Gym in trouble?

[notgumbel]

I'd been entertaining thoughts of applying to become a trainer at the gym I attend, or if going independent (preferred) setting up an arrangement to train there occasionally, or at very least getting paid for referrals of new members.

However ... I'm getting a little worried about the stability of the place & wondering if I'm just jumping at shadows.

Facts:

- There are few if any employees now, other than the two contracted trainers. The owner and his partner work all front desk shifts and do weekend training themselves.

- After a renovation of the shopping plaza that ended two months ago, there is no external sign for the facility.

- At least one treadmill has been out of service for at least two weeks.

- The big new investment of the past year (flat screen video monitors, 2-3 to a room) is not working properly: music videos do not match the music from the speakers, and haven't for three weeks.

- Several older members, who were paying a lower price than most of us due to how long they've been there, were told to pay an increased rate; they promptly fled to the "Y."

- There are typically fewer than 10 people there at a time (realizing that it is less busy than the summer at times since school is now back in session).

- Free classes (spin, kickboxing, etc) are included in membership ... but at least half of them are canceled for the current month.

- The two trainers appear to have a lot more free time.

I'm concerned as a member, but not so badly because I'm on a month-to-month membership. But I don't want to refer someone for membership etc, have the place fail, and then have that blow back on me.

Thoughts?

[LouV]

Apply anyway. You really can't tell if the place will turn around or go under. If it turns around, you'll have some seniority when they start hiring more people. If they go under, you're not the financial stragegist. Your clients see what you see and are just as responsible for making a decision to join. They can't/shouldn't blame you if something goes wrong. Plus, if you go to work at a place that 'looks' like their in good financial shape, it doesn't mean they are. ANYONE can go out of business in this economy.

[JulianBee]

You really can't be sure unless you see the gyms financials. I worked for a gym 5 years ago that had over 500 members and they closed up shop out of the blue.

[jando]

Originally Posted by notgumbel

I'd been entertaining thoughts of applying to become a trainer at the gym I attend, or if going independent (preferred) setting up an arrangement to train there occasionally, or at very least getting paid for referrals of new members.

However ... I'm getting a little worried about the stability of the place & wondering if I'm just jumping at shadows.

Facts:

- There are few if any employees now, other than the two contracted trainers. The owner and his partner work all front desk shifts and do weekend training themselves.

- After a renovation of the shopping plaza that ended two months ago, there is no external sign for the facility.

- At least one treadmill has been out of service for at least two weeks.

- The big new investment of the past year (flat screen video monitors, 2-3 to a room) is not working properly: music videos do not match the music from the speakers, and haven't for three weeks.

- Several older members, who were paying a lower price than most of us due to how long they've been there, were told to pay an increased rate; they promptly fled to the "Y."

- There are typically fewer than 10 people there at a time (realizing that it is less busy than the summer at times since school is now back in session).

- Free classes (spin, kickboxing, etc) are included in membership ... but at least half of them are canceled for the current month.

- The two trainers appear to have a lot more free time.

I'm concerned as a member, but not so badly because I'm on a month-to-month membership. But I don't want to refer someone for membership etc, have the place fail, and then have that blow back on me.

Thoughts?

That business won't be there a year from now I can promise you that. You also want a place you can field new business at. This obviously isn' that place. You will spend time setting up a business to only have them fail without giving you notice. You want a place that people are going to be feeling good if services are being taken it sounds like a depressing environent and not the type of place you want to doing business

[McJimmie]

Alternatively, you might have the opportunity to purchase a fully equipped gym at a knock down price !

[BSCSCS]

Things do NOT look good. How long has that gym been there? What kind of location is it?

[notgumbel]

Originally Posted by McJimmie

Alternatively, you might have the opportunity to purchase a fully equipped gym at a knock down price !

Now there's an idea ... LOL

Originally Posted by BSCSCS

Things do NOT look good. How long has that gym been there? What kind of location is it?

I'm not sure how long in total it has been there ... it had been there for a while before I joined 2 years ago. (did not live in this town until then)

It's located in a small shopping plaza, the other tenants being discount department stores, rent-to-own business, a couple restaurants, and a few other smaller undertakings.

The only other gyms in town are Curves and the Y, although a sparkling new complex opened up about 10 miles north. This area is really growing and folks obviously have the $$ to spend on fitness.

Originally Posted by JulianBee

You really can't be sure unless you see the gyms financials. I worked for a gym 5 years ago that had over 500 members and they closed up shop out of the blue.

True ... that's why I'm soliciting some input to see if I'm being negative or seeing something that's not there.