Fitness Franchises For Sale

Fitness is becoming an area of huge growth for franchising. With people caring more and more about their health, the appetite for great gyms is massive, and shows no sign of abating. If you have a passion for this sector, this could be the perfect business opportunity for you.

Put simply, it’s the chance to buy into an established chain of gyms or fitness facilities or classes. Rather than launching your own gym, with its own ethos, branding and style of training, you buy a franchise with a larger company which is already a trusted and recognised brand. It can mean that they’re easier to get off the ground, as consumers already know of your brand and value it. Plus the advice and support you’ll receive will really help your business fly.

But a fitness franchise doesn’t necessarily have to mean just a bricks-and-mortar gym. You can become a personal trainer franchisee or run active classes for toddlers and children. With more and more focus on the importance of regular exercise, there’s never been a better time to get involved in this exciting and positive industry.

So much choice!

There are lots of different types of fitness franchise on offer right now, each with its own unique selling point. Perhaps you’re after a no-frills gym. These cheap-to-run gyms boast low-cost memberships which attract a lot of users, but these users can sometimes be a little less dedicated - and therefore, less loyal - consumers.

Or, you can opt for a gym that follows a strict philosophy, and there are plenty of different approaches to choose from. F45, for example, bases its business model on serving the time-poor. Its classes are just 45 minutes long meaning users can achieve their fitness goals in less time each week.

And, more recently, we’ve witnessed a growing demand of 24 hour gyms. These establishments allow their users access to their premises any time of day and are unmanned for a lot of these hours. These also play really well with a time-poor client base.

How much does a fitness franchise cost?

Fitness franchises vary hugely in price. The cheapest options on our directory start at £5,000 for a Pro Fit Franchise (a personal training franchise) and £7,000 for Dancing Tots (a dance school for preschoolers). The fitness franchises at the upper end of the spectrum tend to be the bigger gyms - Snap Fitness, a 24/7 gym opportunity requires an investment level of £325K, but it’s worth remembering that the higher the investment level, the greater the opportunity for returns are, so long as you put the hours in and stick to the franchisor’s handbook.

Which is the right fitness franchise for you?

A lot of franchisees assume that if you buy the franchise you can sit back and watch the money roll in, but like launching any business, you need to be committed and work the hours necessary, so it helps if you enjoy the corner of the industry you’re entering into. If you like helping people get the best from themselves, a personal training franchise could be perfect for you. Or, if you enjoy working with children, then a kids’ fitness franchise could make you very happy. It may help to think about the aspects you enjoy and dislike about your current job.

Next, consider the funding you have access to. Many banks will happily lend you up to 70% of the initial investment, but remember to leave yourself a contingency fund for unexpected costs along the way.

And finally, think about what kind of hours you want to work. Running a gym could see you working very long hours for a great return, whilst running a children’s class or becoming a PT could mean fitting your work around your other commitments with ease.

Whatever opportunity you choose, rest assured you’re about to embark on an exciting journey in one of the fastest growing franchise industries!