Anyone on PH started a gym business?
Discussion
Would be interesting to hear how hard it was, costs to set up etc.
My great auntie has a warehouse that's currently to let which im sure i could get some family discount on providing planning etc would allow me. This would also allow me train twice a day or longer hours
(Just an idea before anybody shoots me down 
)
My great auntie has a warehouse that's currently to let which im sure i could get some family discount on providing planning etc would allow me. This would also allow me train twice a day or longer hours
(Just an idea before anybody shoots me down )I know a number of poeple who looked into at various times. Depending on location, other facilities etc their conclusions ranged from mildly to majorly ruinous. They called it quits and kept their money.
You have to do your own research as success depends on a huge number of factors...
You have to do your own research as success depends on a huge number of factors...
I haven't been in the fortunate enough position to be able to start up my own gym. But I have looked at 2 sites and my dad has help me create some fairly in depth analysis of the numbers required. He is a city based project manager type bod, so has no idea about starting a gym. It was his role to put the road blocks up and mine to find the answers / solutions.
We looked at a "globo" gym type set up - running machines, fixed path weight stations, classes and small free weight type set up. Employing lower qualified staff type place.
We also looked at somewhere much closer to what I think you have in mind. A large but fairly cheap building. Filled with the type of equipment I personally would like to see. The type of place that has decent instruction and the right equipment for getting the job done.
It all came down can you find enough bodies to fill the spaces that were required. Both of these had different pros and cons, but the answer for us was that he didn't think the risk / reward was good enough for starting with a large space and trying to fill it.
My background is giving the instruction that was required, so for us growing organically, although slower, was a better risk / reward model. My heart is on having my own place, I think it is possible, but I think it is too easy to look in on a gym owner and think that anyone could do it. I think the key is differentiation (like any business) unless you have enough money you won't beat the likes of Nuffield / David Lloyd / Fitness4Less. But if you want a hardcore type place, you need to be in an area currently without one and hope there is enough demand for it.
We looked at a "globo" gym type set up - running machines, fixed path weight stations, classes and small free weight type set up. Employing lower qualified staff type place.
We also looked at somewhere much closer to what I think you have in mind. A large but fairly cheap building. Filled with the type of equipment I personally would like to see. The type of place that has decent instruction and the right equipment for getting the job done.
It all came down can you find enough bodies to fill the spaces that were required. Both of these had different pros and cons, but the answer for us was that he didn't think the risk / reward was good enough for starting with a large space and trying to fill it.
My background is giving the instruction that was required, so for us growing organically, although slower, was a better risk / reward model. My heart is on having my own place, I think it is possible, but I think it is too easy to look in on a gym owner and think that anyone could do it. I think the key is differentiation (like any business) unless you have enough money you won't beat the likes of Nuffield / David Lloyd / Fitness4Less. But if you want a hardcore type place, you need to be in an area currently without one and hope there is enough demand for it.
My pal has a farm and he lets out a spare building to a lady, qualified instructor, who has started a gym and fitness club. She showed me round the other day. Appears to be building a decent clientele, mostly through ladies classes. Her challenge appears to be unused capacity on the middle of the day. She is busy first thing and late afternoon/evenings and weekends. It's a fairly basic facility but spacious and well equipped. She is putting in changing rooms and showers so must be confident of growing the business. Also has a treatment room so independent physio's etc can use her facilities too.
Cheers everyone. There's 2 main advantages I have:
- wouldn't need to charge a fortune as my OH makes more money than me anyway
- luckily I have a bucket load of school friends looking for a decent, cheap gym within a 5 min drive of where I'd like to open up.
- as I want a strongman specific gym for me it means it should also appeal to power lifters and BB's
- my uncle works at a place where I can get hold of used vans/lorries at cost for training
- the warehouse is pretty big so I could put a semi permanent wall for a ladies only bit?
Edited by smiffy180 on Monday 11th February 13:18
I’ve looked into it, but not too seriously.
The gym equipment you’re best off just leasing it. It will get worn and probably broken and I believe that lease is the best option.
You’ll need to consider whether or not you will want a sauna/jacuzzi/steam room as I know a lot of people like the idea of a ‘proper gym’ combined with the benefits of a health club. I certainly do.
