A fitness gym is a business where customers pay a monthly fee to use exercise equipment and facilities. Many also provide personal training services or group exercise classes.
Creating the right experience can make or break your gym’s success. Location, space and equipment, amenities, and a community of support are all key components. Get in touch with Alta Climbing Gilbert for professional guidance.
Exercise benefits people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities. Even modest increases in physical activity can reduce the risk of serious diseases, improve mental health and mood and increase lifespans.
People who want to get more active can start by taking a daily walk, jogging or swimming laps. Moderate aerobic exercise burns calories, reduces stress and improves muscle strength. Vigorous aerobic exercise increases heart rate and lung health while burning more calories. Strength training exercises for all major muscles groups — performed at least two times per week with 12 to 15 repetitions of each exercise — help to build muscle strength. Strength training can be done with weight machines or free weights, body weight or resistance bands.
Regular exercise may decrease the risk of osteoporosis by promoting bone density. It can also lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce weight and improve cardiovascular health. It can ease the symptoms of some chronic conditions, including arthritis and psoriasis, and may reduce the risk of some cancers, such as breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers.
It can also increase energy, alleviate pain and stiffness in joints and muscles and improve flexibility. Aerobic exercises may also aid in the treatment of some health problems, such as diabetes. People with a specific health condition should consult with their doctor before beginning any new exercise routines.
Equipment
A gym’s equipment is crucial to helping people achieve their fitness goals and live a healthy life. Cardiovascular exercise machines like ellipticals, treadmills, and rowers allow members to burn calories while building muscle. Often, these machines are designed with advanced features to help people track their workout and progress. For example, some ellipticals have built-in heart monitors that can help people track their cardiovascular health and even count their calories burned during their workout!
The right equipment can also make a gym more appealing to prospective members. Many people have never used a piece of workout equipment before and may feel intimidated by its size or complexity. However, a gym staff member can help guide a newbie through the use of equipment. For example, a gym might have a trainer available to demonstrate proper form for using a lat pull-down machine or how to do a seated row, bench press, assisted pull-up, or leg press.
Additionally, a good fitness gym will have a wide range of strength training equipment to help its members build muscle mass. It will also have a variety of weights, including barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells. It will also have resistance machines, such as a squat rack, Smith machine, or cable machine. These machines can be used to perform exercises that target different muscle groups, such as the chest, biceps, and triceps, back, glutes, or ab muscles.
Lastly, it’s important for a fitness gym to have flexibility and stability equipment to encourage its members to work out all areas of their bodies. For example, a gym might have stability balls, which are giant inflatable rubber balls that can be used to improve balance, coordination, and strength. In addition to flexibility and stability equipment, a fitness gym should have a yoga mat, foam rollers, and stretching techniques to promote physical wellness and reduce exercise-related injuries.
In addition to having the right equipment and amenities, a good fitness gym will have exemplary customer service. This includes a friendly staff, clean facilities, and an array of membership options. If you’re interested in opening your own fitness gym, contact EZFacility to learn about our all-in-one software solution that covers everything from online workout scheduling and text messaging to point of sale and automated billing.
Amenities
The amenities available at a fitness gym influence whether members feel comfortable, safe, and satisfied. Facilities that provide additional value set gyms apart from the competition, boosting loyalty and sales.
The most popular gym features and services include a wide range of exercise equipment, onsite personal trainers, group classes, nutritional counseling, and wellness workshops. Offering these amenities will help you attract a diverse audience of people who are looking for a holistic fitness experience.
Providing functional training zones and studio space is another way to enhance your facility’s appeal. These areas feature equipment like TRX suspension trainers, stability balls, and plyometric boxes to help people develop their balance, strength, and flexibility. You can also host functional challenges that allow participants to compete against one another and gain new experiences that will make them talk about the gym with their friends, creating free marketing for your business.
A clean, spacious locker room is important for a healthy workout environment. It should offer storage for clothes and equipment, towels, and water dispensers to ensure members are hydrated throughout their workout session. It’s also helpful to have showers so members can clean up and refresh after their workout.
Some of the best fitness gyms are designed with a spa-like aesthetic. This demonstrates that you care about your members’ overall well-being and makes them feel at home in the gym. You can also offer a juice bar or snack bars to help your members stay hydrated and fueled throughout their workout.
Millennials are willing to pay 21% more for a fitness club that makes them feel part of a community, according to a recent study by Latent View. In addition to offering amenities that create unique experiences, a reputable gym will have a robust staff that understands each member’s needs and goals. Having the right resources and training will improve customer service and reduce operational costs. Incorporating self-service amenities will also enhance the customer experience, allowing customers to refuel and purchase essentials without having to leave the facility. This will free up time for your staff to focus on delivering top-quality service and maintaining a pristine facility.
Community
If a gym has a good community, you’ll find people who are excited about exercise and want to be a part of it. These are the members who will support you and motivate you to keep pushing through those tough workouts. They’ll cheer you on when your progress feels shaky, and they’ll celebrate with you when your goals are met. They will also encourage you to keep up the good work when things don’t go quite as planned.
It’s not all about equipment and camaraderie, though. Fitness communities can also help with mental health and wellbeing. Studies show that physical activity has a positive effect on mood, and when combined with social interaction, it can alleviate depression and feelings of loneliness. For some members, the gym is a place of sanctuary, a space to sweat away their worries and focus on themselves for a little bit.
Creating a sense of community in your gym can be a big draw for new members, especially if you’re targeting Millennials. According to a Latent View study, this group values community more than any other age demographic. To attract this demographic, you’ll need to provide an engaging atmosphere that incorporates social elements, like group classes or virtual fitness platforms. You’ll also need to deliver exceptional customer service and create an environment that’s conducive to meeting individual wellness needs.
One of the best ways to build a community is to promote social interaction before, during, and after workouts or sessions. Many gyms host events or organize small groups, like running clubs, to bring members together for a shared experience. This fosters friendships that last long after the workout is over.
Gyms can also foster a healthy lifestyle in their communities by offering educational opportunities, such as nutrition seminars and group fitness classes. In addition, they can partner with local organizations to offer wellness programs that benefit the community. For example, they can collaborate with healthcare entities to establish a program where doctors prescribe exercise for their patients. This allows them to reduce costs while promoting the health benefits of regular exercise.