Coursework Information 

Opening a fitness business requires more than just a vision, or concept; it requires careful planning and execution.

The range of skills required to successfully open a fitness studio/gym include: business plan development, budgeting, raising capital, creating the right legal entity, design and construction, marketing and sales.    

Key Takeaways include:

  • Be able to build a strategic business plan for your business that clearly defines the concept, objectives and strategy 
  • Construct a five year financial pro forma that clearly defines the financial objectives
  • Identify and select the various legal business structures that can be pursued 
  • Understand the various approaches to raise the money needed to open
  • Learn the ways to identify the best location and leasing process for your business
  • Craft a pre-opening marketing and sales plan including key operational aspects to be addressed

CEC/CEUs- ACE: 0.4, NASM: 0.4, AFAA: 4, NSCA: 0.2, ACSM: 4

Purchase the Coursework $99

 


Course One - Creating a Strategic Plan and Financial Proforma

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the options regarding the type of business model to pursue and how to construct it
  • Build a strategic business plan for your business that clearly defines the concept, objectives and strategy 
  • Construct a five year financial pro forma that clearly defines the financial objectives as well as the financial opportunities for potential investors
  • Prepare a “pitch” deck for your business that can be used to market your business proposition to potential investors
  • Describe how you can validate the viability, appeal and strength of your fitness studio concept, as well as adapt it prior to pursuing development

Learning Activities

  • Building a Business Plan and Pro Forma to Attract Investors and Drive Profitability
  • Selecting the Right Revenue Model for Your Studio
  • What are Your Options When it Comes to Opening a Fitness Studio
  • What Business Do You Want to Be In
  • Revenue Models – What to Consider

Course Two - Making the Entrepreneurial Leap and then Selecting the Appropriate Legal Business Structure and Raising Start-Up Capital

Learning Objectives

  • To understand the challenge of being an entrepreneur and asking the right questions before embarking on the journey
  • Describe the various legal business structures that can be pursued 
  • Select the legal structure that best suits your business needs
  • Define and describe the various approaches that can be pursued to raise the capital needed to develop and open a fitness studio/gym

Learning Activities

  • Establishing a Legal Business Entity
  • 21st Century Funding Approaches for Fitness Studios/Gyms
  • Raising the Money to Support your Vision
  • Tips on Securing a Loan or Equipment Lease
  • Six Questions to Ask Before Opening a Fitness Studio
  • Lessons from a Fitness Entrepreneur
  • Plus more!

Course Three - Studio Development – Site Location, Leasing, Design and Construction and Equipment Selection

Learning Objectives 

  • Understand and explain the benefits and risks associated with pursuing a franchise 
  • Describe the various approaches that can be used to identify the best location 
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of the leasing process
  • Learn the general process of designing and constructing a fitness studio/gym
  • Describe how to go about selecting and purchasing equipment for your space

Learning Activities

  • Designing and Developing your Studio
  • Leasing and Franchising
  • How Big and How Much
  • Insights into the Cost of Constructing a Fitness Studio
  • Things to Consider When Designing a Fitness Studio
  • Things to Know about Franchising

Course Four - Pre-Opening Marketing, Sales and Operations

Learning Objectives 

  • Be able to describe and craft a pre-opening marketing and sales plan
  • Create awareness of your new studio/gym and more importantly, learn to generate the required client base at opening
  • Discuss the key operational aspects of the business to be addressed prior to opening

Learning Activities

  • Pre-Opening Marketing to Drive Brand Recognition and Client Traffic
  • Insurance – Where to Start When Opening a Studio
  • Pre-opening Marketing
  • Pre-Opening Marketing Suggestions from a Studio Owner
  • Pre-Opening Suggestions on Building Brand Trust

Testing Your Knowledge

Once each course is completed, you will take a short eight-question test that is designed to measure your retention of the content from the course. A score of 75% on all course tests represents mastery and will result in earning the designated course CEC/CEUs.

Purchase the Coursework $99


“If you're at a point where you feel you need assistance with your fitness business - no matter what level your at, whether your just starting out, been in business 5 years, 10, years, or more - AFS will be there every step of the way.  The association built for us!”

Mike Robison, 2015 IDEA Trainer of the Year
Owner, MZR Fitness
San Luis Obispo, CA