Y'all,
when someone tells me they can measure my body composition with just my phone camera, I'll admit I was skeptical. But after sitting down with Jason Moore (founder of Ren) and the fabulous data nerd herself, Deborah Roko, I'm convinced we're looking at the future of fitness coaching. And it's arriving faster than you think.
These two are solving the biggest pain point in our industry: what happens during those 163 hours when your clients aren't in your studio.
● Camera magic: Independently validated technology that measures body fat percentage, lean mass, and muscle distribution using just your smartphone - no more $12K DEXA scans or InBody machines
● AI coaching clones: Coaches can literally train their own AI that texts with clients twice daily, providing 24/7 guidance without burning out the human coach
● HRV mastery: Real-time biofeedback through heart rate variability that predicts recovery, stress, and aerobic fitness - plus instant meditation feedback through breath control
● VO2 max breakthrough: Get accurate VO2 max readings through a week of one-minute daily finger scans on your phone camera - no more grueling treadmill testing
● Enterprise scaling: Working with big studio chains to create on-brand AI coaches that embody company values and training philosophy across all locations
● Coach empowerment: 11 years of development focused on making coaches better, not replacing them - Jason's trained 3,000+ coaches as an accredited instructor with NASM, NSCA, and ACSM
● Glucose revolution: Coming soon - blood glucose monitoring through camera technology
● Data integration: Connects with all major wearables to create holistic health pictures that actually guide meaningful action
Jason's background as both a software engineer AND a coach gives him the rare ability to understand what coaches actually need versus what tech companies think they need. The result? Technology that amplifies human coaching instead of trying to replace it.
This isn't about replacing the human connection - it's about giving your clients the guidance they're craving when you can't be there, while giving you back your sanity. Because being a coach means wearing every hat from therapist to cheerleader to sales rep, and burnout is inevitable without better tools.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
Y'all,
when you've been in this industry as long as I have, you can feel the big shifts coming. But even I wasn't prepared for the Pilates explosion we're witnessing right now. It's unlike anything we've seen before, and if you're not paying attention, you're missing the boat on the biggest opportunity in boutique fitness.
Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 663: The Pilates Explosion - Global Growth with STOTT Pilates' Beth Gibbs-Bartel.
● Education empire: STOTT Pilates has trained 80,000+ instructors across 100 countries with unmatched anatomical focus
● Asia domination: unprecedented growth in China, Middle East, and APAC regions driving global expansion
● Reformer revolution: studios shifting from 6-machine comprehensive setups to 20+ reformer-only concepts
● Know your limits: instructors finding their sweet spot for class sizes (hint: it's probably around 16 max)
● Chair emergence: stability chair group classes becoming the next big trend, especially in innovative markets like Australia
● Silver surge: aging population will drive return to privates and semi-privates as boomers seek personalized attention
● Social media catalyst: TikTok trends directly correlating to studio boom 3-6 months later
● Content creation: new facilities incorporating influencer and content spaces into studio design
Whether you're thinking about adding Pilates to your offerings or you're already in the space, Beth's insights on global trends, equipment evolution, and the future of Pilates education will help you ride this wave instead of getting swept away by it. And meet Beth (who's about to take her own company's certification!), after you hear from her in Episode 663.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.studiogrow.co
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Y'all,
For boutique fitness studio owners, scaling from a single location to a multi-club empire while maintaining premium standards seems impossible. But what if you could learn from someone who's done exactly that? Meet Rob Beal, Fitness Director at Third Space, who's helped grow them from 4 to 13 premium clubs across London and built the highest-valued fitness concept per square foot worldwide.
Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 662: Building Premium Fitness Empire - Lessons from Third Space London.
● Own your IP: keeping all training, programs and instructors in-house instead of outsourcing to freelancers
● Pilates leads the pack: Reformer Pilates is their #1 performing modality, now in 10 of 13 clubs
● Strength over HIIT: consumer demand has shifted from high-intensity to strength-focused programming
● Recovery revolution: spa, wellness and recovery services are essential for premium positioning
● Data-driven future: integrating wearable tech data and AI to enhance personal training
● Medical integration: longevity services and preventive health will dominate premium fitness
● Culture through growth: moving star performers to new locations to maintain standards and mentorship
Whether you're planning your second location or dreaming of a fitness empire, Rob's insights on team development, real estate strategy, and staying ahead of consumer trends will reshape how you think about growth. And meet Rob (who's about to become a dad!), after you hear from him in Episode 662
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who've decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.studiogrow.co
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
One brand I’m so excited to watch is LiveMetta – currently 11 yoga and Pilates studios (along with one spa) in Southern California. They’re truly bringing something different to our space!
