Finding Your Footing – 7 Steps Toward Developing a Successful Commercial Gym
There are no quick fixes in fitness, and developing a successful commercial gym is no different. It takes time; you need to do you research and figure out what you can offer that might be different from the competition, as well as staying in tune with current trends. There are a number of things to consider, such as choosing the right location, equipment, staff and focusing in on a unique structure for your gym to give it a point of difference.
Do Your Homework
Figure out what people are wanting from their training (or think they want), and what is making other businesses successful. You just have to look at the success of F45 centres to realise that tuning into people’s wants and current trends in fitness is where success lies. There are so many gyms out there, so take your time to research the past and current trends that have made successful businesses over the past couple of decades.
Get the Right Equipment
Once you’ve decided on your market and strategy, the buy the right, good-quality equipment that people love to train with. You should be experienced in training yourself, but if you aren’t, then consult bodybuilders and fitness professionals to discover the brands and types of equipment that deliver the best results. Alternatively, talk to the people at Little Bloke Fitness to learn more about getting the right commercial gym equipment.
Staff For Your Centre
Finding the right staff is imperative to the success of your business. You want people who are knowledgeable about fitness, but aren’t going to be too pushy and irritate potential customers.
Naturally friendly people with a passion and experience in fitness is the key to your business. Trainers can be brought in on different arrangements as well, some pay rent to work at a gym and work as contractors, others are on salary or a casual rate with a percentage of their sessions being taken by the centre. Figure out what works best for your business, and what will bring in the best trainers.
Location
As with almost every commercial business, location is going to make a huge difference. Are you planning to open an inner city gym and target city workers on their lunch break? Or head for suburbia and get the locals joining? Either option can work great, you just have to make sure you can afford a big enough space for your gym. That way, the equipment isn’t cramped and you can give your business room to grow while accommodating plenty of members.
Target Market
Your location while alter your target market. Be sure who you know you are selling to. If you want men and women, young and old, then you’re equipment and design needs to reflect that. Do you want to attract bodybuilders or maybe you’re wanting to focus on a more holistic approach to fitness with pilates and yoga classes. Functional training, kettlebells and sleds are on trend right now, as is Olympic lifting. Know your market.
Decide On Your Selling Point
Is your selling point going to be that you offer functional training like the well-known Gym Jones? Alternatively, you might want to go down an old-school approach and create an old boxing gym look. Whatever it is, decide on something that makes you unique. There are so many gyms out there, you need a point of difference.
Opening Hours
24/7 or daily opening hours. 24hr gyms seems to be more successful in general. However, they come with their own set of extra issues, including security and safety for your members. Look into both and decide what your demographic wants.
Find your point of difference and do your homework to help your gym reach its full potential. Ensure that you consult as many knowledgeable people as you can to get your gym off to its best start possible.