1club blog

Gym and studio management tips & trends, delivered

October 1, 2026

1club Raises €2.2M to Build the Future of Sports Software

Sports deserve better software, and 1club is building it. The AI-native platform for sports clubs, gyms, and studios has raised €2.2 million in seed funding from LAUNCHub Ventures and BrightCap Ventures. Already trusted by businesses in more than 40 countries and over 10 sports, 1club will invest in product, AI, and international growth to make being active part of everyday life.

Miro Miroslavov

All Growing a gym Gym Industry Insights Industry insights Martial arts Padel Pickleball Pilates Racket Sports Running a gym Starting a gym Tennis Tennis Club Yoga

Martial artsGrowing a gymStarting a gym

September 22, 2026

Paid vs Free Martial Arts Trials: What's Best for Your School?

Free martial arts trials bring more leads and fill more mat time. Paid trials bring fewer leads who show up more often and enroll at a higher rate. Both are good. The right choice depends on whether mat space or student volume is scarcer at your school right now, and on how fast you follow up after the first class.

Petar Petrov

Industry insightsGymStarting a gymRunning a gym

June 26, 2026

Best Gym CRM Software in 2026: Top 6 Tools Compared

The best gym CRM software captures leads, automates follow-up, and shows your sales pipeline on one screen, so prospects don't slip through the cracks and members don't quietly churn. For most independent fitness businesses, the strongest 2026 option is 1club, an AI-native platform where the CRM is built into the gym management system. The right pick depends on your size, niche, and how much you market.

Martin Kirov

GymStarting a gym

November 28, 2025

How to Build and Grow a Successful Gym Business in 2026

Building a successful gym business in 2026 comes down to seven fundamentals: choosing an accessible, well-matched location; a business model that diversifies revenue beyond memberships; multi-channel marketing that tracks cost per acquisition; retention built on strong onboarding and community; hiring for culture fit; modern, AI-native gym management software; and disciplined financial management. Prioritise retention over acquisition (it costs 5-7x less) and expect profitability in 12-24 months.

Martin Kirov