Business advice welcomed for Gym project

[couchpotato]

Just wanted a bit of advice as to the best way to begin acquiring a Gym as an ongoing business. Not really that versed in the business side of things so looking for a little guidance. Personnel, including all classes are taken care of but was wondering the best route as far as premises go. Would it be best to take on an already established Gym up for sale (but makes you think why are they selling up?), or start your own, picking your own location, equipment, negotiating your rent etc.

[fire boy]

I'm no expert but all of the private gyms that I know come with a certain reputation no matter who takes over.

I mean some gym's are just plain intimidating when you first go in to sign up with fifty yard stares flying your way from people with arms like an orangutan.

So really you need to select a target base before looking at premises i.e young professional people with a large range of keep fit classes, or big muscle bound pumping iron types.

Me personally I would aim for a young mixed client base and offer plenty of aerobic classes and maybe a small boxing ring just for newbies ( no pro boxers!) and base the premises around those needs.

Taking over an existing gym and trying to change the customer base is a big no no for me.

If you have staff set and ready to go maybe then word of mouth could give you a footing in terms of customers, as for location maybe a factory unit on an industrial park will do as parking would be good.

I know all this probably seems obvious but hope it helps.

[couchpotato]

Thanks for the input fire boy, much appreciated. Had thoughts along those lines so nice to have them reinforced

[IronGiant]

Just one bit of advice, don't name it after your Forum name

On the other hand...

Dave

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by fire boy

Me personally I would aim for a young mixed client base and offer plenty of aerobic classes and maybe a small boxing ring just for newbies ( no pro boxers!) and base the premises around those needs.

I think there's a big line between a fitness gym and a boxing gym.

Depends what you want, you dont want to be going for too much on your plate when starting up a business, set yourself a clear start, just standard gym equipment, weights and fitness.

Boxing gyms are generally specialist and you dont get a ring in a normal gym, plus you need a proper boxing trainer to do that, so unless OP has experience with boxing it's probably not really a great idea.
Also if you're having people hitting each other there's more risk on insurance and such i'd imagine, personally i'd just go for weights, aerobic and general fitness rather than boxing.

Plus even a newbie boxing gym would put off some people who just want to go for a gentle workout.

Yoga classes and aerobics classes, and just general weight training etc would be the way to go.
Maybe set your business plan out to have special nights
Women only nights would be a good idea, stuff like that is the best way to go about things. If you're in an area near a uni or college you could do student discounts, have student nights. Whatever really, that would be a better way to go about it rather than specialising in a boxing gym.
Remember boxing isn't so much about weights, you concentrate on roadwork (running) and general fitness, skipping, then working on punching, you don't need to do weights, weights/muscles slow down a fighter, it's best to gain strength from training, lots of it, minimal weight work, unless you're a big heavyweight 1 punch figher...

[fire boy]

I mentioned the boxing bit as I know a lot of people who are/want to take one to one personal boxing training just to get fit and build confidence.

It's a really great way to get fit even if you don't wish to spar and I'm sure with the right trainer the clients would flood in.

My brother in law is an ex pro fighter turned trainer and he is well respected in boxing circles. He has a large number of clients from new bee's looking for something different to keep fit( by this I mean young city folk from the financial district) to amateur fighters.

He Taylors a session to build them up whatever there ability without the need for a lot of expensive equipment, even though it's done in a fully equipped gym.

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by fire boy

I mentioned the boxing bit as I know a lot of people who are/want to take one to one personal boxing training just to get fit and build confidence.

It's a really great way to get fit even if you don't wish to spar and I'm sure with the right trainer the clients would flood in.

My brother in law is an ex pro fighter turned trainer and he is well respected in boxing circles. He has a large number of clients from new bee's looking for something different to keep fit( by this I mean young city folk from the financial district) to amateur fighters.

He Taylors a session to build them up whatever there ability without the need for a lot of expensive equipment, even though it's done in a fully equipped gym.

Oh yeah of course boxing is in demand and it's a good way to gain fitness, but unless OP has experience in boxing it's pointless him starting a boxing gym.

A boxing gym would be better off being just a ring + boxing fitness equipment as you don't actually need much for it, some bags, speedballs, skipping ropes and benches for situps etc, most trainers only work on a boxers technique and give pointers for fitness in a boxing related sense. Also reputation of a former pro fighter, such as your brother-in-law is what will attract and keep more people going to one, it's a good reputation and a trustworthy trainer.
I'm guessing OP has no boxing experience so that option wouldn't really be an ideal solution for them, also a normal fitness gym requires you to do less.

Boxing is great for fitness as it has one of the best fitness routines for training. But a huge difference between that and a standard fitness gym.
You'd have to pick one or the other rather than trying to mix it up IMO, you need a clear and concise business plan and keep it simple to start off with.