Day in the Life: What it Takes to Run Your Own Fitness Franchise

In this article we’ll look at what you can expect your day to look like when running a fitness franchise on a daily basis. We’ll also explore the advantages and challenges of the health and fitness industry and how you can overcome them, plus some of the fitness franchise opportunities you can invest in today.

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Fitness is big business in the UK, from gym memberships to grassroots sports coaching to supplements and fitness equipment to new types of fun classes and groups.

In an increasingly health-conscious nation, the fitness industry is booming, putting a greater demand on fitness franchises. If you’re thinking about investing in keep-fit business, there are lots of franchise opportunities available.

But first, a quick snapshot of the industry:

As more and more people identify the business potential of their personal passion for health and fitness, increasing numbers of individuals are opening their own gym.

In the 12 months up to March 2017, there was an impressive 4.6 percent growth in the number of fitness facilities - that means there are nearly 7,000 fitness facilities in the UK, on top of all the smaller enterprises and work from home businesses now available.

The 2018 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report outlines that one in seven people here in the UK is a gym member, while the fitness industry’s total market value has grown by 2.9 percent to £4.9 billion.

If fitness is your thing, or you want to launch a business in a sector with hefty opportunity for profit, there are lots of franchised businesses you can join. Let’s take a look at what you can expect from running a fitness franchise on a daily basis:

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>> Read more:

• Top Fitness Franchises in the UK
• 5 Reasons Why Now's the Time to Open a Fitness Franchise
• The Best Around-The-Clock Fitness Franchises in the UK
• How to start an outdoor fitness business
• Planet Fitness - Can you start a franchise in the UK?

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A day in the life of a fitness franchisee – What’s involved?

As the owner of your own business, you’re in control of exactly how you plan your day, so you’re best set up to achieve your goals. You may work around the same hours as your standard 9-5, but there’s the added bonus of increased flexibility in how you structure your work.

Depending on whether your fitness franchise has its own club, you could be in there on the gym floor, or working on administration remotely. You may choose to be a regular in your fitness franchise, speaking directly to members and having a presence. Or, you could enlist club managers and fitness staff for the day-to-day running of your fitness franchise while you operate from an office.

You will be responsible for managing your business’ growth, development, finances and management team. While operating under the name of a brand, you will need to ensure that the franchise’s standards of quality are met every single day.

When it comes to fitness, the competitive market requires high quality service in order to retain customers. Engaging with the gym-goers with tailored marketing and online communications, as well as training staff to welcome new-comers and regulars alike, will help build a desirable work-out space. In your spare time, you could conduct market research to discover business development opportunities for your franchise.

The main thing is that you’ll be your own boss and, once you’ve invested in the franchise business, you can decide your schedule and grow at your pace.

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>> Read more:

• Is the Franchising Model Right for Me?
• A basic guide to franchising
• Franchising: An Exciting Alternative To Retirement
• Who can own a franchise?
• Franchising 101: The basics
• Understanding the Foundation of Franchising
• Franchising is on the rise: here’s why

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Five advantages of becoming a fitness franchisee

1. Training

Most fitness franchises offer their gym owners complete training to start and ongoing throughout the year. They also offer strategic advice and, by following your franchisor’s advice, you’re increasing your chance of success, as it’s the expert in the field. It’s more than likely that the franchisor’s guidance will have been generated by experienced senior professionals within the health and fitness sector.

2. Tried and tested model

Unlike setting up your own fitness business, a franchise allows you to work on an already structured business model. With a pool of experts on hand to assist, you don't need to know the ins and outs of how to launch your very own business.

3. Recognised brand name

Starting with a well-respected brand brings help with marketing, business management, training and insurance issues. It can also mean discounts on technology and equipment.

4. Flexible

Nowadays there are an abundance of different work out options and programmes to get people fit and flexible. So, rather than opening a gym you could operate a remote franchise that utilises community spaces, outdoor parks or even the client’s own home to get fit and healthy.

