Gym For Overweight People

[ElvinMelvin]

Originally Posted by Hot Topic View Post

How do you plan to reach these people?

Hot dog on a stick.

Planet Fitness has free pizza night once a month--no word of a lie!.

They brag that on those nights they collectively give away 400,000 slices of pizza.

Nothing like making sure your clientele continue to have a reason to show up.

 

[racer72]

That's not true at all. You can say that about any new idea someone has then can't you? "Well if there was a market for it someone would've done it already". I'm sure that's what someone told the founder of Curves when they wanted to make a gym for only women. It doesn't really work like that though and there is in fact an enormous market for what I want to do.

And I completely understand that you may not want a "special" place (even though I wouldnt call it that), but many people do, and I've heard that straight from their mouth. Maybe you're OK working out at a normal gym, but the fact is that many people are not. Like I said before, this won't appeal to EVERY person who is overweight, but it will to many. Read these articles if you're interested.

p.s. 2/3 of Americans overweight or obese, sounds like a big market to me. Not sure how to "link" articles btw, sorry.

The Real Reasons Overweight People Don't Join Gyms | Naturally Intense High Intensity Training? Health & Fitness Blog

Too embarrassed to exercise - Health - Fitness - Smart Fitness - msnbc.com

Knock yourself out then. Also realize that 50% of all new businesses fail within one year and 95% fail within 5 years. That into is from about 10 years ago, with today's economy, the numbers are probably higher. See you in the business bankruptcy forum so bookmark this site.

 

[cbg]

With all due respect to racer, I'm overweight and I'd go to a place like the OP is describing.

 

[dirtydade305]

With all due respect to racer, I'm overweight and I'd go to a place like the OP is describing.

Thank you very much, I appreciate that and I realize that there are many people like yourself who would benefit from a gym like this. Racer seems to be a very negative person, it is what it is. Obviously many businesses dont work out, but at the same time there are obviously many that do. Racer wouldnt use a gym like mine, but if I had to guess he/she isn't using another gym either, just like many overweight people.

I know not everyone will support my idea, but I truly believe I have an opportunity to start a unique business that will also benefit society in a very important way. I fully intend on trying to get it up and running in the near future.

 

[ElvinMelvin]

I know not everyone will support my idea, but I truly believe I have an opportunity to start a unique business that will also benefit society in a very important way. I fully intend on trying to get it up and running in the near future.

Good for you for following your dreams, but from what you posted, I think there are a few things you should consider, imho, as you make your plans.

Your business model isn't precisely unique.

As stated above, Planet Fitness caters to beginners and actively discourages more advanced athletes. PF doesn't distinguish between the overweight beginner who wants to burn off some pounds versus the skinny beginner who wants to put an inch or two on his biceps. It's all about providing an experience free from "intimidation" for any beginner.

By making your membership exclusive to overweight people, you are by definition drastically reducing your pool of potential clients. My experience of many years training in the gym has been that overweight people often start out great guns, but lose interest after a month or two, meaning they have to be replaced fairly often to keep your cash stream flowing. By eliminating a large source of potential clients, you make that task a lot more difficult

Keeping the formerly overweight is also problematic. When an overweight guy walks into your gym, what he will see is a gym full of mixed overweight and normal weight individuals. You can tell him that they were all formerly overweight, but it still won't change the fact that he has to come in and workout with skinny guys. It might even make the feeling of intimidation worse, knowing that these guys have made so much progress and he has so far to go. BTW, I have witnessed many formerly overweight folks become openly contemptuous of the currently overweight. In any event, you have to understand that the business is catering to self-conscious, insecure people (fat guys who don't care will go to a regular gym)--anyone on the floor who they perceive as "better," no matter where they came from, will be intimidating. The idea is to eliminate the fear factor that prevents these folks from getting into the gym.