Tune in to our new series of conversations with amazing industry leaders: Episode 661: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker and Chris Farnsworth of Live Metta.
Mission critical: embodying loving kindness as a foundation and culture
Competition killer: thoughtfully expanding to fully own select markets
Golden Rule: prioritizing relationships, ensuring support, paying well
Lifelong learning: investing in professional development and continuing ed
Change agent: donating to local nonprofits through LiveMetta Heart Space
Check out how LiveMetta shines brightly in the boutique space. And meet co-founder, Chris (who I call my Southern brother), after you hear from him in Episode 662.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Y’all may assume that because 77% of boutique fitness studio members are women, marketing to females is a no-brainer. They’re showing up anyway, right?
Wrong. To grow, you must keep tweaking your outreach to this demographic. Learn how with Coach Rachel Prairie in Episode 660: Attracting & Retaining Female Clients in Your Studio.
Get close up: know your client avatar’s age, interests, hobbies and more
Give them something to talk about: capitalize on word-of-mouth referrals
Create touch points: cultivate community with events, programs and socials
Make it easy: have great intro offers, flexible memberships and pricing options
Educate & empower: share information about holistic wellbeing
Win women by carefully customizing your studio’s messaging, products and services. Review and refine your approach in Episode 660.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Want a relatively easy win-win for your studio? Consider partnering with another local business to drive traffic and boost sales in both places.
This goes beyond sharing a flyer or offering a discount. Coaches Rachel Prairie and Sep Uyttendaele lay out the possibilities in Episode 659: Partnering with Local Businesses.
Focus on fit: consider which businesses align with your brand and clients
Create a wish list: identify local shops and ask members for recommendations
Get creative: think events, programs, presentations and bundled services
Make an offer: draft a detailed proposal outlining mutual benefits
Build a relationship: collaborate closely, track key metrics, address snags
Linking to the right business can deliver a valuable ROI that includes a flow of steady leads and increased brand awareness. Open your eyes to the opportunities with Episode 659.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
For boutique fitness studio owners, sometimes you’re so deep in the weeds with sales, marketing and operations that you miss the big picture of what’s happening in the industry.
So step out for a moment to look at the landscape with Coaches Rachel Prairie and Conor McGarry in Episode 658: Emerging Trends & Innovations in Fitness.
Follow the leaders: Pilates and strength are top trends in 2025
Go virtual: consumers want digital on-demand and livestream classes
Custom fit: personalized instruction and options drive loyalty
Welcome wellness: recovery products and services are hot
Cultivate community: people crave connection and belonging
Assess your current offerings, evaluate the opportunities and align new products and services with your brand. Episode 658 gets your wheels turning.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
I’m pretty sure that most (all?) of us didn’t open a boutique fitness studio to stare at spreadsheets and crunch numbers. Yet that’s part of owning a business.
Learn what you really need to know with Coach Lindsey Hammond and guest CPA Kimberly Tara in Episode 657: Everything You've Been Too Embarrassed to Ask Your Accountant.
Know your obligations: you’ll owe income, payroll, sales and property taxes
Pick smart partners: consider a bookkeeper, tax preparer or accountant
Classify correctly: designate employees or independent contractors
Pay yourself consistently: plan for revenue fluctuations to take home a check
Look for loopholes: request that your accountant use tax strategies to pay less
You’ll find in Episode 657 that you don’t have to know everything if you have pros on board. Check out Kimberly, a CPA-certified tax coach and strategist for mom entrepreneurs.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Y’all, be honest. Do you really understand what a mission, vision and core values mean for your studio and why they matter? And why should you care?
