| Once you've done the research and decided that | | | | franchisee is assigned his own personal business |
| buying a franchise is the right business opportunity | | | | consultant who remains available for support |
| for you, the next step is choosing a franchise. But | | | | throughout the franchisee's tenure with the company. |
| with so many franchises available in so many | | | | The franchise stays involved with its business owners |
| different industries, how do you narrow down the | | | | because they care not only about the success of |
| selection? First, think about your personal interests. | | | | their gyms, but also about the health and wellness of |
| No one wants to run a business he finds | | | | children in their communities. |
| uninteresting. For example, if you hate math and | | | | Other fitness franchise opportunities |
| crunching numbers, an accounting franchise probably | | | | If your interest in fitness is more specialized, you |
| isn't your best bet. Instead search for businesses | | | | might consider a franchise like IM=X® |
| that you think would be fun to manage. | | | | (pronounced "IMX") Pilates Studio. This is a turnkey |
| One such type of business is a gym. The American | | | | business that combines the muscle-toning of Pilates |
| fitness craze is definitely here to stay. With $14.8 | | | | with cardiovascular training. IM=X stands for |
| billion in revenue reported in 2004 and 41.3 million | | | | Integrated Movement Xercize-a program that adds |
| registered health club members as of January 2005, | | | | resistance training and plyometric jumps to Pilates |
| this industry offers franchisees the opportunity to | | | | movements to create a more athletic workout. IM=X |
| get a slice of a very big pie. If you, like so many | | | | has been described as the "next evolution of Pilates" |
| other Americans, are a happy passenger on the | | | | because the program is adaptable and can be made |
| fitness bandwagon, a gym franchise might be the | | | | appropriate for all fitness levels. Franchisees in this |
| ideal business venture for you. | | | | system receive support in marketing, business, |
| Gyms in the Franchise 500® | | | | equipment and are even provided with yearly, on-site |
| If you do decide on a gym franchise, of course you'll | | | | certification for staff members in a variety of fitness |
| want to choose one that has a good reputation for | | | | programs such as yoga and pre/postnatal workouts. |
| financial performance and franchisee satisfaction. A | | | | Perhaps you have an interest in women's fitness. If |
| great tool to help you identify these franchises is | | | | so, you might look at a franchise opportunity like |
| Entrepreneur's Franchise 500®. | | | | Butterfly Life, which is a unique "one-stop-shop" for |
| Entrepreneur uses the same objective and | | | | women's health. It is the only fitness franchise that |
| quantifiable criteria to judge all companies-regardless | | | | currently offers free classes anytime. Classes such as |
| of size-and formulate a ranked list of the best | | | | Pilates, yoga, kick & jam, salsa, step, total body |
| franchise opportunities Some of the factors | | | | and Latin groove are taught by experts using Life |
| considered include: financial performance, growth rate | | | | Vision®. The fitness equipment available at |
| and the size of the company, the number of years a | | | | Butterfly Life locations is designed specifically for |
| company has been in business and the number of | | | | women to ensure that members do not plateau but |
| years it has been franchising, start-up costs, litigation, | | | | instead are continually challenged. Each gym in this |
| percentage of terminations and whether or not a | | | | franchise offers its members a 15-station |
| franchisor provides in-house financing. | | | | strength-training and cardio circuit. Butterfly Life |
| The Franchise 500® list for 2007 included | | | | offers a Weight Loss Express® program that |
| business opportunities such as Gold's Gym and The | | | | combines circuit training workouts with nutrition |
| Little Gym. | | | | classes to produce positive results in 30 days without |
| Gold's Gym is the number one fitness club in the | | | | calorie counting or special diet food. |
| world as well as an immediately recognized brand in | | | | LA Boxing Franchise Corporation was developed with |
| the fitness industry. Franchisees in this system pride | | | | the help of world-class boxing and kickboxing |
| themselves on offering all the latest equipment and | | | | champions. The physical training offered to customers |
| services at their gyms. Newcomers to this franchise | | | | at these locations is combined with nutritional |
| are provided with a comprehensive training and | | | | counseling to help them meet their fitness goals. |
| support system that includes programs such as the | | | | Final thoughts |
| Gold's Gym University workshop. This five-day, 28 | | | | This limited sampling shows that there are numerous |
| class training program is designed to integrate new | | | | franchise opportunities available in the fitness industry. |
| business owners into the Gold's Gym franchise and | | | | If healthy living is your passion, you'll certainly be able |
| help them maximize the potential of their units. | | | | to find a franchise that complements your personal |
| The Little Gym leads the industry in children's motor | | | | fitness interests. And-with the help of a franchisor's |
| skill development, making the process a fun and | | | | proven business plan-you'll be able to bring a healthy |
| engaging one that builds confidence in children. This | | | | lifestyle to your community while simultaneously |
| system is proud of its hands-on approach when it | | | | earning a good living as the owner of a gym. |
| comes to setting up new franchises. Each new | | | | |