Elisa Edelstein - Coach360

Fitness Industry Intelligence The Career Network for Health, Fitness & Performance

The Business of Coaching: Coach360’s Blueprint for Success

Starting or expanding a coaching business requires passion and pragmatic strategy. Many fitness professionals possess exceptional technical skills but struggle with the business aspects that turn expertise into sustainable success. Coach360 has gathered insights from industry leaders who’ve navigated these challenges and emerged with thriving careers.

These seasoned professionals share practical wisdom that moves the needle to success. From making face-to-face connections to finding mentors who complement your weaknesses, their advice creates a roadmap for coaches seeking to build businesses that endure competitive pressures and evolving market demands.

Essential Elements for Coaching Business Success

Building a successful coaching business demands intentional action and strategic thinking. Coach360 has identified several fundamental components that consistently appear in thriving fitness businesses. These elements form the foundation upon which sustainable coaching businesses are built.

The most successful coaches combine technical expertise with business acumen. They understand that client results matter, but so does creating systems that ensure consistent delivery. This balanced approach allows coaches to scale their impact without sacrificing quality or burning out in the process.

Recognition within the industry serves as validation and a great resource for marketing. Coaches who position themselves as authorities through certifications, awards, and community participation create credibility that attracts clients and opens doors to partnerships otherwise inaccessible to unknown professionals.

Coach360’s Top Strategies for Coaching Success

Kathleen Ferguson, respected industry leader and CEO of Coach360, emphasizes the unmatched value of showing up physically. “I’ve built my 17-year career on building relationships through ‘showing up’. Success is built in the rooms where connections are made, conversations spark ideas, and opportunities are born. Showing up is the first step,” she explains. Events like the Health and Fitness Association Show and Connected Health and Fitness Summits provide fertile ground for relationship building that digital interactions cannot replicate.

Maria Gonzales, CEO of Club Fitness, advocates for direct networking approaches: “Insert yourself and ask for what you want.” This straightforward strategy often yields surprising results because many opportunities remain invisible until you actively pursue them. Introducing yourself, expressing interest, and following up consistently separates successful coaches from those who remain in the shadows.

Finding mentors accelerates growth by leveraging others’ experience. Jack Thomas of The Fit Guide, BASE, and Fitness Business Asia Podcast recommends seeking guidance from professionals whose accomplishments you admire, particularly in areas where you lack expertise. A coach with strong fitness knowledge but limited marketing skills benefits tremendously from mentorship with social media or branding experts who have demonstrated success in those domains. Can’t find a mentor? Lean into books, podcasts, or any other type of learning you can.

Applying for recognition through merit-based programs like Coach360’s Coach of the Year provides visibility while validating your approach. These opportunities highlight your talents to broader audiences and create credibility markers that distinguish you from competitors. Unlike paid promotions, merit-based recognition carries authentic weight with potential clients and partners.

Community support provides practical help and emotional resilience. Coach360’s WhatsApp group creates a space where coaches share challenges, celebrate wins, build their network, and stay current with industry developments. These communities function as informal advisory boards, helping members refine approaches and avoid common pitfalls through collective wisdom.

Celebrity trainer Corey Calliet addresses the mindset required for entrepreneurial success: “If you don’t believe in yourself, go get a job. Go work for somebody else. The first lesson to being an entrepreneur is that you’ve got to believe in yourself… you’ve got to be at an all-time high, or you’ll never get anywhere.” This self-confidence must be balanced with humility – the willingness to learn continuously and adapt as circumstances change.

Final Thoughts

Coaching success follows no single formula, but rather emerges from consistent application of fundamental principles. Coaches who thrive long-term combine technical excellence with business strategy, all while maintaining authentic connections within their communities. They balance confidence with continuous learning, pride with pragmatism.

Personal belief forms the foundation, but community provides the structure. The most successful coaches recognize that while individual effort drives progress, supportive networks sustain momentum through challenges. By implementing these Coach360 strategies—showing up physically, networking purposefully, finding strategic mentors, seeking recognition, joining supportive communities, and cultivating resilient self-belief—coaches turn their passion into businesses that create lasting impact for themselves and their clients.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.

