For small gym owners, every dollar counts. Membership dues make up the bulk of revenue, but any additional income stream—especially one that doesn’t require extra staff or time—is a huge win.
Enter merchandise sales.
From water and recovery drinks, to protein, to apparel, gym owners who advocate for pro shops explain it can be a great passive revenue stream for any small gym owner.
Case in point: Josh Grennel, the owner of CrossFit Progression in Rochester, MN generates between $3,500 and $6,000 a month in pro shop revenue – $1,500 to $3,000 of that being profit – selling drinks and snacks alone.
- Similarly, Zia Rohrbaugh, the owner of CrossFit Counter Culture in Encinitas, CA, does $5,000 and $8,000 in merchandise sales per month selling supplements, protein powder, electrolyte drinks, collagen, MCT, and coffee.
- And Jade Jenny, the owner of Champlain Valley CrossFit in VT, generates $3,000 a month in retail sales, from drinks to protein bars. (Jenny did $10,000 last year in LMNT sales alone, a product where he gets a 100 percent mark up).
How HybridAF Unlocks More Sales Opportunities
Without unattended access, members are limited to shopping during staffed class times.
But with HybridAF, your store is open when your gym is open, which, for many facilities, is 24/7.
That means:
- Convenience drives sales: Members don’t have to wait until the next coached class to grab a drink, a snack, or a tub of protein.
- Passive revenue: You’re making money while you sleep. Literally.
- Value add for members: The gym feels more like a full-service training facility, not just a place to work out.
One big thing: If you’re a gym who sees a lot of drop-ins, having a pro shop that never shuts also means a visitor can pick up that t-shirt as a souvenir on the way out.
The Bottom Line: WIth unattended access via HybridAF, your pro shop can be kept open around the clock, helping boost those passive revenue sales, all the while adding value to members who train during off-hours, as they can still grab a drink or a snack after their workout.
The key is figuring out how to set up a system so that it works for both your business and your members.
- Some gyms say the old school honor system works just fine, while others integrate with a kiosk via their gym management software. Both work; it just depends on what’s best for your community.
The Honor System in Action
- “We have not had any theft as a result of [keeping the pro shop open] during unattended access. Any discrepancies in our inventory have come as a result of athletes, or kids, taking product and forgetting to write it down,” Wheeler said, adding that all of those incidents happened during class times, not during unattended access.
- “It’s nice for folks who come in during unattended access to be able to grab a bar or drink after their workout. If they want protein, they can grab a tub of that, as well,” she said.
Wheeler added: “For folks who only have unattended access, they’d be unable to do that if we didn’t have the honor system in play, and we’d lose out on the sale.”
Similarly, at Charlotte Strength in North Carolina, owner Chris Yandle has seen significant results at his pro shop, and has experienced “minimal instances of theft,” he said.
A HybridAF user for five years, he, too, uses an honor-system model, supported by clear signage and an iPad for purchases, and it brings in around $2,000 a month in retail sales, including drinks, snacks and clothing.
- “The honor system helps in two ways: We don’t have to hire someone to be there all day, and it gives our members access to drinks and snacks at their convenience,” Yandle said.
- “It only takes about two hours of work a month to order and stock supplies,” he added.
The PushPress Kiosk in Action
- “The kiosk definitely helps because of the convenience. It’s just added to their account, and HybridAF makes it possible for people to purchase anytime without a staff member around,” Edwards explained.
Honor System vs. Kiosk: Which Is Right for You?
- Honor system: It’s simple to set up, no tech is required, and it relies on community trust. It’s best for tight-knit gyms with strong relationships.
- Kiosk (via PushPress or similar): It provides accountability, integrates with billing, and reduces error. It’s great for gyms that want structure and convenience.
- Keep signage clear on how to pay.
- Use cameras or an iPad as a subtle accountability measure.
- Do regular inventory checks so you can spot discrepancies quickly.
The Big Picture: Why Passive Revenue Matters
No one’s getting rich off protein shakes and bottled water, but that’s not the point.
For small gyms, every extra dollar counts. Even an additional $750–$2,000 a month can cover utilities, offset equipment purchases, or go straight back into growing your community.
And perhaps more importantly, having a stocked pro shop accessible during unattended hours makes your gym more valuable to members. It feels like a perk, a service, and a convenience that keeps them loyal.
As Leah Wheeler put it: “It’s just a win, win for everyone.”
