Sport 

Fitness club as a business

The procedure for opening a fitness club: required documents, necessary equipment and much more.

 

Fitness clubs are in demand in Russia. This is evidenced by the results of recent marketing research and the experience of domestic entrepreneurs who have opened relevant areas of the fitness industry. This area of ​​business is not yet fully saturated and, according to forecasts, will remain promising for at least a dozen years. However, not all fitness clubs survive, but only those whose owners were able to organize the business correctly, adequately comparing the existing risks and their capabilities. We’ll talk further about what awaits newcomers planning to develop this area.

Required documents

With documents everything is quite simple. Their set and design sequence are standard:

1 Selecting and registering a form of ownership with the tax office. At first, it is more advisable to organize an individual entrepreneur in order to subsequently use a simple taxation system (UTII).

2 Selection and indication of OKVED codes:

  • 93.04 Physical education and recreational activities
  • 92.61 Sports activities. objects
  • 92.62 Other activities in the field of sports

If in the future you intend to expand the fitness center by offering your clients beauty salon services (massage, solarium, nail service, etc.), then indicate in advance the following OKVED codes:

  • 93.02 Provision of services by hairdressing and beauty salons
  • 93.05 Provision of other personal services
  • 85.14.1 Activities of secondary medical personnel
  • 85.12 Medical practice

3 Registration in PF

4 Obtaining permission from Rospotrebnadzor. The SES will need to provide:

  • service contract for air conditioning, ventilation, etc.;
  • housing office service agreement;
  • lamp recycling agreement;
  • medical records for employees;
  • passport of a sports institution.

5 Obtain a conclusion from the State Fire Inspectorate

Choosing a gym space

This is one of the main stages that largely determines the success of the business.

If you are planning to open a mini-format fitness club (no more than 150 sq. m), then it is better to have your own premises for it, rather than rent it. Otherwise, there is a high probability of ruin. Even if we assume that 30-50 people will visit it every day, bringing in $5. (it won’t be more expensive for an establishment of this level), after paying rent (at least the minimum - $30 per sq. m) and remuneration to staff, the profit will be very modest at best. It is advisable to open a small gym in a residential area, and if possible, then in the place where people most frequently travel from work to home and back.

For higher-level clubs, rent is not as expensive, as they usually generate greater profits. Their impressive space allows them to accommodate more clients, providing a wide range of services and programs. Their format presupposes the presence of presentably decorated premises equipped with the most modern and high-quality equipment, which allows them to set high prices (based on respectable clients) and make large profits. A suitable location for a mid-level fitness center would be the central part of a densely populated residential area. The same areas, as well as large shopping centers, are suitable for elite fitness establishments.

When choosing a premises, it is important to consider the amount of rent and the period for which the owner plans to rent it out. Rental prices range from $30 to $90 per sq. m. m. Naturally, you need to strive to find premises in the lower price range. The lease agreement must be concluded for at least 5 years, setting this period as the latest payback period for the business.

Fitness club layout

The standard layout of a fitness club establishment assumes the presence of such areas as:

  1. Reception desk
  2. Staff and administration room
  3. Equipment room
  4. Two changing rooms - men's and women's
  5. Gym (about 5 sq. m per person)
  6. Dance hall (about 2 sq. m per 1 client + 3 sq. m per instructor)
  7. Bathroom

The area of ​​a fitness center is usually calculated based on the number of expected clients. It must be at least 150 m2, otherwise there is a high probability of the business becoming unprofitable. If in the future it is planned to expand the range of services, then it is necessary to foresee in advance the possibility of adding or renting additional space.

Necessary ensure good air exchange in the room, humidity level, create comfortable conditions. The optimal temperature for gyms is +16°С…+18°С, for locker rooms and bathrooms +22°С…+25°С. For gyms, the fresh air supply should be 80 cubic meters. m/h per athlete, humidity - 45-60%. This is provided for by building codes SNiP 2.04-05-91. Therefore, it is advisable to use a supply and exhaust ventilation system equipped with temperature control. It is also important to comply with other building codes in accordance with SNiP 2.08.02.89, SNiP 11-12-77, SNiP 23-05-95, SNiP 2.04.01-85.

Gym floors must be covered with rubber.

Equipment

The composition of the equipment in the gym must be selected based on the needs of consumers to work on different muscle groups. The more needs you satisfy, the more clients you have in your club. Let's consider a minimal set that is universally suitable for any client and will make him happy.

Minimum equipment for any exercise machine:

This set includes a set of equipment that will satisfy the average consumer. Looking at this set you can say " everything you need for training is here".

  • 2 treadmills;
  • 1 elliptical trainer;
  • 1 board with rack for horizontal bench press;
  • 1 board with rack for incline bench press;
  • 1 rack for squats (also for deadlifts);
  • 1 Smith machine;
  • 1 leg press machine;
  • 1 block for top link;
  • 1 block for lower rod;
  • 1 exercise machine with free weights for bending and extending the legs (block exercise machines for this are too expensive and massive);
  • 1 horizontal bar/parallel bars/press complex;
  • 2 inclined benches for the press;
  • 1 bench with adjustable incline (for bench presses);
  • 1 additional horizontal bench (suitable for exercises such as seated biceps curls, seated barbell presses and free weights), it is needed to prevent overloading the bench for the press;
  • 1 scott bench;
  • 1 Set of dumbbells from 2.5 kg to 50 kg in increments of 2.5 kg;
  • 3 Olympic bars with a diameter of 51mm (two on the press rack, one on the squat rack) with 2.5kg locks;
  • 1 short bar with a diameter of 51mm;
  • 3 sets of pancakes (preferably with handles, as they are much more convenient) from 1.25 kg to 20 kg. It is important that there must be pancakes of 1.25 kg (I know people who changed the hall because there are only 2.5, but there are no 1.25);
  • 1 EZ-bar and 1 Z-bar with a 51mm bushing (in order not to buy a set of plates for 30mm bushings);
  • 4 plastic step platforms;
  • 4 yoga mats;
  • 2 fitballs;
  • 2 weightlifting belts.