Kickstart Your Personal Training Career at Retro Fitness: A Place to Grow and Thrive

Retro Fitness is a premier high-value, low-cost gym option available nationwide for fitness enthusiasts looking to start their fitness journey and seasoned gym-goers looking to crush their goals. With competitive pricing alongside premium facilities and services, Retro Fitness delivers an elevated gym experience without the premium price tag that many budget-conscious members appreciate.

Founded in 2006, and rebranded in 2019, Retro Fitness continues its ambitious expansion, with locations throughout major markets nationwide. The Retro Fitness brand is gearing up for expansions with over 20 clubs in Dallas and more than 30 facilities in South Florida, joining the already established locations and creating abundant opportunities for fitness seekers along with professionals looking to advance their careers.

The Retro Fitness Experience

Retro Fitness is a high-value, low-price fitness brand that prioritizes premium experiences without high costs. Their membership prices align with competitors like Planet Fitness and Crunch Fitness, but with carefully designed spaces that elevate the member experience through thoughtful details from muscle recovery equipment to mirror placement and flooring materials.

The company has invested heavily in extending its value proposition beyond club walls. Members gain access to a feature-rich app containing custom workout videos, nutritional guidance and recipes from culinary experts, and meditation content through their “Art of Living” wellness program.

Culinary content comes from professionals like Elizabeth Makos from the Culinary Institute of America and social media influencer Chef Murt of MurtMeals. Even the in-club music experience receives special attention through “The Beat,” which showcases underground local artists reminiscent of early Starbucks’ curated music selections; a connection that makes sense given CEO Andrew Alfano’s background as Starbucks’ former SVP of North American Operations.

Community involvement distinguishes Retro Fitness through initiatives like “Project Lift,” where portions of membership dues and franchise royalties support local philanthropic organizations such as United Way. These contributions directly benefit the communities where Retro Fitness clubs operate.

For entrepreneurs interested in franchise opportunities, Retro Fitness offers extensive operational support. Their franchise business coaches maintain smaller location counts than industry standards, enabling monthly in-person visits focusing on business plans, metrics, and tactical guidance rather than quarterly audits. This hands-on approach creates a supportive environment for franchise success.

Career Opportunities Through Marketplace by Coach360

Retro Fitness job openings will be available soon in Marketplace by Coach360, creating pathways for fitness professionals at every career stage. Their nationwide expansion has generated diverse positions ranging from member experience associates (front desk staff) to personal trainers, group fitness instructors, club general managers, and regional leadership roles.

The brand’s increased focus on personal training has created particular demand for qualified trainers and fitness directors who can manage dedicated training departments. As Greg Pfohl, one of Retro Fitness’ leaders, notes, “We’ve invested more into personal training and have made it a front focus, where when we first started, it wasn’t really a focus.”

While specific compensation and benefits vary by franchise location, Retro Fitness positions remain competitive with similar fitness brands in their markets. Their partnership with NASM provides valuable educational opportunities, with all Retro Fitness employees receiving 30 to 40 percent discounts on certifications and elective programs. Some franchise groups enhance this educational support through NASM Club Connect, offering continuing education credits and skill development opportunities.

Larger franchise groups may provide additional benefits like 401(k) plans, health insurance contributions, and structured vacation policies. Corporate positions and field leadership roles typically include comprehensive benefits packages with 401(k) options, insurance contributions, vacation and personal time allowances, and mileage reimbursement programs.

For fitness professionals seeking growth opportunities, Retro Fitness offers clear advancement paths. Staff can progress from entry-level positions to management roles within individual locations, while multi-unit leadership positions become available as franchise groups expand their regional footprints.

Final Thoughts

Retro Fitness exemplifies how fitness brands can simultaneously honor their roots while evolving to meet today’s market demands. Their focus on exercise, health, and fitness is the strategic foundation for physical facility improvements, digital media content development, and community engagement, and they are positioned to create a holistic approach to fitness that extends well beyond typical gym experiences.

Career seekers in the fitness industry should take note of companies embracing this approach. Organizations like Retro Fitness that invest in their physical spaces and marketing programs create career paths accommodating diverse professional goals.

Running Smarter: Khaldon Evans’ Ochy App Brings Lab-Grade Gait Analysis to Your Phone

When Jamaican track athlete Khaldon Evans faced career-threatening injuries, he discovered firsthand how proper biomechanical analysis could improve his running performance and recovery. This revelation, combined with his wife’s expertise in biomechanics, led to the creation of Ochy, an app democratizing professional gait analysis technology, requiring only a smartphone.

