Coach Whiskey 🐶 at Sierra Whiskey Fitness Microgym
If you're a fitness enthusiast or a personal trainer, you might have thought of opening your own gym. However, starting a gym from scratch is a challenging and costly endeavor. Renting or buying and maintaining space and equipment can cost you a fortune. But what if we told you you could start your own gym without spending a penny? Yes, you read that right. This blog post will show you how to use your home gym and the GORX Fitness microgym management platform to open your gym with no money. Let's dive in!
Before getting ahead of yourself, you'll need to check local regulations on home occupations. Start by calling your county offices. This will help you determine what type of business activities are allowed in your area and if opening a gym is even possible.
You're off to a great start if you already have a home gym. But it's time to look at it from a new perspective. Instead of treating it as a personal space, consider it a micro-gym. Get organized and plan your business - the key is to be resourceful. If you need a particular piece of equipment that you don't have, check Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for used equipment.
While it would be ideal to have a range of equipment available, it's not necessary to open a microgym. Start with the basics - like a set of dumbbells, kettlebells, squat rack, and bench. Focus on cleaning up the space and organizing everything to feel and look professional.
Now that your space and equipment are sorted, it's time to set your goals and plan. What services will you offer? Who is your target audience? Set realistic goals and think through a business plan. This could include deciding on your pricing strategy, marketing tactics, and operational procedures such as scheduling and billing. It doesn't have to be overly complicated.
Surprisingly enough, microgym owners often miss out on this step. Listing your microgym on Google is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to get yourself seen by potential customers. All you have to do is create a free Google My Business profile, validate your gym, fill in the details, and voila! You're listed in local search results for anyone looking for a “gym near me.” We touch on this subject in our blog 5 Reasons Google My Business Will Grow Your Home Microgym.
The GORX Fitness microgym management platform is a great tool to help you manage your gym operations. It provides scheduling, billing, in-app messaging, and attendance tracking features. The best part is it is free to start. Not sure if you’re ready to start a business alone? We offer business mentorship as a part of your affiliation.
Building a community is the best part of a microgym. Community helps you increase your clientele and create a sense of belonging. Use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to promote your gym and interact with members. Create challenges, share progress updates, and motivate them to achieve their fitness goals.
Once you start generating some revenue, you can think about how to grow your profitability - which doesn’t necessarily mean adding new clients. That will come. Instead, first focus on increasing your Average Revenue per Member (ARM). This could mean raising your rates or offering additional services like personal training, nutrition counseling, etc. You can also look into ways to increase client retention and loyalty by creating incentives for members who refer friends or set goals. Check out our blog post on How to Boost Your Average Revenue Per Member as a Home Gym Business Owner.
Opening your own gym does not always mean investing in a physical space. You can start small and use your home gym and the GORX Fitness microgym management platform to run your gym business without spending a penny. The journey can be challenging, but you can achieve your dream of being a microgym owner with the right mindset, planning, and tools.
Happy gymming!