Planet Fitness works this into their business model for a reason. Let's say you walk into PF 150lbs. overweight and not able to bench press 100lbs. Then you work really hard, lose the fat, gain a bunch of muscle and get to the point where you can press 315lbs. If you do anything might might be construed as intimidating--such as grunting on your tenth rep of 315--the "Lunk Alarm" will go off and, if repeated enough times, your membership will be revoked. This is done so as not to confuse the potential clients who come by and would be intimidated by seeing a real bodybuilder, even if he was just an overweight schlub previously. Rather than celebrating that guy as an amazing success story, they actively discourage his participation because he has become what the gyms tells potential clients they exclude.

I am no fan of PF (any gym that has Free Pizza Monday as an enticement is a disgrace in my book), but they are an established franchise that appears to have largely the same goal as you to some degree. Have you looked into buying into a franchise rather than starting from scratch?

 

[HomeGuru]

A couple, partners, father/son, brothers etc. one is over weight and the other is not but they want to work out and train together. How would the establishment handle that?

 

[dirtydade305]

Good for you for following your dreams, but from what you posted, I think there are a few things you should consider, imho, as you make your plans.

Your business model isn't precisely unique.

As stated above, Planet Fitness caters to beginners and actively discourages more advanced athletes. PF doesn't distinguish between the overweight beginner who wants to burn off some pounds versus the skinny beginner who wants to put an inch or two on his biceps. It's all about providing an experience free from "intimidation" for any beginner.

By making your membership exclusive to overweight people, you are by definition drastically reducing your pool of potential clients. My experience of many years training in the gym has been that overweight people often start out great guns, but lose interest after a month or two, meaning they have to be replaced fairly often to keep your cash stream flowing. By eliminating a large source of potential clients, you make that task a lot more difficult

Keeping the formerly overweight is also problematic. When an overweight guy walks into your gym, what he will see is a gym full of mixed overweight and normal weight individuals. You can tell him that they were all formerly overweight, but it still won't change the fact that he has to come in and workout with skinny guys. It might even make the feeling of intimidation worse, knowing that these guys have made so much progress and he has so far to go. BTW, I have witnessed many formerly overweight folks become openly contemptuous of the currently overweight.

Planet Fitness works this into their business model for a reason. Let's say you walk into PF 150lbs. overweight and not able to bench press 100lbs. Then you work really hard, lose the fat, gain a bunch of muscle and get to the point where you can press 315lbs. If you do anything might might be construed as intimidating--such as grunting on your tenth rep of 315--the "Lunk Alarm" will go off and, if repeated enough times, your membership will be revoked. This is done so as not to confuse the potential clients who come by and would be intimidated by seeing a real bodybuilder, even if he was just an overweight schlub previously. Rather than celebrating that guy as an amazing success story, they actively discourage his participation because he has become what the gyms tells potential clients they exclude.

I am no fan of PF (any gym that has Free Pizza Monday as an enticement is a disgrace in my book), but they are an established franchise that appears to have largely the same goal as you to some degree. Have you looked into buying into a franchise rather than starting from scratch?

I absolutely see what you are saying, and thanks for the feedback. I realize that Planet Fitness discourages judgement and the "in-shape person from using their gym, but that's the issue I think is that they only "discourage", they don't prevent it.

In terms of me shrinking my market, I realize that, but I have to in order for the business to work. Even though I do exclude people, my market in the U.S. is still currently about 80 million people, and theyre saying by 2020 that almost 85% of Americans may be considered "overweight".

You also mentioned (from your experience) overweight people going to the gym and stopping after a month or two. I have no proof, but I honestly think a lot of that is attributed to them doing mediocre workouts a few times a week (maybe one "tough" workout) and then not seeing a significant change after that month or two, which is also b/c they don't eat healthy. Anyway, they get discouraged seeing that they havent made much progress and also seeing everyone around them in the gym who is in-shape and they stop going.

As far as current overweight customers seeing skinny members and being even MORE discouraged, I can see how that is a possibility, but I honestly think it would work in reversal. If they KNOW that this in-shape person used to be overweight, they would probably think "wow. If they can do it, so can I". I mean they have a living example of what theyre trying to accomplish right in front of their face!

I know I didn't get into specifics, but I have some ideas to keep people coming back to the gym. I also think there is a big opportunity to partner with a diet program such as WeightWatchers or JennyCraig and form some sort of partnership.

