In this episode of The Gym Owner’s Podcast, we sit down with Gonz, owner of The Kage Gym, to break down his incredible journey from inheriting a gym with only 10 members to building a thriving business generating $15,000/month in dues.

Gonz shares the real story behind the turnaround — from the early struggles of keeping the doors open to the strategic decisions that fueled explosive growth, including expanding his space, upgrading equipment, and creating an experience that keeps members coming back.

In this episode: ▶ The reality of taking over a gym with almost no members ▶ Key moves that drove growth from $7K to $15K/month ▶ Why expansion changed everything ▶ Lessons for gym owners who want to scale

Starting a gym can feel impossible until someone breaks down the actual steps.

In this episode of The Gym Owner’s Podcast, Anthony Pasquale sits down with Andrew Bono, a 23-year-old entrepreneur preparing to open his first gym, Agon Fitness. Instead of hearing from an owner years after opening, this episode captures the gym startup journey while it is still happening.

Andrew shares how he first connected with Gym Insight after seeing Steven Harvalias of Super Fitness talk about the software, and how those early conversations helped him start mapping out the path from idea to execution.

Anthony and Andrew walk through the startup process step by step, beginning with forming an LLC, getting an EIN, building momentum, preparing financial projections, and understanding why the first move is often the hardest. Andrew explains how creating his LLC took less than 30 minutes once he finally decided to take action.

The conversation also covers commercial lease negotiations and why new gym owners should avoid signing anything without the right guidance. Anthony and Andrew discuss lease terms, CPI increases, HVAC responsibility, location visibility, grocery-store foot traffic, and tenant improvement allowance that can help fund the buildout.

Andrew also shares his evolving approach to equipment, layout, and gym design. He originally wanted the modern all-black aesthetic, but learned that equipment quality, durability, member experience, and long-term value matter more than matching colors. The two discuss used vs. new equipment, turf, power racks, platforms, selectorized machines, and building a gym that appeals to everyday members without losing the serious training edge.

A major part of the episode focuses on SBA loans, financial projections, presales, founding memberships, and grand opening strategy. Anthony explains why starting with zero members creates unnecessary pressure and how presales can give a new gym a running start before opening day.

They also talk through cancellation policies, simple membership options, selling goals instead of prices, the power of giving a proper tour, and why thinking like the customer can help a new gym stand out.

For anyone who has dreamed about opening a gym but does not know where to start, this episode is a practical look at the real process: LLC, loan, lease, buildout, presales, software, and grand opening.

In This Episode:

• Opening a gym at 23
• Forming an LLC and getting an EIN
• Building financial projections
• Applying for an SBA loan
• Negotiating a commercial lease
• Understanding tenant improvement allowance
• Choosing gym equipment
• Designing a practical gym layout
• Creating founding memberships
• Building presale momentum
• Planning grand opening giveaways
• Keeping memberships simple
• Making cancellations customer-friendly
• Selling the tour before showing prices
• Using SBDC and SCORE as startup resources

Follow Andrew’s Journey: Instagram: @agonfitnessgym TikTok: @agon.fitness Facebook: Agon Fitness

Connect with Gym Insight: If you own a gym, studio, or fitness facility and want help managing memberships, billing, access, reporting, and daily operations, visit GymInsight.com or call 855-367-4967.

The Gym Owner’s Podcast is powered by Gym Insight.

“Before you sign a lease, the negotiation has already started.”

“Whoever has the most options wins.”

Ken Jorgenson, National Director of CARR, explains why commercial real estate can make or break a gym business. Anthony, Natalia, and Ken break down lease mistakes, buildout timelines, tenant improvements, free rent, CPI increases, renewals, lease vs. buy decisions, and why gym owners should not negotiate commercial space alone.

In this episode of The Gym Owner’s Podcast, Anthony Pasquale and Natalia Schulte sit down with Ken Jorgenson, National Director of CARR, for one of the most important conversations any current or future gym owner can hear before signing a commercial lease.

Opening a gym is exciting, but the real estate decision behind that gym can quietly become one of the most expensive parts of the entire business. Ken explains why gym owners need to understand lease terms, landlord representation, tenant improvement allowances, free rent periods, buildout timelines, annual escalations, CPI clauses, assignment language, parking, signage, renewal options, and the hidden costs that can turn a promising gym location into a financial nightmare.

This episode is especially valuable for first-time gym owners, expanding fitness businesses, studio owners, personal training facilities, and anyone trying to decide whether to lease, buy, renew, relocate, or open an additional location.

Ken also explains why simply browsing LoopNet, calling the number on a building, or negotiating directly with a landlord’s agent can put gym owners at a disadvantage before the real negotiation even begins. The conversation covers how professional tenant and buyer representation can help gym owners create leverage, compare multiple properties, understand market data, and negotiate from a stronger position.

CARR specializes in commercial real estate services for healthcare and fitness tenants and buyers, with services that include start-ups, lease renewals, expansions, relocations, purchases, due diligence, and more. CARR’s website also includes articles, FAQs, glossaries, videos, and other resources for business owners trying to better understand commercial real estate.

In this episode

• Why gym owners should not treat commercial real estate like residential real estate
• Why calling the number on a building can weaken your negotiating position
• How landlord agents use early conversations as leverage
• Why LoopNet is not enough when searching for gym space
• What gym owners should negotiate beyond monthly rent
• The difference between buildout time and free rent after opening
• Why tenant improvement allowance can save gym owners serious money
• How permitting delays can wreck an opening timeline
• Why assignment language matters if you ever want to sell your gym
• How CPI increases and annual escalations can quietly raise your rent
• Why lease renewals should start about a year before the lease expires
• When buying real estate makes sense — and when it can hurt the business
• Why location, parking, signage, visibility, and traffic patterns matter
• How data-driven decisions can help gym owners choose smarter locations
• Why CARR focuses on educating tenants and buyers before they sign

Visit CARR.us to connect with CARR and learn more about commercial real estate services for fitness tenants and buyers.

Visit GymInsight.com or call 855-367-4967 to learn how Gym Insight helps independent gym owners manage and grow their business.