Thinking about opening a small gym in a small town.

[william10316]

I have been obsessed with the thought of opening a gym in my home town. The town is very small with about 6,000 people. There are other towns that are very close but also very small. The town does have two gym's. One is pretty nice but is not 24 hours. The other is pretty run down but is 24 hours. The price for the nice gym is $40 a month. Not sure about the other. I want to open a gym a bit bigger then the others and Provide more with a cheaper price. The other towns that are close do not have gyms. Do you think it could work?

[2MoreRepz]

carpet or rubber floors?

[Stasher1]

In a town with a population of 6k and two other gyms/fitness centers, why would you even consider opening a third one?

[deapee]

We have 17,000 people in my town -- and 3 gyms. My gym is 24 hours. Pretty much from 10PM to 5AM, it's pretty empty.

During standard busy times, like 5AM to 7:30 AM, it's pretty packed and 5PM to 7PM as well.

Most of the people there (probably like 80-90%) are there for a cardio class or a spin class. Whatever your intended audience are, you *need* to appeal to the masses to have money to support and operate the business. Those (estimated) 80-90% of people that just do it for spin/cardio class are there to provide operational costs, etc.

If you don't have cardio and spin classes, you're just probably not going to fill up your roster.

I mean there's nothing wrong with starting small -- get the typical stuff you need and only open during typical hours. To be open 24 hours is a big leap...and you need a client base to justify it. 8 hours a night times 7 nights a week times 10 dollars an hour is $2,408 a month just to pay for just one full time shift those nights. To put that number into perspective, if you had 100 members at $20 a month, you're pulling in $2,000 a month before paying tax, electric, and other business expenses.

Not to mention, switching gyms is a big deal -- people get used to the layout, the equipment, etc etc...so any prospective member needs to be given a reason to make the switch....saving 10 dollars a month may not even be enough for them to think about it.

--

Don't get me wrong, if you have the money to pour into it, and can operate at a loss for a decent period of time, you could put all the other gyms out of business, no doubt about it.
But if you don't, start small, get a good trainer or two, and let word of mouth get out...adjust business strategies as business picks up.

[Hardgains88]

set a high end exclusive feel to the gym to set yourself apart form the competition... I understand the deeper the shag on the carpet, the statistically higher the chance of success when it comes to gyms! LOL

[cwcmac]

set a high end exclusive feel to the gym to set yourself apart form the competition... I understand the deeper the shag on the carpet, the statistically higher the chance of success when it comes to gyms! LOL

Calling it the Shag House may also open it up to an entirely new demographic

[urbanlifter]

Don't forget the most important marketing tool for opening a new gym, network with local strip club owners and offer up free memberships to all female employees. If you build it, men will come.....

[Domicron]

Don't forget the most important marketing tool for opening a new gym, network with local strip club owners and offer up free memberships to all female employees. If you build it, men will come.....

has it been confirmed that a gym, any gym, has actually done this?

i mean, i've heard it espoused many times; i'm just wondering if it's actually been done

[chadsalt]

In a town with a population of 6k and two other gyms/fitness centers, why would you even consider opening a third one?

^^^ x2

[drrickso]

has it been confirmed that a gym, any gym, has actually done this?

i mean, i've heard it espoused many times; i'm just wondering if it's actually been done

Pain & Gain
https://theseventhart.info/2015/05/2...ronger-faster/

[urbanlifter]

In all honesty, I had thought of this tactic thought before watching that movie (when I thought about opening a gym). When I saw 'Pain and Gain' I laughed hard because it makes so much sense. Along with carrying around free month membership cards with you everywhere you go, and randomly handing them to attractive women in the area. Seriously you are not going to find this @ Planet Fitness, 'The real reason crossfit is so popular'......

[william10316]

I have been obsessed with the thought of opening a gym in my home town. The town is very small with about 6,000 people. There are other towns that are very close but also very small. The town does have two gym's. One is pretty nice but is not 24 hours. The other is pretty run down but is 24 hours. The price for the nice gym is $40 a month. Not sure about the other. I want to open a gym a bit bigger then the others and Provide more with a cheaper price. The other towns that are close do not have gyms. Do you think it could work?

