More Revenue, Less Overhead: How Flex Fees Helped CrossFit 1926 Stay Profitable Without Raising Rates

Most gym owners don’t love raising membership prices. You work hard to build a loyal community—and the last thing you want is to price someone out. 

But when operating costs rise, something has to give. 

Jarrod Hunt, owner of CrossFit 1926, knows that feeling all too well. 

A Mission to Stay Affordable (Without Losing Money) 

Located in Ohio, CrossFit 1926 is a true community gym. No fluff, no gimmicks—just old-school CrossFit done right. Jarrod and his wife opened the gym in 2018 with a clear purpose: to provide high-level coaching and a welcoming space, without charging a premium. 

“We never set out to own a gym,” Jarrod says. “But we felt called to do this.” 

And they’ve done it well—averaging 150 members and building a staff of 17 passionate coaches. But as payment processing fees kept chipping away at revenue, Jarrod knew he needed a better system. 

The Challenge: Rising Costs, Stubborn Fees 

Like many boutique gyms, CrossFit 1926 isn’t trying to compete with $20/month big-box gyms. Their value is in their coaching, their culture, and their community. 

Still, when every credit card transaction costs a percentage, those fees start to pile up. 

“I hate raising rates. But payment processing fees were eating into our revenue.” 

Jarrod needed to reduce gym operating expenses without hurting the member experience—or his bottom line.

The Fix: Flex Fees with Zen Planner 

Zen Planner’s gym management software offered a solution: Flex Fees, a feature that lets gyms pass on processing costs transparently to members—without changing base membership pricing. 

Jarrod loved it because: 

• Rates stayed low for everyone 

• Members had options (EFT, credit card, or check) 

• Revenue recovered—without any drama 

“Flex Fees helped us keep our rates affordable while giving members flexibility. We’ve had zero pushback.” 

 

Rolling It Out: Respect + Transparency 

When it came time to introduce Flex Fees, Jarrod took a simple, honest approach: 

• Posted signs at the gym explaining the change 

• Offered alternatives to avoid the fee (like EFT) 

• Answered any questions one-on-one 

That’s it. No long-winded announcements. No email blasts. Just respect for the people in his community. 

“I worried way more than I needed to. When we rolled it out, nobody even blinked.” 

 

Real Results: More Revenue, Better Experience 

Since implementing Flex Fees, CrossFit 1926 has: 

Recovered thousands in processing costs
Avoided raising prices—keeping accessibility top-of-mind
Reinvested in new equipment and member perks (C2 bikes, fun challenges, member gifts)
Built a financially stable gym in a 13,000 sq. ft. facility—even in 17-degree Ohio winters 

“The impact was noticeable. Those fees used to just disappear. Now, we’re using them to support the gym and our members.” 

 

Why Zen Planner? 

Jarrod demoed every fitness business software out there before opening his gym. He chose Zen Planner because: 

• It puts the member experience first 

• It offers robust automation tools and reporting 

• It includes gym payment processing tools that are flexible and reliable 

• It just works—so he can focus on coaching, not admin 

“It runs in the background so I can focus on what matters. And when I need help? Zen Planner support is fast and personal.” 

 

Thinking About Flex Fees? Here’s Jarrod’s Advice: 

• Be honest – Give members a heads-up and explain why 

• Offer options – Let them choose how they want to pay 

• Trust your community – You’re probably more nervous than they are 

“Our members are adults. They understand this is normal in other industries. We didn’t lose a single person over it.” 

 

Ready to Keep More of What You Earn? 

CrossFit 1926 proves that you don’t need to raise prices to grow your business. With the right fitness business tools, you can: 

• Automate gym payments 

• Reduce overhead 

• Maximize profitability 

• And keep your community strong 

Keep your athletes motivated with the SugarWOD integration for workout tracking, performance logging, and built-in community vibes. 

Book your free demo and discover how Flex Fees and smart integrations help you grow—without raising prices.