For years, franchise and chain gyms relied on standardized programming templates. The logic was sound: centralized programming is efficient, consistent, and easy to quality-control. But members in 2026 have different expectations.
The Custom Demand
Members increasingly expect programming that reflects their facility’s specific equipment, community, and training philosophy. Generic templates that could run in any gym anywhere feel exactly like that — generic.
Breaking Free
Three operators share their experience transitioning from templated to custom programming. The common thread: investing in a programming system that allows customization without requiring every trainer to be a program design expert.
The Middle Path
The answer isn’t abandoning structure for chaos. It’s building a custom programming framework that your facility owns — one that reflects your equipment, your members, and your training philosophy, while still being systematic enough to maintain quality as you scale.
