Applying for an EIN is quite easy. The application can be filled out online, and, upon completion, the applicant will immediately receive his or her EIN.
As an example of the type of certification you may need to open your gym, in California, a gym can potentially require applying for state and local business licenses. One advantage of opening a gym as compared to other forms of business (such as ones that sell alcohol or firearms) is that no federal business licenses are necessary. [3] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Small Business Administration U. S. government agency focused on supporting small businesses Go to source
For example, in California, businesses (including gyms) can be required to register for one or more state-level tax identification numbers, unemployment insurance tax (if the business has employees), state income tax withholding, and more.
For example, in California, small businesses are required to register their official “Doing Business As” (DBA) name with the county clerk’s office in the county where the gym will operate.
Most gyms wisely include a clause in members’ contracts preventing them from suing in the event of self-caused injury.
For example, in California, you need a childcare license if you intend to care for children from more than one family who are not related to you. [4] X Research source
Rent. Unless you own your gym’s building outright, you’ll have to pay rent as one of your gym’s operating expenses. Rent can vary from location to location. In wealthy or densely-populated areas, for instance, rent can be very expensive, which can require you to raise membership prices to pay for it. Proximity to population centers. If your gym is too far away from your clientele, they won’t go to it. Good gym locations should be in or near populated areas or at the very least be easily-accessible via car, bus, train, and so on. Local market conditions. Finally, the best gym locations are where there is a demand for a gym that isn’t being filled. Opening a gym across the street from an established gym can be a risky move - why deal with the intense competition when you can open a gym in a part of town that is sorely lacking one?
By some estimates, it can cost anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000, at bare minimum, to open a gym in a place like New York City. [5] X Research source For a state of the art gym that features amenities and experienced personnel, the estimates can easily exceed $1 million. See: How to Find Investors for a Small Business and How to Get a Loan. Note that in both of these situations you will almost always be expected to provide a detailed business plan for the benefit of the people or entities providing you with the money to open your business. This business plan must offer a convincing explanation for how the business can quickly become profitable, or the investors/lenders are unlikely to provide money for your venture.
The parent company also offers its extensive resources to the gym owner, which can include a recognizable, established brand, training opportunities, connections, and financial support during “rough times”. As with traditional forms of small business financing, franchise opportunities usually require you to submit a detailed business plan to the parent company. Be sure to carefully research the pros and cons of a franchise agreement before committing to it. Owning a franchise may sound appealing, but it’s usually not a golden ticket when it’s all said and done.
Basketball: Regulation-sized hoops and court (can be indoor or outdoor; usually includes regulation floor markings) Soccer: Goals, regulation-sized field with regulation markings. Running: Track; usually includes starting marks and/or distance markers Baseball: Diamond/field or batting cages. Boxing/sparring: Indoor ring or gym, punching bags, gloves, and masks. Swimming: Indoor or outdoor pool. Olympic-sized is ideal but other sizes common.
Bench presses Squat racks Deadlift mats Bicep curl racks Pullup/dip racks Racks of dumbbells with benches for upper body exercises
Leg press machines Lat pulldown machines Tricep extension machines Leg extension machines Chest fly machines Shoulder press machines
Stationary bikes Elliptical trainers Treadmills Stair machines Rowing machines
Swimming lessons Martial arts classes Cycling groups Sports camps Yoga Pilates Zumba (or other rhythmic, dance-based exercise opportunities)
Since greeters and front-desk staff are relatively low-skill positions, they make perfect jobs for low-wage workers, like young students, part-time workers, community volunteers, and so on.
The qualifications that gyms look for in a physical trainer vary. Nearly all physical trainers are expected to be athletic and fit themselves and to possess a good knowledge of anatomy and healthy exercise practices. An academic background in health or biology may be required. Good physical trainers are also friendly, open, and personable with a wide variety of clients. Personal trainers can obtain certification from a variety of private agencies. However, the standards used by these agencies can vary greatly in terms of strictness. Some major fitness chains don’t require their trainers to be certified by one of these private agencies. [7] X Research source
Zumba and other brand-name exercise classes can require their teachers to receive certification from the company that produces and markets the exercise materials. [8] X Research source Usually, the certification process is relatively simple and requires brief coursework, a simple test, and a certification fee.
To ensure your gym runs smoothly, you’ll need to hire janitors, groundskeepers, and other low-level maintenance staff. You may also want to subcontract your janitorial work to a janitorial company to eliminate the hassle of hiring dedicated staff.