Competition in the area, discounts to start with to entice people to come, you’ll need dependable and reliable qualified staff (you probably know people already I’m sure) and a very large startup capital. You will lose money for a while paying out for your leases, initial rates, insurance, obviously starting with a zero client base… just remember to also think about expansion in the future. If the idea of having a pool etc is way out at the moment, that isn’t to say you may not think about it in time to come to appeal to a wider variety of people.
There are a lot of costs involved and I don’t know a rich, independent gym owner (unless you consider those multi-national hell holes like Bannatynes), but get it right and you’ll be involved in something you enjoy on a business level without being minted, but it would definitely be fun.
The gym equipment you’re best off just leasing it. It will get worn and probably broken and I believe that lease is the best option.
You’ll need to consider whether or not you will want a sauna/jacuzzi/steam room as I know a lot of people like the idea of a ‘proper gym’ combined with the benefits of a health club. I certainly do.
Competition in the area, discounts to start with to entice people to come, you’ll need dependable and reliable qualified staff (you probably know people already I’m sure) and a very large startup capital. You will lose money for a while paying out for your leases, initial rates, insurance, obviously starting with a zero client base… just remember to also think about expansion in the future. If the idea of having a pool etc is way out at the moment, that isn’t to say you may not think about it in time to come to appeal to a wider variety of people.
There are a lot of costs involved and I don’t know a rich, independent gym owner (unless you consider those multi-national hell holes like Bannatynes), but get it right and you’ll be involved in something you enjoy on a business level without being minted, but it would definitely be fun.
muon said:
I’ve looked into it, but not too seriously.
The gym equipment you’re best off just leasing it. It will get worn and probably broken and I believe that lease is the best option.
You’ll need to consider whether or not you will want a sauna/jacuzzi/steam room as I know a lot of people like the idea of a ‘proper gym’ combined with the benefits of a health club. I certainly do.
Competition in the area, discounts to start with to entice people to come, you’ll need dependable and reliable qualified staff (you probably know people already I’m sure) and a very large startup capital. You will lose money for a while paying out for your leases, initial rates, insurance, obviously starting with a zero client base… just remember to also think about expansion in the future. If the idea of having a pool etc is way out at the moment, that isn’t to say you may not think about it in time to come to appeal to a wider variety of people.
There are a lot of costs involved and I don’t know a rich, independent gym owner (unless you consider those multi-national hell holes like Bannatynes), but get it right and you’ll be involved in something you enjoy on a business level without being minted, but it would definitely be fun.
Still debating lease vs outright: you could kit a gym ouy for 15-20k used. Also a friend who's gym I ised to train at has a ferrari now lucky git The gym equipment you’re best off just leasing it. It will get worn and probably broken and I believe that lease is the best option.
You’ll need to consider whether or not you will want a sauna/jacuzzi/steam room as I know a lot of people like the idea of a ‘proper gym’ combined with the benefits of a health club. I certainly do.
Competition in the area, discounts to start with to entice people to come, you’ll need dependable and reliable qualified staff (you probably know people already I’m sure) and a very large startup capital. You will lose money for a while paying out for your leases, initial rates, insurance, obviously starting with a zero client base… just remember to also think about expansion in the future. If the idea of having a pool etc is way out at the moment, that isn’t to say you may not think about it in time to come to appeal to a wider variety of people.
There are a lot of costs involved and I don’t know a rich, independent gym owner (unless you consider those multi-national hell holes like Bannatynes), but get it right and you’ll be involved in something you enjoy on a business level without being minted, but it would definitely be fun.
his is a warehouse gym but obviously knows what he is doing. His wife is a pro BBer aswell though.......z4chris99 said:
that would be the kit out costs for a small/mid gym?
about 4000 sqft from shell and core.
what about staffing and running costs?
