Often times, when fitness professionals hear the words “muscle imbalances” they roll their eyes.

They think, “ya ya”, I do stretching with my client.

There is a good chance that your clients are not getting their maximal results because you are not addressing muscle imbalances, fully.

Let me ask:

“If I could show you a way that your clients could get better results, feel refreshed for their next workout and have a decrease in aches and pains, would you be interested in know what it is?”

If you answered, yes, then the answer is by addressing muscle Imbalances.

Continue Reading 3 Ways of Maximizing Your Client’s Results by Addressing Muscle Imbalances

There are tons fitness center franchise models to choose from when franchising a fitness center. What are the differences and how do they operate? The following is a list of the different types of fitness center business model and a brief description about what makes them unique.

Circuit training

The most popular circuit training fitness center is Curves. Curves has dedicated its entire franchise on the premise that metabolic intervals is the best way to train women. The benefit to this set up is that the clubs are exclusive to women. Overweight women have a difficult time reconciling their need to lose weight and their embarrassment about working out around the opposite sex. This business model has cashed in on that principle.

Gender Specific

The biggest problem with Curves is that they have cut out half of the population while marketing only to one portion of the population. Traditionally the men-only gyms are less circuit training and more personal training oriented. This is probably because of the different fitness goals that men and women have. Creating a safe environment where both sexes can work out is important. Planet fitness has attempted to take the comfort of gender specific training coed with their “Judgment Free Zones”

All amenities included

There are gyms that are so large they have all amenities included. As far as a fitness center franchise is concerned this is the most expensive type of fitness center to open. The reason is because of all of the amenities. An indoor swimming pool, indoor racing track, aerobics room, sauna, hot tub, spa, juice bar and massage center all add to overhead costs. Not only are the overhead costs high in these facilities but they also have huge construction costs. The payroll is usually very high also. The benefit to these facilities is that they typically gather higher membership dues, but any profit is quickly gobbled up by the other expenses of the facility.

Dance class

Dance class fitness centers have become very popular. They typically have lower construction costs and set up fees because of the format.  These franchises typically are not done with stand-alone facilities and are run through other gyms. The problem with this is that when you are operating a franchised class out of a facility that you don’t own you are paying three people; the gym, the franchise, yourself. These franchises do not cost a lot to get into but they don’t end up paying very much without a stand-alone facility either.

Boot camp

Boot camp style fitness center franchise opportunities have become very popular. The best model for these is Fit Body Boot Camp. The reason that Fit Body Boot Camp stands out among the other formats is their support system and their use of a stand-alone facility. Boot camp style classes typically use both cardio exercise and resistance training in rapid metabolic circuits which are very effective methods of reducing body weight for both men and women. Boot camps can be made more difficult by adjusting weights and are very flexible no matter the clientele.

24 hour

The 24 hour gyms are typically very automated. These gyms are based on the concept that no one needs to be at the facility in order for the facility to be open. They have very high tech check in and security software. This means that when no one is there at 3 am the facility is still open and secure. The benefit to this type of fitness center franchise is that they operate with very few employees, typically 1-2 and they can create revenue from people who may not be able to go to a regular hours gym. If you are looking forward to interacting with your clients, then these gym formats are not the franchise for you.

Extreme gyms

Extreme gyms are known for their extreme workouts. These may be intense body building gyms or gyms like Crossfit. These attract a certain population of extreme fitness competitors. They usually thrive on the perception that belonging to their gym means that you are the best of the best. Typically these gyms cater to those who already have a certain level of fitness and are not for those beginning a fitness regimen. Because of their select clientele and the extreme nature of their fitness these types of franchises are only recommended for those who have experience in the specific field.

Personal training

Personal training gyms are dedicated to personal training. They can be constructed in small environments and usually have small construction costs. The fitness center franchise opportunities cater to those who either have high amounts of disposable income or who use athletics professionally. The reason that this client base is so small is because of the costs associated with one-on-one training. Personal training franchises either work out of clients homes or at their own independent facilities. There are a few that craft entire gyms for personal training only. This model would be good for someone who is a certified personal trainer and wanted to do personal training with individuals only.

Choosing your franchise model

Considering which type of fitness center franchise opportunity that you want to open is the first step in opening a fitness center. The important thing to remember when choosing a franchise is what you want to do with your business. If all you want to do is train individual clients, a dance class style franchise is going to make you miserable. Likewise if you always pictured yourself owning a gym that has everything  a 24 hour fitness model is not going to satisfy you. Once you have picked the basic model you can investigate the franchises that offer opportunities within that specific model. Often though each model will have only one or two good franchisors, doing adequate research will ensure that you are happy in the franchise that you have invested in.

