subject: Starting Your Health Club Right: What You Need To Make Your Launch Successful [print this page] Starting Your Health Club Right: What You Need To Make Your Launch Successful
As more people are making a commitment to their fitness, the owners of health clubs are enjoying healthy returns. While this can be a lucrative business opportunity, your business will only flourish if you have a solid foundation on which to build. In addition to the obvious needs of a newly opened gym, such as equipment and talented trainers, the following guide will take you through some of the behind the scenes necessities that all fitness centers must have. From superior training and marketing to health club insurance, these items will ensure that your launch goes smoothly and you and your customers are happy.
Even if you have found the perfect space and have invested in the best equipment on the market, it is the intangibles that will set your club apart from its competitors. Membership based businesses thrive on the strength of the community that they create, and this community is built on your staff. Training your staff to be attentive to clients and warm to all who enter is an important part of creating a gym in which people will love to exercise. Some find great success in hiring those with a variety of body types to connect with a more varied customer base, while others simply reward employees who go above and beyond the call of duty.
In spite of your efforts to keep your clients cared for, there is a possibility that an injury could occur. When this happens, health club insurance is the best way to protect yourself from these claims and ensure that they do not lead to financial ruin. Policies vary, but most will cover liability for on site injury, claims against one of your employees, or even sexual harassment suits. Setting the liability limits is an important part of ensuring that you are properly covered, but setting them too high can result in overpayment for your policy. Talk to a trusted agent about the amount of coverage that you will need to keep your assets safe.The last thing to consider is your marketing plan. As fitness centers become more popular, the competition for each member is becoming more fierce. In order to stand out from the crowd, find a way to market your gym in opposition to your competition. You may choose to advertise it as an inclusive, judgment free space, or as a haven for busy professionals. Whichever tack you choose, find a way to clearly articulate your message and get it in front of your target audience.
Starting a great gym requires more than finding a space and purchasing equipment. By making sure that you have a marketing plan, a great staff and protective health club insurance in place from the moment you open your doors, you will increase the chances that this will be a successful venture.
