This study also revealed that 60% of Americans are not regularly active, an alarming statistic that could have a devastating effect if gone unnoticed.

The good news is that Americans are noticing the need for healthier lifestyles and they are increasingly turning to health and fitness centers to get in shape. In 1987, only 13.7 million consumers were members of health club facilities. By 200, that number had skyrocketed to nearly 29 million – a growth rate of 112%!

Fitness franchises have taken advantage of the growing demand to equip small business owners to achieve profitability and promote health-consciousness in our communities. Gold’s Gym has been a recognized authority in the fitness industry dating back to the first Gold’s Gym in Venice, California in 1965. In 1977, Gold’s Gym received international attention when it was featured in the cult favorite, Pumping Iron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. Today, Gold’s franchises offer the latest equipment and fitness services to a co-ed customer base. They are the world’s largest co-ed franchise, and offer a great opportunity for new franchisees.

In addition to Gold’s, there are many other franchising opportunities for new franchisees. Some franchises focus on specific market segments based on age or gender, while others (like Gold’s) have a more diverse clientele. With so many options, the fitness franchise industry offers something for everyone.

Points to Consider

• The most successful fitness centers offer more than just access to fitness equipment. Programs and classes also play a large role in helping centers capture their share of the marketplace. Be prepared to ask your franchisor about the additional services their centers typically provide.
• Location is another important consideration in starting a fitness franchise. Many people prefer centers that are close to their workplace so they can pop-in before or after work, or during their lunch hour. By selecting a remote site, your franchise could miss out on a significant portion of its target market.

Franchise Opportunities

• Planet Fitness Franchises. This is the fastest-growing fitness center franchise in the company and for good reason. They offer customers a great place to workout at an unbelievable price.
• Gold’s Gym. Gold’s is an established leader in the co-ed fitness center industry. At the present time, they have more than 600 facilities in 43 states and 25 countries.
• Anytime Fitness. Capitalizing on the time demands of its customers, Anytime Fitness offers 24 hour access to its fitness equipment. They have only been franchising since 2002, but already have more than 70 locations in North America.
• Contours Express. Contours offers fitness center services for exclusively female clientele. Their centers are somewhat scaled down and cater to towns too small to support a full-scale co-ed gym. In 2005, they reported more than 350 franchise locations, primarily located in North America.
• My Gym Children’s Fitness. My Gym specializes in fitness centers for kids, offering movement, tumbling and exercise classes for children aged 3 months to 9 years. Currently, they have 125+ franchise locations and are actively seeking new franchisees.

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