journey to work on, not just in your business [25:17] Quotes: “There's always going be work to do, there's always going to be little things to do, and at some point, those little things stop moving the needle and they start to become distractions.” [Nick, 5:45] “We can't go on vibes, we need data to make informed decisions. After you are in the nitty-gritty, in the thick of it, you have developed an informed decision because you have data, both quantitative and qualitative.” [Nick, 17:47] “You should be hiring someone for things that you are either not good at or hate doing. That person is signing up knowing that this is going to be their job, so they have to be into it just a little bit to know what they are signing up for.” [Nick, 22:48] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 283: Unlocking New Features: What’s New in fitDEGREE & How to Use Them
04/03/2025
Episode 283: Unlocking New Features: What’s New in fitDEGREE & How to Use Them
What We Cover In This Episode: A look at our recent key feature updates, including schedule visibility, gift card discounts, and more [1:17] The flexible gift card redemption feature now available that will enhance user experience [6:32] Some use cases that highlight why these new features will be valuable to you [9:58[ What we’ve done to simplify the refund process for drop-in classes and how this will improve administrative efficiency [12:10] Why it’s important to understand where these new features are coming from and next steps to submit your own feedback [19:10] Quotes: “Discounts for a gift card only work on the public app for users, not for guests, and the reason that we had to build that is because someone can get into an infinite loop where they are using gift card balances to buy more gift card balance.” [Nick, 5:03] “We've always had the ability of having flexibility around your billing, where you could bill within a matter of weeks, months or years, but with perks, we have only had it on a monthly basis, or a per week basis. So, now we have extended that so that membership perks can now be renewed on a four-week basis, two-week basis, three-week basis, three-month basis, whatever you want to do to get creative.” [Nick, 7:42] “One of our goals in mind was Mother's Day. We really wanted this [feature] before that next holiday, where we do see an uptick in gift cards.” [Megan, 13:15] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 282: Rules, Relationships, and Respect: Enforcing Policies Without Losing Members
03/27/2025
Episode 282: Rules, Relationships, and Respect: Enforcing Policies Without Losing Members
What We Cover In This Episode: Strategies for onboarding new clients and communicating studio policies effectively so that clear expectations are set from Day One [4:24] Why enforcing policies fairly across the board is essential to prevent accusations of favoritism and to maintain member respect [9:56] How enforcing policies contributes to a better experience for both members and the business, rather than just being a “tyrant” [11:03] Tips for maintaining boundaries with members while still being friendly [11:44] What you can do to effectively communicate policy updates to members, using multiple channels [12:29] The importance of training staff to confidently enforce policies and communicate them effectively [14:45] Quotes: “We believe by enforcing all these policies based on our modality, based on our studio, based on our community, that this is going to create the overall better experience when a new member walks in the door.” [Nick, 11:20] “You don’t want to be the bad person of your studio as the owner. You want to train your staff up, to not only know all the policies, but how to communicate these policies without conflict.” [Nick, 14:46] “At the end of the day, enforcing policies does not make you a villain, it makes you a responsible business owner and the most important rule of business is to stay in business.” [Nick,19:58] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 281: What You’re Overthinking (And What Actually Matters)
03/20/2025
Episode 281: What You’re Overthinking (And What Actually Matters)
What We Cover In This Episode: Why quality over quantity matters when it comes to social media followers [7:29] The dangers of adding more options you to your studio, both for your business and your clients [12:17] The key reasons that a multi-modality studio should have a multi room studio [16:15] How setting boundaries and creating systems, rather than being available 24/7, leads to better business management and prevents burnout [21:26] How keeping your clients happy before you worry about getting more of them will pay dividends [26:05] Quotes: “Perfectionism is the cancer for business owners. Done is better than perfect should be the tattoo everyone gets when they become a business owner.” [3:41] “Think about that emotional burden that you're putting on yourself when you are piling up to-do lists. What is actually worth your time and what is not?” [6:30] “Over accessibility its going to lead to burn out and clients are always going to expect more and more and more. You are going to realize that you are not charging enough for how much you are trying to offer right now.” [22:24] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 280: Your Studio’s Blind Spots: What You’re Ignoring That’s Costing You
03/13/2025
Episode 280: Your Studio’s Blind Spots: What You’re Ignoring That’s Costing You
What We Cover In This Episode: What you can do to maximize profit through regular, not once-a-year, audits of your numbers [3:33] How to stop membership leaks and strategies for handling expired cards and follow-ups [4:49] Ways to reduce overall studio expenses by focusing on your software and payment fees [11:20] Why your pricing matters and what you can do to avoid undervaluing memberships [13:28] How to free up your time using delegation and simple loyalty programs [23:31] Quotes: “If you’re doing big audits or a big analysis once a year, sometimes it’s already too late. So, really focus on monthly and quarterly improvements and audits and don’t just focus on once a year, because who knows if you’ll be around by that time next year.” [Nick, 3:31] “At some point, you have to build a process and trust them to be capable people. If they are not capable people maybe either you have to spend more time on development and training, or maybe they're just not the right fit.” [16:57] “I think there is such an obsession with new leads, but how many people are coming through the door that you are not converting and are people cancelling their memberships after 6 months, 12 months, things like that.” [19:00] LINKS: & fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 279: From Solo to Scalable: Building a Team That Has Your Back