Ochy has rapidly expanded its reach to over 140 countries, with a robust presence in the United States. The app allows runners, coaches, and medical professionals to conduct sophisticated biomechanical analyses using only a smartphone, making previously exclusive lab technology accessible to everyone on the move.

Ochy’s Inception

Khaldon’s path to creating Ochy began during his athletic career at the University of Central Missouri, where he specialized in 400m races. Like many high-level athletes, Evans encountered injuries that threatened to derail his competitive pursuits. These events led Khaldon to create a platform leveraging proper gait analysis and correction techniques to help prevent injury, improve recovery, and improve performance.

Evans met his future wife, a biomechanics specialist, during his university years. Their combined expertise and personal experience sparked a vision to bring laboratory-grade biomechanical analysis to everyday athletes through accessible technology. They recognized that the sophisticated gait analysis tools that helped Evans recover were typically only available in specialized labs or medical facilities, which made them out of reach for the layperson.

Evans and his team developed Ochy to bridge this gap, translating complex biomechanical principles into an intuitive mobile app that anyone can use anywhere. The only requirements are access to a smartphone and the ability to run.

How Ochy Works

Ochy takes biomechanical analysis and turns it into a pocket-sized solution. The technology employs advanced AI to evaluate running technique through smartphone video recordings. Users simply capture their movement from specific angles and, within minutes, receive comprehensive insights about their running form.

The app identifies key metrics related to stride length, foot strike patterns, body alignment, and other critical elements of running mechanics. For recreational runners, this data highlights specific areas for improvement to enhance efficiency and reduce injury risk. The analysis goes beyond observation and provides personalized exercise recommendations tailored to address individual weaknesses and biomechanical issues.

Ochy offers tiered access options, providing partial analysis features for free while reserving detailed rehabilitation exercises and more comprehensive assessments for paid subscribers. The subscription model (with a ticket of $20 monthly) makes professional-grade analysis affordable compared to traditional assessments that often cost hundreds per session. The platform offers specialized features for coaches and medical professionals to monitor multiple clients, track progress, and share detailed reports.

Empowering Coaches with Data-Driven Insights

Fitness professionals searching for tools that provide measurable client results while creating additional revenue streams need not look further. Ochy delivers on both fronts by turning smartphones into professional-grade biomechanical labs. Coaches receive detailed running assessments within minutes, allowing them to make evidence-based programming decisions without expensive equipment investments.

The platform enables trainers to remotely analyze clients’ movement patterns, expanding service offerings beyond geographical limitations. A coach in Boston can assess a client’s running form in Seattle, providing specific technique corrections and customized exercise programs. This technology mainly benefits professionals working with distance runners, triathletes, and rehabilitation clients who require precise movement analysis.

Ochy’s subscription model creates natural opportunities for trainers to generate additional income. Many coaches bundle analysis services with training packages or offer specialized “running form correction” programs as premium services. The detailed reports provide tangible value that clients can visualize, increasing perceived expertise and justifying higher rates for specialized coaching.

With over 6,500 coaches already utilizing the platform, many report that clients appreciate the objective measurements that track their progress. This data-driven approach fosters client accountability, improves adherence to training programs, and produces better results, which is the foundation of any successful coaching business.

Final Thoughts

The development of Ochy demonstrates a significant democratization of sports science technology. By turning smartphones into sophisticated biomechanical analysis tools, Evans has created a bridge between elite sports medicine and everyday athletes seeking improvement.

The growing community of users suggests a shift in how runners approach training for longevity. Rather than waiting for injuries to occur before seeking expert analysis, runners now have the tools to proactively understand and improve their movement patterns in real time for a fraction of the cost. This preventative, data-driven approach to running mechanics is a peek into the future of recreational sports training. As technology gets smarter, it empowers athletes at all levels to train smarter, recover faster, and perform better through accessible, personalized insights.

Inside Planet Fitness’s Major Shift: From Basic Gym to Personal Training Powerhouse

Planet Fitness has significantly shifted from its original model. This strategic change marks a deliberate effort to expand its reach while maintaining its signature welcoming atmosphere, drawing in countless members who might have felt intimidated by the traditional gym environment. With the addition of new workout equipment like plate-loaded machines and turf to the mix, Planet Fitness is evolving to meet the needs of its client base.

