Should You Open Your Own Gym?
Opening your own gym might sound like a great idea if you consider yourself a fitness addict or you would like to help people reach their body goals. However, there are certain considerations you should take into account before you do so. This can give you a reality check. If you decide that opening your own gym is still the best decision you could make, you’ll know what to expect and can begin preparations. Here are just some of the things you should think about when opening a gym of your own and what you’ll need to be a success.
Identify Your Ideal Customer
It’s important to think about who you want to walk through your gym doors. Is it families, single individuals, people trying to lose weight, those who compete professionally, or all of the above? Once you know what type of gym you’d like to have and who you want to join it, this can help narrow down preparations you’ll need to make. You can have more than one ideal customer, so don’t let it limit how you want your gym to be. Over time, you might even find that your business has evolved to help people of all kinds, rather than just who you initially targeted as your customer base.
Figure Out What Your Gym Needs
Take a look at your current space and then think about what your gym will need initially. For example, if you are trying to appeal to families, you are going to need a pool and perhaps more machines than if you were just targeting individuals who have an interest in bodybuilding. It might be easier to start on the conservative side and move up from there, allowing you to see how your business does from a financial aspect. Don’t forget that you can always grow something bigger over time, and you won’t risk as much from a financial perspective, so don’t be afraid to start your gym out this way.
Decide What You Want Extras In Your Gym To Be
It’s important to have a big dream, but to start off small. Perhaps you envision having several personal trainers, offering yoga classes, and providing your clients with other types of benefits that make your gym irresistible. Start off with only one or two trainers, and try to get a feel from your customers to discover what types of classes they would be most interested in. You can build it up from there and provide more options to people once you understand what is successful and what customers simply aren’t wanting. You can also offer little differences that make your gym stand out, such as having a green gym that makes use of solar battery or offering family rooms, especially if you cater to those with young children.
Make Sure To Advertise
Take into account who your target customer is and figure out what methods of advertising are going to appeal to them the most. Social media typically attracts a younger demographic, but sending out direct mailing might be a great way to get all kinds of individuals local to the area interested in your gym. It’s important to think of a marketing plan that gives you a base to work with while being flexible and changing it at the same time, in order to fit your needs. Using different types of advertising can help you get the word out while targeting your ideal audience.
If you still dream of opening a gym of your own, make sure you have identified who you want your customers to be. Then, think about what you will need in your gym, such as machines and staff, to be successful. You can add extras, later on, using little things to help you stand out more. Finally, create an advertising plan that allows you to target many different people at first to help you get the word out.
Mikkie is a freelance writer from Chicago. She is also a mother of two who loves sharing her ideas on interior design, budgeting hacks, and DIY. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing the little ones or rock climbing at the local climbing gym.
