Franchise Information, advice and news.

Fitness is becoming an increasingly important part of modern life and taking up some kind of exercise is much more widely accepted in society than it once was, with gyms, fitness centres and sports clubs doing a roaring trade.

Diet too is important, and while women and young girls are often highlighted as victims of media images and impossible Hollywood-style thinness, men are now also feeling the strain of the image-conscious noughties, with increasing numbers of men of all ages signing up to gyms in a bid to improve their bodies.

And with current statistics showing that around 13 million adults, more men than women, will be clinically obese in the UK by 2010, clearly heading into the gym is not a bad idea. Of course, more men than women are likely to pump classic iron in a gym, with the average woman more inclined to take part in aerobic exercise classes or cardiovascular activities.

And this means there is a huge market for health and fitness centres in the US and UK, especially those aimed solely at men.

Male-only gyms are highly popular as men are, unsurprisingly, also self-conscious about their bodies in the gym and blossoming beer guts are at home among the same sex.

Men also require different things from a gym to women, meaning male-only fitness centres can concentrate on these and do away with unused equipment or areas that would appeal more to women and female bodies.

Therefore, the potential franchisee has a huge range of areas to work with in order to take advantage of this market and get involved in the burgeoning health market.

Franchisees have the choice of opening a multitude of fitness centre franchises, each with a different take on male fitness.

Of course, the ideal franchisee would not have to be a permanent gym resident themselves, but a good knowledge of the health and fitness market and an entrepreneurial, business mind is essential.

Financing a gym is not easy, but taking on a franchise will allow the franchiser to take the strain of much of the financial decisions, leaving the businessperson to simply invest a given amount and control their business with support and help from a national company.

Training, equipment, marketing and much of the property work is also often taken care of by the franchiser, leaving the franchisee with the day-to-day running of the centre, looking after clients and staff, local marketing schemes and dealing with the finances on a local level up to the skills of the businessperson.

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