You have decided to invest in a fitness franchise opportunity. When doing your initial research it is important to be on the lookout for warning signs and red flags that indicate the fitness franchise may not be a good partner. Being prepared with a list of things that may indicate poor support from a franchisor can save you time, money and the disappointment of partnering with a company that is not going to support you.

Lack of communication

When contacting a franchise to request information the speed and length of the communications they send back to you may be the first red flag that they are not a good partner. If it takes 3 weeks to get information to you, or if the information is not what you requested, get out! The inability to provide adequate service to a prospective franchisee is the first of many signs the franchise is not a good one to partner with.

Poor customer service from franchisor

When considering your fitness franchise opportunity you will likely have many interactions with the franchisor. If you are receiving poor customer service during the investigation phase of starting your fitness franchise then you should stop considering that company. It is important to a franchise to get new franchisees this is one of the areas that their customer service should excel. If it is not excelling it is an indicator that their support systems will also function poorly. The last thing that you need when opening a new franchise is poor support from the franchisor.

Unwillingness to disclose important information

If important features of how the franchise operates are “only disclosed after you sign” then you should turn around and walk away. The important features should be a selling point for the franchise. If they cannot tell you how their marketing strategy will benefit you prior to signing a contract it is most likely that they have an inadequate marketing strategy. If they don’t want to disclose information you should not sign with that franchise!

Other owners express disappointment

Do some investigation and speak to other owners. A good franchise should have references that prove they are a good partner. If there is no open source of owners that you can speak with it may be a sign that this franchise does not treat the franchisee well. If you cannot talk to at least 2 or 3 owners prior to signing a contract you may want to consider signing with a different franchise.

Worse than not being able to speak with franchisees is when multiple franchisees express regret at franchising with the company. If you consistently hear that their support is inadequate or that they have unrealistic operating expectations then this is a red flag. Do not partner with someone who consistently disappoints.

When visiting a location of the franchise you receive poor service

Do not franchise with a company that has poor service at their other locations. When you share a name with another independent location, their service is a reflection on your business. This is more than true if you are creating a second location within the same city. People will automatically associate the first stores reputation with your store. Poor customer service at another location is an indication of the performance capability the fitness franchise opportunity has.

Other locations are run down or shabby

If other locations of the fitness franchise have poor quality equipment or are in poor locations this is likely an indicator that the franchise has poor equipment and real estate support. Equipment and location are two factors that can make a fitness franchise successful. If the franchisor is not providing quality support in these areas for one location, they probably won’t provide it to your location.

Poor customer reviews on the internet

A poor reputation on the internet is a red flag. One of the reasons to franchise is the brand recognition. You don’t want to open your doors with a negative reputation. That is equivalent to handicapping your business from day one. Selecting a fitness franchise opportunity with a good reputation is vital to your success.

Complaints to the BBB

An overabundance of complaints to the Better Business Bureau is an indication that policies and procedures of the franchise are not fair. The last thing a new business needs is to have their hands tied when trying to provide service to its customers. The ability to treat customers fairly will be an indicator of your success level. Also a company that has a large list of complaints at the BBB is probably going to have a negative reputation.

Unavailability of information when searching

The lack of information available is another strong sign that you should not partner with a franchisor. If you search their name and only have 1 or two results out of a franchise with 100 locations then their marketing is not up to par. Marketing is essential for any fitness franchise opportunity to turn into a successful business venture. The lack of marketing is a recipe for a failed franchise. When searching for locations of the prospective fitness franchise it is better to have an overabundance of results then none at all. More results means that the franchise is taking a serious look at marketing.

No utilization of social networking

Not utilizing social networks is equivalent to cutting out an entire portion of your available market. Social networking is a free asset in the marketing arena. If the fitness franchise opportunity you are considering does not properly utilize sites like Facebook and Linkedin then it is not a franchise that you should consider partnering with.

Choosing a fitness franchise that has shown no signs of poor support will ensure that your franchise is a success. The level of support provided by the franchisor is often the reason that a franchise is successful. The reputation of the franchise is just as important as the level of support that they provide. Do not partner with a company that already has a negative reputation. With a strong list of warning signs and red flags you will be better able to determine if the franchise is a good choice.

Often when starting a boot camp business people begin with the attitude that it is going to be easy. A boot camp business can be easy with the right amount of foresight and planning. There are a few things that are essential ingredients for a successful boot camp business.

Create a Boot Camp Business Plan

A business plan contains five elements that are all vital to understanding where you see your new boot camp business over the course of the next year. This simple planning phase can make you aware of the things that you have, things you lack, necessities and wants. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your current business and establishing where you want to go will give you a great set of boundaries to work with.

