We get it. Writing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) feels like homework. Like being told to eat your vegetables. It’s not sexy. It’s not flashy. And when your studio is on fire with classes, clients, and chaos — it feels like a luxury.
But here’s the truth: if it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist.
Why We Avoid It
- We think we don’t have time.
- We think it’s too “corporate.”
- We assume everyone just knows what to do.
And yet every fire in your business — every missed follow-up, bad handover, or confused team member — usually comes back to this: lack of documented systems.
SOPs = Freedom, Not Control
Most people think SOPs are about control. But they’re not. They’re about clarity. They let your team win. They reduce guesswork. They make performance measurable.
A good SOP makes the difference between “I hope they do it right” and “I know exactly what gets done.”
What Needs to Be Written?
Think micro. Think granular. Think painfully obvious. If someone joined your team tomorrow, could they:
- Greet a walk-in?
- Explain your pricing?
- Clean the bathrooms to standard?
- Post to social media with your tone and intent?
If the answer is “maybe,” you’ve got work to do.
SOPs in the Real World
One of our clients had five coaches and no SOPs. Each class looked different. Members were confused. Culture was slipping.
We wrote 12 SOPs in 30 days: opening, closing, class structure, programming, social media, onboarding, referral calls, and more.
The result?
- Staff confidence shot up.
- Member experience stabilized.
- Churn dropped 17% in one quarter.
- The owner took her first full week off in two years — and didn’t get a single emergency call.
Key Takeaways for Fitness Owners
- SOPs are your business in written form.
- Don’t overthink it — document as you go.
- Use voice notes or videos to get started. Transcribe later.
- Train your team on it. Revisit monthly.
- If it’s not documented, don’t expect consistency.
Need help systemizing your gym? SAOR Consultancy specializes in creating easy-to-follow, high-impact SOPs that let your team perform and your business scale. Let’s build the manual your business deserves.
By Justin Hourn – business coach