At the beginning of October 2025, the inaugural edition of Gym Leaders magazine arrived through the letterboxes of nearly 2,000 independent gym owners in the UK and Ireland.
This initiative by Quoox is the start of a quarterly publication aimed squarely at premium, independent gym owners, with the aim of providing a source of reliable information and guidance.
The magazine is also available as a flipbook along with corresponding audio for all of the articles, for those who prefer to consume content audibly. This can be found at https://gymleaders.com/
To set the scene, my “Editor’s Note” from this first edition can be read below.
It feels like only yesterday you were training clients out of your garage. With a couple dozen loyal members, you knew everything about each one of them – their goals, their quirks, their stories. Life was simple, fulfilling, and the money was flowing.
Fast forward a few years: you’ve opened your own facility. The work hasn’t changed much – you’re still helping people become stronger, healthier, and happier – but suddenly everything feels harder. You’ve got staff to manage, a growing client base to juggle, and overheads that never stop creeping up. You’re turning over several times what you earned as a solo PT, but somehow, the numbers still don’t stack up. You’re tired. Stressed. And often feeling very much alone.
That jump from personal trainer to gym owner? It’s deceptively easy to make – and dangerously easy to underestimate. One minute you’re focused on perfecting squat technique and designing progressive overload; the next, you’re knee-deep in rota conflicts, CRM nightmares, and chasing late payments. Suddenly, you’re expected to be not just a coach, but a marketer, HR manager, bookkeeper, and brand strategist. And no one teaches you how to do that in your Level 3.
The gym floor may still be your happy place, but everything outside of it can feel like a war of attrition.
And yet, this industry is worth fighting for.
The demand for premium, small-group and semi-private fitness has never been stronger. People are living longer – and, more importantly, they want to live better. The UK and Ireland are home to an ageing but active population who aren’t looking for cheap and cheerful; they’re looking for trusted professionals who can guide, challenge, and empower them.
But what used to set you apart no longer cuts it. Just five years ago, decent coaching and solid programming were enough to differentiate a gym. Now, they’re the bare minimum. In 2025, it’s all about delivering exceptional service – from the way clients are greeted at the door to the systems that support their progress.
Today’s gym members want – and deserve – more. And those who fail to deliver will be left behind, confined to history like the smithy’s forge. Good coaching will always matter. But great experience is what defines the winning gyms of tomorrow.
The independent sector is overflowing with talent, but too often held back by misinformation, outdated ideas, and poor commercial guidance. Egos and competitive bravado haven’t helped – our industry is full of myths and noise. From YouTube gurus to revenue-hungry business coaches, too many are selling silver bullets and quick wins that may line their pockets but do little for your long-term success.
Most gym owners don’t have the time – or luxury – to sort through it all. While some professionals enjoy days networking on the golf course or the Padel court, you’re stuck putting out fires: broken kit, no-shows, staff issues, retention headaches. The real world of running a gym is rarely glamorous.
And support? It’s patchy at best. Many of the voices out there speak in clichés, offer little nuance, or simply don’t understand the reality of your world.
That’s why Gym Leaders exists.
We’re here for the owners who care deeply – not just about reps and sets, but about their people, their businesses, and their standards. This magazine is built to give you the tools, insights, and clarity to grow something meaningful. Not a vanity project. Not a second job. A business you’re proud to own and that rewards you back, in turn.
We believe that with the right support, the independent sector can lead the fitness industry – not follow it. The future doesn’t belong to the biggest gyms. It belongs to the best-run ones.
You’re not alone. Welcome to Gym Leaders.