The Small Group Gym Pod

Stuart Aitken

The podcast where gym owners who mainly run a small-group personal training model share their stories, struggles, and strategies so you don’t have to figure it out alone.

  1. 5 days ago

    #41 What Successful Gym Owners Are Doing Differently in 2026 (w/ Michael Keeler)

    In this episode, Stuart sits down with Michael Keeler from Business for Unicorns to discuss what separates thriving gyms from struggling ones in 2026. The conversation centres around a simple idea: successful gyms aren't usually doing magical things... they're doing the basics consistently. Michael explains that the best-performing gyms have: Reliable lead generation systems instead of hoping referrals magically appearMultiple "poles in the water" for attracting clientsStrong retention systems built around meaningful relationshipsWeekly leadership meetings that keep the business on trackClear metrics they review every weekSimple, low-barrier offers that make it easy for prospects to get startedRegular referral campaigns and seasonal promotionsProcesses for keeping long-term clients motivated and engaged One of the standout lessons is Michael's "Mission Control Meeting"—a weekly 30-90 minute meeting where owners review key metrics, identify opportunities and issues, stay accountable to quarterly projects, and make decisions based on data rather than feelings. The episode also covers: The 3 marketing numbers every gym should trackWhy most gym owners become the bottleneck in their businessThe best low-barrier offer they're seeing right nowHow often to change your offersWhy "Momentum Coaching" can dramatically improve retentionThe difference between leading and lagging indicators in business Find out more about MK: BFU Website: https://businessforunicorns.com/

    47 min

  2. 17 Jun

    #40 The Financial Habits Every Gym Owner Should Start Today (w/ ESG)

    In this episode, Stuart interviews Emma Storey-Gordon (@esgfitness & @afmentors) about personal finance, investing, pensions, and financial freedom for PTs and gym owners. Emma's core message is simple: Financial freedom isn't about getting rich quickly. It's about creating security, options, and peace of mind through consistent, boring financial habits. She explains why coaches should stop ignoring money, start building emergency funds, contribute to pensions, invest regularly, understand tax basics, and educate themselves on personal finance rather than outsourcing all responsibility to accountants or financial advisers. The conversation covers: Building a 3-6 month emergency fundThe "Coffee Match" investing habit (£1-£5/day invested automatically)Why pensions are often overlooked by PTsISAs and tax-efficient investingAvoiding lifestyle creep as income growsWhy financial freedom beats flashy purchasesThe impact of inflation on savingsWhen to hire an accountantRecommended books including The Psychology of Money and Die With ZeroEmma's goal of becoming financially independent by 30 and how she achieved itOverall, it's a practical guide to the financial habits most coaches wish they'd started 10 years earlier. Find out more about ESG: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esg_afm/

    50 min

  3. 3 Jun

    #39 Why Some Clients Never Leave SGPT Gyms

    In this short episode, Stuart details some key things that help turn a new client into a long-term member of your gym. Stuart's email: stuart@theptroadmap.com Stuart's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stuart__aitken/

    10 min

  4. 27 May

    #38 Why Running a 4:1 Model Nearly Destroyed My Gym (w/ Greg Mikolap)

    This week on the Small Group Gym Podcast, I sit down with Greg Mikolap from ICON to unpack nearly a decade of gym ownership, the realities of scaling small group personal training, and why the model he originally built nearly broke the business. Greg shares: Why he moved from a 4:1 model to sessions as large as 16:1The financial mistakes that cost him almost £300,000What he learned from visiting elite US training gymsWhy most gym owners think about attrition the wrong wayHow to make difficult business changes without panicking about member backlashThe balance between coaching quality, profitability, and sustainability Find out more about Greg: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gmikolap/His gym: https://www.instagram.com/iconmaidenhead/

    52 min

  5. 20 May

    #37 How Fionn MacCullagh Scaled Tailormade to 850 Clients

    In this episode, Fionn MacCullagh shares how Tailormade Coaching scaled to 8 locations and more than 850 clients by simplifying its offer, raising prices, systemising referrals and obsessing over retention. You’ll learn: Why Tailormade sells one simple membership instead of multiple packagesHow the “Committed Club” improves attendance and reduces churnThe pricing mistake that cost years of profitHow Fionn handled a price increase that led to a 27% member lossThe referral system that rewards both the client and their friendWhy flyer drops still outperform many modern marketing tactics Find out more about Fionn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionnmaccullagh/His gym: https://www.instagram.com/tailormade_coaching/

    52 min

  6. 13 May

    #36 How Stoked Athletics Became “3-Mile Famous” w/out Ads

    In this episode, Stuart sits down with Mike Bouranis, owner of Stoked Athletics in Long Island, to unpack how he grew to around 200 members by becoming “Three Mile Famous.” Mike shares why he moved away from paid ads, how he builds powerful local business partnerships, and how events with run clubs, coffee shops, doctors and youth sports teams have helped Stoked generate leads, referrals and long-term community trust. You’ll learn how to find the right local partners, create simple entry offers, use seasonal “wrapping paper” to make offers feel fresh, and build a community marketing system that compounds over time. Find Out More About Stoked: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stokedathletics/ Website: https://stokedathletics.com/

    51 min

  7. 5 May

    A Few Lessons From a Customer of an SGPT Gym

    In this short episode, Stuart shares some lessons he's picked up since being a customer of an SGPT gym.

    14 min

  8. 21 Apr

    #34 How to Start a Kids Coaching Service in Your Gym

    In this roundtable-style conversation, Stuart speaks to three gym owners (Stuart MacDonald from True Fitness, Chris Travis from Seattle Strength & Performance and Tim Reid from ETC) who have successfully built youth coaching programs inside their facilities—ranging from sports performance models in the US to general fitness programs in the UK. They break down: How they actually got startedWhat works (and what doesn’t) with pricing, scheduling, and structureThe surprising demand from parents—and why it’s easier to fill than adult sessionsThe realities of seasonality, profitability, and scalingAnd why youth coaching might be one of the most overlooked opportunities in the fitness industry right now If you’re a PT or gym owner thinking about adding a youth offering—or wondering if it’s worth it—this episode will give you a clear, honest look at what’s involved.

    1 hr
See All (40)

About

The podcast where gym owners who mainly run a small-group personal training model share their stories, struggles, and strategies so you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Stuart Aitken
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit

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