Fitness is on everyone’s minds these days, and there is no better time to start a fitness center, gym or training facility. Whether the goal is to become a personal trainer, create fitness workshops, or just start a gym, everyone wants to get a piece of the action. Florida is right up there leading the health and fitness movement. With beautiful beaches, tropical climates and celebrities galore, the pressure is on for everyone to stay in their best shape.
nnnnSo how to do you take the first steps towards making your own fitness business a reality? We have 8 steps to follow to successfully start your own gym or fitness center.
nnnnGet Certified
nnnnYou don’t necessarily need to obtain a professional fitness qualification before starting your own gym, but accreditation from groups like The American Council on Exercise or the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association could ultimately bolster your chances and make it easier to obtain a business loan. It shows knowledge, dedication and credibility.
nnnnMore important still, it’s definitely worth obtaining a personal trainer or fitness certification and trying out these roles in a non-management capacity before you hop right into the deep end and start your own gym. Not only will you be able to test the waters to ensure you’re happy with the industry, but you’ll also be able to make contacts and develop a client base that will follow you to your new gym.
nnnnFind Financing
nnnnOnce you’re content within the industry and know what type of gym you’d like to set up, you’re going to need to suss out where you’ll find the money to start up. Experts say it usually takes around $50,000 in order to set up a gym — but a lot of that will depend on where you’re setting up shop. Fortunately, we have the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the funding needed!
nnnnIf you have the dream and decent credit, Small Business Loans and No Doc Loans are available to you. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge you need and the resources available to make your dream a reality. Give us a call – we have the education and the perspective to help you obtain the loans you need for your small business. Visit our website or give us a call to find out what financial backing is available to make your business soar!
nnnnBe Strategic About Location
nnnnLocation will most likely be a key factor within your business plan, since location is often critical to a gym’s survival. First and foremost, you’ll want to do a bit of market research about your anticipated client base. Figure out what key demographics will account for the bulk of your foot traffic, and figure out where a high concentration of those individuals can be found. Accessibility and convenience are important to most gym members. Try and find somewhere readily accessible by car, foot and public transport.
nnnnMeanwhile, you’ll need to be thinking about rent. Renting is the best option for brand new businesses, and this will need to be factored into your initial operating expenses. You must also ensure that you’ve got written permission from your landlord or the building’s owners to make alterations or conduct building work. After all, you may need to alter the property layout in line with regulatory guidelines.
nnnnSource the Right Equipment
nnnnOnce you’ve got financing and the perfect location, you’ll need to turn your empty space into a vibrant gym. That will take a lot of equipment — and it won’t come cheap.
nnnnYou’ll definitely need to purchase basic free weight equipment for serious lifters. That includes bench presses, squat racks, dead lift mats, dumbbells and racks for curls and dips. You’ll also want to have cardio equipment like bikes, rowing machines and treadmills. For reference, you can track down a decent treadmill starting at around $150 each. But depending on your startup size, you may want to buy multiple machines. Isolation equipment like leg press, tricep extension and chest fly machines are also popular gym staples.
nnnnGyms with classes also tend to be significantly more successful, so consider leading (or hiring someone else to lead) Zumba or yoga classes. You’ll need studio space and communal equipment for these classes. It all adds up very quickly, but it’s all essential in order to ensure you have the equipment your members will expect. It will be well worth it!
nnnnConsider Licensing Requirements
nnnnAs a gym owner, you’ll be expected to apply for most of the permits and licenses that any other business owner would need to obtain. You’ll need to register for an Employer Identification number and local and federal taxes. Unlike most businesses, you probably won’t need to apply for a federal business licence, but you will be forced to comply with a range of state oversight. In California, for example, licensed gyms are required to have automated external defibrillators and staff trained in CPR. You’ll also need a written emergency plan developed by a physician.
nnnnOn top of various state licensing guidelines, you’ll also need to observe municipal rules on building and business zoning. When in doubt, you should always consult a legal expert before firing off permit applications willy-nilly.
nnnnUnderstand Your Insurance Needs
nnnnIf you plan on starting a gym, insurance is absolutely crucial. It’s important for any business owner. But loads of people are going to be taking part in potentially hazardous activities on your premises on a daily basis. High-intensity exercise can be unsafe for some, and so you’ve got to ensure both patrons and your business are legally and financially protected from major accidents.
nnnnIn addition to your ordinary, run-of-the-mill business insurance, it’s worth taking a look at gym liability insurance. Depending on state or municipal laws, liability insurance might even be an operational requirement before you’re allowed to obtain a permit. If you’re forking out a reasonable amount of money on equipment, you may also want to consider equipment coverage as part of a separate policy.
nnnnThere are several insurance providers that specialize in these types of coverage. It’s also worth including a clause within member contracts that will prevent them from pursuing legal action against you or your business in the event of a self-caused injury.
nnnnHire Wisely
nnnnMost startup owners spend an unhealthy amount of time on the job — but you can’t possibly run a gym without some help. And you’ll need to ensure you’re hiring qualified and accredited individuals to join the team.
nnnnA good idea would be to aim for multiple in-house personal trainers or bring in trainers on a freelance basis to offer your patrons guidance. That said, you should vet each individual and ensure they are properly certified. Likewise, if you’re offering classes, you’ll want to bring in licensed or accredited instructors who know what they are doing. If you’re bringing them in as independent contractors, you should make sure they are personally insured, too.
nnnnGet Started
nnnnOnce you’ve got insurance and have met all permit and licensing requirements, you’re almost ready to get started. As you’re setting up your new premises, be sure to consult municipal authorities to ensure you are meeting any layout requirements that may exist. You’ll also need to ensure you’re properly supplied in terms of utilities, get everything set up and provide adequate induction training for staff to ensure everyone is on the same page prior to your start date.
nnnnFrom there, it’s simply a matter of marketing your business and doing everything else you can do get people in the door. As outlined, it always helps to have your own steady client base handy in order to have an initial, built-in customer base. That may also be a deciding factor in the personal trainers or class leaders you ultimately bring on as staff.
nnnnBut in terms of appealing to new clients to win your local market share, you should always start online. Social media and the web can be very helpful in marketing your business. That being said, traditional local advertising is also something you will likely need to consider. Be creative. Know your demographics, and reach out to those individuals wherever possible.
nnnnJust remember that no two businesses are alike, and you may run into a few unanticipated hurdles along the way. You’ve just got to roll with the punches — and when in doubt, never be afraid to seek out professional advice.
nnnnFlorida, the Time is NOW
With the opportunities for small businesses booming, why wait another moment. What is keeping you down? Financial restraints have been a complaint for many of the dreamers, limiting themselves to their immediate funds. There is an alternative. If you have the dreams and decent credit, Small Business Loans and No Doc Loans are available to you. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge you need and the resources available to make your dream a reality. Give us a call – we have the education and the perspective to help you obtain the loans you need for your small business. Visit our website or give us a call to find out what financial backing is available to make your business soar!
Unsecured Finances has over 10 years in the consulting business! We specialized in educating and assisting clients on acquiring Unsecured Business Loans and Start-Up Business Specialty Loans including; Unsecured No Documentation (No-Doc Stated Income) Loans, Unsecured Business Loans, and Unsecured Start-Up Business Loans and Lines of Credit from $10,000 to $500,000 without Assets.
nnnnApply on our website to find out if you qualify, or call today for a free consultation: 1-888-294-2584
