The Wins and Losses of Owning a Gym in 2024
I think 2024 is a year we would all rather leave behind us. I know it was rough for everyone, but it was particularly difficult for small businesses in New Zealand! But if you don’t take the time to reflect on what went right, and what went wrong, you’re likely to never get anywhere. So while we survived (not thrived) in 2024, we learnt a lot and are more focussed than ever for 2025.
Running a business is a juggling act. As we scaled up, creating content became more challenging. The busier we got, the harder it was to find time for long-format content like this podcast. But here we are, ready to share our journey!
Reflecting on 2024
2024 was a pivotal year for us. One of our major achievements was the development of our app, which has been in use for a year now. It’s been fantastic to see our gym members enjoying it, but marketing it to the wider public has been a challenge. The fitness market is saturated, and standing out is no easy feat. As with any new idea, it’s always easy to get caught up in how much potential a a product has when you you bring it to market, rather than how difficult it is going to be to unlock that potential. We have poured our heart and soul into the Strength Block App, and it has been a success for people that use it in our gym, but it has definitely been a challenge getting it into the hands of people outside of the gym. However, the user base that has used it can tell that it is different from other apps and we’ve had nothing but positive feedback. Our next challenge is communicating this to people that don’t know us personally, so we have a slow a hard road ahead of us. But we know we have something special here, so we will make it happen!
We pride ourselves on being genuine coaches, focused on helping people make real progress rather than just pushing marketing spins. It’s tough competing against bigger brands with larger budgets, but we’re determined to show that our app is built on real coaching experience and effective programming. But hey. why not claim a free 14 day trial?
Creating a Unique Space
When we started Strength Block, we envisioned a space that sits between personal training studios and commercial gyms. We wanted to create an environment for people who are serious about training—not just exercising for the sake of it. Our goal has always been to help members learn sustainable, long-term training habits.
2024 helped us solidify this niche. Our gym caters to those who want to train with purpose. It’s about more than just burning calories; it’s about making progress in strength and fitness. This focus differentiates us from typical commercial gyms, and we’re slowly getting the message across.
Challenges Faced
Financially, 2024 was tough for everyone. Small businesses, including ours, felt the pinch. Many larger gyms around us have closed, which makes us question how we can keep going. It’s a scary thought, especially when we see established brands struggling. You just need to go onto any marketplace that has businesses for sale to see a bunch of F45 gyms, once a power house of the industry, reduced to liquidating their bright red and blue equipment.
We’ve also seen many of our personal training clients drop off as they faced financial difficulties of their own. While it’s disheartening, we empathize with their situations. We understand that our struggles are shared, and it’s important to maintain that connection with our community.
Pro-Consumer Decisions
One of our primary goals is to be pro-consumer. We don’t believe in locking people into contracts or using predatory tactics. Our gym allows members to cancel their memberships through the app without needing to speak to anyone. If someone doesn’t want to be here, we don’t want them to feel trapped.
We’re all about fostering a positive atmosphere. A negative attitude can quickly bring down the energy in a space, and we want our gym to be filled with motivated individuals who genuinely want to work together and support each other.
Financial Strategies
2024 also saw us tightening our financial strategies. We created tiered membership options to make our services more accessible. By offering a range of pricing structures, we hope to accommodate everyone from those wanting multiple personal training sessions to those simply looking for gym access.
However, the reality of running a small business is that it’s not just about profits. We’ve learned that maintaining a balance between our ideals and the need to make money is crucial. We want to ensure that our business remains viable while staying true to our values.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we head into 2025, we’re focusing on building a stronger community. We’ve found our target audience—the individuals who resonate with our gym’s philosophy. Now it’s about creating connections and fostering relationships among our members.
We’ve kicked off this initiative with the Strength Block Challenge, which is a community-driven experience. Participants can engage with one another while working towards their fitness goals. It’s been heartwarming to see members supporting each other and sharing their experiences.
Lessons Learned
One of the biggest lessons from 2024 is the importance of adaptability. The fitness landscape is constantly changing, and we need to pivot when necessary. We’ve learned to embrace the chaos and adjust our strategies when things aren’t working.
We also recognize that entrepreneurship isn’t a straight path. There are ups and downs, and it’s essential to have patience and resilience. Building a business takes time, and we’re committed to seeing our vision through.
Final Thoughts
Running a gym in 2024 has been both challenging and rewarding. We’re excited about what lies ahead and are committed to creating a supportive environment for our members. Thank you for being part of our journey, and we look forward to sharing more updates as we continue to grow!
If you want to be part of our tight knit gym, make sure you check out our membership options - they’re packed with value but are extremely limited!