1. Business concept: should be easy, a boot camp! Who is the target, how will you market it, how will the boot camp help others?
2. Financial features: sales, profits, cash flow, overhead
3. Financial requirements: money needed to start and to expand. Where is the money coming from and how will more get there?
4. Current business position: Where is your fitness boot camp currently, who is involved?
5. Major achievements:  What are the goals of your fitness boot camp?

Once the important financial and planning aspects of starting a boot camp business have been outlined in your business plan you are ready to begin thinking about the systems that you need in place.

Systems

Billing, renewal and retention systems are all vital to establishing and maintaining a client base. The worst position to be in is having a full class roster that only half of the students are current in their billing. Billing systems may include automatic debits, payment up front for a certain length of time or pay per class. Deciding how you want to run your billing and implementing a system is vital. One of the easiest billing systems is a bi-annual billing for quarterly billing.

Once you have an established customer how do you renew their contract? Do you approach them, do they get a letter? Who is in control of the renewals? These are all elements that will become the ingredients for your renewal system. Letting contracts expire and not renewing them is one way to lose customers. When starting a boot camp business you don’t want to plan for losing customers. Creating a renewal system from the time you have your first client ensures that you will have more clients for greater lengths of time. Some common tools for this may be billing calendars and auto reminder systems.

The final system that should be in place is a retention system. How does your boot camp handle retention? An advanced student is going to get sick of only beginning level classes. Will you offer special classes for those students who have been with you the longest or a special discount to retain loyal customers? Developing this system and having a plan in place to deal with unsatisfied or bored clients will give you a competitive advantage.

Procedures

Standardizing common procedures so that every client can expect the same experience is essential to providing great customer service. What are some procedures to consider when starting a boot camp business?

• Billing
• Cancellation
• Contract terms
• Attendance
• Emergencies

While some of these may be similar in terms to the systems the difference is that this is how it is handled rather than the technology used to handle it. Your customers need to know what to expect and what you will do in a given situation.  One important factor in developing these operating procedures and policies is determining whether you will have your clients sign copies of these procedures or if you will simply post them. Having signed records from clients can provide a useful record when dealing with any disputes about procedure along with informing them about the procedure. Once you have determined which procedures will become policy to be signed by clients you can begin drafting copies to ensure that all elements are covered.

Operations

The primary operations of a boot camp are the classes. When starting a boot camp business, discovering how to get classes moving at a good pace is a part of the learning process. Being able to start and finish your classes at the same time every week is important. Have operation schedules in place prior to starting. These will probably be taken care of by most of the procedures and policies that you have established. For example not allowing people to be late or to attend a class unless they are paid in full are ways to ensure that the classes start and end on time.  Ensuring that clients know when and where to take care of administrative issues is also important to keeping classes on time.

Some behind the scenes operational things that need to be taken care of away from the eyes of clients include cleaning and maintenance activities. This is especially true if you are starting a fitness boot camp business indoors. Scheduling operations like cleaning and maintenance when classes are not scheduled is important to the functioning of both the class and those operational elements of the business. Imagine trying to conduct a class in a dirty room, or trying to change a lighting fixture when there are 20 people exercising in the room. Either task would suffer. Scheduling these elements of business operations away from peak traffic times is vital to a professional environment.

There are many elements to consider when starting a fitness boot camp business. Most of these will be discovered when creating your business plan, planning your procedures, implementing any technical systems and when establishing operational guidelines for your business. As long as you stay on your roadmap to an expanding business you will be successful. Not sticking with the business plan or failing to adapt a procedure to new circumstances can spell disaster for someone starting a boot camp business. However good planning and the willingness to change as the needs of your business change will create a booming business.

It can be difficult to tell whether or not you should start your own personal training business or align with a personal training franchise.  There are benefits with both approaches and there are also reasons that may encourage one not to consider either approach. This article should help provide clarity on the reasons you may consider aligning with a franchise or if you would be better suited for your own business without the franchise.

Reasons that people franchise

There are a lot of reasons that people end up choosing a franchise. The reasons vary from person to person and it may wind up just being a personal preference.  There are 5 big reasons that people end up choosing a franchise over opening an independent operation in the same industry. The brand recognition, support systems, training, marketing, and discounted buying power that franchises offer can be worth the amount of money that franchisees pay each month.

1. 1. Brand recognition

The ability to have name and brand recognition from day 1 of operations is a high motivator for people to franchise. The name of the business is important and often determines the success or failure of a business based on how people recognize that name.

