The health and fitness industry in the UK is currently booming and this is a trend that looks set to continue.

More and more people are interested in joining gyms to combat rising levels of obesity and to generally improve their fitness.

The 2017 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report revealed that one in seven people in the UK is a member of a gym. There has never been a better time to get involved in this sector with a gym franchise.

Benefits

There are plenty of benefits to buying a gym franchise.

In a sense, all the hard work - the marketing, the business plans, the programmes and even the equipment and interior design have already been taken care of by the company.

All you have to do is get on with managing the gym. One of the best things about taking on a well-known franchise is that clients know exactly what to expect.

This is important in this industry because customers know that there are so many different facets to gym’s these days and each brand is establishing itself in its own way.

There are the more traditional gyms, the low-cost gyms and, at the other end of the scale, there are gyms that have managed to combine an extensive range of health and fitness options in a purposefully designed luxury setting.

There are also certain gyms that appeal to a niche market but have a strong following: think Cross Fit. 

Choosing the type of gym that you want can help you to narrow down the franchise that is right for you.

Things to keep in mind

With all the choice that exists in the franchise market, it can be overwhelming deciding what kind of franchise is the right one for you.

Female only gyms have become popular as have the more niche gyms that appeal to a specific market. The biggest growth in the industry, however, has been with low-cost gyms that offer a more affordable service.

Give some thought to what kind of gym will be right for you before you jump in.

Going about making certain changes to the gym will have to go through the franchisor. If a juice bar, for example, is unpopular in your particular branch, or a spinning class isn't taking off, you will need to discuss your proposed changes with the franchisor before going ahead with any changes.

Before buying a franchise, look at what that particular franchisor’s terms are so that you can be ready for this.

Essential skills

You will need to have good communication skills and enjoy working with all types of people. You will need to have excellent organisational skills, a good work ethic and self-motivation, and be able to manage staff effectively.

An understanding of the leisure industry and a personal training qualification would be an advantage, but it is not necessary.

It is far more likely to be a positive experience, though, if you have a keen interest in health and fitness and enjoy working out yourself.