Tips on what not to buy for a minimum set:

Don't buy a butterfly! This is a little useful simulator that is used only to satisfy curiosity. A completely unnecessary thing, especially when the space for the hall is not too large and the budget is tight

Crossover. This is a good block trainer, but it is expensive and takes up a lot of space. For a minimum set, you don’t have to purchase it due to the fact that it is not very popular. If it's not there, few will notice.

You have some budget and space left, what should you buy?

  • 1 hack squat machine;
  • 1 bench press rack. The bench press is the most popular exercise among amateur athletes and an additional rack will be much more appropriate than some fantastic block machine;
  • 1 power frame;
  • 1 squat rack.

Gym features

Now I want to list equipment that, without being high in cost or size, will make your fitness club more rich and attractive. If you purchase everything that is indicated here, you will be talked about in the city as the most professional club.

Rubber bands are now a fashionable trend in strength and functional training. They became popular thanks to the techniques of Louis Simons. Loops allow you to increase the load in the press lockout, deadlift and squat. They are indispensable for ballistic and recovery training. If you spend ( issue price is about 20,000 rubles for the whole set) on tapes - this will make you more professional in the eyes of consumers, even if they don’t know what it’s for. Please note that to fasten the rubber bands you need pins on the racks and load frames!

The training effect of using chains, like the effect of rubber bands, is aimed at increasing the load in the upper parts of the amplitude. It has been used since the Soviet Union. The price of this equipment is not high, but it makes an impression on visitors to the hall. Chains can fuel consumer demand by creating the effect of " these guys know how to swing properly".

The platform looks very impressive. It is very convenient to do deadlifts, weight snatches, and squats. In addition to beauty, the platform prevents the floor from being destroyed by constant beating of the pancakes when performing deadlifts. The platform is very rarely seen in the halls, but its presence creates the feeling that there was almost an Olympics here quite recently. To enhance the convenience of performing deadlifts, it is necessary to order a rod with a lever from welders in order to attach a barbell to it. This will remove the inconvenience of equipping the bar with plates.

The diamond bar is designed for deadlifting. The main difference from the classics is the ability to grip in a more natural way. This is a very rare bird.

Plinths are low supports for performing the exercise “deadlift from plinths”. This is a little thing that will entice any powerlifter.

It's hard to come up with something simpler than a squat box. This is an ordinary box that you carefully sit on and then stand up on. Used to train exiting the lower amplitude. Very fine detail.

This is an ordinary thick block, preferably with a handle (for easy feeding so as not to interfere). Designed to work on the upper amplitude. It is very problematic for an athlete to carry a wooden block with him in his bag. This is probably the cheapest item listed here, however, its presence will make your room unique and more attractive.

Gymnastics rings aren't just for gymnasts - they're incredibly effective for functional training. With the help of rings, you can perform a lot of interesting and extremely useful exercises for developing strength and increasing mass. One of the popular ones is ring push-ups. It develops the chest very effectively and, due to the need to maintain balance, develops the core muscles. The main advantage compared to parallel bars is that there is no eversion of the wrist joints; the exercise is very natural for the human skeleton. At the moment, rings are practically nowhere to be found, and the demand for functional training is growing.

A very popular device. Many people want to pump up their neck and this device allows you to work it out effectively. Very rare to find anywhere.

The belt is necessary for hanging weights when doing pull-ups, dips and rings. In demand.

Armlifting bar and armwrestling table

In Russia there has always been a fashion for strong arms and that is why arm lifting and arm wrestling are developing so quickly. Nowadays there are very few places where you can develop your grip strength. Therefore, a new fitness club with tools for grip strength can give serious competition. Many people want to develop their forearms! An armlift bar (vertical bar with carabiner + Rolling Thunders) is only one part; you need to purchase such devices as:

  • Resistance bands Captain crash No. 1, No. 1.5, No. 2, No. 2.5, No. 3, No. 3.5, No. 4
  • Finger
  • Pinch grip trainer
  • Finger ball

The arm wrestling table will attract you with the opportunity to measure your strength. This adds some competitive edge. Arm wrestling is very popular in Russia, but only a few gyms buy tables for arm wrestling.

A set of exercise equipment for the development of hands and a table can attract a significant part of consumers.

How to place equipment in the hall?

To try out the placement of various equipment in your premises, use the online service. The service is entirely in English and all distances are in feet.

I highly recommend checking it out layouts of American fitness clubs using the example of using professional equipment legend-fintes: http://www.legendfitness.com/clientele_showcase.aspx (here you will not find anything superfluous). The equipment and layout of the halls deserve respect. Let me give you a few examples.

This is the CES Performance Houston gym. Pay attention to the number of load frames. Each frame with a platform (one such frame costs about 300,000 rubles in Russia). You can notice the previously mentioned rubber bands, chains, and diamond-shaped bars. This is designed for a variety of squats and deadlifts. Pancakes lie nearby on convenient carts.

For bench presses, they have three horizontal benches and one vertical bench. Behind the racks are two leg press machines and one hack machine. Closer to the dumbbells there is a multi-block system for rows, extensions, and crossovers. There are rows of dumbbells along the wall. The hall has everything you need and still has some free space. This is one of the very successful schemes for a modern fitness club.

Addition: One of the options for increasing the profitability of an existing fitness club or gym is to open