Questions for gym owners/managers

[wannagofast]

Over the last 6 months of so, I have been putting together a business plan to open a small gym. I would really like to hear opinions, tips, experiences, insight, etc. from anyone that has gone down, or is currently going down, this path. I believe I have a very sound business plan, but like everything in business its up to my drive and the customers desires to decide if this business makes or breaks.

Thanks in advance for all the help you guys have always provided.

I don't know if I posted this in the right section or not, feel free to move it if neccesary.

 

[wannagofast]

nobody?

 

[PHIL HERNON]

OK

BE THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. GREET EVERYONE AND KNOW THEIR NAME. GIVE THEM SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN PROVIDE. KEEP PRICES REASONABLE AND FAIR. KEEP IT CLEAN. KNOW YOUR TRADE UP AND DOWN AND OFFER ASSISTANCE. HAVE A LOT OF BACK UP CASH.

 

[wannagofast]

I want to open a gym that caters to the serious lifter. I plan on having a wall full of squat racks, a minimal amount of cardio equipment, chalk dust in the air, db's that go up to 180..Well, you get the idea..

 

[Quad-smack]

Business plan...

Are you in a larger metropolitan area? What type of competition will you face? What other profit centers will you operate (personal training, nutrition products/smoothie bar, tanning, pro shop, etc.) What avenue of marketing are you going to use? Are you good at budgeting and saving for the lean months? Are you willing to work 12 - 16 hrs a day?
There are too many questions/hypotheticals for me to post right now. I have owned and managed a Gym / Personal Training Gym in a college town for 11 years now. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

 

[N_iraq]

I have more questions then answers on the same

Are you in a larger metropolitan area? What type of competition will you face? What other profit centers will you operate (personal training, nutrition products/smoothie bar, tanning, pro shop, etc.) What avenue of marketing are you going to use? Are you good at budgeting and saving for the lean months? Are you willing to work 12 - 16 hrs a day?
There are too many questions/hypotheticals for me to post right now. I have owned and managed a Gym / Personal Training Gym in a college town for 11 years now. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.

Hey Quad can i hit you up for some info as well? as it stands right now i am trying to do some things and kinda at a stand still. i did start a small business here at the house and converted one room too an office and the garage has all my equipment in it but i actually do my training on a Govt. installation on the low cause they have a person on contract so i have to act like i am not doing it but everyone knows. sorry i jacked your thread dude good luck with the gym man i want to do the same.

damn good post

 

[Quad-smack]

Just PM me with specific questions.

 

[Big Bapper]

BE THERE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. GREET EVERYONE AND KNOW THEIR NAME. GIVE THEM SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN PROVIDE. KEEP PRICES REASONABLE AND FAIR. KEEP IT CLEAN. KNOW YOUR TRADE UP AND DOWN AND OFFER ASSISTANCE. HAVE A LOT OF BACK UP CASH.

Some great info here bro. I opened my gym 6 month ago and all the comments above are invaluable when starting out.

What I done was give my coustmers somthing knowbody else could(me).

Have a look at my website to see the way I try to sell my gym, I dont know your market but all has worked out well for me. Selling Sports supplement is a great way to earn a extra income. The site is a bit small but I got it for free. So........... www.bodyworksgym-ni.co.uk

I wish you all the best in business, if there is any help I can give LMK. Respect.

 

[bigheinz]

You should have money to affort all the bills and expenses for at least 10 months meantime the clientele grow. never count with the incomes, it takes some times more than a year to cover the expenses and get some profit, some people open bussiness withou money and they have to close in les than 6 months.
Also the rent have to be cheap, everything over 7k means that is no way to build the bussines.

Good luck.

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

I am no gym owner, but I have my own PT business and can help with advertising ideas.

1. it costs nothing to print out a few hundred flyers and head over to the malls and supermarkets and place them in the windshield wipers of cars. Get a few kids from the neighborhood and give them like 10 or 20 bucks to hit a few malls like this. very cheap to do!

2. most supermarkets as you walk in have a cork board. On there many of time people stick there business cards or small flyers. Best advertising as someone is about to go buy a pack of cookies! haha (it's true and it works)

3. T-shirts, plain white t-shirts with your gym logo on it. Hand it out to the folks at your gym for free! Not only will they wear it at the gym, but most guys and gals will wear it where ever they go. again free advertisement! How many of you dont have a favorite t-shirt you wear anywhere and every where?? see!

4. there are ladies that will want to join your gym but are very intimidated about gyms. close the gym at a certain time and hold a monday night class for female beginners only. What this does is give women a sense of "i can workout and no one will be staring at me cause it's all women there". many studies show that females are the dominant force when it comes to buying house hold items and this also is true for gym wear and products. Then once the ladies have had 2 or 3 mondays under their belt you get them to sign up as full time members. works out great! I give all of my clients at least 2 free workouts at first, and they always sign up on the 3rd.

5. don't forget your local neighborhood free news papers that are dropped in peoples door once a week. a small advertising in your neighborhood goes a long way.

these are just a few things to help get you started on the right track, I hope they help you. if you need more just ask bro! Good Luck!

 

[Big Bapper]

Alott of the stores over here have plasma screen TVs behind the counter. With 10-20 second adds jumping out at you when you are standing in the que. I took out a two year add with one on the busy chain stores. It cost $4000.00 but if you are in the que for more the 5mins you will see the add with pictures of the gym flicking across the screen and what we are about. Mine has a sign flashing at all times "For men and woman". So people dont think its that its just for bodybuilders.

 

[BOOMSHAKER]

Alott of the stores over here have plasma screen TVs behind the counter. With 10-20 second adds jumping out at you when you are standing in the que. I took out a two year add with one on the busy chain stores. It cost $4000.00 but if you are in the que for more the 5mins you will see the add with pictures of the gym flicking across the screen and what we are about. Mine has a sign flashing at all times "For men and woman". So people dont think its that its just for bodybuilders.

You're right bro, we have them here in the states also. And when your checking out I know for me I am always looking at them and seeing what they are advertising!! Good call bigbapper!

 

[Big Bapper]

You're right bro, we have them here in the states also. And when your checking out I know for me I am always looking at them and seing what the are advertising!! Good call bigbapper!

The store I went with is always packed. Sometimes its hard to get a parking spot, they are the only shop open on Christmas Day in the area. So I jumped at the chanch, afterall how much add space would you get in the local paper over two years for $4k. Another way I found was good was local radio. The girl that works at the station hired me as her personal trainer after I went in to place the add wearing a Muscle vest.