Gym location?

[big4life]

If you were thinking about opening a small gym which would be more appealing to you?

1- A location that was a former gym, meaning it's set up with showers, locker rooms, etc.. In a very high traffic area, almost too heavy of traffic. Where the lease will be substantially more than the other location. The old gym moved about five miles down the road to a bigger place

2- A location that is a bare bones location, no showers, locker rooms, etc.. The advantage here is that it's in a growing part of town. The location is easily accesible, without traffic problems. It is right along the comute path of people heading into and out of the city each day. The lease will be 1/4 to 1/3 of the lease on the first place. There is no real gym competition in this area of town.

 

[Kroliczek]

If you were thinking about opening a small gym which would be more appealing to you?

1- A location that was a former gym, meaning it's set up with showers, locker rooms, etc.. In a very high traffic area, almost too heavy of traffic. Where the lease will be substantially more than the other location. The old gym moved about five miles down the road to a bigger place

2- A location that is a bare bones location, no showers, locker rooms, etc.. The advantage here is that it's in a growing part of town. The location is easily accesible, without traffic problems. It is right along the comute path of people heading into and out of the city each day. The lease will be 1/4 to 1/3 of the lease on the first place. There is no real gym competition in this area of town.

Check your pm's in about 5 minutes.

 

[EnderJE]

#1 because of more traffic. What type of clients are you going for? Stay at home moms? Hard core? Weekenders? People who use only the Smith Machine?

 

[big4life]

I'm looking at more of a hardcore gym that doesn't intimidate new people. I would like to have an outside area that's big enough to hold strongman type training on the weekends as a way to attract new people. That's where the second one has a big advantage over the first, lots more room inside and out.

 

[theoak01]

2 in my opinion, the gym I goto is like this,a little more out of the way,hardcore yet not intimidating and it does very well

 

[The Shadow]

GO with the lesser of the overheads.

 

[velvett]

What gyms are in the surrounding areas?
And what kind of stores or property is near both of these places?
Which has better parking?
Which is a better "space" for a gym?

 

[big4life]

What gyms are in the surrounding areas?
And what kind of stores or property is near both of these places?
Which has better parking?
Which is a better "space" for a gym?

The first one has the gym that moved plus a gold's within 5-7 miles of it. It's right in the middle of an area that is exploding in pop. and traffic. It is more retail and office area. Parking is an issue as well as getting in and out of the lot. The previous gym was an ind. gym that was a very good success.

The second one has no comp. except for a yuppie gym that is five miles away. It is in an area that is being redeveloped into shops and the like. Parking is very good, especially on Sunday. It is easy to get in and out of without a problem. Twice the interrior space as the first one. Traffic wise it is located between two major roads going into and out of town.

 

[The Shadow]

I did a LOT of paper-work a few years ago concerning opening a gym.

Especially if you get an SBA loan.....overhead will be the deciding factor.

Combine that and the fact that you would be on the hot side of town, I think you would be set...the only downside would be the facilities...that will kill your female clientele

 

[chewyxrage]

The second choice sounds better in many ways.

I know personally, I have the option to use a gym in a high traffic, hard-to-find parking area, for FREE but I don't use it. It's too much of a hassle - find a spot to park, finally get inside, wait forever once inside just to get a few sets in.

I actually pay to belong a gym about 7 miles outside of campus with a huge parking lot - it sounds like your option # 2 in that they have a huge field for outdoor activities, a skate park, stuff like that. It's worth the extra money and longer drive to me and I don't have alot of money either

 

[Mr. dB]

If #2 is cheaper and bigger, go for it. You will have to build locker room/shower areas though.

The real money in running a gym is all the people who sign up, pay, and then never come back. They're the ones who subsidise the rest of us.