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Fitness Franchise Business OpportunityTracie Johanson If recent media coverage were any indication, it would appearthat virtually nobody in the United States has had any successat losing weight. Crash diets, weight loss pills andget-thin-quick gimmicks are more prevalent than ever, yettwo-thirds of our population is still overweight. Even morestartling is the fact that approximately one-third of the peoplein our country are clinically obese.
Yet more and more Americans are finding that weight loss successis not only within their grasp, but also actually easier toachieve than they thought possible.Due to the rapid growth of women-only circuit-training gyms,women in particular are finding that weight loss is anachievable goal. Workouts just for women have become a commonsight from sea to shining sea, with the International Health,Racquet & Sportsclub Association reporting that as of July 2005there were 26,046 health clubs in the United States (a 10.8percent increase from just six months previous). Women-onlycircuit training clubs account for more than one out of everythree fitness centers in the nation. Sales at fitness clubs have also been on the rise. In January2003, the latest figures available, the industry collectivelytook in $14.1 billion in revenue, a jump from $13.1 billion ayear earlier. Why has the women-only circuit-training exercise model worked sowell? The short answer is that it works. Circuit training is aproven exercise system that, for many women, has proven to bemore 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 ladiesexercise in a circle, each at a station. They spend 30 or 45seconds at each station, either working a hydraulic resistancemachine or doing aerobics. The entire routine takes 30 minutes. Pick Up The Pace is one such gym for women that has carefullytracked the success of its members for years. Deanna S., amember of Pick Up The Pace in Libby, MT, lost 14.75 inches injust one month. Kim M. reduced her body-fat by 4.2 percent injust one month at Pick Up The Pace, while at the same timelosing 10.75 pounds of fat. With results like these, it's easy to see why this fitnesscenter concept has skyrocketed in popularity with today'saverage woman. For perhaps the first time in their lives, womenare finding that it's possible to slim down and tone up in only30 minutes each day.What many women see as just a great way to achieve some quickweight loss, others see as a business opportunity. Despite theincredible growth of these hydraulic gyms, there seems to be noshortage of customers. As reported by CNN on 1-14-05 "Americanswere expected to spend more than $40 billion in 2004 on weightcontrol pills, gym memberships, diet plans and related foods,estimates Marketdata Enterprises, which studies the weight lossindustry." Furthermore, statistics from the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 80 percent ofoverweight individuals and almost 87 percent of obeseindividuals are trying to lose or maintain their weight. As reported by mygoals.com, 80 percent of Americans made a NewYear's resolution in 2005. A whopping 26 percent of thoseresolutions were to improve overall health and fitness, makingthis the top category for self-improvement. This year was noanomaly, either, according to Amy O'Connor, deputy editor ofPrevention magazine: "Fifty-nine million people every yearresolve to lose weight." With so many potential customers, many women seek to start theirown circuit-training business only to find themselvesdiscouraged by the typical franchise opportunity. They'refinding that a hydraulic gym franchise such as Curves for Womencan be expensive, restrictive, and sometimes difficult topurchase. According to the International Franchise Association, one of thewomen-only workout franchises recently announced that they areraising their franchise fee from $9,995 to $12,500. Anotherfranchise package costs anywhere from $85,000 to $225,000,including a $36,000 franchise fee and startup cost. Monthlyfranchise royalty payments, which can range from $395 to $590per month, place an additional burden on the franchisee.Assuming that the franchise agreement permits the buyer to usethe franchise name for 10 years, the gym owner will be payingapproximately $60,000 in royalty payments over the franchiseterm. These figures can scare off many would-be health clubowners. Many women who do opt to open a circuit-training franchise findthat the franchise agreement does not grant them the liberty toadd amenities as they wish. Many franchise operations restricttheir 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 womenentrepreneurs are choosing to either open a completelyindependent workout center or opt for a license package. Whilegoing independent carries the inherent risk of having toreinvent the wheel, it still may be the best option for somewomen. The other option is to capture most of the benefits of afranchise while at the same time avoiding the financial burdensof that system. This is done with a license package, such as theone offered by Pick Up The Pace 30-Minute Workout For Women. For many women, getting fit, slender and in shape themselves hasnot only been good for their health but has also prompted themto enter the fitness market as a gym owner. With obesity ratesstill climbing, this is a trend that may continue for years tocome. About the author:* Tracie Johanson is the founder of Pick Up The Pace, a30-minute exercise studio for women, focusing on fitness, healthand nutrition for maximum weight loss. Please visit
http://www.letspickupthepace.com/ for more information. |
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