Are Big Gyms A Good Idea?

Tired of winging it? Want a real playbook for gym growth without burnout?

Click the link below to learn more about the 3-day marketing conference built for gym owners like you: https://gympranos.com/podcast

Podcast Summary

In this episode of Business Secrets for Gym Owners, Vince sits down with longtime SPF Mastermind members Joe Riggio and Dan Goodman of Varsity House Gym to unpack the pivotal decisions, hard-earned lessons, and mindset shifts that took their business from chaotic early hustle to a highly profitable, multi-location operation.

Joe and Dan share the full arc of their journey — from opening their first space with no business systems and constantly fighting cash-flow swings, to discovering the power of mentorship, upgrading their pricing and business model, and ultimately restructuring their leadership roles to unlock real scalability and profitability.

Through candid stories, vulnerable turning-point moments, and behind-the-scenes examples from seven years inside the SPF Mastermind, Vince highlights how clarity, accountability, and the right peer environment helped Joe and Dan eliminate complexity, tighten margins, and build a business that could finally grow without burning them out.

This conversation is a powerful look at how gym owners evolve — not by working harder — but by changing how they think, lead, and operate.

5 Key Points

Mentorship Shortens the Learning Curve
Joe and Dan stopped trying to figure everything out alone — and accelerated growth by modeling proven systems instead of repeating avoidable mistakes.

The Right Model Changes Everything
Upgrading pricing, shifting to a small-group personal training structure, and tightening their offer created margin, stability, and predictable revenue.

Accountability Drives Execution
The structure of the Mastermind — sharing real numbers, real plans, and real progress — forced focus, consistency, and follow-through.

Role Clarity Unlocks Scale
Once they stopped “sharing everything” and defined true ownership of leadership roles, the team gained alignment and the business took off.

Organizational Health Is Rocket Fuel
As the business grew, success depended less on hustle — and more on systems, leadership, and clear decision-making.

Tired of winging it? Want a real playbook for gym growth without burnout?
Click the link below to learn more about the 3-day marketing conference built for gym owners like you:
https://gympranos.com/podcast

Need help getting more leads, making more money, or buying your time back from your gym business?

Click here to schedule a free one on one strategy session!