Fitness Centers are Still a Great Small Business Idea, According to Atlanta Personal Trainer David Reagan
Entering the fitness industry can be challenging. It’s a saturated market, and the competition is fierce. Even mainstream fitness centers are surprisingly unsuccessful at giving people the physical fitness they pay for. They don’t offer people any help with their main hurdle – committing to a fitness habit and helping with their fitness challenges. They leave a huge gap for small fitness businesses aiming at niche audiences with high-quality fitness guidance (rather than just high-tech equipment) and friendly customer policies. The fitness industry could have room for you if you have an excellent idea for an underserved niche.
Consider the idea of aiming a fitness center at children, for instance. Children usually don’t need special fitness training because most children are naturally blessed with health. Child obesity is a significant problem these days, though. Only a few fitness centers exist for this niche at present. Parents prefer these because they offer fitness equipment that is safe and appropriately sized for children. They also offer personal trainers who have child fitness qualifications.
Other niches can be successfully targeted by entrepreneurs, too. For example, people live longer than ever and find generic fitness centers off-putting. A fitness center for older adults that offers custom training for the elderly could be a good idea. Exclusive women’s fitness centers like Curves (the popular chain) could also work. The idea is to pick a great niche and serve it well.
You will need more than a good idea for a niche fitness center to set you up for success. David Reagan, an Atlanta fitness instructor, provides these tips to keep in mind when planning the launch of your fitness center business.
- You need to know your niche inside out. For example, if you want to start a senior fitness center, try volunteering at a senior center or get involved somewhere seniors frequent. You need to know precisely what the people you plan to work with go through in life. It would be best to learn how to communicate with your intended market.
- Getting involved in your niche market’s community – people with disabilities, seniors, etc. – is just one part of knowing your niche. It would help if you also put serious research into the medical science behind helping your desired clientele become physically fit. In addition, it would be best if you spent time reading up on the specific fitness equipment that works for your niche.
- Niche fitness centers should try to have extra revenue streams by offering additional services alongside their main ones. Many senior fitness centers, for instance, provide mental fitness programs and training in driving skills. Teen fitness centers offer mock job interviews and so on. You need to know your niche and deliver value.
Of course, picking a great niche is only a start. You will also need to master several other facets of the business, including choosing the right location, management, PR, and more.
About David Reagan
David Reagan is a NASM Certified personal trainer from Atlanta, GA, specializing in weight loss, personalized workout plans, bodybuilding, and nutrition. He caters to high-end clients and executives, helping them achieve their fitness goals by accommodating their busy schedules. The client’s needs come first, and David’s fitness plan will set you on the path to success.