The fitness chain’s recent acquisition of Texas Family Fitness signals its understanding of the importance of growing as the public’s demands and needs change. Khaled Elmasri recently accepted an Impact Award at the Coach360 party at the Health and Fitness Association Show on behalf of Excel Fitness and Planet Fitness, honoring their dedication to uplifting and supporting exemplary staff and providing opportunities for them to grow, learn, and deliver exceptional service to elevate the industry as a whole.

A New Chapter in Fitness

Excel Fitness has significantly strengthened its presence in the fitness world by acquiring Texas Family Fitness, adding multiple locations to its growing portfolio. This acquisition marks a strategic expansion for Excel, a Planet Fitness Franchisee that operates over 160 clubs across the United States. The move allows Excel to consolidate its position in the key market while bringing Texas Family Fitness members access to Planet Fitness’s signature high-value, low-priced model.

This acquisition reflects a broader consolidation trend among fitness operators seeking scale and operational advantages. For Excel, absorbing Texas Family Fitness provides immediate market penetration that would have taken years to build organically. The company gains established locations with existing membership bases, allowing for efficient growth without the challenges of new-build development.

For members, the change brings the stability of a national brand with standardized offerings and consistent experiences across locations. The Planet Fitness model emphasizes accessibility and judgment-free workouts, potentially attracting members who might have been intimidated by traditional gym environments.

Career Opportunities for Fitness Professionals

These Planet Fitness locations offer exciting career opportunities for passionate fitness professionals, all currently posted in Marketplace by Coach360. Trainers start part-time with opportunities to advance to full-time positions. These positions include noteworthy benefits like medical, dental, and vision coverage and 401(k) plans for those working 30+ hours weekly.

The compensation structure includes commission on training and supplement sales, plus performance-based bonuses tied to session benchmarks and club goals. Through a partnership with Club Connect, trainers receive free continuing education credits for certification renewal and substantial discounts on NASM certifications. The structured shift system allows trainers to maintain consistent schedules while building their client base and developing their business acumen through floor hours, consultations, and member interactions.

This shows how strong professional development programs create lasting success in fitness careers and combat high staff turnover rates. Planet Fitness builds a framework where trainers establish rewarding careers without fear of burnout or boredom through expanded services, income-generating opportunities, and dedicated support for training staff.

Final Thoughts

Change often signals growth, and Planet Fitness’ commitment to growth is evident in its commitment to meeting members where they are while providing clear pathways to progress. By investing in trainer development and support systems, Planet Fitness creates an environment where members and fitness professionals can thrive and grow.

This transformation reveals that success comes from listening and adapting to the industry’s needs. Through expanded services and a commitment to professional development, Planet Fitness is building a framework where trainers can establish lasting careers while helping members achieve meaningful results for their health and overall fitness goals.

Apartment Fire to Fitness Entrepreneur: How Chrissy Carroll is Elevating Runner Education

Chrissy Carroll’s path to becoming a fitness entrepreneur began in 2007 with nutrition education in Boston Public Schools. Teaching pre-K through eighth-grade students about healthy eating laid the foundation for her career, but a devastating apartment fire catalyzed her true professional calling. Facing the sobering reality that life is fleeting, Carroll launched her own business.

This bold move has now been rewarded with the Lionel University Scholarship presented by Coach360, allowing Carroll to pursue a Master’s in Exercise Science with a concentration in Strength and Conditioning. The serendipitous discovery came from a simple internet search for “exercise scholarships,” connecting her with an opportunity that perfectly aligns with her mission to provide evidence-based fitness education to the running community.

A Runner with a Mission

Chrissy’s journey into the fitness industry was personal and purposeful. After a college breakup, she sought solace in training for a triathlon, discovering a passion that transcended her initial motivation. “I crossed the finish line of that first race and I was hooked,” Carroll recalls.

That transformative experience launched her into a career focused on helping others find their path to fitness. Carroll has built her business on creating accessible content for beginner runners, developing training plans for everything from completing a first mile to finishing a marathon. Her work fills a critical knowledge gap for many aspiring runners who simply don’t know how to start or what to do once they’ve started.

“A lot of people just don’t know how to get started,” Carroll explains. “It’s like, okay, I don’t run now, how do I become a runner?” This insight drives her to create training plans and content that demystify the process for beginners while providing progression options for those ready to tackle longer distances.

