what does it take to open a gym?

[cheesePuss]

Heys guys, I plan to open a gym someday, and I was just wondering if anybody on the board has any experience with doing so.

I'm curious to what it takes to get started.... capital....loans....credit...and so on.

also is it good to go with a franchise?

I don't want to make a huge trendy gym like bally's or crunch. I want to own a gym that appeals bodybuilders, powerlifters, olympic lifters, and of course the average person...but not a pretty meat market gym.

thanks in advance for any info!

P.S I'm 24 and right now I make about 43k a year..... what can I do to make this happen

 

[Peyote Killa]

Well first, a loan is in order, the amount will have to be carefully examined. Your equipment is an easy $100,000 plus about 20 other expenses and permits required, its a difficult and tedious process, alot has to be accounted for.

Also, be unique, there is a gym in California where not just "anyone" can join. The gym holds a sort of back ground check in your personal "physical output experience", it weeds out people with no heart and admits people with heart, drive and the want and need to get better, basically its for serious mofos and everyone is analyzed. Its cheap as well, have the basics but the "best basics", no bullshit needed.

 

[cheesePuss]

That's a good idea. I definetly want something different...but at the same time I want to make a decent living. I plan to have the gym in either south or central florida.

Also what kind of income can one expect from a gym like that.

thanks again

 

[BuggyWhips]

You have to determine what market your going after. o go after them all at once would require an insane amount of capital. The machines themselves can be leased, the total amount for that would all be based on what brand, how much of it you want..
Just by goin through the boards u can see what kinda Gym different people like. Someone who is just interested in keeping fit" probably would enjoy a place with a more ballys type atomisphere. Someone who is into just getting bigger and doesnt care about the plushness might choose something like Golds.
In my area NJ, the market is saturated with GYMs. We have mostly NYSC and Ballys and they do alriight. If you want a GYM for meatheads find out if there is such a market for one first.
GYMs are very expensive to start, they require large amounts of space and the equpment is expensive.On top of that you havce to decide what clientel you want and then convince them to go to yours...Ask yourself, why would they want to come to my place as opposed to working out at home/ Will the machinery be kept in good condition and available to use all the time?
Then u gotta decide what type of machiner, natulius or free weights? Its all up to you.

 

[cheesePuss]

thanks for the input guys.

 

[AAP]

Do you really want to deal with PEOPLE LIKE US EVERY DAY?????

 

[gymnpoppa]

A very saturated market now, good luck.

PM me for a good idea.

 

[booger]

Last figures I saw were a population base of 50,000 people to insure financial success. You have to factor the other gyms operating in the area into this equation also.