The gym industry has long been a place where passion comes together, but business strategy often fails. To be successful as a gym owner, it takes more than an understanding of sets, reps and equipment, it takes a much deeper understanding of how to engage members, while providing value. In an effort to unite the gym community, a new event called GymCon has been created, and the excitement is already building.
GymCon 2023 is a three-day event that will bring together fitness insiders, business experts, celebrities and gym owners from around the world to share key strategies for success. The event takes place May 4-6 in Orlando, Florida, and is hosted by Gym Launch, a respected organization that helps gym owners maximize their potential through remote coaching. Their CEO, Cale Owen, believes this is a remarkable opportunity that comes at a very important time.

“It will help independent gym owners as well as gym franchisees learn exactly how to build a million dollar or more gym in three days,” said Owen, who will speak from experience. The former baseball player transitioned into the gym industry, eventually opening one of his own in St. Augustine, Florida. After two successful years, Owen discovered Gym Launch and worked his way up to his current role as CEO.
“I started as a client in 2017, and they changed the trajectory of the gym and the trajectory of my life. I became a low-end salesperson in 2018,” he recalled. “My wife was also in the gym, so she was able to manage it day-to-day, and I was all for helping gym owners.”
Between Owen’s personal experience as a gym owner and his work with Gym Launch, his fingerprints can be seen on many independent and corporate franchise gyms. One mistake he helps others avoid is falling into the concept that “if I build it, they will come”. Going it alone simply based on a passion for fitness can be a bad strategy, and Owen knows that firsthand.
“It’s the biggest lie in the industry. There are people like me and others who have already paid the ignorance tax. Gym Launch can provide the shortcuts and guidance to circumvent all the pain and suffering that many gym owners have gone through to be able to achieve their dreams.
Even with the success he has had in the two years since taking over, he saw the potential to reach even more people and have a bigger impact. Thus, the concept of GymCon was born.
“We want to give people the opportunity in three days to find out exactly what they need to do within their business and how to do it so they can go on and build the gym of their dreams.”

GymCon is their first organized for the public. The first day will be devoted to acquisitions, sales and branding. The second day will focus on operations and team building. Day three will focus on how to set up your plan and apply the information to create a successful gym business.
Owen and his team have assembled a star roster of speakers to share their expertise, including Olympia Champion Flex Lewis, MLB Legend Alex Rodriguez, Gym Launch Founders Alex, and Gym Launch VP Leila Hormozi. Maggie Owen, Jason Phillips of the Nutritional Coaching Institute, editor Mike Easter and Olympia President Dan Solomon.
Solomon recently joined Owen on his “Gym Lords” podcast and shared why he thinks this is such a valuable opportunity for gym owners and those in the muscle-building community.
“I was so excited when I heard about GymLaunch and GymCon. I was excited because I told my team about the disconnect that exists between what we do and the gym world. Let’s face it , the gym world is where it all happens,” Solomon said. “The gym world is the backbone of the entire fitness industry.”
As for the purpose of GymCon2023, Owen shared that he attended conferences that included a lot of “theory and fluff.” He sees the goal of GymCon to help attendees get much more value out of the experience so they can see tangible results, by applying what they learn.
“Our goal is to make everything simple, to give gym owners what they need to know so they know exactly what to do. No one will leave this conference with questions about what it takes to be successful. They come away knowing exactly what to do, and they can go out and do it.
For more information on GymCon and to book tickets, visit www.GymCon.com/Orlando-2023 and follow @gymlaunch on Instagram.