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Pursuing a dream can feel like an uphill battle at times. However, it does not always need to feel like this. Having an action plan and getting your ideas together will help you turn your ideas and dreams into reality. Launching a gym business, and turning it into a profitable business is achievable and realistic if you are prepared to put in the hard work.
Start Working on Your Business Plan
Before jumping in at the deep end, it is important to put together a business plan. A business plan will outline what you want to achieve with your gym, and how you will bring those ideas to life. It will cover market research that will tell you who your clients and customers will be. It will also tell you who your competitors are, and what they are offering. A well-constructed and in-depth business plan will usually take at least a couple of weeks to compile. Utilizing existing secondary research and undertaking your own primary research will help you create a useful and relevant business plan that you can utilize moving forward.
Get to Grips with Startup Costs
There will be lots of costs associated with launching and running a gym. The sooner that you get to grips with these costs and financials, the better. You can then place more emphasis on the running and operations of your gym. When it comes to startup costs, you need to look at what you need to purchase and factor in location costs. Do you want to purchase business premises if possible? Or, are you looking to take out a lease over the next few years? Once you have gotten to grips with startup costs, you are then in a position to start sourcing and securing suitable finance.
Think About the Client
Your clients and customers must be at the core of your new business, even before it has launched. Understanding what your clients want, need, and expect from you is critical to your success. Conduct market research to establish where your potential clients are, what they want from a gym, and what they are willing to pay. If you launch a gym without focusing on clients and customers, you may miss out on key opportunities.
Focus on Training, Qualifications, and Accreditation
Standing out from the crowd and setting yourself apart from other gyms is important. You must therefore begin to invest in yourself and in those who will be working within your gym. Accreditation is essential for your gym, as this builds customer trust. Training and qualifications at all levels signal to customers and clients that you are professional and dedicated to health and welfare. When customers are certain about your abilities, knowledge and awareness, they will be more likely to sign up for your packages.
Find Suitable Premises
Not all premises or locations are suitable to be transformed into gyms. Before you start your search, you need to decide what you need and want from a location. For instance, are you looking for a central location that is accessible to shoppers and passers-by? Or are you looking for a larger location that perhaps has its own off-street parking? When viewing premises, always consider how much it will cost you to transform what you see. How much of an investment will you need to make in equipment and licenses?
Install High-Quality Products
Once you have found the right premises, it is time to start equipping it with everything clients need and want. At this stage, you will find that heavy investment is essential. If you try and cut corners at this stage, you will notice, and so too will clients. From the Gym flooring that you install to the machines and equipment you offer, you will find that quality is important. If high-quality products or not used and installed, they will show quickly through wear and tear. When this happens, your clients will know, and they will not approve – meaning they may then move on. Always install brand new high-quality products, as this will come with a guarantee.
Start Marketing Your Business
After you have decorated your gym and got everything ready to go, it is time to start spreading the word. Even if you are in a prominent location, you will find you still have to work hard to get clients through the front door. Creating a marketing plan and implementing it as soon as possible is therefore imperative. Utilize social media marketing where you can, and also try to reach out to marketing and advertising agencies for their expertise and knowledge. Trying to carry out the marketing of your new business all by yourself could end up being counterproductive. By trying to do everything yourself, you could end up wasting valuable time and resources in the process.
Create Flexible Packages for Clients
In changing times, your clients require a great deal of flexibility. Rigid packages and long contracts are a no-go. You need to focus your attention on creating gym packages that are built around your clients. Ask clients what they need and want from monthly or even daily usage. Establishing a USP (unique selling proposition) at this stage would be good. Establishing what will make your gym stand out from the competition is crucial for success.
Invest in Great Management
Launching a gym is one thing, and managing it is another. You want to oversee how the gym is used and have someone competent who is able to run it. However, do you want to be in charge of daily operations yourself or hire someone else? If you are too close to the daily running of your business, you may well find that you cannot see room for change and growth. Stepping back and focusing on the bigger picture when you have launched may prove highly beneficial to you. Investing in good staff, building a team, and investing in great management are proactive steps you have to take.