Consider these essentials for a moment with Coach Matt Hanton and Lisa Taylor, Studio Grow’s Bespoke program director, in Episode 656: Building Your Mission, Vision & Core Values.
Learn the language: mission is what you do; vision is the utopia you’re aiming for
Know thyself: understand how your own values influence your business
Insist on specificity: empty platitudes don’t deliver direction or results
Create your compass: thoughtfully articulate your studio’s North Star
Keep watch: ensure core values are observable, measurable and re-creatable
Your mission, vision and core values define and embody your brand. Without them, you’re simply running fitness classes. Explore the rationale and the process in Episode 656.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Sure seems like everyone today is desperately seeking some zen on the mat. The global yoga industry is expected to climb from $180B in 2024 to $215B in 2025.
Coach and yoga studio owner Caroline Plambeck lays out the optimistic landscape of opportunities to capitalize on surging interest in Episode 655: The State of the Yoga Industry.
Ask for wish lists: chat with clients about their preferences for yoga offerings
Broaden your appeal: accommodate beginners, advanced yogis and men
Practice variety: mix it up with specialized classes, workshops and retreats
Welcome workers: create tailored corporate wellness programs for nearby companies
Add URL to IRL: beef up online/live stream options to extend your reach
As the demand for holistic wellness and steady stress relief grows, build your business by capturing new and potential yoga practitioners. Plan your next moves with Episode 655.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Let’s talk money – as in financing your first studio or funding to scale and add locations. By understanding your options, you can quell your anxiety and prepare for the process.
Coaches Caroline Plambeck and Alex Lavelle got you covered in part 3 of our series: Episode 654: Real Estate, Loans and Investment: Deciding the Best Financing for Your Studio.
Speak the language: know conventional, non-conventional, credit stacking and niche
Saddle up: getting approved for an SBA loan can be a time-consuming challenge
Think big: buying your building may be better than leasing or renting
Collect cards: consider credit stacking to fund smaller projects
Fear not: denials happen, so fine-tune, be tenacious and don’t quit
The bottom line, according to Alex? Know the rules. Play by the rules. And play to win. Get ready to get in the game with Episode 654.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Turning your vision into a reality can be intimidating without some know-how about the process. After securing funding, learn how to hire and work with a contractor in part 2 of this series.
In Episode 653: From Planning to Build-out: Financing Your Studio the Right Way, join Coach Caroline Plambeck and Coach Alex Lavelle for smart suggestions on this next step.
Tap your resources: seek referrals or visit Home Depot or Lowes to find contractors
Vet thoughtfully: check out scope of work, confirm license, request wholesale pricing
Persevere: keep interviewing contractors to find the best fit; don’t settle
Shop around: get several quotes and ask preferred contractor to match lowest cost
Set expectations: arrange meetings, timelines and payment schedules with contractor
You can save thousands of dollars (and headaches!) by choosing the right contractor. Create a systemized approach based on in-the-trenches advice in Episode 653.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
I get it – funding and financing can be daunting when starting or expanding your studio. In this 3-part podcast series, we’ll uncover some of the mystery to boost your comfort level.
Coach Caroline Plambeck and Coach Alex Lavelle start with the foundation in Episode 652: The Mindset of Financing: How to Fund Your Studio's Growth.
Check your wallet: your personal finances impact your ability to get funding
Do your homework: lenders require a business plan and pro forma
Speed date (sort of!): expect to interview several lenders to find the right one
Embrace options: think SBA, conventional, non-conventional, credit stacking
Strap in: financing is a process and can take longer than you think
Funding doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it seems. Armed with knowledge and good coaching, you may be surprised by what’s possible. Begin with Episode 652.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
A smarter approach than avoiding conversations that feel uncomfortable is confronting them thoughtfully. So stop dodging and start diving in.
But first, have a process in place. Coach Matt Hanton and Coach Rachel Prairie offer tested recos in Episode 651: Difficult Dialogues in Boutique Fitness, Part 2.
