The Business of Boutique Fitness

722: From Manager to Leader: The Mindset Shift that Transforms Your Studio Team

02 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Many studio managers stay stuck in the weeds—solving problems, teaching classes and doing all the things. But to grow, you need to move from manager...

721: Why Clients Quit Your Fitness Studio

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Studios don't lose members suddenly—it happens slowly, quietly, and often without you ever knowing why. Given how hard you worked to earn your clien...

720: Building a Culture of Ownership (Without Micromanaging)

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most boutique fitness owners want a team that's empowered to act like an owner. But they unintentionally create a business where everything depends on...

719: What to Do in Your Boutique Fitness Studio in April

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Boutique fitness studio owners instinctively know how to tackle Q1's typical surge with master multitasking and endless adrenaline. But then comes Apr...

718: The 5 Must-Know Metrics Driving Studio Success

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We get it. Most of us don't open our boutique fitness studio to analyze spreadsheets. But if you're not checking your numbers regularly, you're actual...

717: How to Raise Your Prices Without Losing Clients

17 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Raising your prices may feel risky, but if you don't, you're eroding your margins and killing profitability over time. So reframe your mindset and ado...

716: How to Build a Scalable Studio Business Model That Runs Without You

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If your studio only runs successfully when you're on site, you don't own a business—you own a job. Doing all the things has a place when you launch,...

715: How to Test New Class Formats Without Losing Money

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Even though boutique studio clients are creatures of habit, stagnant class schedules can breed boredom over time. Done right, adding new formats spark...

714: Is Your Brand Outdated? Proven Ways to Stay Relevant in 2026

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's competitive boutique fitness market, "good" simply isn't enough. If your brand isn't current and clearly differentiated, you may be invisib...

713: What to Do in Your Boutique Studio Business in March

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, if you take your foot off the gas in March, your studio's likely to have a long, quiet summer. While you're still in the busiest quarter of the...

712: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Tracey Mallet

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Building a sustainable brand is about creating something strong enough to outlast trends and survive copycats. It's doing the hard work, staying passi...

711: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Sean Bergara

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the real competitive edge in boutique fitness isn't programming—it's positioning? In a crowded Pilates market, clarity of brand and convicti...

710: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Michael Ramsey

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you take something wildly popular—Pilates—and intentionally redesign it to attract even more people? Rapid growth, big revenue—...

709: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Maria Leone

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Prosperous Pilates studios don't chase shortcuts or trends—they commit to excellence, education and evolution. Lasting success is built on depth, di...

708: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Khetanya Henderson

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As studios invest heavily in creating beautiful sanctuaries and upscale environments, what ultimately matters to flourish is clear purpose, real commu...

707: The Pilates Journal Expo with Lise Kuecker and Andrea Speir

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pilates studios may be proliferating globally, but many may not make it. Amidst fierce competition and growing homogenization, profitability is the ex...

706: Beyond the Paycheck: How to Turn Hourly Staff into Engaged Team Members

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Are you carrying the culture, energy and emotional weight of your studio by yourself? Many owners feel frustrated that hourly employees don't seem tru...

705: What to Do in Your Business in February

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

For many studios, February is the busiest month of the year. What you do (or don't do) then determines whether January's surge becomes sustainable gro...

704: The Hidden Costs of Switching Studio Software Fitness Studio Software (Nobody Talks About This)

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Switching studio software seems like a clean reset. But many owners don't realize the real cost is beyond financial—it's time, energy, staff trainin...

703: How to Choose Your Fitness Studio Software in 2026

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Choosing studio software shouldn't feel like a gamble—but for many owners, it does. The wrong platform can work against you: draining time, frustrat...

702: Top 5 Studio Management Tools That Actually Save Time

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, most boutique fitness studio owners don't have to hustle harder. What they do need? Smart systems and processes that maximize efficiency and pr...

701: AI & Automations for Boutique Fitness

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

701: AI & Automations for Boutique Fitness

700: The New Era of Studio Membership Models

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

700: The New Era of Studio Membership Models

699: What Top Studios Around the World Are Doing That We Love - Part 3

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're feeling the pressure now—rising costs, louder competition and members who seem harder to please—you're not alone. So let's peek at some ...

698: What Top Studios Are Doing Around the World, Part 2

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In boutique fitness, it's easy to be fully consumed by your studio—or the competitors nearby. Shift your perspective periodically to the landscape a...

697: What Top Studios Are Doing Around the World, Part 1

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When you're head-down running all the things in your studio, exploring beyond your walls may be off your radar. But peeking at the global industry evo...

