Mike Warkentin - Podcast Details

Shows

Run a Profitable GymWhen Your Coaches Don't Suck: The Rewards for Developing StaffWhat happens when every coach at your gym operates at an A+ level? In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin sits down with Two-Brain Business mentor Kenny Markwardt to discuss the massive rewards of developing your training staff.As the owner of Sandpoint Strength Conditioning in Idaho and co-host of the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, Kenny is passionate about coach development and shares how investing in his staff’s growth transformed his gym. He breaks down how coach ascension improves retention, gym culture and revenue—in fact, one of his coaches...2025-03-1322 min

Run a Profitable GymRaising Rates Without Losing Clients: It Can Be DoneRaising rates at a gym can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be—if you have help from a business expert. When done correctly, a rate increase can strengthen your business and allow you to provide greater value to your members. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with Chris Lomen, owner of Ripple Effect Community Fitness, who raised his rates by 15 percent and didn’t lose a single member. Chris shares exactly how he planned and communicated the price change, why annual increases are a smart business move, and...2025-03-0623 min

Run a Profitable Gym0 to 60 Percent of Fitness Revenue: How a CrossFit Gym Added PTMike Monaco took his gym from parking lot workouts to a thriving 5,000-square-foot facility that generates over $420 per member per month. How? He switched to a PT-focused model with an emphasis on relationship building and holistic wellness.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks to Mike Monaco, owner of RX FIT in New York State, who shares how he skyrocketed his ARM with the help of a mentor.Mike’s approach centers on quality, not quantity: He’s focused on high-value clients who receive individualized attention through personal training, recovery services...2024-11-2727 min

Run a Profitable GymEssential Retention Tactic: The Client JourneyWhat are the rewards if you create an outstanding client journey at your gym? Better retention, greater lifetime value, lower marketing costs, higher profit and vastly improved results for clients.On today’s episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin chats with Peter Brasovan, former owner of Myriad Health + Fitness. Now a Two-Brain mentor trainer, Peter explains exactly how to build a strong client journey.Key highlights include using the Prescriptive Model, No Sweat Intros and goal review sessions.A critical mistake gym owners make? Not getting every single client...2024-07-1837 min

Run a Profitable GymRetention: What Really Matters and What's Completely IrrelevantThe longer members stay at your gym, the better your chances of changing their lives. So how do you get clients to stick around?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin and Two-Brain CEO Chris Cooper discuss key tactics for improving retention.They also reveal the frivolous things that don’t actually make a difference. The foundation for improving length of engagement is simple: Every client needs to have a clear goal, a plan and accountability.These essential elements are built into the Prescriptive Model, which...2024-07-1529 min

Run a Profitable GymScenario Solutions: Say Exactly This to Grow Your Gym!Do you ever wish you had a script that would tell you what to say to members and prospective clients?Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin and Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper discuss several common scenarios gym owners face, and Coop tells you exactly what to say in each one.How do you say “no” to discounts? How do you start more conversations and get more leads? How do you sell more PT?He also shares exactly what to say to get genuine testimonials and generate more referrals.This episode...2024-07-0833 min

Run a Profitable GymEasy Ways to Earn More Per Client Starting TodayIf you multiplied your client count by an average revenue per member (ARM) of $500, what would the number be? What would that number do for your gym and your family?Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with a fitness entrepreneur whose ARM is well over $500: George-Anthony Dulal-Whiteway of Brainstorm Fitness in San Diego, California. George-Anthony shares actionable strategies—both big and small—you can use to start boosting your ARM today. After starting mentorship with Two-Brain, George-Anthony dialed his focus down to personal and semiprivate training, and he started...2024-07-0430 min

Run a Profitable GymThe Race to the Bottom: How to Set Your Gym Apart From CompetitorsMany gyms are “racing to the bottom” with lower and lower prices that destroy their value. This happens because of commoditization: When clients can’t differentiate between options, they choose the cheapest one, so many gym owners feel pressure to compete on price.But this approach shrinks the profit margin until the gym is forced to go out of business.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin discusses how to battle commoditization with Chris Cooper, Two-Brain founder and CEO.Chris shares how gym owners can use the Prescripti...2024-07-0135 min

Run a Profitable GymPT & Small Groups Drive Huge Average Revenue Per MemberThis month’s Two-Brain leaderboard tracked average revenue per member per month (ARM), with the Top 10 running from $508 to $1,203 USD. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin sits down with ARM leader Yoni Levitan, owner of 3 Seasons Personal Training in Toronto, Canada, to learn the secrets behind his massive ARM. First of all, Yoni’s gym focuses exclusively on high-value services, such as personal and semi-private training. But the real key to Yoni’s success is an overwhelming commitment to clients. He invests greatly in professional development and is dedicated...2024-06-2742 min

