May 2023 Club of the Month, presented by ABC Fitness Solutions:
THE GYM, est. 1985
In 1985, George Jackson, who at the time was Gold’s Gym international chief financial officer, opened a fitness center in Pacific Beach, California, with Rick Stevenson which became known as THE GYM. Years later in 2018, Mark Lyons, the executive trustee of THE GYM, joined and assisted in opening and operating new national franchise locations.
After a reunion which included Pete Grymkowski, the group decided to make THE GYM a brand and began licensing and opening more locations. Since then, they are up to nine locations in California, Arizona and Florida, with more lined up in the pipeline.
Below, Lyons shares the main objectives of THE GYM, the club’s unique culture and characteristics, its partnership with ABC Fitness Solutions and more.
What is the mission of THE GYM?
THE GYM’s mission has two main objectives: members getting results and expansion through adding brand partner locations. THE GYM is all about having a hardcore weight room. Our members get results, engage with each other and create a community of lifters in each location.
For the owner/operator to be successful, they should make money and make an impact in their community. In any industry when the upper management and business plan is interchangeable, regardless of the product or service, you can say the DNA of that business has been over diluted to the point of losing its roots. People will travel hours to an authentic mom-and-pop taco shop instead of going to a huge chain five minutes away. That’s exactly what’s happening in the fitness industry today. Currently, you see consulting services, influencers, apps and management changes revolving around engaging the member. THE GYM gives members what they want so the operator doesn’t have to beg for their attention or devalue the gym.
What makes THE GYM unique?
The second you walk into any of our locations, the first thing you feel is the energy. You hear good music. We have real sound systems. Then you hear the metal weights clanking and you see everyone training hard. Our weight rooms aren’t hidden in the back corner. When people think of a hardcore gym, they mostly visualize a little space in an industrial area full of unfriendly men. We are a hardcore gym with just about an even 50/50 split of male and female members.
Our facilities are between 12,000 to 48,000 square feet in size. We have no sales staff and operate with a front desk team only. If you’re a professional trainer and you and your clients are members, you can train in any of our gyms and keep 100% of what you sell. We don’t charge rent or anything of that nature. Members choose THE GYM for the community, lifestyle and results.
What is the culture like at THE GYM?
THE GYM has its own culture that must be seen and felt to truly understand. Walk into any of our locations Friday night or Sunday afternoon and you will see a community of lifters training hard. When you work out at THE GYM, you’re surrounded by people striving to go to the next fitness level by pushing themselves to be better than yesterday.
Everyone is super friendly, the members are actively growing and evolving together alongside staff. We have no gimmicks and are a community with amazing weight rooms designed by lifters that you will not find in other fitness chains. We give our members a place to train and take their fitness goals to the next level.
What is your favorite thing about partnering with ABC Fitness?
ABC Fitness Solutions is the backbone of our operations. It allows us to focus on the gym and members. We love that it’s hassle-free and provides everything we need to run our gyms. We sell a lot of retail from our pro shops and have our own clothing and supplement brand. ABC Fitness seamlessly helps us run our retail business.
If you could give one piece of advice to other gym operators, what would it be?
Most fitness centers feel like walking into a pharmacy with car salesmen greeting you. So many operators are spinning their wheels running their gyms from an operations system and style that was designed 30 years ago. Things are different now. People are different and things are much more specific. Nobody wants to be or feel generic. Make sure you’re partnered with the right brand. For years, I felt held back by a national franchise I was once part of.
Created in partnership with ABC Fitness Solutions. Visit abcfitness.com for more information on how they can help your fitness business.