696: It Starts With You: The Self-Aware Leader's Edge

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, when you're running a business, it's easy to get buried in the daily grind. But being head-down in all the details can mean working harder inst...

695: Your Economy-Proof Plan, Part 3

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amidst an unstable, unpredictable economy, it's critical that your studio has its books in order. Of course, proactive financial strategies are smart ...

694: What Other Studio Owners Are Doing That You Are Not

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! If you've ever looked at your red-hot competitors and wondered about their secrets to success, we've got you. S...

693: Your Economy-Proof Plan, Part 2

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Good news: economic downturns don't have to mean disaster for your studio. In fact, with the right messaging and moves, you can turn uncertainty into ...

692: Is Your Social Life Your Studio?

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! If your studio has become your social life, creative outlet and full-time emotional ecosystem, you just might b...

691: Your Economy-Proof Plan, Part 1

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today's economic and geopolitical volatility can cause uncertainty even among the best business plans. Focus on what you can control in your studio to...

690: Everybody's Talking About You - Harnessing the Power of Referrals

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! Clients who rave about you are marketing gold. When they bring in their friends or family members, they're alre...

689: How to Turn Your Studio Around -- Part 3

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People aren't coming to your studio for your Reformers, your music or your plush towels. They're craving memorable experiences and genuine connection ...

688: The KPI Blueprint: What Boutique Fitness Owners Actually Need to Track

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! When it comes to KPIs, studio owners typically fall into extremes. They either track everything and get overwhe...

687: How to Turn Your Studio Around - Part 2

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every studio owner encounters rough waters along their journey. So expect it. Then recognize the difference between sinking and sailing often comes do...

686: Booked Solid But Still Not Profitable

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to this bonus podcast episode! What do you do when your studio is booked solid…but still unprofitable? When you're teaching constantly, runn...

685: How to Turn Your Studio Around - Part 1

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fueled by a dream and deep passion, good-intentioned studio owners can become so consumed with the day-to-day of the business that they miss warning s...

684: A New Competitor Just Moved In - Now What?

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you recently launched your studio or you've been around a while, a new competitor opening nearby typically triggers full-on panic. But competi...

683: The Silent Studio Killer - What Happens When You Skip Market Research with hosts Heather Garrick and Alina Cooper

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Studio owners often are so focused on their aesthetics or operations that they bypass a critical success factor: market research. Without it, their bu...

682: How to Fund Your Studio Without Drowning in Debt

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your dream of owning a boutique fitness studio is the fuel, but the engine that gets you to opening your doors is funding. Knowledge and tenacity are ...

681: Beyond the Waitlist: Fixing Profit Leaks in a Fully Booked Studio

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The paradox of a packed but unprofitable space is real for many boutique fitness studio owners. But you can turn things around by identifying and plug...

680: Ready, Set, Grand Opening!

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, first impressions are everything in the boutique studio business. When you're finally ready to launch your studio, don't underestimate the valu...

679: The Next Decade of Boutique Fitness, Part 2

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part 2 of this series, we continue considering how what's happening in the boutique fitness industry today impacts tomorrow. (Spoiler: There's mass...

678: The Next Decade of Boutique Fitness, Part 1

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Although boutique fitness for mass market consumption is only about 20 years old, it has altered the fitness industry forever. And, y'all, what's up a...

677: From Zero to Launch in 100 Days: Inside Tonal's Bold Studio Debut in NYC

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're considering adding more studio locations, pop-ups can be your friend. They're a low-cost, low-risk, high-ROI way to gain visibility, gauge i...

676: The Most Uncomfortable Conversations You're Avoiding (That Are Costing You Thousands) -- Part Three

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part 3 of this series about uncomfortable conversations, we're addressing what every successful boutique fitness studio owner eventually encounters...

675: The Most Uncomfortable Conversations You're Avoiding (That Are Costing You Thousands) -- Part Two

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to part 2 of our 3-part series where we try to get comfortable with the uncomfortable (and inevitable) discussions of a studio owner.    In ...

674: The Most Uncomfortable Conversations You're Avoiding (That Are Costing You Thousands) -- Part One

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To be successful, every studio owner needs to manage uncomfortable conversations. So let's dive into the common anxiety-triggering topics of price inc...

673: The Sales Rhythm that Grows Fitness Studios

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Although some studio owners feel like "sales" is a dirty word, the reality is that it's the lifeblood of your business. Establishing a natural rhythm ...

672: What the Top Studios Are Doing Right Now

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A question I get all the time is, "What are the highest performing studios in the world actually doing?" Sustainable profitability and a growth trajec...

