TL;DR
Anytime Fitness has experienced rapid growth in the fitness segment of the franchising industry, driven by the importance of regular exercise in preventing and reversing unhealthy lifestyles. The brand has 3,894 gyms open worldwide and is expected to surpass the 4,000 mark soon.
Thousands of people die every day due to obesity-related illnesses and inactivity. Health care costs continue to soar. And, despite increased awareness, the world’s obesity epidemic is only getting worse.
But there is reason for hope. Increasingly, public health officials are recognizing the important role that regular exercise can play in preventing and reversing unhealthy lifestyles. There’s no “magic bullet,” but fitness centers have the opportunity to help millions of individuals improve the quality of their lives.
That’s part of the reason why the fitness segment of the franchising industry is experiencing rapid growth – and the trend is especially true for the segment’s leader, Anytime Fitness.
Rapid growth numbers
Since revolutionizing the fitness industry with the opening of its first gym in 2002, Anytime Fitness has consistently outshined the competition. Now, less than 16 years later, the brand has 3,894 gyms open worldwide, with a presence in 28 countries on five continents. And that number will surpass the 4,000 mark in just a few months due to the brand’s consistent ability to grow.
Last year, Anytime Fitness opened 200 gyms in the U.S. alone and sold an additional 250 territories. Anytime Fitness is also the only U.S.-based brand in its segment to be granted a license to franchise in China. Backed by all of that momentum, it’s no surprise that Anytime Fitness was named the “Fastest Growing Gym in the World” for the 10th straight year by Club Business International Magazine.
Coaching program success
The key to Anytime Fitness’ success lies in its forward-thinking approach to doing business, which stems from co-founders Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen. The company has implemented a new coaching program that’s designed to benefit both members and franchisees.
The coaching program focuses on helping members achieve their fitness goals, which is what keeps them coming back to the gym. The program is also designed to benefit franchisees, as it allows them to get to know their members and provide them with the support they need to succeed.
The combination of convenience and coaching is a key factor in Anytime Fitness’ sustained growth. The company’s gyms are designed to be convenient and accessible, with most averaging around 850 members. This allows franchisees and their staff to get to know their members and provide them with the support they need to achieve their fitness goals.
The company is confident that its new coaching focus and model will continue to drive growth in the years ahead. The brand anticipates accelerated growth as more existing franchisees introduce the model to their gyms, and new local owners are brought on board.
The company’s proven business model, commitment to innovation, and affordable initial investment make it an attractive option for potential franchisees. The company is confident that it will achieve its new goal of selling another 250-plus domestic territories before the year comes to a close.
The coaching program is a direct lever to the company’s growth, and the company is eager to see it continue to take off in its gyms across the globe.
In this story
This story was originally published in 1851 Franchise on February 9, 2018. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
Read the full story at 1851 FranchiseLiked this? Get the week's franchise news, explained
- Sunday 8 AM ET weekly + a monthly deep dive
- Sections picked for the industries you follow
- Every claim linked to its source. Free.
