How To Start a Fitness Center

So you are thinking about starting a fitness center. There are many things to take into consideration and we are going to walk you through some of the most important ones. Above all, know this, having a fitness center can be an extremely gratifying experience and you will not regret it.

Business Plan

Before you start any business you should have a plan and a fitness club is no different. If you have never done a business plan before do not discouraged. There are multiple templates on-line, some more detailed than others. How in-depth you want to go is up to you. If you are seeking for funding from a bank or investors, they are most likely going to want to see a lot of detail. But the business plan is also a tool for you to sort out your business idea and put some color around it. In the case of a fitness club some of the things you want to ask yourself are as follows:

  • How will this health club be different than others?
  • What is the target audience I want to focus on?
  • What is the prime location for my club?
  • What will be my strategy to attract members?
  • What is an estimate of the costs to open and run a club?
  • What are the potential revenue sources and estimated monthly income?

Location, Location, Location

Like any retail business, location is extremely important. This could either make or break your club. Finding the perfect place at the right cost could be a daunting task and you will more often than not, need the help of commercial realtors with experience. The real estate transaction in itself is a huge factor for your success. Negotiating tenant improvements or deferment of the initial payments could give you the kick start you need to get the ball rolling. Don’t be afraid to seek the help of professionals.

Buildout

As tempting as it is to go through the least expensive route, you want make sure you use licensed contractors that are going to not cut any corners and build out your club quickly and on-time. Permits are required and they should know exactly what is needed per city code. You should also be proactive and visit the local City Hall to get the city codes and provisions for yourself.

Equipment

Where do I buy equipment and is their financing? These are all questions you will be asking yourself. There are a few companies such as CYBEX and LIfe Fitness that offer both new and used equipment for clubs. They can also assist with directing you to the right financing options. The important thing is to shop around and do not make any decisions until have you received at the very least 5 quotes.

Operations

If you have no experience in running a health club you definitely want to rely on the experience of others. As easy as it may seem there are many aspects to running a club successfully and maximizing all revenue opportunities. A good GM with experience running your club, could get you nice profits. A bad one will have directly opposite effects.

Marketing

Marketing your club effectively is perhaps one of the most important pieces for a successful health club. Don’t hesitate to seek the help of experts that understand digital and traditional forms of marketing. So many health clubs do not invest in marketing because they feel is not within the budget. However, without marketing you will not have an increase in sales. So many business spend money on the wrong forms of marketing and give up on marketing. Don’t make this mistake.

Here at the Zoo Health Club, we are passionate about what we do. We encourage everyone to take part in this amazing industry and for those that are open to learning about our franchise investment opportunity, you can learn more by clicking here: http://www.zoogym.com/franchise-opportunities or watch the video below.