The Studio Planner Journal
Strategies, guides, and insights to help you monetize your space and grow your teaching business.
For InstructorsThe Hidden Cost of Teaching: Why Transparency in Studio Rental Matters
Instructors lose 20-30% of their income to opaque rental agreements. Here's how transparent pricing changes the game.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
For Studio OwnersStop Losing Money on Empty Hours: A Guide to Safe Studio Renting
Your studio is empty 40% of the time. Learn how to monetize off-peak hours safely with automated insurance verification.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
ComparisonPeerspace vs. Studio Planner: Which is Right for Fitness Professionals?
Peerspace is great for photoshoots, but is it built for recurring fitness classes? We compare the features that matter most.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
ComparisonMindbody vs. Studio Planner: The Indie Studio Guide
Mindbody is the industry giant, but is it overkill for your boutique studio? We compare features, pricing, and complexity for the independent owner.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
ComparisonWellnessLiving vs. Studio Planner: A Cost Analysis
WellnessLiving positions itself as the cheaper Mindbody, but hidden fees add up. See how the costs truly compare for a rental-focused business.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
GuidesTop 5 Apps for Freelance Yoga Instructors in 2025
Running an independent yoga business requires a tech stack. From music to payments, here are the 5 essential apps you need.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesHow to Calculate Your Profit Margin Per Class
Are you actually making money on your classes? Use this simple formula to calculate your true profit margin after rent and overhead.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesThe Independent Instructor's Guide to Liability Insurance
General Liability? Professional Liability? Abuse & Molestation? We decode the insurance jargon every freelance instructor needs to know.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
For Studio Owners5 Ways to Fill Your Studio on Tuesday Afternoons
Off-peak hours don't have to be dead hours. Creative strategies to monetize your studio space between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
GuidesContract Guide: Red Flags in Studio Rental Agreements
Don't sign that lease yet. We highlight the dangerous clauses hidden in standard facility rental contracts.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
City GuidesBest Yoga Studios for Rent in NYC (2025 Guide)
Looking for space in the Big Apple? We reviewed the top 10 studios available for hourly rental in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesHow to Price Your Drop-In Classes vs. Series
Should you charge $25 or $35? We analyze the psychology of pricing and why 'Series' commitments drive higher lifetime value.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesSubleasing vs. Renting Hourly: What's Better?
Ready to sign a monthly sublease? Wait. We compare the flexibility of hourly rental vs. the commitment of a long-term sublease.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesThe Complete Checklist for Your First Independent Class
Don't forget the aux cord. A step-by-step packing list and timeline for teaching your very first class outside a gym.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesMarketing Your Yoga Business on Instagram: A Crash Course
You don't need 10k followers to fill a class. Learn how to use local hashtags and geotags to find students in your actual neighborhood.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
OpinionWhy 'ClassPass' Might Be Hurting Your Studio's Bottom Line
It fills spots, but at what cost? We analyze the 'cannibalization' effect of discount aggregators on your loyal student base.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesHow to Host Your First Yoga Workshop (And Sell It Out)
Workshops are the fastest way to increase your hourly rate. Learn how to plan, price, and market a 2-hour deep dive.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesThe Ultimate Guide to Teacher Training Manuals
Thinking of launching your own YTT? The manual is your IP. Here is how to structure and copyright your curriculum.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Dance Studios for Rehearsals in Los Angeles
From NoHo to Downtown, we scouted the best sprung floors and mirror walls for your next audition or rehearsal.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesTax Deductions Every Fitness Instructor Misses
Yes, your Spotify subscription is deductible. So are your leggings (sometimes). Save thousands this tax season.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesHow to Negotiate a Long-Term Studio Rental Rate
Ready to commit to 6 months? Here is the script to get 20% off the hourly rate.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
Industry TrendsWhy "Space" is the New "Gym Membership"
The gym model is dead. The future is 'Space as a Service.' Why consumers are choosing pop-up experiences over annual contracts.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
Industry TrendsThe Future of Boutique Fitness: 2026 Predictions
AI coaching, hyper-local communities, and the death of the 'big box' gym. Here is where the industry is heading.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
Guides5 Red Flags in a Yoga Teacher Training Contract
Before you pay $3,000 for your YTT, read the fine print. Watch out for hidden 'teaching requirements' and non-refund policies.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesHow to Create a "Hybrid" Digital/In-Person Business
Don't choose between Zoom and the Studio. Do both. Here is the tech stack to livestream your in-person classes seamlessly.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Pilates Reformer Studios for Rent in Austin
Reformer rentals are rare. We found the top 3 studios in Austin that allow independent instructors to book machines hourly.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
MarketingHow to Market Your Pilates Studio to Men