Staff well depends on hours as I 'could' open and close at first but again have mates willing to work. Running costs I'd obviously have to look in to but if I made £1000 profit a month I'd be happyabout 4000 sqft from shell and core.
what about staffing and running costs?
smiffy180 said:
Staff well depends on hours as I 'could' open and close at first but again have mates willing to work. Running costs I'd obviously have to look in to but if I made £1000 profit a month I'd be happy
I was looking for costs!! I have to make a 4000 sqft gym for residents, presume I need a few staff at all hours so 4/5 total
how much are the machines and flooring? air con etc I know about
z4chris99 said:
smiffy180 said:
Staff well depends on hours as I 'could' open and close at first but again have mates willing to work. Running costs I'd obviously have to look in to but if I made £1000 profit a month I'd be happy
I was looking for costs!! I have to make a 4000 sqft gym for residents, presume I need a few staff at all hours so 4/5 total
how much are the machines and flooring? air con etc I know about
Well for cooling as its a warehouse I can open the big shutter
Gym ratz is a good place to look for costs as in new otherwise ebay for used equipment I guess. Or look at gyms that are shutting down and make them an offer for stuff.
Staff can be minimum wage for behind reception but I think need to be trained to walk about offering advice etc so they'll be on better pay. As for how many staff is up to you. 1 for reception - could also be a cleaner so 1 or 2 staff there and a PT walking abput offering advice and help (spotting)
I'm toying with the idea with a few mates who are PTs. Mainly looking at a private studio first for PT'ing but then, hopefully, as usage expands, to start upgrading larger premises and opening up to the public.
The main barrier I expect is probably similar to PT'ing generally and any other business - getting customers! From what I have seen, this is about population density in a realistically commuteable radius, local competition and the general disposable income of your region. The issue with those factors are that this country is pretty saturated with gyms these days and the big franchisers are offering cheaper and cheaper memberships. This would make it hard to compete at a profit. I've seen loads of gyms close down as well. Some had been there for years, others only a few months. There seems to be a high fail rate. (and the same situation in the US - I speak to loads of PTs on LinkedIn over the pond)
I'm kinda hoping a "fat tax" bill will be passed one day, then the requirement will go up 10-fold!
If we can run it as an up(ish)-market PT's-studio, the idea is we wouldn't have to worry about running at a loss until you get enough paying members.
Of course, the more people who opt in for the venture, the better your chances of maxing your premises out, particularly if it's PT-based/serious BBs. Maybe the secret is to already be loaded, so you can spend most of your budget on marketing... And I do mean 'most'.
Whereabouts are you Smiffy?
The main barrier I expect is probably similar to PT'ing generally and any other business - getting customers! From what I have seen, this is about population density in a realistically commuteable radius, local competition and the general disposable income of your region. The issue with those factors are that this country is pretty saturated with gyms these days and the big franchisers are offering cheaper and cheaper memberships. This would make it hard to compete at a profit. I've seen loads of gyms close down as well. Some had been there for years, others only a few months. There seems to be a high fail rate. (and the same situation in the US - I speak to loads of PTs on LinkedIn over the pond)
I'm kinda hoping a "fat tax" bill will be passed one day, then the requirement will go up 10-fold!
If we can run it as an up(ish)-market PT's-studio, the idea is we wouldn't have to worry about running at a loss until you get enough paying members.
Of course, the more people who opt in for the venture, the better your chances of maxing your premises out, particularly if it's PT-based/serious BBs. Maybe the secret is to already be loaded, so you can spend most of your budget on marketing... And I do mean 'most'.
Whereabouts are you Smiffy?
mattikake said:
Ah up nuuurth?
I don't know the gym/PT saturation levels up there or the disposable income levels.
Oh no your dawn south? We dont like southerners I don't know the gym/PT saturation levels up there or the disposable income levels.
Theres a gym about 5 miles away, 10miles away (x2) and not sure how much further than that. Theres one partial dedicated strongman gym about 10 mile away, 1 dedicated strongman gym about 15miles away so *should* be okay.
Disposable income? We're all rich up here didn't you know?
to be fair I'd stick to a cheap membership anyway and offer couple/family discounts as an incentive. I prefer a midlands classification myself.
That sounds very sparse, even for the northern territories! Are you sure that's all? (google maps is pretty good for uncovering gyms you hadn't heard of). There must be about 15 in a 7 mile radius from me. Though that includes 2 that went under in the last year and 1 that got taken over by Fit4less.
That sounds very sparse, even for the northern territories! Are you sure that's all? (google maps is pretty good for uncovering gyms you hadn't heard of). There must be about 15 in a 7 mile radius from me. Though that includes 2 that went under in the last year and 1 that got taken over by Fit4less.
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