What I’d Do Differently If I Could Go Back to My Gym Owner Days
Sep 08, 2025
You know how they say hindsight is 20/20? If I could go back to my days as a brick-and-mortar gym owner with the brain (and experience) I have now, there are so many things I’d do differently. I would have saved myself stress, money, and a whole lot of “I’ll just do it myself” energy.
In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on the biggest mistakes I made while running my CrossFit gym, what I wish I’d known sooner, and what I’d absolutely do again. Whether you’ve dreamed about opening a physical space for your business, or you just want the behind-the-scenes lessons learned, I promise there’s something in here for you.
The Best and Worst of Owning a Gym
Let’s start with the good stuff: the best part of owning a gym was witnessing transformation in real time. I got to see women do things they never thought were possible—lifting heavier weights, trying gymnastics moves for the first time, and proving to themselves that they were stronger than they realized. Those breakthrough moments? They were magic.
But the hardest part? The endless stream of opinions. Running a community-based business means your clients often see it as their space, which is amazing—but it also meant I was constantly fielding requests, feedback, and sometimes demands. Everyone had an opinion about how things should be done, and that was exhausting.
What I’d Do Differently
1. Take Time Off—Non-Negotiable
One of my biggest mistakes was not giving myself (or my team) consistent time off. I fell into the trap of always being open—holidays, long weekends, you name it—because I felt pressured by what clients “wanted.” Looking back, I would have implemented regular closures, just like my daughter’s karate studio does now.
A week off in the summer. A week off at Christmas. Maybe even quarterly breaks. Time to rest, recharge, and normalize that the world doesn’t fall apart if you take a break. Businesses should serve us—not the other way around.
2. Protect the Culture (and Let People Go)
Here’s a truth I wish I’d owned earlier: not every client is the right fit. I tolerated members who created tension, drained my staff, and soured the culture. I was scared of being seen as “not inclusive” if I asked them to leave, but in reality, I lost good members because of the bad apples.
One of my biggest lessons? You deserve the culture you tolerate. If someone is ruining the experience for others, it’s okay—and necessary—to end that relationship. No amount of money is worth your peace or the integrity of your community.
3. Hire Help Sooner
When I finally invested in mentorship, everything changed. At the time, $5,000 USD for a coach felt terrifying. But that investment collapsed time for me—I doubled my revenue and gained clarity on systems, retention, and leadership I didn’t even know I was missing.
If I could do it over, I’d hire support earlier. I spent far too long stuck in “I’ll figure it out myself” mode, which cost me time, energy, and money. Mentorship, guidance, and outside perspective are worth it.
Lessons for Any Entrepreneur
Even if you don’t own a gym, these lessons apply to every business:
- Rest matters. Build in breaks and give yourself permission to step away.
- Protect your culture. Let go of clients or team members who drain you.
- Get support. Hire help—whether that’s a mentor, a coach, or a team member—so you can focus on the work only you can do.
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the experience of running my gym. But if I had the chance to do it all again, I’d run it with more boundaries, more support, and a whole lot more confidence in myself as a leader.
