When starting a fitness centre, your site location is going to play a vital role in your business. Finding the right facility at the right price is critical to your success. We realise that selecting the right facility can be a daunting task. Below is the list that should guide you as you hunt for real estate for your fitness business.
Infrastructure and Layout
When thinking about location, consider a space with higher visibility. Consider your target market and where they live/work as this will allow them to access it easily. It will also help in reducing your advertising budget. The main factors you need to consider when looking for locations is the trade-off between the size of the unit, location and cost. Also, consider the look and feel of the location and check whether the location mirrors your business model and clientele.
Competition
Competition is a huge factor that plays a decisive role in the success of your fitness business. Your fitness centre should be accessible but also not too close to other fitness centres. Unless there is a shortage of fitness centres or the centres doesn’t provide proper facilities, it’s hard to get people to change their current routine no matter how nice your facility is or how competitive the pricing. An area without a fitness centre is the best option, especially for a commercial or franchised fitness business.
Health & Safety
Getting any of health and safety regulations wrong will leave you facing serious legal action and will also be costly to fix on a whim. Before seeking a location, consider all the health and safety regulations such as fire doors, exits, and insurance. Make sure you have all of your insurance and safety procedures in order. Review your procedures regularly and ensure that all of your members and staff are familiar with them.
Natural Light & High Ceilings
The idea of having ample space with modern equipments is obviously enticing, but it will cost a fortune and will expose you to considerable financial risk. Start small when opening a fitness centre and expand as needed. To make your small unit fitness business feel larger, find a space with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. High ceilings will give you flexibility if you decide to change your business model or install some new equipments.
Parking Space
Parking often acts as a key factor in the potential member's decision-making. Your location needs to be as easy as possible for people to access with sufficient parking space. The appropriate amount of parking at your fitness business location will depend on foot traffic and the demographics of your clients.