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5 Steps to Finding The Dream Location for Your Fitness Studio

New Fitness Studio Owners: Find Your Dream Location Using This Data-Backed Strategy

Author

Cardy Brothers
February 18, 2024

Estimated read time: 2 minutes 14 seconds.

Dear Fitpreneurs,

The location you choose for your fitness studio can make or break you.

One bad decision can lead to years of debt and no members to show for it.

But if you go through the 5 step process we’ve outlined below, you’ll rest easy knowing you’ve picked the ideal spot:

Step 1 - Decide Your Training Model

There are 3 types of training models:

  • Open Gym

  • Semi-Private

  • Hybrid

Between us both, we own a 4,000 sq ft gym and a tiny 900 sq ft studio.

The bigger gym relies on low-ticket memberships. Whereas Revamp is a higher priced semi-private model.

If you’re starting out, choose semi-private. It’s a less risky model and easier to run on your own.

Step 2 - Do Market Research

There are a million ways to conduct market research.

But it’s always best to look where you know. We set up our studio in our hometown because we aready knew the demand was there.

Our town has 8,641 residents. All we needed is 60 of those people to join to have a multi-six figure business.

When researching for locations, we used this website. It gives you recent data on a town’s population and how fast it’s growing.

Step 3 - Pick The “Dream 3”

Once you’ve dabbled in the data, narrow your search down to 3 dream locations.

For a semi-private model, they should tick the following boxes (ideally):

  • 10,000-50,000 population

  • No direct competition using the same model

  • Slightly older demographic

  • Positive growth percentage

Step 4 - Run Test Ads

Once you know your Dream 3, set up ad campaigns in each area.

This should be a 6 Week Challenge offer attached to a lead form.

Use the same creative, same copy and target each location. (Click here for our ad creative templates).

The only thing you need to change is the name of the place you’re calling out.

Spend £100 over 7 days in each location. After a week, you’ll have data from each area and you’ll be able to see clear demand.

Note: The leads you generate aren’t a waste of money either. You can add them to a waiting list or refer to other trainers for a kick-back. You could even sell them online programming to help cash flow your new studio.

Step 5 - Choose The Winning Location

The final location for your gym should now be obvious.

So it’s time to scroll Right Move, post in local FB groups and hunt for an available unit.

Be patient in your search and do not settle for anything below par.

For a semi-private model, your winning location should ideally have:

  • 100 sq ft of space per person

  • Open plan layout

  • Free parking (~2 spots per person)

  • Changing facilities (Ideal but not essential)

Final Words…

The beauty of a semi-private studio location is that it doesn’t need to be huge.

If you saw our space before we converted it into a studio, you’d have thought “No way!”

It’s tiny and built in the 15th century. But it’s generating £10k-£15k in MRR just 4 months in.

Once you’ve proven your model and built a loyal training community, you can invest in more.

That’s it from us. Reply any time…

Cardy Brothers

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