Saara Snellman

Saara is the owner of CrossFit Kreis 9 in Zurich, Switzerland, a gym that was profitable from day 1 and grew to 300 members in two years, now capped at 340 with a waiting list. With a postgraduate degree in Forest Economics and Marketing from the University of Helsinki, Saara combines her business and marketing expertise to master environmental design, non-verbal communication, and expectation management—strategies that keep retention high and attract new members without paid marketing.

A Certified Two-Brain Business Coach, Saara helps gym owners to build sustainable businesses by refining their operations, improving member experience, and maximizing profitability She holds numerous fitness credentials, including CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CCFT) , and co-owns an online retail store. She brings a unique blend of marketing, business, and coaching skills to help gym owners succeed.

“Shaping Member Experience; Non-Verbal Communication, Environmental Design and Expectation Management.”

In this session, Saara will teach you how to optimize your gym’s environment and professional behaviors to create strong first impressions, improve member retention, and build a loyal community—all with minimal financial investment. You will also learn how some of the most well-meant actions can actually work against the business.

You’ll learn how to:

• Leverage non-verbal communication and environment for member satisfaction and retention.
• Set and manage expectations to avoid overpromising and underdelivering.
• Use low-cost, high-return strategies to attract new members and reduce churn.

Saara will guide you through practical exercises to audit your gym environment and refine coaching interactions. You’ll leave with actionable insights to enhance your gym’s atmosphere, culture, and profitability.