Strengthening the Running Community

The Lionel University Scholarship is perfect for Carroll’s career development. Despite her extensive knowledge in endurance training, she acknowledges a gap in her expertise around strength and conditioning, which is an essential component for runners seeking to prevent injury and improve performance.

“I have a pretty big depth of knowledge in the endurance space, but I lack some of that knowledge in strength and conditioning,” Carroll says. The master’s program will equip her to enhance her guidance for runners by incorporating crucial lateral movement training to balance the forward motion of running.

For Carroll, the scholarship represents a second opportunity beyond education and growing her expert knowledge base. This scholarship provides an opportunity to combat misinformation in the fitness industry. “With social media and the internet these days, it’s great because we have so much free information, but it’s also scary because there’s so much misinformation,” she explains. Her goal remains to provide accurate, evidence-based information for free, helping people create balanced training plans that include endurance and strength components.

Final Thoughts

The ripple effects of one life-changing moment can transform a single career and potentially thousands of fitness journeys. When Carroll’s apartment complex burned down years ago, she couldn’t have predicted how that moment would ultimately lead to a scholarship opportunity that will further amplify her impact on the running community.

Education intersects with personal passion and community service, a principle that Carroll and Coach360 clearly share. By deepening her knowledge base through formal education, Carroll epitomizes how fitness professionals can continuously evolve to serve their communities better, turning personal expertise into practical guidance that helps others transform their own lives one mile at a time.

Pendulum Boxing: How Amit Davda Made Olympic-Level Training Accessible at Home

Boxing has seen a tremendous surge in popularity, especially among women seeking practical skills and fitness experience. Amit Davda recognized this trend while training at London’s Cuban Boxing Academy and created Pendulum Boxing to bring professional-level training into homes worldwide. Through innovative technology and personalized coaching, Pendulum Boxing delivers technical instruction previously available only in premier boxing gyms.

After a career in corporate merchandising with companies like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, Davda found himself seeking a new purpose during the pandemic. Boxing provided exactly what he was looking for: discipline, structure, and fulfillment. His training under Olympic-level coach Marcos Camejo at the Cuban Boxing Academy helped him transform his physical abilities and mental outlook, inspiring him to make this caliber of training accessible to the masses.

Boxing’s Technical Revolution

Pendulum Boxing combines strength training with technical boxing instruction, creating a unique home fitness experience. Davda’s vision addresses several gaps in current fitness markets: the lack of high-quality boxing instruction outside major cities, the growing demand for strength training among women, and the need for personalized fitness solutions that adapt to busy schedules.

The platform features a hybrid hardware-software approach. A specially designed cabinet houses boxing equipment and weight plates, while smart sensors provide real-time form feedback, similar to what Tempo and Tonal offer for strength training. This technology recognizes different weight plates through color coding and tracks personal records, allowing users to monitor their progress accurately.

What distinguishes Pendulum Boxing from other fitness platforms is its technical focus. Unlike programs emphasizing cardio boxing for fitness alone, Pendulum provides authentic boxing techniques from the Cuban Boxing Academy. Workouts feature a progressive curriculum that systematically builds on skills, teaching proper offensive and defensive techniques while engaging the learning process through gamification elements.

Creating Inclusive Boxing Spaces

Pendulum Boxing recognizes a crucial opportunity in the fitness market: creating inclusive boxing spaces, particularly for women. Davda shared that boxing clubs are seeing most technical training sessions remain geared toward men, but there has been an uprise in female participants. The Cuban style featured on Pendulum incorporates more dance-like movements from salsa, which resonates particularly well with many female boxers while delivering exceptional technical instruction.

This approach addresses an often-overlooked reality in boxing gyms. Many women feel intimidated in traditional settings and find class pairings challenging due to differences in stature. They also often lack partners that make sense for them to spar with. Pendulum offers technical training specifically designed for women, allowing them to develop proper form and technique without these barriers.

The platform also maintains strong connections to community impact. The Cuban Boxing Academy serves a local community located opposite Grenfell Tower in London. Pendulum Boxing partners with the Grenfell Foundation to support local organizations in North Kensington, focusing particularly on youth development. The program builds positive relationships, develops core skills, and increases confidence by creating pathways to education, volunteering, and employment opportunities, creating a ripple of positive change in the community.

