How to Open a Gym 1-2-3
If you want to open a gym or fitness club, you have several options. First of all, there's your typical
body-building gym. In addition there are fitness centers that target specific markets like men, women or
children.
There are also gyms centered around certain sports like rock climbing, or dance. You can also start a
fitness club that is not necessarily surrounded by 4 walls, like a walking club or boot camp
business.
You can start your own unique gym, and there are also a wide variety of fitness franchises that you can launch.
The first step is to decide which kind activities you want to offer and where you want your gym or fitness
club to be located. Location is important because a convenient, high traffic location can bring you many more
customers and cost you significantly less in advertising.
Next, compile a business plan. Your plan can be basic or complex, but having an outline written down will
help you launch and manage your company effectively because you have a format to follow. You can find sample
plans on the internet which can help you create your own.
See a free samples here: Multi-Sport Complex | Rock
Climbing Gym Download >> Gym Business Plan
Putting together a plan will help you figure out the money that you need in starting a gym. You also
discover the marketing required to help you reach your income goals. (Not to mention, if you need to obtain
financing for opening a fitness center, a business plan is essential.)
How to Start a Gym or Fitness Club
Bottom line: if you want to open a gym, learn how from someone who has already done it. By doing this, you
can avoid many of the common money-sucking pitfalls and at the same time, speed up your business success.
The "Become a Fitness Club Owner" start-up guide contains advice from a team of fitness business
professionals and experts, including Kevin Betts, Chief Operating Officer of Fitness Together. Learn from their
knowledge and years of experience so that you can minimize your risk and maximize your success in your own
fitness business.
See what you get >>
How to Get Started: naming your gym,
finding a profitable location with ample space and good design, tips for obtaining financing, choosing
the best legal structure, equipment and supplies you need and more.
- Running Your Business: how to set prices and accept payments from clients, how to hire staff and
trainers, plus time-saving and cost effective systems for operating your fitness club on a daily
basis.
- How to Get Customers: How to get free publicity, attract referrals, develop effective
promotional materials and proven strategies to market your gym or fitness club to your target market.
- Plus sample floor plans, lease agreements, budgets, business forms, checklists and lots more
How to Start a Gym
Gym Start-Up Checklist:
1. Get the business licenses you need from your city's government office. Many cities and counties have their owne websites. You
can also call or walk into the the offices to get the information and applications you need. Also, register
your business name with the county clerk.
2. Open a business bank account so that you can keep the expenses and income from your accounting
business separate from your personal account.
3. Lease or buy commercial space for your business. In short, you want to
be near complementary businesses that are profitable. Drive around areas that you are interested in.
Notice traffic patterns, upcoming planned construction, where your competitors are located and even
parking situations.
Working with a commercial real estate broker will help you find vacancies and calulate rents that your business
can afford. If you need to put together contracts or legal documents of any kind (ie commercial lease agreement), you can get low-cost online assistance from a variety of
qualified legal services for small businesses.
4. Find out which types of business insurance you need. You can access free
business insurance quotes online. If you want to meet with a professional in your area,
the IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America) can also help you find
agents.
5. Set up a business phone line. Whether you use a toll-free 800 phone number or you add another phone number to your existing service,
you'll want a number specifically for your business customers.
6. Buy a domain name and get a website. Even if you don't sell any products or services
online, a website can be a way for customers to find you and get information on your business. Save money by
creating your own website with simple online design programs. Want people to find your
website in the search engines? Get listed
in 20 search engines for free or in 300 search engines for $4.
7. For more steps to starting your business, visit Business Start-Up Checklist
Fitness Business Resources
Fitness Club Management Software
Low monthly fee for single instructors or discounted rates for groups. Web-based platform enables stylists to
check appointments from any computer or mobile device. Clients can sign up for classes online.
- Easy appointment management program
- Point-of-sale, ecommere and inventory management (all-in-one)
- Save time with client and staff management features
- Try the Demo