It certainly has been a crazy year with many unknowns. Our fitness industry took a turn for the worst, or at least it felt that way –but maybe, just maybe it was the best thing that could’ve happened to our industry. I think we can all agree when gyms were mandated to close it was a shock not just to gym owners but to personal trainers as well any small fitness studios that run primarily on classes alone.

I personally felt paralyzed and didn’t know how to move forward. After the shock wore off I knew we had to pivot –and fast.

Above all, it was important for us to keep our members active so I lent all my equipment out at no charge. With as much as that was appreciated, I soon realized the pandemic wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and neither were the bills. I needed to keep revenue coming in so memberships were reactivated and at that point, all classes and personal training went virtual.

If anything, it felt good to reconnect in such a disconnected world. Members were happy to keep their fitness routine going but more importantly, we’re able to talk to one another before class started. The community that we had created was definitely a special bond. At least for that one hour, people could feel normal.

Because of that, I was lucky enough to be able to generate enough cash flow to pay the bills but realized the importance of having multiple flows of income coming in and not just in personal training and classes. Our fitness center now has a small salon that offers multiple services from facials, spray tans, massages, and hair care. We also rent out our aerobic room when it’s not being used.

But that’s my story, and now you may ask yourself what other flows of income could your business generate? Well, that’s a loaded question with every gym owner having different situations.

Here are 11 things that compliment health & fitness businesses:

• Personal training packages that add to specific needs
• Connect with a nutritionist as an additional service
• Host nutrition or fitness seminars
• Offer massage therapy and spray tanning
• Rent an aerobic room out when not in use
• Have freelance personal trainers rent your facility
• Sell supplements or put them in a juice bar
• Have physical therapists rent space
• Have a chiropractor rent space
• Offer local business-to-business memberships
• Have a salon onsite

These are just a few things that can generate more revenue without costing your business a thing. Get creative and never sell anything that there isn’t a need for. Stay connected to your people and remember you wouldn’t be there without them.