When it comes to gyms, people often assume they’re all in the same business: helping people get fit.

But the reality is, they are two different businesses. It is like comparing being able to google tax laws and having a lawyer when going to court. Which would most likely give you a better outcome?

The biggest difference between big gyms and smaller spaces like microgyms or personal training studios isn’t just their size, it’s their business model, the science and their purpose.

Big gyms focus on marketing and sales. Microgyms focus on science and results. While both are labeled as “fitness,” they operate in completely different industries.

Big Gyms: Selling Access and Scale

Big gyms are built for scalability. Their business model is simple and effective: sell access to as many people as possible. This approach is easy to market, easy to sell, and highly scalable, which is why franchises thrive in this space. There is a massive demand and pain on the market for fitness and this model scratches the hope and dreams of people to think they are solving their problem.

The catch? Big gyms don’t need to invest in creating results for their members, just mimic the attempt of doing it. Memberships are sold based on the idea that clients will get motivated by the “new thing” and then if they figure it out themselves it really does not matter. For some (about 4%), that’s fine, but for most (96%), it leads to frustration and eventual drop-off.

Many franchises that attempt to copy the results-driven model and charge a higher ticket of microgyms struggle because they don’t shift their focus. They may market themselves differently, but at their core, they’re still just selling access without delivering outcomes.

Microgyms: Delivering Results Like Professionals

Most microgyms and personal training studios operate completely differently. Instead of focusing on access, they focus on the results clients achieve. Or at least they should if they want to grow.

What makes microgyms stand out is their application of science to their programs. They’re constantly evolving, using research and data to refine their methods and improve outcomes. It’s like running a lab, systems are tested, adjusted, and optimized to deliver the best possible results for clients.

In this model, the priority is to see people get meaningful progress and multiply this on future clients.

Two Completely Different Business Models

Despite both being labeled as gyms, big gyms and microgyms couldn’t be more different in how they operate:

1. Big Gym (Access-Based)
   • Business model: Built for scale, focused on volume.
   • Core offering: Access to equipment and facilities.
   • Member responsibility: Results depend entirely on the individual’s effort and knowledge.
2. Microgym (Results-Based)
   • Business model: Built to deliver consistent outcomes.
   • Core offering: Personalized coaching, accountability, and measurable progress.
   • Shared responsibility: The gym and client work together to achieve results.

Big gyms thrive on marketing and scale, while microgyms thrive on trust and results.

Microgyms as Laboratories of Progress

One of the greatest strengths of microgyms is their adaptability. They don’t rely on outdated methods or assumptions. Instead, they evolve like a lab, always refining their systems based on science and feedback.

For example:

• If new research points to better ways to build strength or reduce injury risk, microgyms adjust.
• If client feedback highlights challenges, solutions are implemented to address them.

This adaptability ensures that clients not only make progress but stay engaged and committed long-term.

Don’t Be In The Middle

I see one of the hardest places to be for a gym is to be in the middle. It is not clear if you are selling access or if you are delivering outcomes.

Offering “HIIT” or “Boxing fitness” can be great but is it clear for the customer what the difference in outcome is? Is it even clear for you?

Being in the middle is hard because you need to charge more but you have no proof to be better just because you are smaller. Clients will quickly compare you with any other gym as any other commodity in the market. If you want to be able what you are worth you need to know your position.

Positioning and Association

The difference between big gyms and microgyms goes deeper and really it would be best for both to be branded as two different things.

Why this matters is because it helps the clients to differentiate and make better informed decisions. This is where brands help to direct the client to a better option.

In my opinion there is a big need for professional microgyms to educate the audience, because nobody else will do it. It has to be as clear for a client as between choosing McDonald’s over the best Italian Restaurant in town. Right now, the big gym chains benefit from this confusion and microgyms will continue to suffer under being compared to low priced access gyms.

3 Quick Questions

1. Is your gym built to scale or to deliver measurable progress?
2. Does your gym clearly communicate its positioning?
3. What’s more important to you: more members or better outcomes?

If you’re trying to grow a business, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need a big marketing budget or a fancy strategy. But some of the best growth stories don’t come from gimmicks, they come from focusing on the right things. CrossFit is a perfect example of this.

CrossFit grew from a small, niche program to a global phenomenon, not because they spent millions on ads, but because they understood what really mattered. They had a great product, focused on the people using it, and built something people wanted to be part of.

Here’s a blueprint for growth inspired by their success.

1. Start With a Product That Works

Nothing grows if your product doesn’t deliver. CrossFit took off because the workouts worked. They were simple, adaptable, and got results. It didn’t matter if you were a top-level athlete or someone who hadn’t worked out in years, there was a way to start, and there was a path to improve.

The first question to ask yourself is: Does my product or service actually solve a problem for people? If it doesn’t, growth isn’t going to happen.

2. Let Your Customers Tell the Story

CrossFit didn’t promote itself. It promoted the people doing it. Instead of focusing on the brand, they told the stories of the people who showed up every day, worked hard, and transformed their lives.

They didn’t just highlight the elite athletes. They told stories about the single mom who found time to get stronger, the retiree who wanted to stay active, and the person who went from struggling with basic movements to hitting their first pull-up.

When you focus on your customers’ success, others see themselves in those stories. They think, “If they can do it, maybe I can too.”

3. Build Something Bigger Than a Transaction

Many think growth happens if you mystically triple your sales, but real growth only comes when your customers keep coming back. They stick around because they feel connected to your product, your service, or your brand.

