Any gym owners out there?

**Eazy20** · 06-21-2011, 10:34 AM

Hey guys, so it's always kind of been a dream of mine to own my own facility, and now that I'm coming into quite a bit of cash soon, my dream is starting to seem like it could be a potential reality for me. I am a young guy and am eager to learn the in's and outs of the business and I was just wondering if there are any gym owners out there who could chime in on what it's like. What start up costs were like, what it's like competing with some of these big chains (such as world and golds gym), etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking to open up something that combines my two passions. Lifting and boxing. Was thinking of having a full exercise floor with a specific area dedicated to boxing with heavy bags, speed bags, a ring, etc. Anyway, thanks for any input guys.

-Eazy

**Kawigirl** · 06-21-2011, 10:51 AM

I know they're opening everywhere....across the world. Snap Fitness

My friend and competitor opened one 3 years ago...and is doing well. He just opened another a few months back....
I am a member...and love the concept of no contract...and a true 24 -7!

Being a franchise takes all that unknown work out at the beginning...drawback is franchise fee...but worth a peak

***D7M*** · 06-21-2011, 10:53 AM

You should name it "Fina Fitness"

**Twist** · 06-21-2011, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Eazy20

Hey guys, so it's always kind of been a dream of mine to own my own facility, and now that I'm coming into quite a bit of cash soon, my dream is starting to seem like it could be a potential reality for me. I am a young guy and am eager to learn the in's and outs of the business and I was just wondering if there are any gym owners out there who could chime in on what it's like. What start up costs were like, what it's like competing with some of these big chains (such as world and golds gym), etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking to open up something that combines my two passions. Lifting and boxing. Was thinking of having a full exercise floor with a specific area dedicated to boxing with heavy bags, speed bags, a ring, etc. Anyway, thanks for any input guys.

-Eazy

Golds gym is like 7-800,000 franchise fee. You can do the whole boxing thing though. Golds/crunch would be a good bet. You can start on your own but like Kawi said, you have a lot to learn in the beginning and owning a franchise helps a lot. If you go solo make sure you have a niche that you can roll with and don't try to be a low cost producer. Have something that others don't (boxing classes etc). Most importantly, don't hire friends and family. It will prevent you from running a business the way a business needs to be run.

**Hazard** · 06-21-2011, 11:46 AM

it's not golds and world gym you hafta worry about..... it's places like planet fitness, retro fitness, snap fitness..... etc.

They have found a way to sucker the people out of those big gyms..... low fee's, no contracts, late hours. Yah gotta remember - you may love a gym with a boxing ring in it..... but how many people in your area would feel the same? Would you charge one set fee for gym time and boxing time? Not everyone is going to want to take boxing classes.

To be sucessful you need to think of something that would target the majority of the people in the targeted area yet the other gyms don't have......

~Haz~

**Twist** · 06-21-2011, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Hazard

it's not golds and world gym you hafta worry about..... it's places like planet fitness, retro fitness, snap fitness..... etc.

They have found a way to sucker the people out of those big gyms..... low fee's, no contracts, late hours. Yah gotta remember - you may love a gym with a boxing ring in it..... but how many people in your area would feel the same? Would you charge one set fee for gym time and boxing time? Not everyone is going to want to take boxing classes.

To be sucessful you need to think of something that would target the majority of the people in the targeted area yet the other gyms don't have......

~Haz~

If you open a golds gym in an area where there is an average income of 40-50k, then yeah planet or another low cost producer will come in a swoop up your business. If you open in an affluent area you will be much more likely to do well. Open near a school, and offer things that planet won't. These low cost producers don't offer much and when you show the place around just point that out. It's easy to sell people on nice gyms. Don't try to compete with them and you won't have a problem. Those places offer very little and will never help people achieve their goals. If I'm working at Golds and there is a planet near by I'll explain how the other place doesn't offer X equipment and they try to make their clients fatter by handing out pizza and they are even being sued for discrimination. Those places are so easy to tear apart its a joke.
"The way that place is headed, they won't be around for long. This deal won't last either. So did you want the X or the Y deal?"

**gixxerboy1** · 06-21-2011, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

If you open a golds gym in an area where there is an average income of 40-50k, then yeah planet or another low cost producer will come in a swoop up your business. If you open in an affluent area you will be much more likely to do well. Open near a school, and offer things that planet won't. These low cost producers don't offer much and when you show the place around just point that out. It's easy to sell people on nice gyms. Don't try to compete with them and you won't have a problem. Those places offer very little and will never help people achieve their goals. If I'm working at Golds and there is a planet near by I'll explain how the other place doesn't offer X equipment and they try to make their clients fatter by handing out pizza and they are even being sued for discrimination. Those places are so easy to tear apart its a joke.
"The way that place is headed, they won't be around for long. This deal won't last either. So did you want the X or the Y deal?"

and a large % of people with gym memberships arent serious. So the equipment planet offers is more then enough for them. Also they doubt their commitment to working out so a lower rate is a good thing since they doubt they will even stick with it.

I've been in the fitness industry for years. From personal training, to managing a gym and working for the companies that make fitness equipment. I would NEVER open a gym. The cost involved to open one isnt worth the ROI

I used to have a warehouse were i would buy equipment from gyms going out and resell them.