5. Growing industry

The UK’s health-conscious population is only going to grow larger as more of us catch the fitness bug, so now is a great time to invest in people’s personal growth and cash-in on their workouts.

Challenges within a fitness franchise – and how to overcome them

1. Competitive by nature

Fitness may be a strong market, but it's also highly competitive. Only by retaining members will you be able to grow and profit from your fitness franchise.

To boost member retention, ensure you provide the best service possible. Train your staff to approach and engage all members, tailor the service to their specific needs and leave them satisfied from each session. Strong membership engagement can generate further sales, as satisfied members are much more likely to recommend your fitness club to their peers.

You should also engage with the local community, promoting your fitness franchise to all ages and levels in order to solidify your business as their number one exercise choice.

2. High start-up costs

Owning a fitness club comes with high start-up costs, but some have options for payment plans or longer franchise agreements, giving you more time to recoup your initial investment.

If you don't want to buy or rent premises, there are franchise opportunities as a personal trainer working from other people’s venues or at clients' homes. Some of the programmes that provide local business opportunities based in church halls, schools and leisure centres, cutting out costly rents or building expenses.

Become a Fitness Franchisee

There are many established and successful fitness franchises looking for franchisees in the UK - here’s a list of some of our top picks on Point Franchise:

1. Bodystreet

Bodystreet offers an opportunity for those with little or no time to get fit and stay fit. Its proven once-a-week 20-minute workout programme helps burn fat, build muscle, tone and shape. Bodystreet operate boutique fitness studios where members receive personal instruction from its highly trained team.

• Becoming a Bodystreet franchisee: This sports franchise is looking for new franchisees. Learn more about a Bodystreet Franchise and sign up.
• How much you need to invest: In order to invest in a Bodystreet franchise you’ll need a minimum investment of £10,000, plus £12,500 franchise fees.
• What you get for your investment: In partnership with one of the UK leading providers, the innovative franchise has developed a training programme. This means that franchisees and their team can undergo industry recognised training, at a fraction of the cost.

2. Bootcamp Pilates

Bootcamp Pilates is a revolutionary fitness programme that is challenging, engaging and delivers inspiring results. The core of Bootcamp Pilates’ success is a special one-hour workout, perfected and refined over many years, to deliver a comprehensive workout that can fit into even the busiest schedule. With six studios already open, there are still a lot of areas full of potential customers waiting to be tapped.

• Becoming a Bootcamp Pilates franchisee: If you want to join this unique franchise business and benefit from the growing number of people looking to improve their fitness, you can start up your own Bootcamp Pilates unit.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need a minimum of £35,000 with franchise fees of £25,750.
• What you get for your investment: The franchise team will make sure you have access to management training and support with business planning, finance, site selection, operations set-up, launch and marketing.

3. énergie Fitness Ireland

Whether you're a gym pro, a complete beginner, or somewhere in-between, énergie Fitness offers an unrivalled fitness experience for everyone. énergie Fitness also boasts a fantastic opportunity to follow its successful, profitable business model with a full support team in Dublin.

• Becoming an énergie Fitness Ireland franchisee: You would be joining the #2 ranked franchise in the top 100 franchises rated by Elite Franchise Magazine for 2019. Learn more about becoming an énergie Fitness Ireland franchisee and sign up.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need a minimum investment of £140,000, with franchise fees of £30,000.
• What you get for your investment: All backed up with its Dublin-based support team, the franchise will support you through all stages, from decision making, site finding, recruiting, building, sales, opening and operations.

Fitness for all

There couldn’t be a better time to take advantage of the fitness bug sweeping the nation. With a growing market and soaring demand, the fitness industry is sure to bring you huge profits.

If you would like to start running your own fitness business, going down the franchise route is an excellent option, as you’ll be making use of an established business model.

Check out our full list of our extensive fitness franchise opportunities, and get in touch to start your fitness venture today!