What Nic’s Dream Gym Business Would Look Like
As a personal trainer, I’ve spent years working in and observing gyms of all shapes and sizes. From the high-intensity circuits of F45 and Orangetheory to the rugged, competitive world of CrossFit, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the sweaty. But as much as these models have shaped the fitness industry, I believe there’s room for something better—something smarter, more inclusive, and truly transformative.
This is my vision for a dream gym. A place where strength, community, and quality come together to create an experience that’s not just about working out but about training for a better life.
The Problem with the Current Models
Before diving into what my dream gym would look like, let’s talk about the current landscape. F45, CrossFit, and Orangetheory are all variations of the same theme: high-intensity interval training (HIIT). While each has its unique spin, they share some common flaws:
F45: Claims to offer strength, cardio, and hybrid classes, but even their “strength” classes often have minimal rest (25 seconds, really?) and feel more like cardio with weights.
CrossFit: The “dad” of the group, with a bit more emphasis on strength, but still heavily time-based and hybrid-focused.
Orangetheory: Built on outdated science like EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption), it’s essentially cardio with some circuit-based strength training thrown in.
All three models prioritize intensity over intentionality, often masking strength training as cardio. They’re great for getting people moving, but they fall short when it comes to delivering real, sustainable progress.
The Vision: A Gym That Trains, Not Just Sweats
My dream gym would flip the script. It wouldn’t just be about hard workouts—it would be about smart training. Here’s what it would look like:
1. The Equipment: Tools for Real Progress
Forget the lightweight dumbbells and endless cardio machines. My gym would be equipped with everything you need to build real strength and improve performance:
Dumbbells and kettlebells for versatile, functional training.
Med balls, dead balls, stability balls, and bands for accessory work and mobility.
Pull-up bars, squat racks with cables, benches, and barbells for serious strength training.
Heavier weights than what you’d find at an F45 (because 60 pounds just doesn’t cut it).
Instead of relying on heart rate monitors, we’d focus on progressive overload—tracking weight, reps, and range of motion through an app or good old-fashioned sheets. The goal? To help members see and feel their progress over time.
2. The Culture: Inclusive, Supportive, and Growth-Oriented
This gym wouldn’t be about competing with the person next to you. It would be about competing with yourself—beating your personal bests and becoming stronger than you were yesterday.
The culture would be:
Inclusive: Welcoming people of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned lifters.
Supportive: Trainers and members alike would cheer each other on, creating a community that extends beyond the gym walls.
Modern and Clean: A crisp, clean aesthetic with good vibes that make you excited to show up and lift heavy.
This wouldn’t just be a gym—it would be a place where people want to hang out, connect, and grow together.
3. The Classes: Balanced and Purposeful
The programming would be designed with rhythm and reason, not just “hard for the sake of hard.” Here’s how a typical week might look:
1 pure cardio workout: For those who love to get their heart rate up.
1 conditioning/HIIT workout: A mix of strength and cardio for overall fitness.
3-4 strength/power workouts: Focused on building muscle, improving form, and lifting heavy.
1-2 mobility/recovery/accessory workouts: To improve flexibility, prevent injury, and support overall performance.
The programming would follow 6-8 week blocks, with micro-adjustments week-to-week to build strength and endurance. After each block, we’d switch things up to keep the body adapting and progressing. This is the kind of periodized training that top-level athletes use—and it’s time to bring it to the group training world.
4. The Trainers: Coaches Who Care
The trainers would be the heart of the gym. They’d be:
Skilled at modifying workouts to meet members where they are, ensuring everyone can participate and progress.
Supportive and growth-minded, always learning and improving to deliver the best experience possible.
Collaborative, working together to create a consistent, high-quality experience for members.
Most importantly, they’d make group training feel like personal training—offering the kind of attention and support that’s usually reserved for one-on-one sessions, but at a fraction of the cost.
5. The Philosophy: Quality Over Profit
At the core of this gym would be a simple philosophy: focus on quality, and the money will follow.
The goal wouldn’t be to churn out as many memberships as possible or rely on flashy marketing gimmicks.
Instead, it would be about delivering a product that truly helps people—training that’s rooted in science, designed for long-term progress, and led by passionate, knowledgeable coaches.
Gyms, health, and trainers play a critical role in keeping society healthy. When we prioritize business models over quality, we do a disservice to the people we’re supposed to help. My dream gym would change that.
Why This Gym Matters
This isn’t just a dream—it’s a vision for what the fitness industry could and should be. A gym that prioritizes strength, community, and quality over intensity and gimmicks. A place where people can train smarter, grow stronger, and feel supported every step of the way.
Maybe one day this dream will become a reality. Until then, I’ll keep working to bring this vision to life—one client, one workout, and one rep at a time.