priorities for me are

-available equipment
-price
-open hours
-general atmosphere (currently at a gym that hosts dance classes and shit, so thats garbo, but a gym specific for lifting would be great)

What type of person are you trying to attract to your gym? A small town of 15-20k wouldn't have the population required to make a niche gym eg. powerlifting or crossfit.

If you have decent equipment there (which probably requires significant start up costs) and the price is competitive, you'll attract a significant amount of the young male demographic in that area. The problem is that getting good equipment while simultaneously charging low membership fees is not a good return on your investment in the short term.

Other good things:

- Wifi
- Water fountains
- Cleanness

___

What are you guys thoughts on entrance barriers other than the obvious high capital cost of opening? ( I believe I can minimize some of these costs through government contribution for health and wellness) Freight is a bitch.
No idea

What are you guys thoughts on what would attract you as a lifter?
- Squat Racks/Benches/Bumper Plates-Olympic
- Chalk being allowed
- Price/Location/Open hours

What are you thoughts how to gain general popularity?
- No idea, I feel this is a scale that you must balance catering to the average vs powerlifers

What are your biggest dislikes of gyms you have been in the past?
- McDonald's commercials while doing cardio, not enough racks/benches.

What would keep you as a returning customer? What keeps you now at your current facility?
- It's enough for me.

Have your looked into owning a franchise of the bigger ones like Planet Fitness, 24 hour fitness, anytime fitness? Then potentially open up large scale ones like LA. Tbh the only private owned gyms that are successful are ones that focus around crossfit. You'll need space and equipment for that and for any gym you'll need a decent amount of qualified trainers. In a group of 200 only 50 know what they're doing. The 150 either want to join a program or in there for the environment.

I personally don't like the idea of starting your own private one as the risk is way too high. (Say planet fitness opens up 10 miles down the road).

The local gyms I know of are very expensive and for really competitive people they are worth it but an average Joe would rather drive 10 miles to a cheaper gym.

Really depends on what you want to do with it. Not all gyms are the same. If your business model is fair, equipment is good, great hours of operation, and a you can micromanage well then people will come.


This post was edited by WolfBody on Feb 8 2016 10:07am

No chance in Kelowna. Places like club 16 and Steve Nash will be there soon if not already with 15$ month memberships

Survey the demographic on where you think would make a good location. Ask people who much they would pay and what would they enjoy at a gym.

I personally love cable machines, pull-up/chin-up and dipping stations. I also enjoy decline sit-up benches.

24/7 with free WiFi for music will go a long way.