Local Business

Local Business  »  Is A Fitness Franchise The Best Business Opportunity For You?

Is A Fitness Franchise The Best Business Opportunity For You?

If recent media coverage were any indication, it would appear

that virtually nobody in the United States has had any success

at losing weight. Crash diets, weight loss pills and

get-thin-quick gimmicks are more prevalent than ever, yet

two-thirds of our population is still overweight. Even more

startling is the fact that approximately one-third of the people

in our country are clinically obese.

Yet more and more Americans are finding that weight loss success

is not only within their grasp, but also actually easier to

achieve than they thought possible.

Due to the rapid growth of women-only circuit-training gyms,

women in particular are finding that weight loss is an

achievable goal. Workouts just for women have become a common

sight from sea to shining sea, with the International Health,

Racquet & Sportsclub Association reporting that as of July 2005

there were 26,046 health clubs in the United States (a 10.8

percent increase from just six months previous). Women-only

circuit training clubs account for more than one out of every

three fitness centers in the nation.

Sales at fitness clubs have also been on the rise. In January

2003, the latest figures available, the industry collectively

took in $14.1 billion in revenue, a jump from $13.1 billion a

year earlier.

Why has the women-only circuit-training exercise model worked so

well? The short answer is that it works. Circuit training is a

proven exercise system that, for many women, has proven to be

more effective than dieting or nutrition programs alone.

The routine at these ladies express gyms is quick and simple,

allowing each woman to progress at her own pace. The ladies

exercise in a circle, each at a station. They spend 30 or 45

seconds at each station, either working a hydraulic resistance

machine or doing aerobics. The entire routine takes 30 minutes.

Pick Up The Pace is one such gym for women that has carefully

tracked the success of its members for years. Deanna S., a

member of Pick Up The Pace in Libby, MT, lost 14.75 inches in

just one month. Kim M. reduced her body-fat by 4.2 percent in

just one month at Pick Up The Pace, while at the same time

losing 10.75 pounds of fat.

With results like these, it's easy to see why this fitness

center concept has skyrocketed in popularity with today's

average woman. For perhaps the first time in their lives, women

are finding that it's possible to slim down and tone up in only

30 minutes each day.

What many women see as just a great way to achieve some quick

weight loss, others see as a business opportunity. Despite the

incredible growth of these hydraulic gyms, there seems to be no

shortage of customers. As reported by CNN on 1-14-05 "Americans

were expected to spend more than $40 billion in 2004 on weight

control pills, gym memberships, diet plans and related foods,

estimates Marketdata Enterprises, which studies the weight loss

industry." Furthermore, statistics from the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 80 percent of

overweight individuals and almost 87 percent of obese

individuals are trying to lose or maintain their weight.

As reported by www.mygoals.com, 80 percent of Americans made a

New Year's resolution in 2005. A whopping 26 percent of those

resolutions were to improve overall health and fitness, making

this the top category for self-improvement. This year was no

anomaly, either, according to Amy O'Connor, deputy editor of

Prevention magazine: "Fifty-nine million people every year

resolve to lose weight."

With so many potential customers, many women seek to start their

own circuit-training business only to find themselves

discouraged by the typical franchise opportunity. They're

finding that a hydraulic gym franchise such as Curves for Women

can be expensive, restrictive, and sometimes difficult to

purchase.

According to the International Franchise Association, one of the

women-only workout franchises recently announced that they are

raising their franchise fee from $9,995 to $12,500. Another

franchise package costs anywhere from $85,000 to $225,000,

including a $36,000 franchise fee and startup cost. Monthly

franchise royalty payments, which can range from $395 to $590

per month, place an additional burden on the franchisee.

Assuming that the franchise agreement permits the buyer to use

the franchise name for 10 years, the gym owner will be paying

approximately $60,000 in royalty payments over the franchise

term. These figures can scare off many would-be health club

owners.

Many women who do opt to open a circuit-training franchise find

Today's Popular Articles

• Trade Leads - Business In An International Market

• Does it make good business sense outsourcing to India?

that the franchise agreement does not grant them the liberty to

add amenities as they wish. Many franchise operations restrict

their fitness centers by not allowing them to add tanning,

nutrition counseling, supplements, vitamins, massage therapy,

body wraps or other extras for which ladies are clamoring.

Relying on good old American made ingenuity, many women

entrepreneurs are choosing to either open a completely

independent workout center or opt for a license package. While

going independent carries the inherent risk of having to

reinvent the wheel, it still may be the best option for some

women. The other option is to capture most of the benefits of a

franchise while at the same time avoiding the financial burdens

of that system. This is done with a license package, such as the

one offered by Pick Up The Pace 30-Minute Workout For Women

(visit www.letspickupthepace.com for more information).

For many women, getting fit, slender and in shape themselves has

not only been good for their health but has also prompted them

to enter the fitness market as a gym owner. With obesity rates

still climbing, this is a trend that may continue for years to

come.

* Copyright 2005 Pick Up The Pace. Permission is not required

for the distribution of Pick Up The Pace articles as long as

they are used in their entirety, are properly credited to Pick

Up The Pace, and are accompanied by our website link:

http://www.letspickupthepace.com/.

* The information in this article and on this site is for

general reference purposes only and not intended to address

specific medical conditions. This information is not a

substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam.

Prior to participating in any exercise program or activity, you

should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified

health professional. No information in this article or on

http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ should be used to diagnose,

treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.

About the author:

Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a 30-minute

exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, health and

nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit

http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ for more information.