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When it comes to attracting more chalk loving kippers, CrossFit gyms have it made. The growth from referrals in CrossFit is one of the top reasons why most gyms can turn

relative term. Are we talking a few hundred dollars a month or a few thousand dollars? Why do some gyms have 400 members and some struggle to break 50? A few expand within six months while others take

you want to truly grow your gym you have to work for it.

In training your goal is to get a new PR every time you

to lock into that killer hook grip. Are you working for a

new PR in your business every month? Or are you guilty

of going through the motions and hoping people see your

sign, stumble across your Facebook page or get dragged

Below are eight things that will help people put down

the blueberry banana pancakes and step into your

CrossFit gym.

1. Focus on Quality

Every single aspect of your business should go

through quality control. Improve the quality

holding trainer meetings and rewarding them for

growing your business. Invest in the appearance

of your gym. We all know Glassman’s speech

about clean bathrooms. After you scrub them do

a once over on your whole space, daily. All the

if you do not set the standard for high quality in

2. Stand Out From the Crowd

CrossFit stands out from the crowd already.

knock offs in one city. Get creative and use that

entrepreneurial spirit that convinced you to open

trips, and creative swag. People want to be a

their desire.

3. Educate and Motivate

Education is the most powerful tool you have.

Between blogs, social media and video you

can create a very informed consumer. You want

a smart educated consumer because they will

have the knowledge to pick the very best

facility in the area (yours of course). If you

were choosing a doctor and one had a blog with

all kinds of information, video demonstrations

and testimonials and the another had a cool

website, but there was not too much info and

he appeared to only have a few clients, which one

would you choose?

4. Be a Part of the Community with Your Community

All CrossFit gyms have a strong community. If

you missed that boat then do your research and

start to develop a group of close knit people who

love exercise. It is vital to your success. You can

take your community to another level, by getting

involved in local events. From hosting your own

events to volunteering at local animal shelters,

use community events to show off the awesome

It will be irresistible for people not to inquire

5. Be Nice, Kind and Welcoming

People forget how intimidating it is to walk into

another CrossFit. Owners are guilty of this

one hundred times over. The owner knows the

workout, the routine, the people and the space.

Everyone knows their name and respects what

into the garage with people yelling, rubber plates

you are. For some it takes months or years of

looking at the website and doing research to

impressions. Train your staff to be welcoming

and accepting of all the low fat yogurt, whole

wheat pasta lovers that walk through the door.

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63 | WODTALK.COM | September/October 2012

6. The Path of Least Resistance

Do yourself a favor and take down the

appointment sign-up sheet. Remove the “Want

to try a Class” button, the annoying forms and

replace it with “Try CrossFit Today- Stop in

for any class anytime.” It is a simple and easy

switch. Say you want to try a restaurant down

check on availability, or only go Saturday at 10

am if you are new. Who would want to do that?

Same thing applies for your gym. Let people come

try anytime they want for any class they want.

If you are worried about 20 people crashing your

class, remember that is a good problem to have.

7.

You know the question that every single business

asks after you sign up. Well why don’t you? It

is one of the most important questions you can

ask a new client. The next step after asking is

recording and compiling all the answers. Now

when you want to grow your gym you can look at

the statistics and attack the area that you know

brings in the most new clients.

8. The Price it Right

I owned a CrossFit gym, and I am opening

another, I know all about rent, overhead,

trainers, and high quality equipment. With that

said, remember that charging a less intimidating

rate for someone to get started could be the

difference in 50 members over the course of a

year. If you’re opening offer is a $200 foundations

class plus a $150 for a month membership

putting the total at $350; You are looking at

an intimidating close for someone who just

stepped into a warehouse with what looks like

no equipment and some rubber matting. Give

people a month to understand the amazing value

of a strong community, well crafted workouts and

epic coaches at an affordable rate.

Now you have eight tools to bring in more business it is

time for you to get working. If you have any questions

feel free to reach out. @Fitrilla or @WODTalk I will respond

to everyone.

Geo Rockwell- Entrepreneur, former owner of CrossFit

Mission Gorge and founder of Fitrilla.com.