671: Stop Micromanaging - How to Empower Your Staff

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your fierce commitment as a studio owner can lead to the disastrous trap of micromanaging. This lose-lose approach usually ends up with you burning ou...

670: How to Lead Successfully, Strategically and Like a 7-Figure CEO

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Face it: 80% of boutique fitness studio owners are stuck in the operator role, wearing all the hats, all the time. Not a bad thing, but it will never ...

669: The First 90 Days - How to Set Every New Hire Up for Success with Caroline and Matt

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A thoughtful onboarding process is worth your investment of time and effort. Although you're temporarily doing more work while also increasing your pa...

668: The Secrets to a High-Performing Team

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your people can make or break your studio. Building a standout team is critical to protect your business. And that doesn't just happen automatically, ...

667: How Tariffs & Trade Can Impact Your Studio

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all,   the noise about tariffs in recent months has stirred questions and anxiety among the fitness industry (and many industries, frankly) about t...

666: The Big Picture with Lise, Garrett, & Debra

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, Two industry powerhouses I'm absolutely fascinated by – Garrett Marshall and Debra Strougo! Garrett's been shaping our space for 22 years and...

665: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker, Jennifer Maanavi of Physique 57, and Jack Thomas of The Fit Guide

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, Two industry leaders I'm absolutely fascinated by – Jennifer Maanavi, founder of Physique 57 (one of the best barre brands in the world), and...

664: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker and Jason Moore of Spren

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, combining our high-touch approach with personalized client data is gold. Cue this fascinating conversation with software engineer, trainer and ...

663: The Pilates Explosion - Global Growth with STOTT Pilates' Beth Gibbs-Bartel

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, when you've been in this industry as long as I have, you can feel the big shifts coming. But even I wasn't prepared for the Pilates explosion w...

662: Building Premium Fitness Empire - Lessons from Third Space London

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, For boutique fitness studio owners, scaling from a single location to a multi-club empire while maintaining premium standards seems impossible...

661: The Big Picture with Lise Kuecker and Chris Farnsworth of LiveMetta

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One brand I'm so excited to watch is LiveMetta – currently 11 yoga and Pilates studios (along with one spa) in Southern California. They're truly br...

660: Attracting & Retaining Female Clients in Your Studio

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all may assume that because 77% of boutique fitness studio members are women, marketing to females is a no-brainer. They're showing up anyway, right...

659: Partnering with Local Businesses

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Want a relatively easy win-win for your studio? Consider partnering with another local business to drive traffic and boost sales in both places.    ...

658: Emerging Trends & Innovations in Fitness

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For boutique fitness studio owners, sometimes you're so deep in the weeds with sales, marketing and operations that you miss the big picture of what's...

657: Everything You've Been Too Embarrassed to Ask Your Accountant

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I'm pretty sure that most (all?) of us didn't open a boutique fitness studio to stare at spreadsheets and crunch numbers. Yet that's part of owning a ...

656: Building Your Mission, Vision & Core Values

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, be honest. Do you really understand what a mission, vision and core values mean for your studio and why they matter? And why should you care?  ...

655: The State of the Yoga Industry

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sure seems like everyone today is desperately seeking some zen on the mat. The global yoga industry is expected to climb from $180B in 2024 to $215B i...

654: Real Estate, Loans and Investment - Deciding the Best Financing for Your Studio

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's talk money – as in financing your first studio or funding to scale and add locations. By understanding your options, you can quell your anxiet...

653: From Planning to Build-out: Financing Your Studio the Right Way

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Turning your vision into a reality can be intimidating without some know-how about the process. After securing funding, learn how to hire and work wit...

652: The Mindset of Financing: How to Fund Your Studio's Growth

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I get it – funding and financing can be daunting when starting or expanding your studio. In this 3-part podcast series, we'll uncover some of the my...

651: Difficult Dialogues in Boutique Fitness, Part 2

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A smarter approach than avoiding conversations that feel uncomfortable is confronting them thoughtfully. So stop dodging and start diving in.     ...

650: Building a Strong Foundation - Key Strategies for Studio Success

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, I know that scaling your business seems kinda like a pipedream when you're eyeballs-deep in teaching classes, whipping up marketing, running pa...

649: Refreshing Your Sales Strategy in a New Year

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Even past the January New Year's resolutions crush, you've still got an opportunity to capture people who dropped off after an intro package or those ...

648: Connect First, Sell Second - How to Transform Your Sales Mindset

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For many of us in the studio industry, sales feels cringy. Pushy, in-your-face and relentless. Yet survival in this business requires ongoing sales. ...