Anchor your angle: base discussions on your policies, mission, vision and values
Seek solutions: focus on information-finding and collaboration to fix problems
Document discussions: keep a written record and ensure understanding
Stay timely: don’t delay or turn a blind eye, which implies validation
Commit to consistency: treat everyone the same in addressing issues
Ultimately, strive for productive conversations that strengthen your team and your business. Reframe your thinking and establish a procedure with Episode 651.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Y’all, I know that scaling your business seems kinda like a pipedream when you’re eyeballs-deep in teaching classes, whipping up marketing, running payroll and washing towels.
But pause for just a moment to learn how to lay the groundwork with Coach Caroline Plambeck and guest Vince Gabriele, a gym owner, author and business coach, in Episode 650: Building a Strong Foundation: Key Strategies for Studio Success.
Know your goals: determine how you want your business to fit into your life
Master marketing: be laser-focused on what your avatar cares about
Delegate discriminately: don’t dump on your team if they don’t have capacity
Launch thoughtfully: onboard clients intentionally with a high-touch process
Prioritize profitability: pay yourself, minimize attrition and maintain cash on hand
Episode 650 is loaded with practical suggestions and personal anecdotes from the trenches. For more from Vince Gabriele, check out www.vincegabriele.com.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Even past the January New Year’s resolutions crush, you’ve still got an opportunity to capture people who dropped off after an intro package or those who haven’t yet jumped on their goals.
To capitalize on these ripe leads, refine your sales strategy with Coach Caroline Plambeck and Coach Matt Hanton in Episode 649: Refreshing Your Sales Strategy in a New Year.
Assess your avatar: tailor your approach to the psychology of each individual buyer
Give to receive: leverage reciprocity, such as a free class, to encourage sales
Showcase success: highlight testimonials and community to maximize social proof
Foster FOMO: emphasize scarcity and urgency to compel immediate action
Relate & recommend: empathize with objections and suggest realistic solutions
Knowledge is power in the sales process. Benefit from this timely reminder to reassess your goals, opportunities and audience in Episode 649.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
For many of us in the studio industry, sales feels cringy. Pushy, in-your-face and relentless. Yet survival in this business requires ongoing sales.
Shift your perspective and pick up practical ways to approach the process with Coach Caroline Plambeck in Episode 648: Connect First, Sell Second: How to Transform Your Sales Mindset.
Create a connection: ask questions, focus on client and actively listen
Invest in relationships: value each client personally beyond a transaction
Immerse in community: foster a sense of belonging and engagement
Share solutions: address clients’ needs and solve issues with your services
Re-envision rejection: see a “no” as an opportunity to gather more info and learn
Y’all, think of it as serving instead of selling. We specialize in enhancing lives and making a difference daily. Learn more about how to embrace the experience in Episode 648.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Let’s face it, your studio is a direct reflection of you. A thriving business typically means you’re leading well, but a struggling studio may be a warning sign of a need for self-assessment.
Based on years of experience working with studio owners, Coach Catherine Hebb tells it like it is in Episode 647: Mirror of Success: 3 Personal Traits that Can Sabotage Your Business.
Get organized: stop spinning your wheels; start proactively blocking your time
Aim for a target: set goals to avoid simply coasting and hoping without direction
Identify your KPIs: monitor revenue, expenses, attrition, leads and conversion rates
Set the tone: communicate your values, expectations, boundaries and SOPs
Confront conflict: confidently and calmly address issues as they arise
We all can improve as leaders. Don’t squelch your success simply because you’re unwilling to look in the mirror. Episode 647 invites you to take a quick peek.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
As studio owners, we may think hiring more staff will automatically lighten our load and get everything running like clockwork. Many of us have discovered it’s not quite that simple.
Hiring great team members is just the start. You also need a thorough onboarding process to help each employee thrive. Consider the essential components with Coach Elle Kealy in Episode 646: How to Build a Successful Team, Part 3: Setting Your Team Up for Success.
Share the blueprint: emphasize your mission, vision, values and culture
Lay the foundation: thoroughly train the basics of the job and your tech tools
Provide the building blocks: explain both the how and why of your processes
Add the accents: share clear expectations, set goals, answer questions
Polish and perfect: assess your leadership style and adjust if necessary
For more on nurturing an employee even before they’ve started at your studio, read Never Lose an Employee Again by Joey Coleman. And implement the practical insights in Episode 646.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Think about it – meetings typically invoke thoughts of boredom, wasted time and even dread. But they’re critical for communication, information-sharing, collaboration and team-building.
