What does it really take to build a profitable, long-lasting gym business?
In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Russell, owner of Snap Fitness Newcastle, who’s been in the game for 13 years, built a club of 1,300+ members, won multiple community and national awards, and—most importantly—created a business that works without burning out.
We go deep on what actually drives growth in gyms that thrive long-term (hint: it’s not fancy equipment or gimmicks).
In this conversation, we cover:
- Cameron’s journey from elite sport & strength conditioning to gym ownership
- Why personal trainers are the secret weapon for retention in 24/7 gyms
- How to recruit, train, and keep great staff (even outside major cities)
- The real reason most gyms stall around 400–600 members
- The power of the “1%ers”: service, cleanliness, culture, and consistency
- Why most gym owners undercharge—and how pricing impacts longevity
- Building a gym culture that still runs when the owner isn’t on the floor
- What Cameron would do differently if he started again today
- How to target the over-50s market (one of the most overlooked demographics)
- Using VAs and AI to remove admin without losing service
- Practical strategies for lead generation, retention, and referrals
If you’re a gym owner who wants:
✔ predictable growth
✔ loyal members
✔ a strong team
✔ and a business that doesn’t rely on 80-hour weeks
…this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
0:00 – Intro
03:41 – How do you think having personal trainers going around in a Snap shirt helps retention?
05:20 – Do you prefer to work with experienced personal trainers?
08:01 – Do you find it harder to get employees being in the outskirts of the city?
11:43 – What is 1 or 2 achievements you are most proud of running one of the top performing Snap Fitness franchises for 13 years?
13:47 – How do you have longevity in the fitness industry and avoid burn out?
18:20 – What sets you apart from other gyms who struggle to maintain good service?
22:45 – What was the skills did you learn along the way that stands out as a successful gym owner?
27:07 – How do you have longevity in the fitness industry and avoid burn out?
29:17 – Where do you find good staff?
34:42 – Are you paying your staff award wages? How do you determine bonuses and KPI’s for a manager?
38:08 – What was your most successful lead generation campaign in the last 12months?
44:00 – How would you target the over 55 demographic?
47:28 – What roles do you give your VA to help with?
51:07 – Are you testing any new technology at the moment?
56:42 – Do you incorporate Fitness Passport?
57:40 – How many staff do you have?
58:07 – How many Fitness Passport do you have?
58:48 – What is one thing you know now in business, that you wish you knew at the start?