647: Mirror of Success - 3 Personal Traits that Can Sabotage Your Business

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it, your studio is a direct reflection of you. A thriving business typically means you're leading well, but a struggling studio may be a wa...

646: How to build a successful Team (part 3) Setting Your Team Up For Success with host Elle Kealy

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As studio owners, we may think hiring more staff will automatically lighten our load and get everything running like clockwork. Many of us have discov...

645: The Team Meeting Blueprint

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Think about it – meetings typically invoke thoughts of boredom, wasted time and even dread. But they're critical for communication, information-shar...

644: A People-First Approach to Business – Part 2

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it, y'all, the real complexity of our businesses is our people. Simplification starts with smart management to empower them to thrive and, ...

643: The State of the Pilates Industry

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Even if Pilates isn't your jam, its skyrocketing popularity should grab your attention. The global Pilates industry was $178 billion in 2024. By 2031,...

642: How to Build a Successful Team Part 2 - Q&A Issues with Your Team

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your team is ultimately what differentiates your studio and keeps members coming back. But y'all, every owner understands that managing people means c...

641: Difficult Dialogues in Boutique Fitness

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

No one likes difficult conversations. Ever. But to be a successful boutique fitness studio owner, you've gotta ditch the discomfort and address these ...

640: How to Build a Successful Team Part 1 - Recruitment

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After an estimated 1.3 million people left the boutique fitness studio workforce during the pandemic, owners are trying to conquer the ongoing challen...

639: A People-First Approach to Business

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever tempted to ditch the "customer is always right" philosophy? What if you shifted your focus to your team instead? Is that a recipe for disaster? O...

638: The Psychology of Sales

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, people typically buy based on emotion over logic. I know I have! By understanding and tapping into how your prospects feel, you'll ultimately w...

637: Unleash Your Inner Character - Mastering Role Playing with host Caroline Plambeck and Coach Josh Poole

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all know that for some of us in this business, selling feels ultra-uncomfortable. Maybe you're one of them.   But your studio's survival depends on...

636: Balancing Passion With Profit

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

So many of us dove into our studio ownership more fueled by abounding passion than business acumen.   Fervor is fabulous but doesn't automatically eq...

635: Instruct and Inspire Teacher Training - What Type of Teacher Training Should I Have? with Cara Plambeck and Cara Hazelton

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Building something worthwhile is a marathon, not a sprint. It's putting one step in front of another, fueled by perseverance and the end goal in mind....

634: Instruct & Inspire Teacher Training – Should I Even Have a Teacher Training?

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every studio owner is likely looking to boost revenue, differentiate their business and build a strong team. Might teacher training be an all-encompas...

633: Instruct & Inspire - Teacher Training Series Intro

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Amidst multitasking and managing the minutiae, it can be daunting to dare to dream about building your business. We've been there, and we can help.  ...

632: Senses in Sync: Crafting a Multisensory Journey

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If your studio is just a space to exercise, you're in trouble. Consumers today expect memorable experiences and personal connections.    Fortunately...

631: The Art of the Turnaround

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I bet your studio ownership journey had some do-or-die moments where you worried if your business would make it.   Friend, you're in good company. Be...

630: Navigating Uncertainty with a Positive Mindset

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Y'all, uncertainty is everywhere. Studio owners face unforeseen issues every week or every day (hopefully not every hour!).   We feel you. Join Coach...

629: What's My ROI on Meta Ads?

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder if your Meta ads are worth it? Any idea which metrics to track and how they add up? Or are you breaking a sweat thinking about this?   De...

628: Selling Your Studio with Host Peter and Mitch McGinley

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

628 - Selling Your Studio with Host Peter and Mitch McGinley

627: How to Deal with Competitors Opening

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

  Competitor opening nearby?    Cue spiking stress, nagging worries and the heavy weight of dread.     But, my friend, let's adopt a healthier a...

626: The 3 Pillars of Brand Positioning

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Think about Nike, Skechers and OOFOS. What comes to mind for each? They're all shoes, but their brands are recognizably distinct.    That, y'all, is...

625: Boosting Studio Growth with Momence

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Juggling endless responsibilities, boutique fitness studio owners have taken multitasking to Herculean levels to maximize productivity. Sound familiar...

624: Building Your Brand on a Budget

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Your brand is your essence. Your differentiator. Your image.   More than your name, logo or colors, your brand defines your studio and compels an emo...

623: Cultivating your Core Values as a Business

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wonder if core values are actually more than just ambitious words on paper? Does your studio really need them?    You're in luck, because in Ep...