03/06/2025
Episode 279: From Solo to Scalable: Building a Team That Has Your Back
What We Cover In This Episode: The true cost of a bad hire and why hiring the wrong person is even worse than being short-staffed [2:18] How delegating tasks can free you to work on your business, not just in it [3:52] Which key roles are essential for your studio's success and how to structure your staffing for maximum impact [6:41] What the real secret is to having happy and loyal employees [8:43] Who you need to hire and how to avoid nightmare hires [15:03] The number one interview question that's going to tell if your potential new hire is a good fit [18:51] A look at the pay structures that will motivate your team to buy into your studio’s vision and help you scale in the process [20:03] How to shift your mindset from micromanaging to leading, setting clear expectations, and fostering a thriving team environment [23:22] Quotes: “Burnout isn't a badge of honor. When you are trying to do everything, eventually you are going to start sucking at some of the things that you are doing and you realize you're just holding your business back, instead of letting go and empowering people and letting them do the things that you used to do so that you can do things that you're never getting to.” [Nick, 6:05] “The worst thing that you can do is hire in desperation. You don't want to settle for ‘good enough’. Your staff should align with the studios cultures and values. They should be proud to work at the studio. [Nick, 17:39] “The key to growth is hiring smart and training well and leading with confidence. When you build a team that aligns with your vision you create a studio that thrives without you doing everything, and let me tell you, it just feels amazing.” [Nick, 25:44] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 278: The Art of the First Impression: How to Hook New Members in 30 Seconds
02/27/2025
Episode 278: The Art of the First Impression: How to Hook New Members in 30 Seconds
What We Cover In This Episode: Why a strategic approach, not just "vibes," is essential for client experience and retention [0:27] What recent data is showing about customer retention and the importance of first impressions [2:50] The reasons that the first five seconds a client interacts with your studio is so critical, and what can do to ensure it’s a positive experience [8:16] The “30-Second Hook Formula” you can use to guide them through the space, engage in conversation, and invite them to the next step [15:08] Tactics for enhancement, including why strategically placed mirrors will help boost confidence and familiarity for your new members [18:19] How to address any awkwardness clients may feel and create a welcoming environment for everyone [23:43] Quotes: “You should be following a formula on how to make people feel comfortable, but when you are a new customer in a business, it is all vibes. You know you get that ick feeling, and once you get that ick feeling, it is really hard to shake it.” [Nick, 1:20] “I cannot stress that enough, [that] you are a VIP expense, a VIP investment to these people, so you have to create a VIP experience. This is not group classes at the YMCA, this is not Group classes at LA Fitness. You are trying to prove that you are worth that top dollar, so you need to create that VIP experience.” [Nick, 6:45] “First impressions are not just important, they are everything….your studio should feel like home within the first 30 seconds of someone walking in the door, [and] I’d argue even less.” [Nick, 25:19] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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Episode 277: Spring Cleaning for Your Fitness Business: Refreshing Policies & Procedures
02/20/2025
Episode 277: Spring Cleaning for Your Fitness Business: Refreshing Policies & Procedures
What We Cover In This Episode: Why Spring is the perfect time to review and refresh your business operations [0:23] How updating your contracts and waivers will ensure you're legally protected and aligned with industry best practices [8:39] The way that clear policies on late cancellations, no-shows, and general studio etiquette will create a smoother, more professional experience for everyone [11:25] Actionable strategies for streamlining studio operations for peak efficiency [12:48] The importance of simplifying onboarding and member communication and the benefits you’ll see as a result of doing this [14:30] A reminder to use this time to check your studio supplies, inventory, and equipment to ensure everything is in top shape [16:08] Tips for assessing your studio software to ensure it is properly supporting your business growth and efficiency [21:14] Quotes: “Liability waivers and membership contracts are not supposed to be fun, short, easy reads. You know, the more you can pull out the legalese and the more you can humanize the waiver so people can actually read it is wonderful, but it shouldn't be so short and sweet to the point that you're making yourself vulnerable.” [Nick, 5:59] “Simplify onboarding and member communication. So, are new clients getting all the information they need up front and creating an automated welcome email sequence? I think this is, you know, that drip campaign we talked about earlier, separating out of those, what's an email, what's a text, what's fluff and what's important.” [Nick, 14:33] “Spring is a perfect time to do a deep clean, not just for your physical space but for your business operations too. Updating contracts and waivers keeps you protected, and streamlining operations boosts efficiency and leveraging tech makes you work smarter and not harder.” [Nick, 23:38] LINKS: fitDEGREE’s
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