Opening a Gym

**calgarian** · 04-23-2009, 02:27 PM

OK I need a feedback , if you guys have experience in that. What should I look for...where to get the machines....which ones are good ones...basically anything you can tell me It would be great.

**gixxerboy1** · 04-23-2009, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by calgarian

OK I need a feedback , if you guys have experience in that. What should I look for...where to get the machines....which ones are good ones...basically anything you can tell me It would be great.

go with precor or life fitness. You can lease or buy refurbished cardio equipment to save on cost. Strength i would look for good used stuff. Machines are all steel the only wear parts are cables and upholstery which can be redone cheap.

I have some i can ship you

**calgarian** · 04-23-2009, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

go with precor or life fitness. You can lease or buy refurbished cardio equipment to save on cost. Strength i would look for good used stuff. Machines are all steel the only wear parts are cables and upholstery which can be redone cheap.

I have some i can ship you

i was thinking of u as i was posting cause i know u work for a fitness company....pm me the inventory and prizes if u can plz

**l2elapse** · 04-23-2009, 02:43 PM

how big is your gym going to be

**calgarian** · 04-23-2009, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by l2elapse

how big is your gym going to be

5000 sq feet

**DSM4Life** · 04-23-2009, 04:29 PM

Add glory holes in the bathrooms.

**WARMachine** · 04-23-2009, 04:42 PM

^ Anything to make EVERY thread uncomfortable huh?

lol

5000sq ft huh? Are you purchasing a franchise? Or opening an independant 'HARDCORE' gym?

lol thats what most board members do when they open theirs.

**DSM4Life** · 04-23-2009, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by WARMachine

^ Anything to make EVERY thread uncomfortable huh?

lol

5000sq ft huh? Are you purchasing a franchise? Or opening an independant 'HARDCORE' gym?

lol thats what most board members do when they open theirs.

I think it would def help to make it a HARDcore gym

**xnotoriousx** · 04-23-2009, 04:51 PM

Def don't have the crappy planet fitness type thing going

**Polska** · 04-23-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by WARMachine

^ Anything to make EVERY thread uncomfortable huh?

lol

5000sq ft huh? Are you purchasing a franchise? Or opening an independant 'HARDCORE' gym?

lol thats what most board members do when they open theirs.

5000 sq feet would be too small for any franchise. I'm guessing independent gym

**Hunter** · 04-23-2009, 10:29 PM

Ruhl has to sign the paper work before it can be called hardcore.

**jbm** · 04-23-2009, 10:33 PM

**IM708** · 04-23-2009, 10:48 PM

To be a hardcore gym you can only use chains around your neck for weighted dips.

**jbm** · 04-23-2009, 10:56 PM

**calgarian** · 04-24-2009, 07:18 AM

its independent ....It will be your normal Gym I was hoping for moe serious replies but I should hav seen that coming.

**PittBoy** · 04-24-2009, 07:28 AM

I was actually toying with the idea just yesterday!. I got some info by googling "commercial gym equipment" and "leasing fitness equipment" If you have cash you can usually find some buyouts on ebay.....shipping kills if you're not close though.

Good luck!

**yourmom** · 04-24-2009, 08:33 AM

We have a couple of gyms closing here. I noticed the other day, some commercial stuff on Craig's List. Theres a Golds in a town next to us that is just sitting there. The owner must have money to burn, because he's been working on it for over a year, without being open. Then there was a 'Lions Den' that took a bunch of memberships then never opened. If your serious about starting business in this economy, good for you! There are some grants from the government that are available for a start up business. Check it out!

**CHAP** · 04-24-2009, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by calgarian

its independent ....It will be your normal Gym I was hoping for moe serious replies but I should hav seen that coming.

The gym that I started out in has been around 30years it's split up into 3 rooms front room is for the old foke. middle room is like any of the large gyms that has a mix of of stuff for annyone . Then as you walk to the back room it looks like the hardcore gyms you always dreamed of . Works out good for everyone. Guess he put us crazys in the back so we don't scare of the goody goodys .LOL

**Mooseman33** · 04-24-2009, 09:36 AM

i always wanted to open a gym, build it up and sell it to a large franshise..

how many members will u need a month to turn a six figure profit.. in ur business plan, how many memberships were ur goal?

good luck man, i envy u

**calgarian** · 04-24-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by mooseman33

i always wanted to open a gym, build it up and sell it to a large franshise..

how many members will u need a month to turn a six figure profit.. in ur business plan, how many memberships were ur goal?

good luck man, i envy u

Thats what I am trying to figure out. thanks man

**Shurik** · 04-24-2009, 10:55 AM

My buddy used to be a personal trainer at golds and now he opened up his own little gym. He said its slow as hell so I don't know how much longer he will stay open with this economy. Personally I don't see why people would wanna go to little gyms and limit yourself to equipment, when you can join golds for the same price.

**Shurik** · 04-24-2009, 11:02 AM

.....

**Shurik** · 04-24-2009, 11:03 AM

Double post

**Sir Lifts-a-lot** · 04-24-2009, 11:15 AM

The thing is today people want a lot for a little. You probably won't be able to compete with a Gold's or P.F. Their prices are just too damn low. I know a lot of 'hardcore' guys that used to work out at the same gym as me, and are now jumping ship to save some coin. If you can offer the selection, and amenities that a Gold's does at that price then you have something, but other then that it would be tough in my opinion right now.

**vpchill** · 04-24-2009, 11:50 AM

Look in your area for Wholesale Gym equipment. Not all advertise on web because they supply Large Gyms but will sell to smaller ones. Also check your local gym, Most places sell or disguard outdated or older model equipment. It would be start.

**scottythebody** · 04-24-2009, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Sir Lifts-a-lot

The thing is today people want a lot for a little. You probably won't be able to compete with a Gold's or P.F. Their prices are just too damn low. I know a lot of 'hardcore' guys that used to work out at the same gym as me, and are now jumping ship to save some coin. If you can offer the selection, and amenities that a Gold's does at that price then you have something, but other then that it would be tough in my opinion right now.

I just got something in the mail today from a chain gym I used to go to here in Vegas offering me a year for $12 a month. That would be nearly impossible for an independant gym owner to match

**Shurik** · 04-24-2009, 12:20 PM

I prepaid mine at golds so it came out to be 13 a month. I get good equipment, pool and some hot eye candy to look at in between sets. Just something to think about before jumping in a very competitive business.

**Shurik** · 04-24-2009, 02:25 PM

.....

**CMPD213** · 04-24-2009, 03:51 PM

I like cybex benches over others.. Plated dumbbells are the way to go IMO, instead of the solid ones. Also, make sure the free beches (incline, decline, flat, seated) are all fairly light, the gym i used to workout at those free benches weighed easily 50 pounds. Girls couldnt even move them on there own they needed help...

Depending on your target clientel and your location (go in other gyms around you and see who is working out) I'd say you need 8-10 treadmills, 6 ellipticals, 4 stationary bikes, and 2 rotating stairs.

Try to stay away from carpet where the weights are, put a rubber floor down where the free weights are and the cheap basement carpet stuff where the machines will be... Do you have a blueprint idea of what you want?