Gym Owners....

[kevinize]

What are your biggest challenges with owning and running a gym?

Also -

- What is the most common way you invest in growth? leaflets, referrals, digital etc.
- Are there any events you attend as a studio owner?
- Are there any magazines you read as a studio owner?
- Are there any particular websites you read as a studio owner?

I am asking because I am planning to open a gym in a year or 2, I would love to hear from experience.

Thanks a lot people.

Kev

[ironwill2008]

IN.


Haven't had one of these threads in here in a while.

[Domicron]

what research have you done so far? IW2K8 is right though, haven't had one of these in awhile now

[Bench905]

There are no challenges running a gym - it's like a money printing press.

[tonypearn]

I have debated this as well for the last few years. I think the biggest issue is the overhead. One, nice rental space is costly! And two, the equipment is all high! So, you enter into it with a a good bit of debt and overhead, meaning you need to bring in a lot of member fast or you lose money for several months. I am 100% in support of the idea, just need to be realistic I guess. It also depends on the area. My area is flooded with them but none of them are really good. Most people go to the **** Planet Fitness. But, a gym owner cannot possibly compete with them selling 10$ memberships. We all know they suck and why, but let's be honest it works for 90% of the gym goers. So, in my opinion, and I have been all over the world and lifted my entire life, I say you need a niche. You need something different that people will like. Find what that is and it can work. A place by about an hour from me just opened an old school lifting type gym and it seems to be taking off. All the powerlifters and bodybuilders are going there. But this is a small segment of the gym folks!

[keyboardworkout]

Kev,

It sounds like a Curves franchise is exactly what you are looking for.

[Redfish225]

There are no challenges running a gym - it's like a money printing press.

Except for that insurance thing that costs an arm, a leg and a left testicle.

[Domicron]

I have debated this as well for the last few years. I think the biggest issue is the overhead. One, nice rental space is costly! And two, the equipment is all high! So, you enter into it with a a good bit of debt and overhead, meaning you need to bring in a lot of member fast or you lose money for several months. I am 100% in support of the idea, just need to be realistic I guess. It also depends on the area. My area is flooded with them but none of them are really good. Most people go to the **** Planet Fitness. But, a gym owner cannot possibly compete with them selling 10$ memberships. We all know they suck and why, but let's be honest it works for 90% of the gym goers. So, in my opinion, and I have been all over the world and lifted my entire life, I say you need a niche. You need something different that people will like. Find what that is and it can work. A place by about an hour from me just opened an old school lifting type gym and it seems to be taking off. All the powerlifters and bodybuilders are going there. But this is a small segment of the gym folks!

with any business you need to set goals and you need to figure out who you're appealing to. if you want an old school gym then that's great, but you have to understand that you're not going to get nearly the number of members that a lifetime is going to get. and you need to give them a reason to stay with you instead of going somewhere cheaper. that means keeping some good equipment and probably hosting meets and events and such. that all comes with a big time commitment and the money for buying nicer stuff.

if you're looking to maximize revenue, then i think opening a big gym with plenty of treadmills and a pool is important, but then you've got to compete with all the big names first.

Except for that insurance thing that costs an arm, a leg and a left testicle.

when you put it that way it seems cheap...

[Mech6]

I am planning to open a gym in a year or 2

No, no you're not.

[urbanlifter]

Personally if I were going to open a gym it would be by following OSUdimond's method. Scour CL for numerous years stockpiling outrageous commercial deals and flipping equipment, build relationships with local trainers and develop your own credentials, while keeping initial start-up costs as low as possible. Then once you have established an equipment buying/selling operation large enough to support your lifestyle look outfit a gym that caters mainly to local trainers and a select group of individual memberships.

I could live out the rest of my days a happy man if I ever got up the courage to ditch my 9-5pm job. I enjoy the act of buying and selling equipment almost as much as I do training, but I know it's LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. OSU's location is a gold mine for used equipment, and it took him many years to put together his operation.

[KyleAaron]

Go and actually work in a gym for a few years. Learn while employed. Then you'll have some answers to the questions you have. By then, you might even have found the PT subforum on this site.

[AttyGuy]

Hate to not be part of this 5-star thread. . . .

[rpark]

My basement is a studio gym, I struggle to find attendees.... maybe I should attend a conference, read a magazine, or subscribe to a website chat room?

[CliveWarren]

I hear Slimmons in Beverly Hills recently closed. There may be an opportunity to reopen that gym and retain the clientele. Do you wear short shorts?