Consumers are more likely to enter a personal training franchise then they are a non-franchised facility because of the brand recognition. They already trust the name that they have heard of rather than the name that they have never heard. The ability to have a good reputation prior to opening the doors on the first day is worth every penny of the franchise fee.

1. 2. Support systems

Many franchises offer support systems for their franchisees. Whether they offer business counceling or a community of franchise owners, this support is invaluable. Having a network of people to rely on when business is difficult can mean the difference between keeping the doors open and closing them. The community of people who own businesses with the same plan and name can be a great asset when a business owner needs a little help.

1. 3. Training

Training is a fantastic element of a franchise. The training provided is usually oriented on the business processes, procedures, systems and specialties. For example Fit Body Boot Camp offers its’ franchisees a 6 day university in which they come to learn all about operations and they receive fitness training. For a personal training franchise it is important to have a common element of training so that the experience is the same from franchise to franchise (that is part of the appeal of a franchise in the first place).

Systems and operations training can also be a valuable time saver. Many new personal trainers have a hard time in developing their own systems and operations standards especially when they are operating out of their own facility. The ability to skip this learning phase of business and have a well-designed operations platform is one of the many reasons that people franchise.

1. 4. Marketing

The ability to assign a marketing budget and forget about the rest of the marketing elements is a very good reason that people franchise. Most personal training franchise opportunities will include marketing in their franchise agreements. The best part about receiving marketing support from a franchise is that it is a proven system. If the marketing that they designed was unsuccessful they would not be a franchise.

Access to proven marketing strategies gives a personal trainer an edge in their local market. Marketing is the most important element in maintaining membership levels in any fitness oriented business. This is even truer of personal training operations as the attrition rates are about 1 in 3. The constant influx of new customers will ensure positive growth numbers and more income with less effort on the business owner’s part.

1. 5. Discounted buying power

Everyone knows that buying in bulk saves money. The bulk buying discounts are often something that a franchisor can provide its franchisee. Cutting 10-15% off of the initial cost of furnishing a gym can provide a substantial amount of capital to go toward other aspects of operations and startup. A personal training franchise should be able to provide access to either discounted equipment or discounted leasing terms. The savings will not likely be overshadowed by the franchise fee either meaning it is savings that will actually be able to be used for another part of the business.

A franchise will be successful

A Gallup study found that 91% of franchises were open 7 years after their launch date. This compared to 20% of business that started operations independently. The difference in these numbers is huge. There is no denying that given the opportunity most business owners would like to be in operation 7 years after their opening date. The support outlined above that franchises provide is the reason that the franchises see vastly different success rates than independent operations.

Reasons not to franchise

Why wouldn’t someone want to take advantage of a vast network of support systems and a higher success rate? Some people do not like the feeling that they are not the real owner of the business. Others simply do not have the initial investment capital, which can be higher in a franchise situation. Finally there are some people who prefer to operate as an independent business no matter what disadvantage it means. It is simply a matter of principle to them and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Should you franchise

If you want access to marketing materials, instant brand recognition and a proven success rate then a personal training franchise is something that you should do. Aligning yourself with a franchise is likely to only make you more successful. The small franchise fees could even be looked at as just another form of insurance. They ensure success by giving access to proven business models and successful marketing techniques. Franchising is a better option for most people wanting to open a personal training business.

You’ve probably heard me mention Jay Abraham before.

Jay’s the guy who’s probably had the most influence on me as it relates to speed of business growth, competition proofing your business from the ground up, and building geometric growth into your business.

Jay’s also the guy who helped Tony Robbins escalate to massive success… consulted FedEx during their fastest growth period and market dominance… and over-seen the marketing of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

To say that Jay is a brilliant marketing mind is a gross understatement – he’s way more than that… and I say that from experience.

I had lunch with Jay last week and we got to talking about you and how you could distinguish yourself from your competitors in an otherwise cluttered and congested market space.  We video taped that part of the conversation for you when we headed back to Jay’s office.

Here it is… Enjoy!

Continue Reading Lunch Jay Abraham

Recently, there’s been a distortion in the client getting proccess that’s been causing three major problems for fitness trainers and their businesses…

1. A bunch of trainers are selling on the platform of lowest price, rather than highest value and promised results. This devalues your services and puts you in a lower category on the financial food chain.

2. Far too many trainers are losing the sale becuase they’re too focused on the low barrier offer itself (the lead magnet) and not on the  actual proccess of converting that low barrier offer client into a regular paying ongoing client.

3. The top two problems above create anxiety and panic which ultimately effect your day to day life.

Continue Reading Restructuring a Distorted Process