Home / Blog

The Black Raccoon blog

Growth insights for gym owners

Practical articles on gym marketing, sales, member retention, leadership and franchising. Fresh ideas you can use this week.

Latest articles

Read, steal, grow

The Sydney Sweeney Advert: Is It Really Setting Back Women’s Sport?

A fitness marketing perspective on the Sydney Sweeney Novig campaign: what the backlash gets right, what it misses, and what it teaches about attention. ...more

Views

September 15, 2026•8 min read

The Sydney Sweeney Advert: Is It Really Setting Back Women’s Sport?

Is It Really the Fitness Industry’s Responsibility to Improve the Nation’s Health?

Should gyms be the solution to public health? Why focusing on member experience, enjoyment and community may do more for the nation’s health than any campaign. ...more

Views

June 24, 2026•5 min read

Is It Really the Fitness Industry’s Responsibility to Improve the Nation’s Health?

The Most Difficult Moment of My Consultancy Career

A franchisee in crisis, a franchisor slow to act, and the lesson that changed how Black Raccoon works: business is about people, and values matter most when things go wrong. ...more

Views

June 15, 2026•5 min read

The Most Difficult Moment of My Consultancy Career

The State of the Nation Report: Great News, But Let’s Not Ignore the Bigger Questions

UK fitness membership is growing, but what about data quality, sleeper members, attrition and the 80% who still don’t join? A critical look beneath the headlines. ...more

Views

June 10, 2026•4 min read

The State of the Nation Report: Great News, But Let’s Not Ignore the Bigger Questions

Community Fitness: Are We Missing the Biggest Opportunity?

Councils invest millions in leisure centres, yet only 17% of people use fitness facilities. Why local strategies should include private gyms to raise participation. ...more

Views

March 14, 2026•4 min read

Community Fitness: Are We Missing the Biggest Opportunity?

Why Does the Government Support Every Industry Except the One That Could Save It Millions?

Fitness could cut NHS costs and boost productivity, yet gets little government support. Five policy ideas, from fit-to-work tax incentives to local wellness funding. ...more

Views

December 05, 2025•3 min read

Why Does the Government Support Every Industry Except the One That Could Save It Millions?

A Moment for ukactive to Refocus

With leadership changes at ukactive, Ryan Charlesworth sets out how the organisation could refocus on operators, governance and tangible member value. ...more

Views

October 31, 2025•3 min read

A Moment for ukactive to Refocus

Are We Chasing the Wrong Kind of Growth in the Fitness Industry?

New Blog PosWith the NHS in crisis and government support lacking, is the fitness industry focusing too much on public partnerships? Discover why it may be time to refocus on internal standards, natio... ...more

Views

July 18, 2025•3 min read

Are We Chasing the Wrong Kind of Growth in the Fitness Industry?

It’s Time for New Leadership in the Fitness Industry – Or We’ll Miss This Moment Again

It’s Time for New Leadership in the Fitness Industry – Or We’ll Miss This Moment Again For as long as I’ve been in this industry, I’ve seen strategies come and go. Big visions, government-backed init... ...more

Views

July 10, 2025•6 min read

It’s Time for New Leadership in the Fitness Industry – Or We’ll Miss This Moment Again

Biohacking, Wellness & the Fitness Industry: Are We Really the Right Platform for This Movement?

As wellness and biohacking trends explode, is the fitness industry truly equipped to lead the charge? Ryan Andrews explores why the answer may be more complex than it seems. ...more

Views

June 26, 2025•5 min read

Biohacking, Wellness & the Fitness Industry: Are We Really the Right Platform for This Movement?

The 'Not So' Hidden Truth: Beyond Equipment in Fitness Journeys

Uncover the deeper reasons people join gyms, focusing on personal goals, community, and holistic wellness, beyond just equipment. ...more

Views

December 08, 2023•3 min read

The 'Not So' Hidden Truth: Beyond Equipment in Fitness Journeys

Digital Integration in Fitness: Evolution or Revolution?

Explore the balance between digital trends and traditional gyms in shaping the future of the fitness industry ...more

Views

December 08, 2023•3 min read

Digital Integration in Fitness: Evolution or Revolution?
Back to Home

Prefer to talk it through?

Book a free Growth Call and get ideas tailored to your gym.

The growth briefing

Growth plays for gym owners. Straight to your inbox.

Monthly ideas on marketing, sales, retention and leadership from the Black Raccoon team, plus new guides, podcast episodes and Education Series dates. Unsubscribe any time.

© 2026 Black Raccoon. All rights reserved. Growth partners for the fitness industry since 2014. Privacy Policy