How Much Time Should a Gym Owner Spend on Their Finances?
As a gym owner, you already wear a dozen hats. You coach, market, team lead, and more. But when it comes to managing finances, most gym owners fall into one of two camps:
They spend too much time on finances, getting stuck in spreadsheets, stressed over every expense, and unsure if they’re focusing on the right things.
They spend too little time on finances, avoiding the numbers entirely until a crisis (like a surprise tax bill) forces them to pay attention.
Neither extreme is ideal. The goal is to spend just enough time to stay in control, make smart financial decisions, and grow your gym without getting bogged down.
How Much Time Are Gym Owners Actually Spending on Finances?
Let’s break it down:
If you’re doing it all yourself → 8–12 hours per month (2–3 hours per week)
If you have a bookkeeper or CFO → 2–4 hours per month (30–60 minutes per week)
Many gym owners spend more time scrolling Netflix than managing their finances, yet they wonder why they’re always behind. The truth? There’s a direct correlation between the time you invest in financial clarity and the results you get. But you don’t need to drown in numbers to be financially successful. You just need a system.
The Financial Tasks That Matter Most
Not all financial tasks are created equal. Here’s where your focus should be:
Daily/Weekly
✅ Track revenue and expenses
✅ Monitor cash flow
Monthly
✅ Pay bills & process payroll
✅ Reconcile accounts
✅ Review financial statements
Quarterly
✅ Tax prep & estimated tax payments
✅ Adjust financial strategies based on trends
The 3-Legged Stool of Business (and Where Finance Fits In)
Business coach Brian Buffini talks about the “3-legged stool” of business success:
Sales & Marketing – Attracting and converting leads
Customer Service – Delivering an amazing experience
Finance – Managing money effectively
He argues that sales and marketing are five times more important than finance and customer service. I see his point. If you don’t have revenue coming in, it doesn’t matter how well you manage your finances.
But here’s where most gym owners go wrong: They focus almost entirely on sales and marketing while completely ignoring their finances.
The reality is, it’s not about choosing one over the other. it’s about balance. You need marketing to bring in business, but without financial control, you won’t keep much of that money.
How to Spend Less Time on Finances While Getting Better Results
If you’re spending too much or too little time on your finances, here’s how to find the sweet spot:
Automate Everything You Can – Use software like QuickBooks, Xero, or a gym POS to streamline transactions and reports.
Hire a Bookkeeper or CFO – This isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment that actually helps you keep more of your hard-earned money.
Set Up a Financial System – Pre-schedule weekly, monthly, and quarterly check-ins for budgeting, bill payments, and profit reviews.
Is Your Financial Time Investment Paying Off?
If you’re still unsure whether you’re spending the right amount of time on your finances, let’s talk.
Book a Profit Clarity Call, and I’ll help you create a simple financial system that gives you clarity without the overwhelm.