In a town with a population of 6k and two other gyms/fitness centers, why would you even consider opening a third one?

Like i had said the other two are very small and I feel i could up the game. Other towns are very close with no gyms. The reason I posted on here was to see if anyone else has had the same dilemma and see if they are doing good. The town I live in is growing fast and i personally think it needs a nice gym. I was thinking of having two main rooms for weights. One room being mainly for Olympic style lifting and the other with mainly just machines. then obviously the cardio. I wanted to hit two birds with one stone. Having a room for more family oriented theme then the other being for the guys who take it serious. Not 100% on this idea I still have another year left of school.

[cwcmac]

Like i had said the other two are very small and I feel i could up the game. Other towns are very close with no gyms. The reason I posted on here was to see if anyone else has had the same dilemma and see if they are doing good. The town I live in is growing fast and i personally think it needs a nice gym. I was thinking of having two main rooms for weights. One room being mainly for Olympic style lifting and the other with mainly just machines. then obviously the cardio. I wanted to hit two birds with one stone. Having a room for more family oriented theme then the other being for the guys who take it serious. Not 100% on this idea I still have another year left of school.

This forum is primarily, I believe, for people with home gyms/equipment aficionados so the cost is either subsidized by flipping or within people's personal budgets. That is much, much different than the massive capital outlay that a new gym would require.

I just can't see getting into the industry given the risk, high closure rates and massive amount of capital unless you have a wealthy backer that is willing to subsidize a significant amount of cash and heavily share in the risk.

[Domicron]

if you're serious, then start by finding out how much insurance is going to cost you. it's going to be huge, and that's before someone hurts themselves and you need to use it. then find a space and start looking at equipment.

[william10316]

This forum is primarily, I believe, for people with home gyms/equipment aficionados so the cost is either subsidized by flipping or within people's personal budgets. That is much, much different than the massive capital outlay that a new gym would require.

I just can't see getting into the industry given the risk, high closure rates and massive amount of capital unless you have a wealthy backer that is willing to subsidize a significant amount of cash and heavily share in the risk.

This is my first time posting on here. Was not sure where to post. Money is not my issue for opening the business. Any sites that could give me a idea on how much equipment cost, something that primarily sells in bulks to opening gyms

[Domicron]

This is my first time posting on here. Was not sure where to post. Money is not my issue for opening the business. Any sites that could give me a idea on how much equipment cost, something that primarily sells in bulks to opening gyms

it will be

[Stasher1]

Like i had said the other two are very small and I feel i could up the game. Other towns are very close with no gyms. The reason I posted on here was to see if anyone else has had the same dilemma and see if they are doing good. The town I live in is growing fast and i personally think it needs a nice gym. I was thinking of having two main rooms for weights. One room being mainly for Olympic style lifting and the other with mainly just machines. then obviously the cardio. I wanted to hit two birds with one stone. Having a room for more family oriented theme then the other being for the guys who take it serious. Not 100% on this idea I still have another year left of school.

If you're dead set on this, I'd suggest buying out, or partnering with, one of the existing gyms in town.

[Bench905]

Any sites that could give me a idea on how much equipment cost

Wow. Sounds like you're pretty far along in this process.

[ironwill2008]

I have been obsessed with the thought of opening a gym in my home town. The town is very small with about 6,000 people. There are other towns that are very close but also very small. The town does have two gym's. One is pretty nice but is not 24 hours. The other is pretty run down but is 24 hours. The price for the nice gym is $40 a month. Not sure about the other. I want to open a gym a bit bigger then the others and Provide more with a cheaper price. The other towns that are close do not have gyms. Do you think it could work?

It's nice to dream, but you're not being at all realistic, OP.

[Northernmoris]

The average gym costs somewhere is the ballpark of 500,000-1,000,000 when buying new everything. Its a dying buisness and almost every gym owner will tell you its not profitable but more headache and passion.

[Domicron]

its not profitable but more headache and passion.

i think many people want to own their own business, but that this is true for every successful business: anyone can have a dream, and anyone can be passionate, but profit comes from true dedication.

if you really want to do this, you'll spend a lot of time learning about a lot of things, not just "where i can buy my gym equipment in bulk?"