Pilates was invented by a man for men. Why are 90% of your students women? Here is how to tap into the untapped male market.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesThe Ultimate Guide to Music Licensing for Fitness Classes
Can you play Spotify in your class? Legally, no. Here is everything you need to know about ASCAP, BMI, and avoiding lawsuits.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Photo Studios for Fitness Shoots in Miami
Need content? Miami has the best light in the country. We curated the top rental studios for fitness photography in Wynwood and South Beach.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
Guides10 Ways to Improve Student Retention in 2025
Acquisition is expensive. Retention is cheap. Here are 10 low-cost strategies to keep your students coming back week after week.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesStudio Lighting Guide for Video Content
Why do your videos look grainy? It's not your camera; it's your light. Learn the 3-point lighting setup for fitness videos.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
GuidesHow to Price Private Yoga Sessions
Stop charging $80/hour. Learn how to value your time, factor in travel, and package your private sessions for high-net-worth clients.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
ComparisonBest Booking Software for Dance Studios (Ranked)
Dance studios have unique needs (semesters, recitals, costume fees). We rank the top platforms: Jackrabbit, DanceStudio-Pro, and Studio Planner.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
GuidesLiability Waivers: Why Digital Beats Paper Every Time
Still using a clipboard? You are exposing yourself to risk. Why digital waivers are legally stronger and easier to manage.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
MarketingHow to Run a "30-Day Challenge" That Actually Makes Money
Challenges are great for engagement, but often terrible for profit. Here is how to structure a challenge that converts participants into long-term members.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
City GuidesBest Yoga Studios for Rent in Chicago
From Wicker Park to the Loop, we found the best rental spaces for independent instructors in the Windy City.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Dance Studios for Rent in Atlanta
Atlanta is the Hollywood of the South. We found the best rehearsal spaces with sprung floors for hip-hop and ballet.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesHow to Become a "Corporate Wellness" Provider
Want to charge $300/hour? Corporate gigs are the answer. Here is how to pitch yoga and meditation to HR departments.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesThe "Prenatal Yoga" Niche: Is it worth the certification?
Prenatal students are the most loyal demographic. Why getting certified in this niche can recession-proof your business.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Sound Bath Studios in San Francisco
Sound healing requires silence. We tested the acoustics of the top rental studios in SF to find the quietest rooms.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
Industry TrendsWhy "Hot Yoga" Studios Have Higher Profit Margins
The heat is expensive, but the retention is higher. We analyze the economics of running a heated vs. non-heated studio.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesHow to Host a Retreat (Without Going Broke)
Retreats are high risk, high reward. Learn the 'Rule of 30%' to ensure you don't lose your savings on a deposit in Bali.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Pole Dance Studios for Rent in Las Vegas
Vegas is the pole capital. We found the studios with the highest ceilings and the best X-Poles for professional training.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
MarketingThe Independent Instructor's Guide to SEO
Stop relying on Instagram algorithm changes. Here is how to get your personal website to rank for 'Yoga Classes in [Your City]'.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
GuidesHow to Handle "No-Shows" and Late Cancels
It's awkward charging a regular for a missed class. Here is the exact script to use to enforce your boundaries without losing the client.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
City GuidesBest Martial Arts Dojos for Rent in Toronto
Need mats? We scouted the best dojos in the GTA available for hourly rental for BJJ, Karate, and Judo.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
City GuidesBest Pilates Studios for Rent in London
From Shoreditch to Kensington, we found the best hourly rental spaces for Pilates in the UK capital.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesHow to Scale from 1 Class to a Full-Time Business
You have a full Tuesday night class. Now what? The roadmap to quitting your day job and going full-time.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
Industry TrendsThe "Teacher Co-Op" Model: Is it the future?
What if 10 teachers rented a studio together? We explore the 'Co-Op' model that is disrupting the traditional studio ownership structure.
Editorial Team
Studio Planner
ManifestoStudio Planner vs. The World: Why we built this.
We didn't build software. We built a movement. Why the future of fitness belongs to the Independent Instructor.
Adam (Founder)
CEO
ComparisonsThe Best Mindbody Alternatives for Small Studios in 2025
Frustrated with Mindbody's pricing and complexity? Discover the top alternatives designed for small studios, with transparent pricing and better support.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
For Studio OwnersHow to Fill Empty Studio Hours Without Expensive Marketing
Your studio sits empty 40% of the time. Learn practical, low-cost strategies to monetize off-peak hours without spending on ads.
Sarah Jenkins
Community Manager
GuidesStudio Management Software Pricing Guide: What You Should Actually Pay
Don't overpay for software bloated with features you'll never use. Learn what studio management software actually costs—and what's worth paying for.
Michael Ross
Studio Operations Expert
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