Fitness Center

[ape shit]

O.k. guys, I'm about to venture off on my own, so thanks for everyones help on my recent postings!
I'm looking into renting out space that is in a fitness center, and its one of the bigger and more popular gyms where I live. It is also attached to a hotel, and they said I could even advertise at their other hotel that they own down the street, the employees would go even as far to personally hand the guests my brochures when they check in, and I could just offer them some kind of incentive for their efforts. So, sounds pretty good to me, seems like it would take a lot of stress off my shoulders when it comes to marketing! They've never had a massage therapist there yet, and the room is going to be painted a color that I choose, and a new carpet.
But back to the point, has anyone had experience working at a fitness center? What did/do you think are the pros and cons? I just want to get as much info about this as I can, because I'm almost nervous about this, hehe. It would be a big step for me if I decide to do it, because my finances are already spread thin...I just bought a house last August. They are asking for 500/mo. and the room is really really big, bigger then a typical spa room with a storage closet too. What do you all think?

 

[I <3 Pomeranians]

Suggest to clients who work out first to shower before they get their massage!

 

[classigal888]

Ew, yeah, I'm definetly going to put that in my policy too I think. Bleh.... I had one guy come to the spa where I worked *right* after a run, I know a lot of people are oblivious to the fact that you're working that closely with them

 

[Michael J]

Soundproofing issues are usually important at a gym, both due to the loud workout music & the clangs of the weights & workout machines. Have you been inside the massage room? Can you hear noise from the rest of the health club?

 

[hey ya]

Soundproofing issues are usually important at a gym, both due to the loud workout music & the clangs of the weights & workout machines. Have you been inside the massage room? Can you hear noise from the rest of the health club?

This is an issue where I work as you can vaguely hear the sound of weights hitting the floor almost every afternoon. I usually make a joke about it the first time it happens and we laugh as I continue working. None of my clients have gotten tense and were unable to relax because of it. I know that the music I choose during that time of day helps as it needs to be something very relaxing that they can get into. I've had no complaints at all thus far.

 

[BIG_Jason]

I was able to check it out again yesterday... The way the gym is set up is great, it's almost kind of like a long hallway, theny you go through a set of doors to the workout room, and then keep walking either further through another door into the studio, where the classes are held. The noise is far enough away so that shouldn't be an issue. I worked at a spa where they had a massage room right next door to the studio, and you had to keep a fan on just to muffle the music out, but you could still hear it. :/ I was almost embarassed that my clients were paying good money to listen to that..

 

[Peaches]

I work at a fitness facility. Get in good with the class instructors, personal trainers, fitness staff, and front desk employees.

I was just in a class the other day and the instructor (who is now, after 4 years as co-workers, a good friend) had me wave to everyone as she told them how I really helped her out and that she will only see me.

Make sure the front desk has a good idea of what it is EXACTLY that you offer. If you have to give them a demo, it's worth it. If the front desk employees have meetings regularly, this would be a great time for you to come in and do that demo. If you do hot stone massage have the stones heated up and let them look at and feel them. If you offer scrubs or muds do a little hand treatment so they can understand how it feels and what the process is. Maybe take a little field trip to your treatment room so these employees can check things out. These people are your connection to the everyday outside world. You want them to tell people how great you are and to know what it is that you do so they can describe it to potential clients.

If possible see if you can team up with the personal trainers. Give their clients a nice discount or perhaps a special package to enhance their training.

Keep track of upcoming races, marathons, and triathlons. I have many clients who like to come in while they are beefing up their training for a run and then come in after the run to help their body cope and relax. Offer specials durring these periods of time.

Also, get out there and work it baby! Do chair massages. Offer a seminar for couples massage, stretching..., if that's a possibility for you. Work out. Be seen around the gym. Take classes and trade a massage for a personal training session if possible. These are all things that have helped me. I know there's more that I wanted to say but it's late and I need sleep! Good luck!

Steph!

 

[Coke D]

As far assessing if you think this will be viable...

What are the going rates in your town?

What does it cost to rent an alternative set up - maybe an office in a medical-heavy building

How many hours will you plan to be there?

What is your current client base and will they come to the fitness center?

How is the FC membership profile? HOw many members? How many people use it during the different hours of the day (they shoudl be able to show you at least a weeks figures of hour by hour sign ins)

HOw long have they had the room available and why haven't they had an MT before?

Keep in mind the hotel currently calls someone to take care of massage requests for their guests, and they are certainly getting a piece of the action. 20% is about standard, but they will always give the work to the highest bidder.

Don't count on others to do the marketing for you - even if you are paying them 20%. They will forget or run out of brochures and not tell you. We have a menu in every guest room, a reminder card on the desk, signs in the elevators and two pages on every hotel's website and we consider a hotel to be successful if it generates 1 appointment for every 200 occupied rooms.