Top Fitness & Health Club Franchises in Michigan

Nearly 1 million people join health clubs each year, pushing membership to more than 41 million nationwide. In the U.S., health club membership grew by more than 10% from 2008 to 2013. Gym, health, and fitness club revenue was $22.4 billion in 2013.
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TOP 5 HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUB FRANCHISES

1. Curves
Units in Michigan: 77
Units in U.S.: 4,000
Franchisor: Curves International Inc.
Headquarters: Woodway, Texas

2. Snap Fitness
Units in Michigan: 76
Units in U.S.: 960
Franchisor: Snap Fitness Inc.
Headquarters: Chanhassen, Minn.

3. Anytime Fitness
Units in Michigan: 57
Units in U.S.: 1,863
Franchisor: Anytime Fitness Inc.
Headquarters: Hastings, Minn.

4. Planet Fitness
Units in Michigan: 37
Units in U.S.: 800
Franchisor: Pla-Fit Franchise LLC
Headquarters: Newington, N.H.

5. Powerhouse Gym
Units in Michigan: 31
Units in U.S.: 110
Franchisor: Powerhouse Gyms Inc.
Headquarters: Birmingham, Mich.

6. Fitness 19
Units in Michigan: 14
Units in U.S.: 159
Franchisor: Fitness 19 Inc.
Headquarters: Temecula, Calif.

7. Pure Barre
Units in Michigan: 7
Units in U.S.: 238
Franchisor: PB Franchising LLC
Headquarters: Spartanburg, S.C.

8. Fitness Together
Units in Michigan: 6
Units in U.S.: 196
Franchisor: WellBiz Brands Inc.
Headquarters: Highlands Ranch, Colo.

9. Fit Body Boot Camp
Units in Michigan: 6
Units in U.S.: 143
Franchisor: Fit Body Boot Camp Inc.
Headquarters: China Hills, Calif.

10. Orangetheory Fitness
Units in Michigan: 4
Units in U.S.: 110
Franchisor: Ultimate Fitness Group LLC
Headquarters: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

11. Title Boxing Club
Units in Michigan: 3
Units in U.S.: 137
Franchisor: TBC International LLC
Headquarters: Overland Park, Kan.

12. 9Round
Units in Michigan: 2
Units in U.S.: 231
Franchisor: 9Round Franchising LLC
Headquarters: Greenville, S.C.

13. Retro Fitness
Units in Michigan: 2
Units in U.S.: 111
Franchisor: Retro Fitness LLC
Headquarters: Colts Neck, N.J.

14. Gold’s Gym
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 449
Franchisor: Gold’s Gym Franchising LLC
Headquarters: Irving, Texas

15. Fitness Revolution
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 240
Franchisor: Fitness Revolution Int. LLC
Headquarters: Elizabethtown, Ky.

16. Koko FitClub
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 123
Franchisor: Koko FitClub LLC
Headquarters: Rockland, Mass.

17. World Gym
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 107
Franchisor: World Gym LLC
Headquarters: Dover, N.H.

18. SuperSlow Zone
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 40
Franchisor: SuperSlow Zone LLC
Headquarters: Winter Park, Fla.

19. Xtend Barre
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 25
Franchisor: Xtend Holdings LLC
Headquarters: Boca Raton, Fla.

20. Club Pilates
Units in Michigan: 1
Units in U.S.: 24
Franchisor: Club Pilates Global
Headquarters: Del Mar, Calif.


WHAT SETS YOUR BRAND APART FROM COMPETITORS IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?

Many gyms today are still attempting to be everything to everyone. After 25 years in the business, I have found it near impossible to simultaneously meet the needs of both the hardcore fitness trainers along with the less experienced first time gym users within the same club. — Chris Klebba, franchisee of Planet Fitness (37 units in Michigan)


HOW IS THE MARKET IN MICHIGAN FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUB FRANCHISES?

The market for health and fitness club memberships is strong in Michigan, and therefore the market for fitness franchises is strong. We see new competitors coming into the market all the time. Gym memberships have been trending up and data shows that about 16 percent of the people in Michigan attend a health club regularly. — Kim Scartelli, franchisee of Curves (77 units in Michigan)


HOW DO YOU WORK TO EXPAND MEMBERSHIP AND PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE?

“We keep up and maintain our facilities. I provide a personal touch in my business; we’re family-operated. Social media allows people more access to education, whether it is commercials, ads, or information about counting calories. This information is available to them right at their fingertips and actually helps get us new memberships.” — George Shaouni, franchisee of Powerhouse Gym (31 units in Michigan)


exercise graphics
Source: IHRSA // Infographics by Tom Helland

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE GROWTH OF THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?

Social media places a great emphasis on not necessarily health, but the aesthetic of looking healthy. I’ve noticed a lot of people who come into the gym are focused on how they look rather than how they feel. I don’t think that’s a great thing, but with the good looks there is a health benefit that comes as well. — Abu Alghali, club manager of Snap Fitness in Ferndale (76 units in Michigan)


WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO OTHER FRANCHISE OWNERS?

Once you’ve identified the type of franchise you’d like to own, do your research. Before you pull the trigger, visit several franchisees and ask them what their experience has been. If you don’t like what you see and hear, then I’d recommend investing your money elsewhere. — Joe Ferlito, franchisee of Anytime Fitness (57 units in Michigan)


Franchise Costs
Sources: DBusiness, Entrepreneur