If you have a passion for fitness, at some point you might have considered starting a fitness business from home.

There’s nothing like seeing your loved ones happy and healthy. Educating your neighbors, family and friends about their health is also one of the best ways to ensur their safety and wellbeing.

One of the best things about the fitness industry is that the market is massive. There are so many people looking for solutions to health problems. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fitness industry is predicted to grow by 10 percent in the next 8 years.

You don’t have to purchase property to start a gym. You can simply open one at home!

Pros and Cons of Opening a Gym at Home

One of the best things about opening a gym at home is having the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing something good.

Other benefits include:

  • There’s more profit as you’re a sole trader. You can open a small business and hire two or three personal trainers. Larger gyms tend to have more equipment and more trainers.  With a small gym, you won’t require as much equipment.
  • Freelance personal trainers have a higher income than contract-based trainers. They have flexible timings and set their own terms for payments. The average income of a freelance personal trainer is said to be $35,000 annually and higher for experienced ones.
  • When you’re training others, you’re also learning more about health and wellness. While you educate others, you’re also educating yourself. You gain new insight and you learn to work with different types of people. You learn more about the human body and how to utilize the strengths of different members.
  • You don’t have to worry about having to travel for work. While sometimes you will need to visit a client, you can take care of the business management part from home. You have access to the gym software so you can keep track of finances and monthly repairs and maintenance work.
  • Opening a fitness center is a safer option compared to other types of businesses. Even if your gym does not find success, you can resell the equipment, instead of going into a loss.

Ï Cons of Opening a Gym at Home

  • It may take some time for your business to take off and find success. Sometimes it can take a few months. But don’t worry; this is common for anytype of business.
  • Some clients can be difficult to work with, especially if they have lost motivation. It’ll be up to you to motivate them.
  • Potential for injury is high so make sure you have good insurance coverage. Make sure to guide clients properly and get your equipment checked regularly for damages.

 

Now that you’re aware of the pros and cons, you can take the right measures for opening a gym at home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Ï Analyze Your Home

The first thing to do is analyze your home and see if it’s good for opening a gym. So many people make the mistake of starting a gym in one of the rooms of their house.

You want to keep your business separate from your home life. So, pick a room that is separate or see if you can start one in the basement or attic.

But make sure that the entrance is separate, or you could even create a separate entrance.

Ï Get a License and Insurance

Having the budget and means doesn’t mean you can start your business immediately. Even if you’re starting from home, you still need to have a business license, not to mention a certificate that proves you’re a personal trainer.

You also need good business insurance because any injury clients sustain, you will be held responsible. You should look into:

  • Personal Liability Insurance
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance
  • Property Insurance
  • Home-Based Business Insurance
  • Product Liability Insurance
  • Business Interruption Insurance

Secondly, you need to carve out an effective business plan. This should include strategies on how to attract and retain clients, types of workout challenges you will offer, extra services, and the type of equipment you will need.

Ï Testimonials and Referrals

Create a testimonials and referral system so that clients can provide you with feedback. Offer small rewards for every referral, like a discount. This way, clients will act as brand ambassadors and refer your services to loved ones.

By offering a form for feedback, you can identify areas that need improvement. Create a Yelp account so your clients can leave reviews.

Ï Offer Tutorials Online

To spread the word of your fitness center, create tutorials online. Post them on YouTube and make sure to post only half of the full tutorial. This way, you’ll garner attention and you’ll get the word out for your business.

Remember that it takes determination and patience for a business to bloom. Success cannot be achieved overnight.

These are just a few tips to get you started. For more information, visit Fitness Pro Income Booster.

We offer comprehensive guidelines to help fitness centers carve a name for their business in the industry. Contact us to learn more or check out our gym marketing ideas to gain insight on how we can help!