Two months ago, Huff-n-Puff Fitness Repair had the unique pleasure of hosting a dinner for 11 fitness equipment repair professionals, representing four companies and covering eight different states. It was an event that stands out in an industry where opportunities for formal networking are still few and far between.

Fitness equipment repair is still a relatively young industry, often overlooked despite its growing demand. For many of us, the journey into this line of work started serendipitously. A chance encounter with a broken treadmill, perhaps, or an opportunity to help out at a local gym, and suddenly—armed with nothing but a toolbag, a vehicle, and an unshakeable resolve—we found ourselves at the helm of a new career. It was all about learning on the fly, figuring things out as we went, and making it work through sheer perseverance.

Over the years, many of us grew from solo operations into small businesses. We hired a few techs, brought in someone to help with the paperwork, and expanded our service areas. But this journey has been far from easy.

Like many small business owners, those in fitness equipment repair have faced uphill battles. Statistics show that most small businesses fail within their first two years, and even fewer survive to see their fifth anniversary. The ones that do make it are often battle-hardened, with lessons earned through trial and error. As a result, many in this industry tend to guard their hard-won knowledge, reluctant to share the secrets that took years to uncover.

I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of this myself. For a long time, I was hesitant to share insights with others in the field, holding my cards close to my chest. After all, why give away the knowledge that I fought so hard to gain?

That mindset began to shift when I was invited to be a founding member of the North American Health and Fitness Trades Alliance (NAHFTA). I still remember one of my fellow founders asking me directly, “Are you comfortable sharing information with the rest of the industry?”

My gut reaction was a firm, “No.” After all, for 16 years, I had kept my methods to myself, incorrectly believing that this was the best way to succeed. But then I realized something important—this industry, as a whole, wasn’t advancing. In fact, it had been regressing. I wasn’t just holding myself back, I was contributing to the stagnation of our entire field. So I made the decision to step out of my comfort zone and start sharing.

What felt unnatural to me at first has now become my default approach. Instead of seeing others as competitors, I began to see them as partners in advancing our industry. The more I shared, the more I realized that collaboration wasn’t just benefiting them—it was fueling my own growth as well. We weren’t just trading tips or tricks; we were building a collective knowledge base that was helping us all become better at what we do.

This shift in mindset has led to more innovation, improved processes, and even a deeper sense of community among service providers. I’ve learned that no one wins when we operate in silos, but when we come together, we all have a better chance of thriving. And the best part? Our customers benefit too. By elevating the industry as a whole, we are able to offer better service, faster response times, and more reliable solutions to the fitness facilities we support.

Since opening up, I’ve learned that sharing is a two-way street. Yes, we’ve shared our experiences, but we’ve also gained invaluable insights from others. One great example is the Fix Your Gym podcast, a resource created by a fellow fitness equipment tech. It covers everything from technical tips to business strategies, helping others in the field navigate common challenges. Being invited to share my experiences on the podcast was an eye-opener and a reminder of how important it is to foster open communication within our niche industry.

Our August meetup, though small, was another step forward. It demonstrated the incredible potential that comes from collaboration. The presence of companies like Ace Fitness Services, Stride Fitness Solutions, and Fitness Fix Pro reinforced the idea that, while we may be competitors, we’re also allies in shaping a more professional, mature industry.

The future of fitness equipment repair depends on our willingness to grow together. As we continue to collaborate, through initiatives like NAHFTA and community resources like Fix Your Gym, we have the opportunity to transform what is still an adolescent industry into a thriving, mature profession. It’s not just about building our individual companies anymore—it’s about elevating the industry, OUR industry as a whole.

To all the companies that joined us in August: thank you. We look forward to continuing this journey with you and working toward a future that holds greater opportunities for our customers, our employees, and ourselves.