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Female emPOWERED: Winning in Business & LifeAuthor: Christa Gurka, MSPT, NCPT- Health and Fitness Business Strategist
A podcast for female boutique fitness, wellness and physical therapy small business owners who want expert insights and honest conversations about what it means to show up, thrive, and of course GET PAID. Language: en-us Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 325: Your Classes Are Full… So Why Aren’t You Profitable?
Tuesday, 10 February, 2026
Busy but Broke? How to Calculate True Profitability in Your StudioPodcast: Female Empowered Podcast Host: Christa Gurka, PT, Founder of Fit Biz StrategiesEpisode SummaryAre your classes full, your schedule packed, and your studio constantly busy—yet there’s still no money in the bank?In this episode of the Female Empowered Podcast, Christa Gurka breaks down why utilization does NOT equal profitability and walks studio owners through the exact math needed to understand their real revenue quality. If you’ve ever said, “My studio is busy, so why do I still feel broke?”—this episode is for you.Christa shares simple, real-world studio math (no MBA jargon required) to help you calculate profit per class, profit per hour, and profit per room, so you can quickly identify which services are making you money—and which ones are quietly draining it.You’ll also learn why unlimited memberships often crush margins in boutique fitness and Pilates studios, how to spot profit leaks in your schedule, and what changes you should make in the next 30 days to protect your business.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy high utilization can still result in low (or negative) profitThe difference between revenue and revenue qualityHow to calculate profit per class step-by-stepHow instructor pay and operating expenses impact real marginsWhat happens financially when classes aren’t fullWhy unlimited memberships often destroy profitability in Pilates studiosHow to identify your minimum viable class attendanceWhen to raise prices, cut classes, or restructure membershipsHow to think like a CEO using real data—not emotionsKey Topics CoveredRevenue vs. revenue qualityGross margin vs. operating costsProfit per class and per hour calculationsMembership pricing guardrailsUnlimited memberships and margin erosionUtilization metrics that actually matterStrategic pricing for intro offersMaking fast, data-driven business decisionsAction Steps from This EpisodeAfter listening, take these steps:Calculate your profit per class or per hourReview your memberships—especially unlimited optionsIdentify one service to raise, cut, or restructure in the next 30 daysStop relying on “busy” as a success metric and start tracking profitWant Help Running the Numbers?If you want support breaking down your studio math and making smarter pricing and scheduling decisions, you can work directly with Christa through her coaching programs and strategy calls.Learn more at christagurka.com and visit the “Work With Me” tab.Listen + WatchListen to the episode on your favorite podcast platform Watch the full whiteboard walkthrough on YouTube for a visual breakdown of the mathRemember: Busy doesn’t pay the bills. Data drives decisions—and decisions drive dollars.