[Northernmoris]

i think many people want to own their own business, but that this is true for every successful business: anyone can have a dream, and anyone can be passionate, but profit comes from true dedication.

if you really want to do this, you'll spend a lot of time learning about a lot of things, not just "where i can buy my gym equipment in bulk?"

Its not true dedication that brings profit in this business. I've talked to many gym owners and have come across many articles regarding this. Sure anything is possible, but many of these successful gym owners are saying they still live check to check and sometimes break their as$ to bust even. Planet Fitness is the Home Depot of the fitness industry, putting the little guys out of business.

http://jasonferruggia.com/the-7-bigg...m-owners-make/
http://greatist.com/fitness/21-most-innovative-gyms-us. (NO 4 is close to my place)
http://unitedfitnessmarketing.com/ho...okie-mistakes/


OSODiamond did a killer job and busted his ass.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...iamond+fitness

[Domicron]

Its not true dedication that brings profit in this business. I've talked to many gym owners and have come across many articles regarding this. Sure anything is possible, but many of these successful gym owners are saying they still live check to check and sometimes break their as$ to bust even. Planet Fitness is the Home Depot of the fitness industry, putting the little guys out of business.

http://jasonferruggia.com/the-7-bigg...m-owners-make/
http://greatist.com/fitness/21-most-innovative-gyms-us. (NO 4 is close to my place)
http://unitedfitnessmarketing.com/ho...okie-mistakes/


OSODiamond did a killer job and busted his ass.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...iamond+fitness

you have a point, and i think i mispoke earlier. what i meant to say is that you gotta love what you're doing, because it's a ton of work, no matter how successful or profitable the business is.

[Hardgains88]

Im always weary of inexperienced younger people who say "money is not an issue" and find it hard to believe OP is in any position to actually do this. I would just think if it was a real possibility he would have been willing to do the smallest amount of research... like i don't know, contacting a few equipment manufacturers to inquire on lease / purchase programs.
How could you be serious and not even speak to a single manufacturers Rep? It seems more like "It would be cool to pretend I am opening a gym" and seeing what people say. I could be wrong, but unless you have inherited a bunch of money or have ridiculousely indulgent parents who like loosing money.
no one with enough money would even think about talking to you about a half mill plus investment with ZERO business plan, knowledge in the field, work experience, and obvious lack of work ethic shown by not having had enough initiative to do anything more intensive then post a question on a internet forum! I have had dozens of ideas pitched to me over the years and none with so little actual substance. Not trying to be a dick, just real talk!

[qaz123]

The absolute key to success for a fitness center is not the people or equipment or even the price.

The key is the location. Both from the side of the fitness center owner and the side of the public.

For the owner it has to be good value per square foot. You have to haggle to get a great deal which a good commercial lawyer can help with.

For the public it has to primarily be convenient. Conveniently close to where they live or work.

And have lots and easy parking. Poor parking has put more gyms out of business than anything.

[agrisci]

Never over saturate a market. Even large corporations make this error. Do your research but I would advise against this. Even if you did the franchise model, I do not see it taking off.

[SomeIronBoy]

I agree with those above, it's fairly hard to start a gym up let alone running it without a partner or having some knowledge. BUT if you were to continue with starting up a gym either buy a pre existing or there's bulk equipment on ebay that you can purchase used for around 100k-150k. Also have plenty of cardio, treadmills and spin bikes. The powerhouse in my area has a bunch of cardio (like a lot more then a bunch), around 15 selectorized machines/smith machine, and a very small room that has free weights/ power racks bumpers etc.

[AttyGuy]

I have been obsessed with the thought of opening a gym in my home town. The town is very small with about 6,000 people. There are other towns that are very close but also very small. The town does have two gym's. One is pretty nice but is not 24 hours. The other is pretty run down but is 24 hours. The price for the nice gym is $40 a month. Not sure about the other. I want to open a gym a bit bigger then the others and Provide more with a cheaper price. The other towns that are close do not have gyms. Do you think it could work?

You need the advices?

[drrickso]

You need the advices?

It's not hard for you to give him... the wrong advices.

[AttyGuy]

It's not hard for you to give him... the wrong advices.

Yes, hear me now and believe me later.