 

[dirtydade305]

A couple, partners, father/son, brothers etc. one is over weight and the other is not but they want to work out and train together. How would the establishment handle that?

Good question. Only the person who is medically overweight would be allowed to join the gym unfortunately.

 

[ElvinMelvin]

I absolutely see what you are saying, and thanks for the feedback. I realize that Planet Fitness discourages judgement and the "in-shape person from using their gym, but that's the issue I think is that they only "discourage", they don't prevent it.

There was a case in NJ where a corrections officer's membership was revoked because he grunted during an attempted 500lb. squat. Just sayin'

Even though I do exclude people, my market in the U.S. is still currently about 80 million people, and theyre saying by 2020 that almost 85% of Americans may be considered "overweight".

Market size is one thing. Market penetrance is an altogether different animal.

You also mentioned (from your experience) overweight people going to the gym and stopping after a month or two. I have no proof, but I honestly think a lot of that is attributed to them doing mediocre workouts a few times a week (maybe one "tough" workout) and then not seeing a significant change after that month or two,

Actually, most of them stop because they actually do have one real workout and get sore, at which point it dawns on them the they have a lot of painful work ahead of them. A good personal trainer can help motivate such a client, but not if the client is not willing to do the hard work. Ads for ridiculous "powders and shakes" and "shake weights" that give inexperienced people vastly distorted views of how much effort it takes surely do not help.

which is also b/c they don't eat healthy.

A valid point, but your gym is unlikely to change that.

Anyway, they get discouraged seeing that they havent made much progress and also seeing everyone around them in the gym who is in-shape and they stop going.

Which is precisely why you need to get rid of the former fatties.

If they can do it, so can I". I mean they have a living example of what theyre trying to accomplish right in front of their face!

Do not be surprised at how readily insecure people will give up because they actually do not believe that they can do what someone else just like them has done.


JMHO

 

[Hot Topic]

Elvin, the next time you quote someone, get it right. I didn't make that inane comment about the hot dog that you attribute to me.

The Curves up the street from me went out of business.

This isn't a good time to present a new business idea. Established companies are going out of business left, right and center, including ones that catered to overweight women.

I wish you luck, but I suggest that you start small. I really don't see overweight women dashing to your gym.

 

[racer72]

With all due respect to racer, I'm overweight and I'd go to a place like the OP is describing.

What is stopping you from joining any gym? The gym I attend 3 times a week has specific classes for overweight folks that are looking to lose weight. Besides focusing on the exercise part, they also teach proper nutrition. This doesn't cost anymore than what any member pays to join. I lost almost 40 pounds last year and my pants size has gone from 44 to 38. I didn't need a special place to do this, I just needed to get off my fat ass. And believe me, if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[ElvinMelvin]

Elvin, the next time you quote someone, get it right. I didn't make that inane comment about the hot dog that you attribute to me.

I wasn't attributing it to you. I just included your statement and the response in the same quote box. Sorry for the confusion.

In point of fact however, that comment was not so inane. Planet Fitness, which is a highly successful franchise, employs that exact strategy.

They offer a high calorie/low nutritional value snack(i.e. free pizza)--to entice fat people to enroll.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Forget partnering with Jenny Craig, what you need is to align yourself with a chubby-chasing web/dating site. That's where the real money is.

 

[cbg]

What is stopping you from joining any gym? The gym I attend 3 times a week has specific classes for overweight folks that are looking to lose weight. Besides focusing on the exercise part, they also teach proper nutrition. This doesn't cost anymore than what any member pays to join. I lost almost 40 pounds last year and my pants size has gone from 44 to 38. I didn't need a special place to do this, I just needed to get off my fat ass. And believe me, if I can do it, anyone can.

As a matter of fact, I do belong to one. I never said I didn't or couldn't. That isn't the point, though - or at least, it's not my point, which is that IF a gym such as the poster is describing was available to me I would be interested in joining it. I don't know how you translated that to, it's the ONLY one I would join, but if that's what you thought I was saying, you were wrong.

 

[Proserpina]

OP -

How are you defining "medically overweight"?

According to whose guidelines?