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The Black Raccoon blog
Practical articles on gym marketing, sales, member retention, leadership and franchising. Fresh ideas you can use this week.
Latest articles
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
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September 15, 2026•8 min read

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
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June 24, 2026•5 min read
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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
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June 15, 2026•5 min read
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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
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June 10, 2026•4 min read
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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
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March 14, 2026•4 min read
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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
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December 05, 2025•3 min read
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With leadership changes at ukactive, Ryan Charlesworth sets out how the organisation could refocus on operators, governance and tangible member value. ...more
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October 31, 2025•3 min read
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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
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July 18, 2025•3 min read

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
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July 10, 2025•6 min read

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
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June 26, 2025•5 min read

Uncover the deeper reasons people join gyms, focusing on personal goals, community, and holistic wellness, beyond just equipment. ...more
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December 08, 2023•3 min read

Explore the balance between digital trends and traditional gyms in shaping the future of the fitness industry ...more
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December 08, 2023•3 min read

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