[cwcmac]

My basement is a studio gym, I struggle to find attendees.... maybe I should attend a conference, read a magazine, or subscribe to a website chat room?

I may be interested in joining. Do you have free pizza on Mondays at your gym?

[Seatard]

Why would I go to your gym Kev?

It's surely not because of the equipment. No shortage of great equipment to be found at a bargain. It's easy, people have garages and warehouses full of it for sale.

Probably not about location. Most cities have tons of empty commercial space for rent, plus I have a car.

Doubtful it will be the low fees. I pay $100 a month for the place I go to.

Ease and Convenience? I don't know, I have a home gym too.

So, what is it then?

[dragon360]

I hear Slimmons in Beverly Hills recently closed. There may be an opportunity to reopen that gym and retain the clientele. Do you wear short shorts?

You had me at short shorts.

[Domicron]

Doubtful it will be the low fees. I pay $100 a month for the place I go to.

lifetime fitness?

[C123C]

Making this simple:

Your constraint is space/equipment utilization. The more members you have the more profit you have. Your most profitable members are the ones who pay but don't show up and use anything - reason is they give you cash but don't move you closer to your constraint. Serious trainers are the worst as they routinely use the space/equipment and pay the same fee as the person not showing up.

Planet Fitness and those other gyms have fees low so that the guy/girl who joined but never shows up won't cancel as they "might" go back. They discourage more serious lifters so as not to run into their constraint. They feed people donuts and pizza...it's for a reason and not a good one. They have optimized their business angle but honestly it's unethical in my view and crossed the line to taking advantage of people.

You can't compete on price unless you open a franchise. If you compete on fancy equipment it has to be an uber high end elite facility (more style) in the right area. If you compete for hardcore trainers...while they can recognize good equipment, most don't have money (those that do have families and likely home gyms these days), and they use the hell out of stuff (constraint).

This is a very difficult business and people above are right to say you need to target a specific niche and strategy. Sports performance for kids/families, uber high end salon/boutique training center, etc....

[Seatard]

lifetime fitness?

Cycling specific training once a week with a coach. It's really $200 a month but the wife pays half.

[RestoringTally]

Making this simple:

Your constraint is space/equipment utilization. The more members you have the more profit you have. Your most profitable members are the ones who pay but don't show up and use anything - reason is they give you cash but don't move you closer to your constraint. Serious trainers are the worst as they routinely use the space/equipment and pay the same fee as the person not showing up.

Planet Fitness and those other gyms have fees low so that the guy/girl who joined but never shows up won't cancel as they "might" go back. They discourage more serious lifters so as not to run into their constraint. They feed people donuts and pizza...it's for a reason and not a good one. They have optimized their business angle but honestly it's unethical in my view and crossed the line to taking advantage of people.

You can't compete on price unless you open a franchise. If you compete on fancy equipment it has to be an uber high end elite facility (more style) in the right area. If you compete for hardcore trainers...while they can recognize good equipment, most don't have money (those that do have families and likely home gyms these days), and they use the hell out of stuff (constraint).

This is a very difficult business and people above are right to say you need to target a specific niche and strategy. Sports performance for kids/families, uber high end salon/boutique training center, etc....

Solid points. You, sir, are on spread.

In my area, East Tennessee, a lot of gyms have opened in the past few years. Some cater to young (student) athletes. Several are open 24/7 and are self-serve for most hours. There are a few new power lifting gyms. Several Crossfit gyms have closed and others have opened. The local paper recently did an article about local gyms (not available on-line) and the bigger gyms average just over 100 members per employee. Only a few averaged more than 150 members per employee (mostly the 24/7 self-serve gyms). I don't see how they make any money, considering their overhead. But it would be a fun hobby-business.

[Runlifteat]

A bump to the original question;

What are some cool accessories I can add to my gym? Not necessarily equiptment, but moreso along the lines of things like more resistance bands, chains, and things of that nature. Any and all ideas are appreciated!

[Synthetickiller]

Buy a Power Pohl:












Why is this thread being bumped?!

[BYOBB]

Buy a Power Pohl:












Why is this thread being bumped?!

I've never seen Powerpohl Buffalo Bar deadlifts before. But now I have.

[401Delta]

What are your biggest challenges with owning and running a gym?


- Are there any events you attend as a studio owner?

Kev

The best information I've found is from Thomas Plummer and Associates (he's a fitness management consultant).

