The Bottom Line: Wes Hodgson

1. How did you get your start in the industry?

I basically grew up in the fitness world. My dad, Marty Hodgson, opened Popeye’s Gym in Kitchener, Ontario, back in 1976 right around the time Joe Gold was launching World Gym. So, I was literally raised around gyms, learning the ropes from the ground up. By the time I was 17, I was already leading the gym in membership sales.

Later, I saw the opportunity to align with a bigger brand. So, in 2010, I transformed Popeye’s Gym into a World Gym franchise, which really elevated our profile. Then, continuing that momentum to 13 locations, I brought Crunch Fitness to Canada in 2017 by securing the master franchise rights, further expanding my impact in the fitness industry across Canada.

2. What’s been a key to your organization’s success? What are you most proud of?

A key to our organization’s success at Crunch Canada has been our commitment to fostering a strong sense of community. We’ve worked hard to create an inclusive environment where people of all fitness levels and backgrounds feel welcome — an approach that has truly set us apart. Our “No Limits” philosophy is central to everything we do, ensuring every member feels empowered to achieve their goals.

3. What has been one of the biggest accomplishments of your career?

What I’m most proud of is the incredible growth we’ve achieved since expanding into Canada in 2017. We’ve opened over 30 locations and served more than 150,000 members, all while building a supportive network for our Crunch in Canada. Seeing our team and franchise partners thrive — while delivering an exceptional fitness experience to our members — is incredibly rewarding. It’s been amazing to watch our vision come to life and positively impact so many people.

4. What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome it?

The COVID-19 pandemic. Canada faced some pretty big challenges; we had clubs closed for over 400 days. We had to work to buy out our financial lender and membership retention was another big concern. But honestly, I was impressed by how loyal our members were during such a tough time. While many gyms saw a lot of cancellations, Crunch only had about a 2% cancellation rate during the shutdowns. That loyalty really helped us bounce back quicker when we were able to reopen. It was all about grit and determination. It was the hill we were going to die on so to speak.

Looking back, our team showed a lot of resilience during such an unpredictable time. We grew our membership base even during the pandemic, which says a lot about how committed both our team and our members were to get through it together.

5. What is one lesson you have learned that other fitness professionals can learn from?

Patience is power: Building a successful fitness business takes time, and persistence is key. Don’t let up ever.

This is foundational for establishing a robust fitness business that not only thrives but also positively impacts the community it serves.

6. Tell us a fact about yourself others may not know.

I love muscle cars, their powerful performance, iconic designs, cultural significance and the exhilarating driving experience of yesterday. How cool.