CrossFit didn’t grow because people wanted to work out. It grew because people felt they belonged to something bigger. Each gym became a place where members supported one another, pushed each other, and celebrated milestones together.

If you want to grow, you need to give your customers something they can connect with. It could be a community, a shared mission, or even just the sense that they’re part of a journey with you.

4. Keep It Real

CrossFit’s early content wasn’t polished or flashy. It was raw, real, and relatable. That’s what made it work. People didn’t see a corporate marketing campaign they saw other people, just like them, achieving things they didn’t think were possible.

Don’t try to be perfect. Share the real stories behind your business. Show the process, the challenges, and the wins. Authenticity isn’t a buzzword, it’s what builds trust.

5. Show the Progress, Not Just the Result

One of the smartest things CrossFit did was highlight progress. Showing someone at their peak performance is great, but it is more effective to show how they got there.

For example, they’d show someone struggling with their first day opening a gym and then succeeding months later. That journey made the results feel achievable and inspired others to start.

If you’re trying to grow your business, focus on showing the steps people take to get results with your product or service. Progress is what motivates people to believe it’s possible for them, too.

6. Make Your Customers Your Advocates

CrossFit didn’t grow because of traditional advertising. It grew because the people doing it loved it so much that they couldn’t stop talking about it. They told their friends, shared their progress, and brought others along for the ride.

If you focus on creating results and delivering value, your customers will naturally become your advocates. Word of mouth isn’t just free, it’s the most powerful form of growth you can have.

7. Growth Comes From Impact

CrossFit didn’t set out to become a global brand. It set out to make fitness measurable, repeatable and testable. Growth happened because it made a simple formula to define what fitness was. And what you measure can also be improved which then lead to results of the clients.

If you’re trying to grow, start by asking yourself this: How can I create the biggest impact for the people I’m serving? Focus on that, and growth will follow.

3 Quick Questions

What steps can you take today to build a stronger connection with your audience?

Is your product or service solving a real problem for your customers?

How can you use your customers’ stories to inspire others?

How can a business with no sales department expand to more locations and grow faster than Starbucks?

Greg Glassman, the founder of CrossFit, often said they never had a marketing or sales department. People came to them because they wanted to be part of what CrossFit offered. Instead of traditional sales tactics, they had a committee to review applications from prospective affiliates.

The selection process was simple yet profound. Applicants who expressed a genuine mission to help people got the green light. Those who touted their MBA degrees or claimed to have a unique business model were often declined. Glassman knew that the only way to succeed with a small gym was to be entirely client-centric starting and ending with the client’s needs.

The success of CrossFit boiled down to two key elements:

1. A Great Product: CrossFit delivered results like no other. The workouts were effective, the community was supportive, and the transformations were real. This made people naturally enthusiastic about sharing their experiences.
2. Authentic Storytelling: CrossFit produced media that shared genuine stories from clients, gyms, and athletes. These videos garnered millions of views because they showcased real proof of the product’s impact. They were rough. They did not look like commercials. The stories resonated because they were honest and relatable.

Most affiliate buyers were individuals who had experienced their own transformation through CrossFit. The product was so compelling that it inspired people to become part of the mission themselves.

The Takeaway

Marketing doesn’t always require a massive budget or a dedicated department. Sometimes, it simply requires an exceptional product and authentic stories that resonate with people. When your service genuinely helps others, they will become your most powerful advocates.

Quick 3 Questions

1. Is your product or service so good that people can’t help but talk about it?
2. Is it so authentic and impactful that you could bring in a camera at any time and capture compelling stories?
3. Are you genuinely starting from the client’s perspective and focusing on their needs?

In the world of business, the difference between success and failure often lies in how we communicate value. One of the best examples of this is how Apple introduced the iPod. They didn’t just list the features, like “5 GB storage.” Instead, they framed it in a way that made sense to people: “1000 songs in your pocket.” Simple, clear, and relatable.

This focus on results over features is why businesses like Apple thrive. They make it easy to understand the value of their product. You don’t have to be a tech expert to know that carrying around your entire music collection is life-changing.

So, how does this apply to gyms?

Gym owners often fall into the trap of marketing equipment or class availability. But what really matters to your clients is what those features will do for them. Here are some examples of how to position your gym to focus on results, not features:

• Feature: “We have 10 rowing machines.”
  Better: “You’ll build stamina and shed pounds in half the time.”
• Feature: “We offer a variety of classes.”
  Better: “Transform your body and mind with workouts that fit your life.”
• Feature: “We have a fully equipped strength training area.”
  Better: “Feel stronger, look better, and live healthier with our personalized strength programs.”

To take this approach one step further, gather data from your clients’ results and share it. For example, track progress, share testimonials, and highlight the changes they’ve made in their health. Just like Apple, you’ll make it easy for prospective clients to see what’s possible for them.

When your gym becomes more about the transformation than the equipment, you’re no longer selling a service…YOU’RE SELLING A SOLUTION.

That’s where the real value lies, and that’s what will help you stand out.

This is how you can charge 10x more than your competitors.

QUICK ACTIONS

Here are three quick, actionable questions for entrepreneurs to gain better clarity:

1. What problem am I solving for my clients, and how does it improve their life?
   • Action: Write down the tangible outcomes your product or service delivers, not just its features.
2. How easy is it for my clients to understand the value I provide?
   • Action: Revisit your messaging. If it’s full of jargon or overly complex, simplify it to one sentence anyone can understand.
3. What metrics am I tracking to show that my solution is working?
   • Action: Choose 1-2 key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly reflect the results your clients get from using your service. Then, make those results part of your marketing.