I used to be in your shoes years ago and had been planning on opening a gym of my own, too. I attended one of his seminars and it definitely opened my eyes as to what works and what doesn't in the fitness industry. I ultimately ended up going to his business school and every other course he offered over the course of two years.

Needless to say, after learning everything that I did, the thought of owning (and managing) a commercial gym wasn't so appealing anymore, lol. I think he recommends small group training centers these days, instead of a big box gym...a better return on your investment.

[HeyThatTickles]

What are your biggest challenges with owning and running a gym?

Also -

- What is the most common way you invest in growth? leaflets, referrals, digital etc.
- Are there any events you attend as a studio owner?
- Are there any magazines you read as a studio owner?
- Are there any particular websites you read as a studio owner?

I am asking because I am planning to open a gym in a year or 2, I would love to hear from experience.

Thanks a lot people.

Kev

Kev, I'm following your thread - hopefully you get some more replies. I got shouted down in the Trainers section so maybe there will be friendlier folks here. I am also looking to channel some of my business knowledge into a gym/ fitness center opening early '19.

I have about 25 years of experience in management and business development and there are a few universal truths that any business owner can benefit from. If your business caters to a specific local community, you personally need to be visible in that community. I don't mean you need to be mayor, but you need to get out of the building and talk with people at other networking events, local coffee shops, pubs, chamber of commerce, networking groups, etc. Radio works but it's a blunt instrument. Nothing beats the human touch. I built a very successful small business by always having business cards on me and making a goal of talking with at least 10 people every day. Business cards are cheap and conversations are free. If it's someone I didn't know, I always handed them a card. Not every one of them will become a customer, but you've planted the seed with those people. You become known for what it is you do, and then when you have a big open house or some kind of promotion people are more likely to want to find out more.

I belong to 3 chambers of commerce and I go to every event they have. There are also paid networking groups like BNI. About 10 years ago I took over my father's sign shop when he retired and joined a local BNI. It fueled my company's growth to open a second location and build a very successful online store that I still own. Sponsor a road race or golf tournament or community event. It will cost a few hundred dollars or more but the visibility and networking connections are worth it.

You've gotten some sound advice in this thread and also a lot of stupid cracks. Ignore the jokers and focus on the good advice. Find your angle and promote the hell out of it. Most importantly, connect your niche with the story of your business and people will connect with it. They definitely won't connect with the zit-faced 19 year old, third string basketball flunky who sits behind the counter at Planet Fitness making minimum wage.

If there are franchises in your area, then there is a market for your gym, and customers want choice. If you can stick it out, you will only have to compete with franchises for a little while before customers get wise to the angle. People get sick of Burger King eventually. Yes, its cheap and they sell a lot of burgers, but people eventually discover the quality difference and will need a change. Don't worry about Planet Fitness - they are a flash in the pan. A new franchise just opened in my area last year and they are already hemorrhaging members. It's a poorly run company with a horrible reputation and an unsustainable business model. They are more focused on selling franchises than building customer relationships.

[ironwill2008]

Kev, I'm following your thread - hopefully you get some more replies. I got shouted down in the Trainers section so maybe there will be friendlier folks here. I am also looking to channel some of my business knowledge into a gym/ fitness center opening early '19.

I have about 25 years of experience in management and business development and there are a few universal truths that any business owner can benefit from. If your business caters to a specific local community, you personally need to be visible in that community. I don't mean you need to be mayor, but you need to get out of the building and talk with people at other networking events, local coffee shops, pubs, chamber of commerce, networking groups, etc. Radio works but it's a blunt instrument. Nothing beats the human touch. I built a very successful small business by always having business cards on me and making a goal of talking with at least 10 people every day. Business cards are cheap and conversations are free. If it's someone I didn't know, I always handed them a card. Not every one of them will become a customer, but you've planted the seed with those people. You become known for what it is you do, and then when you have a big open house or some kind of promotion people are more likely to want to find out more.

I belong to 3 chambers of commerce and I go to every event they have. There are also paid networking groups like BNI. About 10 years ago I took over my father's sign shop when he retired and joined a local BNI. It fueled my company's growth to open a second location and build a very successful online store that I still own. Sponsor a road race or golf tournament or community event. It will cost a few hundred dollars or more but the visibility and networking connections are worth it.

