Fitness studios are starting to pop up everywhere with people’s increased interest in wanting to get healthier. With steep competition, it’s challenging for gym owners to keep up with other gyms while also making theirs stand out. With the rise of fitness studios everywhere, how can your fitness studio compare and do well among the competition?
Increase in Fitness Studios
One of the highest-growing fitness studio types in the past few years has been Crossfit gyms. These types of gyms are designed for Crossfit members, in which the exercises focus on strength and conditioning. It’s popular in that it builds community, so you are making friends while you work out. This type of gym is focused on a niche that caters well to some and not at all to others.
Another growing trend are gyms that offer personal trainers. While there was once a day when personal trainers were only for those that could spend big bucks on one, in reality, they are now available in most gyms as part of your package. Today, commercial gyms very often offer trainers and affordable rates. These types of gyms are popular with the majority but typically don’t offer anything special to stand out amongst other gyms.
Luxury gyms are one of the oldest concepts that are still around today. The gym is part of the package but you’re really buying access to the pool, saunas, tennis courts and massage amenities. These days, you can also see options like spa treatments, barbershops, private showers and juice bars in luxury gyms. They are too expensive for the majority but they offer unusual perks that make them stand out.
What Makes a Great Gym?
If you’ve decided to start your own fitness studio or would like to improve your current one, you’ll have to decide which type of gyms you want to be and who you want to cater to. The key to a great gym is offering results-oriented training and lifestyle programs, making customers feel comfortable, using technology and offering affordable memberships. Offering television access, having trainers that record your progress each visit, decorating with great colors and offering health programs for customers are some the best things to consider adding first.
How Do I Make My Gym Stand Out?
Most gyms focus on one area to really show that they are different than the competition. For example, some gyms are open 24 hours catering to all lifestyles and being available any time of day. Others push a specific program to stand out, such as Crossfit gyms or yoga studios.
You have the chance to choose what qualities would be most important to represent your gym or what you would want to see at another gym that you were visiting. Consider making your customer service top-notch, offering a class or program that is rarely offered elsewhere in the area, offering luxurious amenities that you just don’t see elsewhere or become remembered as the place with the best prices. You could have staff members that clean equipment for guests so that they can just focus on their work out or have a concierge that refills your water and grabs a fresh towel for guests.
You could offer on-site eateries, juice bars or special members-only parties. Consider spacing your equipment out so that guests feel more comfortable and offer tons of class times to cater to all schedules. You could also cater to sports-lovers that aren’t typically found in the gym; adding a golf center, rock-climbing wall and a surf simulator would appeal to a larger group of people. Consider improving lighting and décor to make it feel inviting and comfortable to guests.
Advertising
Your gym will stand out if you offer a free initial visit to let potential customers try it out for themselves. You should also offer referral programs so that your current customers want to get their friends to sign up. Be sure to get your name out there and advertise what makes your gym different, build up your website and get involved with the community to get your name out there.
Marketing your gym in the community is crucial and using leaflets to advertise is the best way to get your name out there. Have them available at your front desk and consider using a leaflet distribution team to pass them out in the community. It’s a cost effective way to advertise your brand and it allows customers to instantly see what you’re advertising. If your gym’s focus is on the best trainers or the best prices, that should be one of the first things they see on your leaflets.
Making your fitness studio stand out is easy with the right concept, effective advertising and offering amenities that your competition does not.
