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Powering Performance: Why Studio Leaders Are the Growth Engine of Boutique Fitness

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Powering Performance: Why Studio Leaders Are the Growth Engine of Boutique Fitness
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In boutique fitness, success is measured in more than bookings and waitlists. The real differentiator lies in leadership. Exceptional managers and executives don’t just run studios; they transform them into growth engines, driving both revenue and culture.  Here’s why investing in the right leadership talent is your ultimate performance strategy.

The 2024 BFS State of the Industry indicates a correlation between revenue + manager presence

[BUZZ] Manager graph

1. Commercially Sharp, Culturally Strong

Revenue doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It flows from a strong culture. When leaders inspire trust, set high standards, and keep teams motivated, you see the impact in member retention, referrals, and upsells. The best studio managers can switch seamlessly between reading the numbers and reading the room.

2. Operators Who Think Like Owners

The boutique model thrives on leaders who take full accountability. A strong manager doesn’t wait for head office to intervene; they solve problems before they escalate, balancing operational detail with commercial foresight.  Look for candidates who talk about their work with ownership language: “my studio, “my team,” “our members.”

3. Revenue Comes From Relationships

Sales targets are important, but in boutique fitness, trust fuels growth. Exceptional leaders coach their teams to make every member feel seen, turning conversations at the front desk into renewals, retail sales, and glowing word-of-mouth.

4. Talent Builders First, Task Managers Second

Studios scale when leaders multiply capability. That means nurturing instructors, mentoring team leads, and celebrating small wins that fuel momentum. Leaders who develop others create a bench of talent ready to step up, which keeps the studio resilient and growing.

Q&A: Hiring Leaders Who Drive Studio Success

Q: What makes leadership at the studio level so critical?
A: In boutique fitness, the studio is the brand. The manager or executive on-site
shapes member experience, team culture, and commercial outcomes. The right
leader ensures the studio feels energized and profitable in equal measure.

Q: How can I tell if a candidate thinks like an owner?
A: Listen for ownership language in interviews. Strong candidates describe decisions
In terms of accountability, “I saw this, so I acted”, rather than waiting for direction.

Q: What’s one interview question that helps reveal this balance of data and
human connection?
A: “Tell me about a time you used data to inform a performance pivot—then
balanced that with human judgement.” This uncovers whether the candidate can
blend commercial insight with people-first leadership. Check out our “10 Interview
Questions to Hire an Exceptional Studio Manager” guide for more questions.

Q: What’s the direct link between leadership and financial performance?
A: Strong leaders reduce churn, increase referrals, improve staff retention, and drive
upselling,  all of which show up in the P&L. Leadership is not just a “people
factor”; it’s a revenue strategy.

Q: How do you ensure your hiring process identifies these qualities?
A: Go beyond the resume. Use roleplay (e.g., handling a difficult member), tactical
tasks (like reviewing a mock P&L), and vision-based prompts (what opportunities do
they see in the next six months?). Meet-and-greets with the team can also uncover
culture fit.

5. Precision in Hiring = Performance in Market

Hiring for this calibre of leadership requires more than box-ticking. It’s about finding individuals with the rare ability to:

  • Drive revenue while strengthening culture
  • Make confident, data-driven decisions
  • Inspire teams to deliver consistently under pressure
  • Adapt to local market nuances with creativity

In boutique fitness, you don’t just hire managers, you hire multipliers of culture, revenue, and growth. Get this right, and the studio doesn’t just perform; it thrives.

Hiring a studio manager in boutique fitness is about more than filling a role. It’s about finding someone who can deliver commercial results, build a thriving culture, and turn your studio into the heartbeat of the community. To get there, you need the right interview questions; ones that uncover more than a polished resume.

📑 Here are 10 powerful questions to help you identify your next exceptional studio leader.
 GET ACCESS TO RESOURCE HERE>>>

 

Lucy Adey

Lucy Adey – Managing Partner, Good Soul Hunting
Lucy Adey is the Managing Partner at Good Soul Hunting, a boutique recruitment agency dedicated to building leadership teams that shape the future of health,  wellness, and longevity. She partners with some of the most dynamic brands in the industry, including JETSET Pilates, Orangetheory Fitness, Barry’s, [solidcore], and Sweat440, helping them scale while staying true to their purpose.
Lucy’s career began in law, after earning bachelor’s degrees in law and psychology. She practiced employment law at an international corporate law firm before moving into talent acquisition, where she led the New Zealand legal recruitment practice for a global recruitment agency. For over a decade, she worked in HR leadership roles within the health and wellness industry across the US and UK, gaining firsthand experience in building teams and cultures that thrive. With this unique blend of legal, recruitment, and HR expertise, Lucy brings both rigor and empathy to executive search. Known for her sharp insights, practical approach, and ability to spot the perfect match, she works closely with US-based founders, investors, and executives.



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