It’s no secret that health and fitness franchises are on the rise—at least, not to those reaping the benefits. The fitness industry has steadily grown over the past five years, not only surviving COVID but identifying new opportunities for success. In fact, Health Club Management identified a whole host of new opportunities for the fitness sector, including outdoor activities, group training programs, wellness coaching, and much more.
But with many of these new opportunities comes an increasing consumer desire for more comprehensive fitness. GlobalData reported that “consumers are adopting a more holistic approach to health,” meaning they expect their fitness centers to provide them with not just workouts, but cross training, personal coaches, and even group classes for specific fitness activities. For many Americans, it’s no longer enough to offer generic workout equipment or training programs. They want personalization, comprehensive training, and a strong sense of community.
How has the wellness industry responded to this demand? With an idea: boutique fitness. These smaller, more focused gyms aim for a niche audience, then give that audience everything they specifically want out of a fitness experience. Luckily, if you’re a gym franchisor, this doesn’t have to put you out of business…in fact, these changes can be your key to getting into business for the better.
Keep reading to learn about why boutique fitness franchises are a smart move in 2023, and how Franchise Opportunities can help you get started with some of the top fitness franchises on the market.
What Is Boutique Fitness?
Life Fitness describes the general boutique fitness gym as “a small gym (800-3500 square feet) that focuses on group exercise and specializes in one or two fitness areas.” Oftentimes, these gyms are also able to charge more than their more general counterparts, due to promising a more focused, intentional experience for members. Boutique fitness gyms typically center around sports that are perhaps less common, but have incredibly dedicated users. StarCycle, for example, zeroes in on cycling, whereas YogaSix focuses on yoga.
The numbers show that boutique fitness centers are not a passing trend, but instead some of the fastest-growing fitness franchises out there. According to the Wall Street Journal, almost half of gym members in the United States say they use boutique fitness centers. Additionally, data from Gitnux showed almost three-quarters of Americans have increased their spending on boutique fitness in the last two years. On top of that, the boutique fitness industry is only expected to grow larger over time; Gitnux projected the compound annual growth rate will be around 10% from 2021 to 2028.
How Much Is the Boutique Fitness Industry Worth?
According to Business Wire, the boutique fitness industry was worth almost $50 billion in 2021. More noteworthy, though, is that the global fitness industry as a whole is worth around $87 billion, according to Zippia; that means boutique fitness is well over half of the total net worth of the fitness industry. Talk about doing the heavy lifting!
Why Is Boutique Fitness So Popular?
In two words: “personalized experiences.” Ultimately, boutique gyms are worth it to their customers because they offer a fitness experience that’s tailored to their activities interest. Some more specific reasons include:
- Having strong sense of community around a shared interest
- Using a fitness space that focuses on exactly what they want
- Feeling like they’re a part of something exclusively for them
- Enjoying specialized, focused fitness areas and programming
The reasons above, among others, are why more and more Americans are seeking out boutique fitness gyms. In fact, most people are willing to pay more for these gyms, rather than more universal workout facilities. While this may seem like customers are “paying more for less,” they see it as “paying more for something different”—that is, an experience of community, shared interest, and targeted fitness activity. Because boutique fitness commands a higher level of quality and attention, they warrant a higher value—and higher price point.
How Much Money Do You Need to Franchise a Gym?
A lot less than you might think—especially if you’re looking at boutique fitness centers! While many large, well-known gym chains can cost a lot to get off the ground, many smaller gyms offer a much more accessible startup cost. Some fitness franchises can cost as low as $50,000! And if you’ve got a strict budget to work with, Franchise Opportunities can make your search for success a lot easier. Here are a few fitness franchises listed on our directory that cost well under $100K to get up and running:
- 9Round™ Kickboxing Circuit Fitness ($50K)
- Body20 ($65K)
- Upgrade Labs ($65K)
- StarCycle ($80K)
Those four opportunities are just the tip of the iceberg in the fitness franchise world. On Franchise Opportunities, you can search for your ideal franchise by state, industry, and even investment level. Start your search today, and see some of the health and wellness franchises out there!