There’s more than one sort of weight to bear as a gym owner. Maintenance or fit-out costs, scheduling, training new staff members… There’s a lot to think about. We can comfortably place gym equipment in there too – it’s among the main reasons why clients get a membership after all. According to a 2015 ukactive report, 39.9% of gymgoers said it was a ‘leading factor in their continued attendance.’
Amplifying the possible means thinking beyond the basics of what your equipment does, and instead to how it works and the image it gives your gym. These factors can help or hinder your business. But to what extent? Keep reading to avoid an unnecessary strain on your health and fitness centre.
Breakdowns are symbolic of something worse
We’ve all seen the ‘out of order’ signs hanging from a treadmill, weight machine or cross trainer. They’re a source of disappointment, and limit capacity for those who visit. Yet a maintenance sign suggests more than just a fault… It shows there’s a fault which hasn’t been rectified straight away.
A broken-down machine standing unattended for a few hours, without any power or function, is going to bring your standards down. Gymgoers want to feel as if they’re cared for 24/7. Even 60 minutes of downtime is enough to puncture that feeling. When days go by, and nothing is done, this intensifies. Word may spread that your equipment isn’t good enough to keep up with demand.
Injury can be a lifelong deterrent
Insurance is, of course, a must-have for every gym. Yet if an injury occurs because the equipment is faulty, the injured client is likely to steer clear of your premises.
How can they trust the same won’t happen again? Furthermore, what about witnesses to the accident? One nasty occurrence can result in a mass exodus from your membership list.
The repair or replacement costs can be staggering
Warranties are great in a crisis. But these schemes will run out, leaving expensive fixes and/or the responsibility of buying a whole new piece of kit down to you. That may deliver a big blow to your budget. It’s not worth the stress.
Plus, buying new, top-of-the-line equipment is a necessity in order to remain competitive. The fitness industry is worth £5bn today. People have more choice than ever of where to go and how to work out. The best machines, weights and facilities are going to reinforce your appeal.
With all of this in mind, have you explored a leasing arrangement? It spreads payments over months or years – whatever’s suitable – so they’re less of a burden. Meanwhile, if the lease is renewed, you get the latest equivalent of what you paid for initially. The business has a stable, refreshed stream of assets, and you have peace of mind that everything will work as it should, or you’ll be compensated.
Want to make gym investments a reality? Talk to Johnson Reed via phone or email. We typically have a 24-hour approval timescale for established gyms, but also rapid leasing access for sites at any stage of their ambition.
