From Zero To A Full Gym
Building Downtown Fitness started in 2015 when I left my job at the "big gym" in town. I didn’t have any money, zero credit, no equipment, and nowhere to train out of.
First thing I had to figure out was how to make enough to cover my living expenses. I used my reputation and online presence to quickly set up several people for weekly home exercise routines or gym programming they could use at the gyms they were going to. At $50-100 per month, I was able to get back on my feet quickly with some hustling.
After that, I was able to find a small grunt gym to use their space. I knew this was going to be a short-lived deal, so I quickly shopped around and found a small studio space to expand into. The space was clean, accessible, and cheap. Even at 800 total square-feet (600 of it being workout space), I was able to make do. I scraped together the necessary funds for licensing and insurance and got to work. As far as equipment, I picked up some basic essentials. For around $100 I got a couple mats, a budget-brand suspension trainer, a foam roller, and some resistance bands. I found some clients who required low-impact exercise routines, and got them moving. We utilized simple sales strategies that played off our strengths and minimized our weaknesses.
As I got more clients, I would go out and buy more equipment or upgrade my gym. Occasionally I would luck out and find cheap used equipment online. Within 6-months, I had expanded into the neighboring unit and bought a couple squat racks with weight sets. Despite several setbacks and a lot of drama in my life, I doubled my size again the following year by moving into another space.
Three and a half years after opening my first studio, we since have moved into a larger facility in the heart of downtown Franklin, North Carolina. After starting from humble beginnings, we now boast an open 5000 sq.ft. gym with plenty of equipment, plenty of members, and room to grow.
If you don't have the resources, an entrepreneur must be resourceful. Never complain about not having the right equipment or the best space... make due with what you have, be smart about your actions and your business will grow.