Run a Profitable GymThe Rate Increase: Exactly How Fit One Five Got It RightRaising rates can be scary—but you won’t bleed members if you follow the right plan.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin sits down with Tim Rainer, owner of Fit One Five in Franklin, Tennessee, to discuss the ins and outs of raising rates at a gym.Tim tried raising rates on his own three times, but none of the increases had a noticeable impact on his business. The he brought in an expert to get it right.With the help of a Two-Brain mentor, Tim was able to...2024-06-1328 min

Run a Profitable GymEvery Single Thing You Need to Know to Increase Rates at Your GymEvery gym owner must raise prices at some point—and it can be nerve wracking.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” you’ll learn exactly how to implement a rate increase, step by step, without generating a flood of cancellations.In this episode, Mike Warkentin chats with longtime Two-Brain mentor and former gym owner Greg Strauch, who shares Two-Brain’s battle-tested plan.Greg has helped 81 fitness entrepreneurs increase rates and stabilize their businesses so they generate profit and allow the owner to earn a good wage.This episode lays out everything you need t...2024-06-1043 min

Run a Profitable GymSimple Income-Boosting Tactics From a Top-Earning Gym OwnerImagine paying yourself $16,000-$38,000 per month as a gym owner. Today’s guest on “Run a Profitable Gym” does just that. In this episode, host Mike Warkentin sits down with top-earning gym owner Darren Thornton of Defy Functional Fitness in Toronto, Canada. Darren, a regular on Two-Brain’s leaderboards, shares actionable steps you can take right now to grow your business and pay yourself more. For starters, he says to figure out how much you need to earn, then work backward to determine how many clients you need and what you need to charge t...2024-06-0626 min

Run a Profitable GymExactly How to Offload Every Task You Hate Doing at Your GymIf an emergency pulled you away, could your gym operate without you?In this episode of "Run a Profitable Gym," host Mike Warkentin and Two-Brain founder Chris Cooper dive into one of the most crucial aspects of running a successful gym: systemization—aka, building a business that runs smoothly even when you’re not there.They lay out the steps you need to take to create effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) for every task from cleaning to sales, and they explain why these systems are essential for freeing up your time and protecting your focus. ...2024-06-0325 min

Run a Profitable GymDon't Buy That Gym: Horror Stories, Red Flags and Real TipsWhen should you not buy a gym?In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin dives into this question with Nick Habich, Two-Brain mentor and owner of Shark Bite Fitness and Nutrition in Cape Coral, Florida. Nick has bought a couple of gyms and passed on several others, and he’s acquired a few horror stories along the way.Some of the red flags he’s learned to look out for include high expenses—such as a ridiculously costly lease—and mismatches between financial data in the gym’s billing software and i...2024-05-1637 min

Run a Profitable GymExactly How to Boost Revenue With a 55+ ProgramSpecialty programs can significantly boost a gym’s revenue—if they’re set up properly.The key? Don’t run every specialty program under the sun. Determine which option might serve your current clients and local market better, then test it with several six-week blocks before putting a full, ongoing program on the official menu. Today’s guest on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Brian Foley, is an expert when it comes to running successful programs for older adults—often called “masters” or “legends” classes. His gym, Activate, in Kerry, Ireland, generates about 10 percent of its gross revenue with its 5...2024-05-0231 min

Run a Profitable GymRiches in Niches: Why Bill Parisi Focuses on Making Kids FasterWhat happens when you find your niche in the fitness industry? Bill Parisi turned his passion for youth performance into a multi-million-dollar business. His company, Parisi Speed School, has more than 100 facilities around the world and has served over one million athletes, including more than 130 eventual NFL draft picks. But Bill isn’t focused on the guys who run world-class 40-yard dashes at the NFL Combine. They appear later because he’s locked in on helping younger kids get faster so they make the team, play more and develop character through sport. In this...2024-04-2938 min

Run a Profitable GymMarketing Leader After Just 6 Months of Mentorship!After six months of mentorship with Two-Brain, gym owner Wesley Kalkhoven doubled his income, earned more time with his family, and claimed spots on the February 2024 leaderboards for set rate and show rate. His gym, Calisthenics Amsterdam in the Netherlands, had a whopping 76 No Sweat Intro appointments booked, and 37 people showed up.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with Wesley, who shares exactly how his mentor, Gary Walsh, helped him rev up his marketing to bring in more leads. Wesley also reveals his secret to getting so many...2024-04-2531 min