Final Thoughts

The boxing world stands at a fascinating crossroads where tradition meets technology. Pendulum Boxing bridges this gap, delivering authentic technical instruction through modern delivery systems. This represents an important case study in adaptation and specialization for fitness professionals watching industry trends.

Passion drives this business model, and Davda’s transformation has grown into a platform that meets genuine market needs, focusing on quality instruction rather than simply chasing trends. His emphasis on creating space for women’s boxing instruction and community impact demonstrates his dedication to making boxing accessible to everyone. This approach provides an inspiring model for fitness professionals looking to evolve their careers. Find what transforms your life and build solutions that extend those benefits to others.

FitnessFest 2025: Where Fitness Professionals Thrive and Connect

FitnessFest 2025 is set to deliver its most advanced and experiential event yet. It offers fitness professionals an unparalleled opportunity to grow their expertise, earn continuing education credits, and forge meaningful industry connections in one dynamic weekend.

A Premier Industry Event with 28 Years of Excellence

Founded by fitness professionals for fitness professionals. FitnessFest has established itself as the premier event where fitness experts can earn CECs, discover new formats, advance their careers, and stay inspired while making real, in-person connections.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my team and the incredible effort we’ve put into creating a top-tier event for fitness trainers, instructors, and enthusiasts,” shares Janice Jaicks, FitnessFest Founder/CEO, who has been running the event in Phoenix, Arizona, for 28 years. “This year, we’re bringing an exciting mix of experiences—from a rock climbing wall and rooftop yoga to a cooking demo, Upbeat Barre, chair classes, and Brain Fitness—truly something for everyone!”

World-Class Speakers and Educational Opportunities

Attendees can look forward to learning from industry leaders like Donna Black, Kathleen Ferguson, Linda Dodd, Carl Horne Jr., and Dr. Cody Sipe—just a few names in this year’s impressive lineup. New for 2025, FitnessFest is introducing a stand-alone Roundtable session, providing an interactive experience with diverse topics and expert speakers designed to spark those valuable “AHA!” moments across nine different topics.

“What I cherish most about FitnessFest is reconnecting with longtime friends who have been part of this journey for decades and welcoming new faces from all over the country,” Jaicks continues. “I’m especially excited to have Kathleen Ferguson joining us at this year’s Roundtable. I’ve been looking forward to meeting her in person for years, and I know she’ll bring incredible value to our event.”

Comprehensive Education for Every Fitness Professional

The event offers comprehensive educational sessions covering cardio, breathwork, balance training, mind-body movement, fascial awareness, movement therapy, personal training, active aging, aqua fitness, mental and physical healing, gut health, herbal remedies, business development, and nutrition.

Continuing education credits are available from ACE, AEA, AFAA, ISSA, NASM, and FitnessFest, with credits available for all other organizations upon petition. This means attendees can earn all their required CECs in just one weekend.

More Than An Event

The FitnessFest event offers career coaching, brand building, networking support, skill development, and mentorship in an environment that feels more like family than a professional gathering.

“More than just an event, FitnessFest fosters a welcoming culture where friends become family,” explains Jaicks. This supportive atmosphere is especially valuable in an industry where making connections is vital to growth and success.

Special Offer for Attendees

Fitness professionals looking to attend can use code COACH35 to get $35 off any one-day, two-day, or full weekend ticket, making this investment in professional development even more accessible.

FitnessFest provides the platform professionals need to thrive. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, meet the right industry contacts, or access exclusive resources, FitnessFest 2025 welcomes you to the family.

Visit the FitnessFest website today for more information and to reserve your spot at this ultimate destination for fitness professionals, wellness enthusiasts, and industry innovators.

Building More Than Muscle: The Burn Boot Camp Community Experience

Burn Boot Camp stands tall as a fitness community where physical transformation is only one of the things community members walk away with. Founded by husband-and-wife team Devan and Morgan Kline in 2012, what started in a parking lot has flourished into over 370 operating locations across 44 states. Their explosive growth stems from something more profound than exercise; it’s about cultivating environments where women and their families discover strength, community, and lasting confidence.

The signature Burn high five represents much more than a casual gesture. This simple touchpoint embodies their entire philosophy of connection, motivating members to return day after day. While people arrive seeking physical results, they stay for the mindset shifts, supportive relationships, and renewed confidence that radiate throughout every Burn location nationwide.

