FITNESS FRANCHISES

So, what is all the fuss about with fitness franchises? You see them popping up left and right in cities all around the country. There is no doubt the fitness industry is booming and the franchise concept has made it possible for just about anyone to be able to jump on this bandwagon. But knowing what fitness franchise is right for you, means doing a little research. If you are seriously considering getting in this industry and possibly owning your own fitness club, don’t jump at the first club that pops up. It’s not about the biggest or most recognized gym. In this industry a small club that tailors to a local market, can compete just as well with the big boys. The question is which gym franchise is right for you. Here are some things to consider as you begin your journey.

How much money is this really going to cost me?
All fitness franchises have a franchise fee that can range from $15K to over $50K. But in addition you need money to build out your club. Now this is important, many clubs do not provide much support as it regards to real estate, site selection, and lease contract negotiation. They may help assign you a realtor or will ask you to choose a realtor in your area, but do not get much involved in the actual negotiation. One thing we do for all our Zoo Health Club franchisees is help them get TI Money, otherwise known as tenant improvement money. As part of lease, this could help go towards your site buildout, maybe even your equipment. We have successfully done this for many of our franchisees and this separates us from the competition.

What about training?
Training is huge, especially if you have little to no experience in the fitness club industry. This is where some fitness franchises miss the mark. To really be successful in this industry you have to immerse yourself in the environment and be surrounded by experienced experts who have seen it all. Far too often the people behind a fitness franchise are entrepreneurs with a lot of business experience but not necessarily in the health club space. At Zoo Health Club, our leadership team has over 100 hundred years of experience and have even worked with legendary fitness guru and health club legend, Jack Lalanne. Our franchisees have access to this wealth of knowledge and experience so that they can be successful.

How much ongoing support do I need?
This is something you really need to ask yourself. If you are new to the industry you probably need a good amount of guidance and support. Some of the bigger clubs may be limited in what they actually do, especially if you are 1 of over 100 franchisees. In addition some of the experienced leaders of this franchise may not be accessible so you may be stuck with folks just answering your simple questions but not necessarily really helping you when a challenge does arise. Before you make any decisions, find out how the gym franchise’s support structure works.

What about Marketing?
This is a pretty big deal. Sure it’s great to have someone help you with the setup, equipment, real estate, etc… But when all that is said and done, you need people walking into your gym. Because gyms are so localized, national advertising like many of the large gyms do, may not necessarily bring you the local audience that you need. One thing we do for our Zoo Health Club franchisees, is provide great support with all types of marketing such as social media, email marketing, mailers, and more. It is vital that you inquire about this, as many other fitness franchisees can tell you, you are in charge of your own marketing. We do not believe that our franchisees should be left to fend for themselves in the unpredictable and ever changing world of marketing.

For more information on the exact cost of a Zoo Gym franchise and other details, we ask that you fill out the form below and request a Free Franchise Toolkit for Success. This will tell you everything you need to know so you can make an educated decision on whether this opportunity is right for you.