Eight months ago, it was a gamble to walk into Crunch Fitness in Sparks, on Scheels Drive. Equipment was out of order, the floors weren’t as clean as they should be, and the gym’s reputation had taken a hit under its previous ownership and management.
Members were frustrated, and the energy of the space reflected it. But then, John Smith arrived. When asked to describe the gym before he took over, John, the new general manager, used one word: “rough.”
After two years as a general manager at Planet Fitness, he stepped into the role at Crunch not just for the pay increase, but for the challenge of turning a gym around.
The biggest hurdle? Rebuilding trust. "Just the gym’s reputation from the previous ownership to new," Smith said.
Fixing the reputation was the hardest part, but he knew that to change how members felt about the gym, he had to start from the inside out.
Smith quickly got to work. He brought in around 12 new hires, enforced strict check-in policies, making sure everyone scans in and made cleanliness a top priority. “It’s cleaner, everything’s fixed,” he says.
“Members come up to us and let us know how much they appreciate it.”
Online reviews reflect the shift, with overwhelmingly positive feedback coming in about the improved atmosphere.
And he’s not stopping there. On February 15th, the gym will officially switch to 24-hour operations, a move he believes will make a huge difference.
“It’ll help alleviate rush hour build-up,” Smith said.
The extended hours will allow more access, especially on the weekends, which is a big change from their previous limited hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m..
Looking ahead, he’s extra-focused on accountability, ensuring that staff continue to uphold the new standard he’s set.
“I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing, holding everyone accountable and making sure they do the right thing, not their own thing,” he said.
The results are already showing. Smith says January 2025 saw the highest number of sign-ups in a single month the gym has ever had.
On a recent weekday, the energy inside of Crunch Fitness Sparks was electric. The clanking of weights, the hum of treadmills, and the beat of high energy music fills the air. All machines are working properly, the ground appears spotless, and the members powered through their workouts with enthusiasm, a clear sign of the gym's new atmosphere.