The Burn Boot Camp Approach

Burn Boot Camp delivers powerful 45-minute group camps in person and on-demand built around a dynamic warmup, an ever-changing workout, and an energizing finisher. Their programming rotates through six distinct focuses: metabolic conditioning, bodyweight conditioning, core and strength conditioning, full body strength and conditioning, upper body strength, and lower body development. This careful structure prevents burnout and plateaus while maintaining interest, as members never repeat the same workout twice.

COO Amber Burke describes the Burn Boot Camp experience as personal training in a group setting. With trainers amplified through a mic, they are able to scale themselves across the signature floating floor (designed to protect joints from injury) to ensure form, technique, and modifications are delivered to members in real-time. This commitment to “every location, every camp, every day” is the foundation of quality, scaleable experience across all locations.

Four core values drive everything at Burn. People first, integrity, pride in results, and authenticity lead the way as their pillars that hold everything else up. These principles guide business decisions and community interactions, creating a cohesive culture where members feel supported and energized. Their Culture Index Survey helps match potential trainers with organizational values, ensuring initial alignment. This meticulous attention to cultural fit strengthens the community fabric that differentiates Burn.

From Members to Leaders

Burn’s impact is demonstrated through the stories of team members who began as participants. When listening to their panel on operational excellence at the Health and Fitness Association Show, Amber Burke, COO; Matt Morris, VP of Fitness; Melanie Skinner, Chair of the Franchise Advisory Council, and Trisha Peña, VP of Marketing, recalled starting as Burn members before joining the organization in a professional capacity. Burke recounts her experience as a member while working for another fitness company as changing her life personally, leading her to realize it could also transform her career.

During the panel, these leaders shared consistent messages about Burn’s mission. Their passion centers around uplifting women and families and is at the forefront of every decision. This philosophy permeates the organization, creating career pathways where passionate members, and even Franchise Partners, can become dedicated team members.

Burn’s rapid expansion continues to create opportunities for fitness professionals. Their current openings, available through Marketplace by Coach360, invite qualified trainers to join a movement that goes beyond the physical and changes people’s lives. Trainers don’t simply lead workouts; they facilitate profound life changes through movement, encouragement, and signature high fives that keep members connected and celebrated.

Final Thoughts

The story of Burn Boot Camp reminds us that physical spaces can become powerful catalysts for personal evolution. From a modest parking lot beginning to hundreds of locations nationwide, their growth reflects a fundamental truth: people crave belonging alongside their workout. The organization has masterfully combined effective training methods with genuine human connection.

Those high fives symbolize something profound about community building. Small, consistent touchpoints create the foundation for significant change in PRs, mindsets, or career trajectories. As Burn continues to expand nationwide, they’re proving that fitness communities thrive most when they recognize members as whole people with potential beyond their physical capabilities.

Ending like Burn always does: 2 claps on 2! One, two!

Yoga’ED: The Future of Yoga Class Planning Arrives Spring 2025

The yoga space continues to grow as people look for ways to take care of their physical and mental health, find new low-impact ways to improve their health span, and as instructors recognize the benefit for clients’ overall well-being. Yet, many instructors face the common challenge of the time-consuming process of creating fresh, engaging classes that keep students coming back. This spring, a new solution emerges from two industry veterans who understand this struggle firsthand.

Angela Davies and Terry Shorter have combined their expertise to develop Yoga’ED, a subscription service launching April 1, 2025. This platform solves the preparation dilemma for yoga teachers and fitness professionals who are incorporating yoga into their offerings. It provides curated flows aligned with current trends and themes throughout the year.

The Minds Behind Yoga’ED

Angela Davies brings her extensive background as founder of Fitness Projects to this venture. Her experience developing fitness solutions that bridge practical gaps in the industry has shaped her understanding of what instructors need. Alongside her, Terry Shorter contributes his creative expertise as the mastermind behind R.I.P.P.E.D. (Resistance, Interval, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, and Diet) training, which has amassed a following of over 13,000 instructors teaching nationwide.

“Because Terry and I are also coaches and group ex teachers, we are excited to share Yoga’ED for the coaching and training community who want to incorporate Yoga-ish into their workouts. Yoga’ED makes the process turn-key.” said Angela Davies, co-founder of Yoga’ED.

Their professional backgrounds in creating sustainable business models for fitness professionals and their firsthand knowledge of yoga instruction challenges provided the perfect foundation for developing Yoga’ED.

