This three-part finance series is your complete roadmap to financial leadership in the fitness industry. Starting with foundational accounting and key terminology, you’ll learn to read income statements, track KPIs and interpret financial reports with confidence. But the real transformation happens as you progress — gaining the tools to make strategic decisions, build a financially fluent culture, and lead teams that drive results.
In the final installment, you’ll tie together all the pieces — KPIs, culture, leadership, growth tactics and controls — into a unified playbook for long-term financial health. You’ll learn to embed financial accountability into your club’s DNA, coach your team to own the numbers, balance revenue initiatives with expense discipline, and present winning budgets that secure buy-in from ownership. By the end of Part 3, you’ll be the architect of a finance-forward culture that drives both member engagement and profitability.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ From KPIs to Action: Communicate and apply your metrics — especially usage — to turn data into strategic wins
✔️ Building a Finance-Savvy Culture: Align core values with financial goals, recruit top talent from hospitality, and keep culture front and center in every decision
✔️ Engaging Your Team: Create clear, fair rules; involve frontline staff in financial discussions; and foster accountability through regular dialogue
✔️ Hands-On Leadership: Coach rather than micromanage, reduce turnover and empower employees by asking “How can I help?” instead of just giving orders
✔️ Strategic Growth & Revenue Tactics: Balance short-term promotions with long-term stability, leverage seasonal offers, and drive cross-department collaboration
✔️ Expense Management & Budgeting: Apply rigorous cost-control principles, monitor budget trends, and tap peer networks for best practices in efficiency
✔️ Mastering Reporting & Budget Presentations: Establish daily, weekly and monthly reporting rhythms; build data-backed budgets; and negotiate confidently with stakeholders
By wrapping up this series, you’ll emerge with a holistic framework to lead your club’s financial future — cultivating teams that think like owners, optimizing every dollar and steering your organization toward sustainable growth.
About the instructor
Larry Conner, CPA, is a seasoned financial leader with over 34 years of experience in the health club industry, having served in key roles including board member, general manager, controller, and CFO. Currently the Regional Vice President of Club Acquisition in the South for Genesis Health Clubs, Larry is renowned for his ability to build high-performing teams, integrate accounting seamlessly into club operations, and drive sustainable business success.
About the instructor
Ralph Rajs is a passionate fitness industry leader known for driving growth, optimizing operations, and building high-performing teams. He plays a key role in mentoring future professionals through the Club Solutions Institute, launching in May 2025. With a sharp eye for trends and a strategic mindset, Ralph excels at turning insights into results across fitness, esports, and consumer engagement. He’s also an accomplished endurance athlete, having completed five Ironman races and 12 marathons — including major events in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
