Want To Open Your Own Fitness Studio?

If you think you are ready to set up your own studio or gym what are the main considerations? Here we consider the main tips for taking the leap to open your fitness studio. 

How Do I Set Up A Fitness Studio?

So you've decided you want to open your own fitness studio or commercial gym, but where do you begin? The first step is to research, research, research! As a budding fitness entrepreneur, you must have a well-thought-out plan for your business in place. 

The research stage will help you iron out any potential risks from the get-go and discover some areas that may need further research. By having a clear vision for your business, you can pinpoint what business model will work for you. 

The Legal Requirements Of Opening A Fitness Studio In The UK 

The first step to opening any business is to know your legal requirements and responsibilities. For the leisure industry, the fundamental legislation is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

This legislation ensures employers implement "health, safety and welfare" for their employees, with employees having up-to-date training materials and first aid staff for the expected number of customers. 

All new customers should be provided with a waiver that informs them of the risks of using a gym, with the understanding that the trainer/gym studio/company will not be held responsible in the event of an injury. There are several different business insurance policies for your fitness studio company to consider, including the following: 

- Public Liability Insurance- covers insurance for studio owners if a member of the public is injured on the premises and blames the fitness studio

- Employers Liability - cover for any staff who injure themselves in the workplace or caused by work, e.g. tripping over a piece of equipment

- Buildings/Content Insurance - Business insurance only applies if you own the studio. However, content insurance is a must for your equipment as this can protect against damage to equipment or theft

The Cost Involved With Opening A Fitness Studio 

Opening your dream fitness studio might cost more than expected, often deterring people at the first hurdle. However, if you start your business with a clear plan and have an entrepreneurial drive, opening a fitness studio or gym can be a very profitable career choice. 

Working out the revenue you'll need to offset your costs from the get-go is important so you can begin to work towards building profit.  If you don't want to part with your money right away, we can help you spread the cost of your fitness equipment with our 0% finance deals that cover most of our gym equipment. 

Your business's financial success will depend on a magnitude of factors; see more below.

Get Your Location Right

First things first, ensure that you acquire a site where your target audience is. Not only that but make sure there are enough potential users to make your business viable. For example, if you want city workers to visit your studio, are you set right amongst offices and businesses? The demographics here are really important. 

Another factor to consider is cost; if you plan to target wealthy clients for a boutique studio, you must locate yourself in the right location. Also, can clients easily get to you? Are you near a station, bus stop or better still is there a car park? 

Finally, see what competition there is in the area. It isn't true that you should never set up near another gym; you may be offering a different experience; just be clear about what already exists in the area and how your ideas can compete or complement each other. 

Establish Your Brand

Your brand is your differentiator; it tells your clients what they can expect and how to differentiate you from your competitors. It is your brand identity which will bring clients through your door. 

Will you offer high-quality training machines at your fitness studio or focus more on buying accessories to support classes? Establishing your brand identity from the start will drive all the decisions you make for your fitness studio, including the equipment you stock, the staff you hire and the design of your space.

With branding in mind, ensure that your logo, colours and straplines are uniform throughout any marketing materials, on or offline. 

Buy The Right Equipment 

Choosing the right equipment is really important. It must support the brand you are trying to establish. Upmarket gyms don't use cheap fitness equipment that constantly breaks down. Likewise, "Strong's Gym" will not be full of cardio pieces. 

Buying the right equipment should be about the balance of exercises. If you're looking to become a cardio specialist, you might still have a strength and free weight area; it may just be that you would look to establish defined zones for cardio and strength. 

On the other hand, if you offer high-intensity classes, you may want to create a stretching and relaxation area after sessions. When it comes to choosing the right commercial gym equipment for your studio, we offer a fantastic range suitable for multiple types of training and spaces. Our best-selling brands include Life Fitness for specialist cardio equipment, and Primal Strength for strength training and weights.    

Recruit The Right People

Entering a studio can be a daunting thing for many people to do. Your staff must reflect your brand and make people feel welcome and wanted. Recruit carefully, check all qualifications and gather client feedback to ensure the team delivers.

Ensure your staff are well trained and aware of fitness techniques that could benefit your clients and are proactive with keeping up to date with the wellness industry as a whole.

Retaining Members

Once you are up and running, you must retain your members. You can do several things to ensure you keep those valuable clients. Firstly communication is vital, whether that is through email marketing or social media. Engaging with your clients and making them feel listened to and valued should be your number one priority. 

Consider also creating a community where people feel part of something; this can be in a post-workout relaxation area or a café. Also, be responsive to space according to what your members use. If the strength equipment is under-utilised, but the cardio is popular, and there are waiting times, then react and change things around.

You can use technology to help members see how their efforts are developing, including apps, wearables, and club programs that keep members connected with their fitness data. 

With all this in mind, we hope you feel inspired to turn your idea of owning a fitness studio or gym into a reality. If you would like further information on choosing the right commercial gym equipment for your business, or our gym design services, don’t hesitate to have a chat with us today.