Run a Profitable GymBen Bergeron: Will Being a Great Coach Make You a Great Gym Owner?Does being a good coach make you a good gym owner?In today’s episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin dives into this question with one of the top coaches in the world, Ben Bergeron. Ben has trained numerous CrossFit Games and Affiliate Cup champions, and he’s also the founder of CrossFit New England and CompTrain, as well as the author of the book “Chasing Excellence.”According to Ben, it takes a lot more than just a passion for coaching if you want to run a successful gym in 2024. He...2024-04-1142 min

Run a Profitable GymExactly How They Drove Gym Revenue Up 3.5XToday’s guest has driven up revenue in his gym by 3.5X since starting mentorship with Two-Brain, and his January 2024 total earned him a spot on the Top 10 revenue leaderboard—which ran from $58,000 to $125,000 USD.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Mike Warkentin sits down with revenue leader Chad Pinther, co-owner of Colfax Strong Strength and Conditioning, a CrossFit affiliate in Denver, Colorado. With the help of a mentor, Chad and wife Esther identified a few key areas where they could increase revenue in the gym. They focused on No Sweat Intros/free consulta...2024-04-0438 min

Run a Profitable GymHow to Add $10k in PT Without Adding a Single MemberIf you’re not selling personal training in your gym, you’re missing out on a lot of revenue.In today’s episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin and Two-Brain CEO Chris Cooper show how gym owners can boost revenue by $10,000 or more without adding any new clients. Chris explains exactly how to use Goal Review Sessions and the Prescriptive Model to start selling personal training to your existing members to help them meet their goals more quickly. And he even tells gym owners what to say, word for word, to offer P...2024-04-0127 min

Run a Profitable Gym$80,000+ in Monthly Revenue: How Does Titans Sports Academy Do It?Titans Sports Academy, owned by Chance Beam, made Two-Brain’s Top 10 leaderboard for revenue in January 2024. Each gym in the top 10 brought in over US$50,000, and the top gym grossed over $125,000!Chance has been in business for over 20 years, and his program has propelled several athletes into Major League Baseball. In fact, seven of his former players are in the big leagues right now, including World Series champion Nathaniel Lowe of the Texas Rangers. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin sits down with Chance, who shares revenue-boosting strategies that can work i...2024-03-2831 min

Run a Profitable GymTwo-Brain Summit Speakers Revealed!In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Chris Cooper and Mike Warkentin run through the jaw-dropping speaker lineup for the 2024 Two-Brain Summit, which goes down June 8 and 9 in Chicago.At the Summit, gym owners will hear about everything from building $1-million net worth to leveraging the four different personality types found in a business. Coaches will upgrade their skills and learn how to build careers in fitness by generating more revenue for themselves and their gym. Among those taking the owners stage are 2008 CrossFit Games champ Jason Khalipa, Brian “Tosh” Chontosh, Jonathan Goodman and Carrie Wi...2024-03-1838 min

Run a Profitable Gym"We're Full": Why CrossFit Leiden Has Capped Membership at 400Have you ever heard of a gym with a waiting list?CrossFit Leiden in the Netherlands has capped its membership at 400 clients. Instead of adding more people, the gym is focused on retention, increasing value for clients and raising average revenue per member (ARM).In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin chats with gym co-owner Jeroen van Duijn to learn how CrossFit Leiden obtained—and retained—so many clients.One of CrossFit Leiden's top strategies for getting new clients is a weekly bring-a-friend event, and Jeroen shares exciting tips for maki...2024-03-1428 min

Run a Profitable GymNever Lose a Client Again: The 5 Pillars of RetentionFocusing on retention can improve just about every metric in your gym, from average revenue per member to length of engagement. In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin talks with Chris Cooper, Two-Brain founder and CEO, about all things retention.They dial in on the five pillars of retention: results, fame, compatibility, consistency and referrals. Chris explains what each is and why it matters. Then he provides five actions you can perform today to start keeping clients in your gym longer. And these strategies aren’t pulled out of thin a...2024-03-1133 min

Run a Profitable Gym512 Members: How BoxLife/CrossFit 5512 Did It in DenmarkCould you acquire over 400 members for your gym? And if you hit that total, could you hold onto them?Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” host Mike Warkentin chats with Rune Laursen, owner of BoxLife/CrossFit 5512 in Denmark. Rune made our December 2023 Top 10 leaderboard for client count, which ran from 324 to 1,034 members.Rune’s already improved on his late-2023 stats: His gym now has 512 members and is steadily growing. He explains how he brings in and retains so many clients by using No Sweat Intros, Goal Review Sessions and the Prescriptive Model—and he backs up every...2024-03-0730 min