Boutique Fitness Franchises Are Best To Own, Here's Why

There’s no doubt the pandemic changed the way people look at health and wellness. As Americans refocus on overall wellbeing, many are looking to lose weight, get in shape and invest in self-care, making it a fantastic time to own a fitness franchise.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 80% of Americans are ready to get out of the house. They are trading in their monotonous home exercise bikes and treadmills to head back to the gym and enjoy the encouragement, fun, and accountability of group fitness. The question someone interested in franchising may have is whether to choose a boutique fitness franchise or a big box gym.

Compared to big box gyms, boutique fitness franchises are expanding rapidly. The trend is in line with the times. Rather than socially weary people joining a massive gym full of strangers, boutique gyms allow them to become part of a friendly community. It’s an ideal post-pandemic environment that fulfills the need for social interaction, but with a level of attention and support from trainers that yields results.

What is Boutique Fitness?

A boutique fitness studio is a smaller workout space designed for about one to three dozen people per class and typically offers a highly personalized experience. Boutique fitness studios have a distinct identity and curated vibe, often specializing in a certain type of workout like cycling or boxing. Gym-goers enjoy guided workouts with highly trained instructors. It’s a model that offers the benefits of personal training without the hefty price tag.

While the end result is important, a person’s journey to reach their fitness goals needs to be fun and supportive. Unlike larger gyms, boutique studios feel like a social club where members can engage with others and encourage one another as they participate in a variety of exercises and activities. This model allows participants to build a circle of friends and peers they see at workouts regularly.

Industry Size and Affordability

As the fitness industry recovers from the pandemic economic downturn, numbers are beginning to surge, making up for lost time. The boutique fitness industry is expected to be worth $22.1 billion by 2022, up 4.63% from their pre-pandemic levels of $21.1 billion in 2019. The industry is projected to grow to $26.2 billion in 2025, up 16.97% from this year. Perhaps the most impressive number is that more than 40% of all gym memberships right now are at boutique fitness studios.

From an investment standpoint, there’s typically a lower initial cost to own a boutique gym than a big box gym and the ongoing costs are lower. Owners often spend much less on rent because the space is smaller and there’s usually less equipment. This improves profit margins. Boutique gyms are able to charge more than a conventional gym because of the increased one-on-one attention from trainers.

Additionally, members build meaningful relationships with each other and with their trainers that make them more inclined to attend classes regularly and less inclined to cancel their membership. That brand loyalty becomes a reliable monthly revenue stream, with far less volatility from membership cancellations than most big box gyms.

Why Franchises are the Best Choice

Why start from scratch when you can get a jump start with a franchise’s playbook?

A boutique gym franchise will provide a proven business model that has been tested and optimized for success. A great boutique fitness franchise will offer support, training, ongoing assistance, a marketing plan, and more. Rather than figuring out each step alone, franchising provides the opportunity for a quicker ramp up and faster profits.

Choose the Fastest-Growing Boutique Fitness Franchise

Franchising with RockBox Fitness is an opportunity to transform lives and positively impact communities by introducing a state-of-the-art boutique fitness studio that combines heart pumping boxing and kickboxing with functional strength training. There’s never a dull moment, as workouts are set to energizing music and lights reminiscent of a live concert.

We are looking for like-minded entrepreneurs who share our passion and enthusiasm for fitness and changing lives. If you are ready to kick off a new career as a franchise owner, fill out this form and let’s get the conversation started.