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Thinks of Buying the Local Gym - Opinions Please

nydj66

Well-known member
Hey all,

I live in a tiny village (population 2500) in upstate NY. I was talking to the local gym owner and she told me she was considering shutting the place down.

It's basically been a break-even operation for the last 15 years and this year has been particularly bad. She's tired of spending all her spare time managing the gym.

Now, I was thinking I could buy the business, convince the local karate club to pay rent for the aerobics class area (rather than the smaller place they pay for now) and have my wife work the counter during the day.

She's just getting interested in fitness and she wants me to go ahead an buy the place. I figure with those two small changes I can generate some positive cash flow. Any comments or suggestions from former/current gym owners?

Anything anyone has seen at their gym that has been particularly successful and increasing paid membership? All replies are appreciated.
 
redguru said:
Are either of you certified as a trainer? Maybe get some referrals from the local hospitals for therapy?

Trainer certification would be part of the business plan. I believe the gyms current largest source of income is senior citizens who get medicare to pay for the membership.
 
A spa might be a good idea if the gym doesnt have one, my grandpa and a bunch of his peers moved to a gym specifically because of the sauna/spa
 
would you also be buying the real estate that the gym is on? or are you renting in a shopping center or something?

And, dare I ask, where in NY?
 
MattTheSkywalker said:
would you also be buying the real estate that the gym is on? or are you renting in a shopping center or something?

And, dare I ask, where in NY?

The gym would come with the property. It's in and old roller skating rink so there's plenty of nice hardwood floor space to rent out.

It's about 30 miles north of Utica.
 
nydj66 said:
The gym would come with the property. It's in and old roller skating rink so there's plenty of nice hardwood floor space to rent out.

It's about 30 miles north of Utica.


whats the town in upstate?

New york mills?




(curius i know some peeps from there)
 
tiger88 said:
whats the town in upstate?

New york mills?




(curius i know some peeps from there)

New York Mills is pretty much a suburb of Utica; I live farther north than that. Up in the snow belt.

BTW, I've decided not to buy the gym since my children are still young and I don't want to spend all my time away from them.
 
a commonly overlooked market is actually High schools. if you offer a great rate for local students, you can not only increase membership numbers, but gain long term members.
colleges dont work because most have great gyms on their own, and many college students go to pick up other college students - personal experience ;)
 
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