Against these odds, how do you make your meetings productive, valuable, and…dare I say, fun? Coach Caroline Plambeck lays out your critical success factors in Episode 645: The Team Meeting Blueprint.
Give a heads-up: have a regular schedule or provide sufficient notice
Craft a plan: distribute an agenda to stay on track and engage your team
Address intangibles: discuss core values, culture and improvement opportunities
Foster discussion: invite feedback and include everyone so no one dominates
Delegate and follow-up: assign responsibilities and deadlines for accountability
Also, be sure to celebrate successes and incorporate shoutouts to show appreciation and boost motivation. Learn how to make the most of your meetings with Episode 645.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Let’s face it, y’all, the real complexity of our businesses is our people. Simplification starts with smart management to empower them to thrive and, in turn, fuel your studio’s success.
Learn more in Episode 644: A People-First Approach to Business – Part 2, as Coach Cara Hazelton continues her discussion with Amy Lefko, the author of People First. (If you missed Part 1, tune into Episode 639.)
Embrace your role: think, talk and act like a leader to set a solid foundation
Do what you love: delegate your least-liked tasks to stave off potential dread
Learn your lessons: acknowledge mistakes, identify takeaways and move on
Escape wind tunnels: be willing to let go of processes that no longer work
Navigate flood zones: assess internal options before automatically hiring new staff
Plus, continually reinforce your value proposition, expectations and culture so your team is aligned. Access the how-to overview in Episode 644.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Even if Pilates isn’t your jam, its skyrocketing popularity should grab your attention. The global Pilates industry was $178 billion in 2024. By 2031, it’s projected to reach $392 billion.
Get an overview of the opportunities and issues in this thriving sector with Coach Catherine Hebb and Coach Cara Hazelton in Episode 643: The State of the Pilates Industry.
Know the OG: learn how Joseph Pilates conceived this unique movement method
Respect the nuances: recognize classical or contemporary training approaches
Acknowledge the risks: realize potential concerns in this unregulated industry
Stay in your lane: stick to your scope of practice and refer as necessary
Invest in education: continue your training to expand your expertise
Y’all, with comprehensive education and unwavering integrity, our industry can help Pilates eventually be seen as an allied health profession. Your first step begins with Episode 643.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
Your team is ultimately what differentiates your studio and keeps members coming back. But y’all, every owner understands that managing people means confronting issues.
So tap some proven advice on common points of friction from Coach Elle Kealy and Coach Catherine Hebb in Episode 642: How to Build a Successful Team, Part 2: Q&A Issues with Your Team.
Maximize meeting attendance: provide advance notice, pay your team, ensure value
Share news of instructor firings: be positive, shut down gossip, focus on what’s next
Sell sales to all staff: create clear job descriptions, set expectations, give commissions
Manage selfie videos: have a policy on filming in studio and posting to social media
Optimize communications: use a tool like Slack and create separate channels for staff
You can head off many issues by continually communicating policies and responsibilities, managing SOPs and keeping your team in the know. Get empathy and answers in Episode 642.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/
No one likes difficult conversations. Ever. But to be a successful boutique fitness studio owner, you’ve gotta ditch the discomfort and address these inevitable interactions.
Begin with practical tips from industry veterans Coach Cara Hazelton and Coach Matt Hanton. Tune into Episode 641: Difficult Dialogues in Boutique Fitness to tackle these head-on.
Establish expectations: have clear policies, rules, SOPs and member guidelines
Set the stage: confront issues immediately and offer ongoing feedback
Prepare yourself: exhibit empathy, patience, listening and emotional regulation
Skip sugar-coating: show kindness and professionalism, but be clear and firm
Take a stand: commit to zero tolerance for abuse, cursing, yelling or manipulation
Remember, “difficult” conversations don't automatically mean “bad.” They often can be constructive and achieve an intended result. Embrace these encounters in Episode 641.
Catch you there,
Lise
PS: Join 2,000+ studio owners who’ve decided to take control of their studio business and build their freedom empire. Subscribe HERE and join the party!
www.linkedin.com/company/studio-growco/