You've gotten some sound advice in this thread and also a lot of stupid cracks. Ignore the jokers and focus on the good advice. Find your angle and promote the hell out of it. Most importantly, connect your niche with the story of your business and people will connect with it. They definitely won't connect with the zit-faced 19 year old, third string basketball flunky who sits behind the counter at Planet Fitness making minimum wage.

If there are franchises in your area, then there is a market for your gym, and customers want choice. If you can stick it out, you will only have to compete with franchises for a little while before customers get wise to the angle. People get sick of Burger King eventually. Yes, its cheap and they sell a lot of burgers, but people eventually discover the quality difference and will need a change. Don't worry about Planet Fitness - they are a flash in the pan. A new franchise just opened in my area last year and they are already hemorrhaging members. It's a poorly run company with a horrible reputation and an unsustainable business model. They are more focused on selling franchises than building customer relationships.

You received pointed, solid, relevant advice in that forum from two of the most experienced posters here who are currently in the business in which you propose to engage. You'd do well to re-read every word they posted.



Planet Fitness is a "flash in the pan?" Are you serious? They, above all other franchised fitness centers, have found the perfect formula for making money in this business, and have been doing so since the early '90s.









Good luck meeting your fitness goals for the future.

[Cleveland33]

Kev, I'm following your thread - hopefully you get some more replies. I got shouted down in the Trainers section so maybe there will be friendlier folks here. I am also looking to channel some of my business knowledge into a gym/ fitness center opening early '19.

I have about 25 years of experience in management and business development and there are a few universal truths that any business owner can benefit from. If your business caters to a specific local community, you personally need to be visible in that community. I don't mean you need to be mayor, but you need to get out of the building and talk with people at other networking events, local coffee shops, pubs, chamber of commerce, networking groups, etc. Radio works but it's a blunt instrument. Nothing beats the human touch. I built a very successful small business by always having business cards on me and making a goal of talking with at least 10 people every day. Business cards are cheap and conversations are free. If it's someone I didn't know, I always handed them a card. Not every one of them will become a customer, but you've planted the seed with those people. You become known for what it is you do, and then when you have a big open house or some kind of promotion people are more likely to want to find out more.

I belong to 3 chambers of commerce and I go to every event they have. There are also paid networking groups like BNI. About 10 years ago I took over my father's sign shop when he retired and joined a local BNI. It fueled my company's growth to open a second location and build a very successful online store that I still own. Sponsor a road race or golf tournament or community event. It will cost a few hundred dollars or more but the visibility and networking connections are worth it.

You've gotten some sound advice in this thread and also a lot of stupid cracks. Ignore the jokers and focus on the good advice. Find your angle and promote the hell out of it. Most importantly, connect your niche with the story of your business and people will connect with it. They definitely won't connect with the zit-faced 19 year old, third string basketball flunky who sits behind the counter at Planet Fitness making minimum wage.

If there are franchises in your area, then there is a market for your gym, and customers want choice. If you can stick it out, you will only have to compete with franchises for a little while before customers get wise to the angle. People get sick of Burger King eventually. Yes, its cheap and they sell a lot of burgers, but people eventually discover the quality difference and will need a change. Don't worry about Planet Fitness - they are a flash in the pan. A new franchise just opened in my area last year and they are already hemorrhaging members. It's a poorly run company with a horrible reputation and an unsustainable business model. They are more focused on selling franchises than building customer relationships.

Mr. HeyThatTickles, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this thread is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

[Cleveland33]

You received pointed, solid, relevant advice in that forum from two of the most experienced posters here who are currently in the business in which you propose to engage. You'd do well to re-read every word they posted.

Planet Fitness is a "flash in the pan?" Are you serious? They, above all other franchised fitness centers, have found the perfect formula for making money in this business, and have been doing so since the early '90s.

Good luck meeting your fitness goals for the future.

Thanks a lot, I went looking and found this:

Planet Fitness about 15 miles away has their "$10/mo" deal but I can't see how the economics of that work out. Any insight here?

you don't understand the economics of Planet Fitness and plan to open a gym within their territory? And then later call them a flash in the pan you won't have to compete with long term?

You need to stop networking and do your marketing research.

[Synthetickiller]

People are sick with Burger King & have voiced their opinion with $9.7B in sales last year. People are clearly sick of this franchise.
Same with Planet Fitness. The franchise is only expanding it's income in double digit percentage points. 12% gain from 2016 to 2017 in Q3? Nah, they are doing really poorly.

I want to know, does "heythattickles" even lift?