The Business of Fitness with Michael Ramsey

Michael Ramsay is the co-founder of STRONG Pilates, a rapidly growing boutique fitness brand that has expanded to more than 100 locations around the world.

He joins Kenny Santucci on the Strong New York Podcast to talk:
- Why most underperforming gyms have a leads, sales conversion, or retention problem.
- The biggest mistakes gym owners make when trying to scale.
- How STRONG Pilates uses presales and community building before a studio even opens.
- Why accountability, management, and the right operators are critical to running a successful gym.
- How Michael went from working in corporate and becoming an F45 franchisee to building STRONG Pilates.

Chapters: 
0:00 Intro - Michael Ramsay
2:46 How Michael Ramsay Built STRONG Pilates to 130 Locations
5:19 Why Traditional Pilates Doesn’t Like STRONG Pilates
10:05 How STRONG Pilates Chooses Franchise Owners
14:20 From Broke at 25 to F45’s #1 Franchisee
20:26 How to Launch a Gym: Presales, Community & $1M Revenue
21:36 Boutique Gyms vs. Equinox & Life Time
27:53 Why Gym Owners Should Collaborate, Not Compete
31:05 Why Gyms Fail: People, Management & Accountability
38:08 The Gym Growth Playbook: Marketing, Leads, Sales & Retention
41:56 How to Build a Profitable Gym Business Model
48:57 Fitness Marketing in 2026: UGC, Influencers & Affiliates
52:00 Why Results Matter More Than Fitness Hype
58:03 The Fitness Brands Michael Ramsay Studies
60:00 Why Australia Produces So Many Fitness Brands
64:24 Why Long Island Is Crushing It + How to Expand Your Gym
69:48 Inside an $83M Fitness Franchise
74:08 The Future of Fitness: Longevity, Tech & Strength Training


Connect with Michael 
Instagram: @ramslegit

Connect with Kenny and Strong New York: 
Instagram: @kennysantucci
Instagram: @strongnewyork

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This episode is sponsored by:
🔥 Celsius — the energy drink that fuels every Strong New York workout. Follow @celsiusofficial on Instagram for all the new flavors.
🩸 Marek Health — optimize your hormones, recovery, and performance at marekhealth.com. Use code KENNY for 10% off Diagnostics, Supplements, and Guided Optimization.
🤝 Founders Club — a trusted circle of 2,500+ builders across North America who share resources, open doors, and raise the bar for entrepreneurship. Learn more at FoundersClubOfficial.com.

What is The Strong New York Podcast?

Being STRONG is more than just how much weight you can lift.

The Strong New York Podcast is dedicated to inspiring you to become your strongest self- in the gym, in business, in relationships and in life.

Join Kenny as he sits down with his strong as fuck buddies and shoots the shit on what it takes to be strong willed, strong minded and physically strong. Season one features everyone from entrepreneurs and local business owners to doctors and industry leaders in the fitness and wellness space.

With over a decade of experience, Kenny Santucci has made himself known as one of New York City’s top trainers and a thought leader in the health and wellness industry. After transforming his life at 15 years old through fitness, Kenny made it his mission to transform the lives of those around him.

Kenny has trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jon Bon Jovi, Liev Schreiber, and Frank Ocean, and has been tapped as a fitness expert sharing his training approach with Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Runner's World, SHAPE, Well+Good, among other publications.

Kenny is the creator of STRONG New York, NYC's only Health and Fitness Expo. Strong New York is an immersive day of workouts, wellness experiences, panel discussions, and inspiring conversations with the best in-class wellness professionals, industry leaders, and change makers who are sharing their expertise on today's hottest wellness trends and first-hand experiences on how to optimize your overall health and life.

You can find Kenny at The Strength Club, his private training and group strength training facility in the heart of Manhattan located on 28th and 5th Ave in New York City.