Opening a Gym/Fitness facility in the Denver area. (Aurora: sales, houses)

[w8tlifterty]

I will preface this by saying I've owned a small biz before, made very very good money and sold it last year to move to FL for my ex fiance. Things did not work out unfortunately and my folks just recently moved to the Denver area. I've always wanted to like in colorado and will be making the move in November.

I have been involved in competitive powerlifting/bodybuilding for many years and am looking to finally do something I enjoy. I want to open a 'hardcore' old school gym. Where people ranging from old to young, serious to just trying to stay in shape feel comfortable. It would be geared towards competitive lifters/bodybuiders but I am one of the nicest guys you could meet and I'd welcome anyone and everyone that is serious about staying/or getting in shape. The comradery of the 70's and 80's gyms has all but dissappreared. This is what I'd love to re-create.

Maybe a pipe dream but I'd love to make it a reality. Do you think there is a market for this in the area? What kind of fitness/gym locations are currently open and running in the Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins vicinity...? Thanks for any advice offered

[ChrisFromChicago]

That is a question for Marketing Research. You can try your own hand by checking out the local gyms that are similar. Doing a count at certain times of night. . .find out items that correlate with this type of gym elsewhere, and see if the correlations are here but the gyms aren't.

It is definitely not the kind of gym I would belong to (I liked Cardinal Fitness in Indiana and currently do lifetimefitness)

It seems like a limited market compared to a family style gym.

[w8tlifterty]

it is a limited market as such but I'm not looking to get rich. Looking to help people (training, nutrition, etc... help those so inclined better themselves) and do something I love. I know once I arrive in the area I will have to do my research, check out the demographics but this is a starting point. I am not familiar with Denver and just throwing this out there.

I would not want it at all to be like a Lifetime Fitness, planet fitness, etc... more often then not, those are social gathering places.

I want it to be different, set apart, and special. Those that truly love to lift, compete or workout seriously would understand. Now, that doesn't mean I don't want all walks of life. I will cater to everyone but it will be well a equipped no frills type of gym. Kind of a mom and pop type place... these type of gyms have all but dissappeared. Franchises have taken over. Creating relationships with people is lost in these facilities.

[The Homogenizer]

Originally Posted by w8tlifterty

Do you think there is a market for this in the area? What kind of fitness/gym locations are currently open and running in the Denver/Boulder/Fort Collins vicinity...? Thanks for any advice offered

The big places with their massive marketing and sales teams are packed. I've seen a couple small places whose store fronts make them appear to be competing head to head with the big places, but I've never seen one that is busy.

On the other hand, a lot of start-ups are using small warehouses in industrial parks as store fronts. It's usually martial arts and tour guides; their marketing is atrocious, yet they stay afloat. I don't know if they're dumping money into these places, but they seem to have longevity, which suggests that the overhead is manageable for a lone wolf.

The young guys that I have seen at the gym are scrawny and look desperate to build a little muscle; they're doing the standards: squats in the Smith machine, throwing weights, creepily staring at uncomfortable women, etc.

Based on all the above observations, I think you'd find success in an industrial park if you have the ability to sell face to face and over the phone.

Any of the three areas would probably be fine because of the colleges, but I'd recommend Denver because you wouldn't be as dependent on the colleges. You sound like someone who's conscious of quality of training, and I think you'll find that the college kids are a little more conscious of buzz than quality.

Good luck, and congratulations for dodging the bullet.

[MtnJam]

You'll have a tough time competing with this gym:
armbrustprogym.com - HOME
Its been there under different owners for decades, and is home to Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath. Lots of other big names there, too. Those fellas can move some earth. Plenty of regular folks like me there just trying to stay in shape. THE BEST trainers are there. Dylan will be opening a new Aurora location soon. This is the place to model your venture after.

[rushhournewb]

I've belonged to a gym since I was in my late teens, so I'm no stranger to lifting. That said, it's not like you'd be moving into a market crying out for what you hope to bring, it already exists here. It's so niche that it doesn't take many small gyms to be filled and it's already filled. Good luck.