What Yoga’ED Offers

Yoga’ED offers a comprehensive solution for yoga enthusiasts and teaching professionals. The platform features two subscription tiers designed to meet different needs. Basic subscribers gain access to curated yoga flows that follow seasonal themes and incorporate current trends. For teaching professionals, the Fit Pro Pack includes additional resources like teaching instructions, music recommendations, and downloadable choreography flows.

The service emphasizes variety through brand collaborations that introduce subscribers to diverse yoga styles, complementary products, and music to enhance the yogic experience. Its mission is to “Transform your classes, inspire every flow, and provide effortless planning for yoga and fitness instructors.”

The platform has already established its first collaboration with Power Music, the world’s leading source of workout music. This partnership has produced custom-made tracks to elevate the Yoga’ED flows, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to creating complete, ready-to-implement experiences. You can catch them at The Yoga Expo in Los Angeles on 4/13 and The Fit Expo Anaheim on 8/2 and 8/3.

Final Thoughts

The creation of Yoga’ED represents a practical solution to a genuine industry challenge. By focusing on delivering complete, ready-to-use class content, Davies and Shorter have crafted a tool that gives time back to instructors while maintaining the quality and authenticity that students expect in their yoga experience.

This platform arrives at a crucial moment as yoga expands into various health and fitness spaces. For professionals looking to incorporate yoga into their offerings without the burden of continuous content creation, Yoga’ED offers a pathway to sustainable practice that benefits instructors and their clients. The April launch signals a new chapter for yoga instruction where creativity and efficiency coexist to serve the growing community of practitioners.

Coach360 Launches Search for Coach of the Year: Fitness Visionaries, Holistic Heroes, and Rising Stars Wanted!

The search begins for exceptional fitness professionals who make a difference through their dedication, innovation, and client impact. Coach360 proudly introduces the Coach of the Year program, which recognizes outstanding coaches across three distinct categories. Each winner will win a trip to Coach360’s exclusive event in San Diego in March 2026, coinciding with the Health and Fitness Association conference, plus a dedicated feature story in the Coach360 newsletter.

This program celebrates the passionate professionals who transform lives daily, highlighting their unique contributions to clients and the fitness community. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 14, 2025. The top ten winners will be announced on July 21, and the overall three winners will be announced at The Fit Expo on August 2 and 3, giving coaches ample opportunity to showcase their talents and achievements.

The Three Categories of Excellence

The Coach of the Year program highlights excellence across three key areas defining exceptional coaching. Each category targets different strengths and contributions health and fitness professionals bring to their practice.

The Fitness Visionary category recognizes trainers and instructors who demonstrate extraordinary impact through their training methods. Applicants should highlight how they’ve enhanced client progress and well-being over the past year. This category celebrates proven results, innovative programming, and strong client outcomes that showcase a coach’s technical expertise and commitment to fitness fundamentals.

The Holistic Hero category honors coaches who facilitate profound client changes. Applicants will share specific success stories highlighting significant client transformations and the challenges overcome during the journey. This category celebrates the emotional intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and personalized approaches that enable coaches to guide clients through life-changing fitness journeys.

The Rising Star category spotlights emerging talent who shows remarkable promise and fresh perspectives. Candidates will detail the distinctive qualities that set them apart, along with demonstrations of leadership and innovative approaches to training or coaching. This category welcomes professionals who bring new energy and ideas to the industry while building their reputation and client base.

To apply to Coach360’s Coach of the Year program, access the application portal to the website linked here. From there, you will be prompted to choose a category to apply to fill out the questionnaire. It’s that simple! Share your story and what makes you unique, and you’re set.

Final Thoughts

Recognition is a powerful catalyst for professional growth while validating those dedicated to creating memorable and meaningful client service outcomes. The Coach of the Year program creates valuable visibility for winners while connecting them with industry leaders at exclusive Coach360 events. These connections often spark collaborations, mentorships, and opportunities that propel careers forward unexpectedly.

The value of this program extends beyond individual recognition to strengthening the entire fitness community. By highlighting exceptional coaching across different specialties and career stages, Coach360 elevates industry standards while inspiring all professionals to refine their practice. Each winner’s story creates a learning opportunity for peers, contributing to a culture where knowledge-sharing and excellence flourish together.

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