5 Checkpoints Before Buying a Fitness Franchise

The dream of most fitness enthusiasts is to own their own fitness facility. Here are five topics that a new business owner must take into consideration before buying a fitness franshise, taken from a continuning education course for fitness professionals.

Camarillo, CA (PRWEB) November 22, 2005 -- The dream of most fitness enthusiasts is to own their own fitness facility. After all, what could be better than being your own boss, designing your day the way you want it and exercising on your own time frame? All while simultaneously helping countless people realize a better quality of life through fitness.

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) is proud to announce a new continuing education course that teaches fitness enthusiasts how to make that dream a reality. THE PERSONAL TRAINER’S GUIDE TO OWNING A FRANCHISE is a new online course available to those who are interested in operating their own club or gym, but are unsure if they have the necessary business skills required to successfully run their own facility. With many franchise options, it may be difficult to decide which is best for you, and how to go about the process of making an educated decision.

With many dozens of fitness franchise opportunities to choose from, such as Ballys, Gold's Gym, StrollerFit Inc, Intrivah, The Blitz, Miracles Fitness and many more, reaching a decision can be difficult. Knowing what to look for before starting the process can not only save a prospective business owner much money, but time as well.

“Franchises combine the benefits of being a business owner with the luxury of taking advantage of a proven business model and experience provided by an established franchisor,” reports Dr. Sal Arria, CEO of the International Sports Sciences Association. “As an owner of a franchise, the fitness enthusiast will also have a strong association with a recognized brand name, marketing support, training in the business and industry, and risk aversion, something you just don’t have as an independent business owner. This gives the business owner the best of both worlds; the ability to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.”

ISSA’s new continuing education course helps uncover the path to owning a franchise, educating the buyer about franchising laws and regulations, helping the potential owner navigate their way through the substantial paper trail, and, of course, offering advice on what to look for and what to avoid in a fitness franchise. Here are five topics that a new fitness business owner must take into consideration:

1.   Cost: What is the total investment? Several different types of costs are involved, including the initial franchise fee paid in return for using the franchisor’s business concept/system and name for a limited time, ongoing royalty payments for the ongoing services and support provided by the franchisor, space rental and leasehold improvements, equipment purchases, working capital required to operate, advertising fees, etc.

2.   Training & Support: What is included in the training program offered by the franchisor and will it prepare you to run all aspects of your business efficiently and successfully? Also, what kind of field assistance, ongoing support, and marketing support can you expect from the franchisor? Are the advertising and royalty fees reflected in the quality of support offered?

3.   Market Buzz: Know the market you are entering: whether you are opening a women’s only fitness center, a children’s gym, or a co-ed club, consider what kind of need there is for your particular brand of services, and if it is growing or diminishing.

4.   Location: Site-selection is key. Does the franchisor offer population based exclusive territories? Does the franchisor have a tendency to sell franchises in close proximity to one another and, if so, are the multiple units operated by the same franchisee or by several different owners? Also, know the demographic of the market area in order to familiarize yourself with client potential.

5.   Financing: Does the franchisor assist with financing? If not, you’ll need to determine your net worth by subtracting your liabilities from your assets, take a look at your credit rating in order to correct any erroneous information before you try to borrow, and plot a course through the lender jungle on your own.

These are some of the topics discussed in detail in THE PERSONAL TRAINER’S GUIDE TO OWNING A FRANCHISE CEU course. The online course includes 62 pages of text in PDF format, a 29-minute audio in MP3 format, multiple checklists, and a confidential pricelist comparison of over 40 franchises. Also included is a 50-question exam. This newest addition to ISSA’s continuing education program is worth 5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The grading is done online and a certificate is issued instantly upon successful completion. THE PERSONAL TRAINER’S GUIDE TO OWNING A FRANCHISE ($69, 5 CEUs) is a new online course distributed by the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) and can be ordered toll-free 800-892-4772, CEU department. The program can be ordered online at www.ISSAOnline.com/ceus A hardcopy of the program can be ordered by contacting the publisher: Gold Team Marketing Systems, Inc.

About Gold Team Marketing Systems, Inc.
Gold Team Marketing Systems, Inc., is a California Corporation - specializing in working with the leaders of the fitness industry. Services include business development, public relations, Internet development, continuing education and customer acquisition. Information about other Fitness CEU titles, detailed franchise reviews, a free newsletter and a hardcopy of the THE PERSONAL TRAINER’S GUIDE TO OWNING A FRANCHISE can be found at their website: www.FitnessFranchiseInfo.com

About ISSA
Since 1988 the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has provided certification and continuing education to nearly 75,000 fitness professionals. ISSA certifications are recognized worldwide. From Sports Conditioning to Youth Fitness, ISSA offers 10 certification programs and dozens of continuing education courses. For more information on the ISSA, please visit: www.issaonline.com.

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