Women's Fitness Franchise Opportunities

The Latest Trends!

By LEANNE BEATTIE

America should be the healthiest country in the world-every magazine on the shelf is filled with the latest research and discoveries to help fight disease and lose weight. But in reality, more than 60% of all Americans are overweight. No wonder weight loss is a $43 billion industry with projected growth of another $40 billion over the next few years.

Obesity Kills

According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death in the United States, while the New England Journal of Medicine reports a clear association between excess weight and the increased risk of heart disease. Franchises are taking advantage of these risks, as the number of health franchise units grew by almost 63 percent between 2001 and 2002, according to Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. Clearly, the time has never been better to open a health and wellness-related business.

Historically, women have always taken more responsibility for their health than men, and this trend is still seen today-women make up just over 52 percent of the more than 36 million health club members in the United States. And as women learn more and more about the dangers of obesity, health and wellness businesses will move away from being seen as unnecessary extras to becoming a much-needed part of day-to-day living.

The Sky's the Limit

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If you're thinking about buying a franchise, the sky's the limit to what you can achieve in this field - prospective franchisees can take advantage of this new interest in health by doing anything from opening a diet center to promoting Pilates. And with more and more women working each year and a richer baby boomer demographic, the future for these types of franchises looks good.

One franchise taking advantage of the health and wellness trend is LA Weight Loss Centers Inc. Founded in 1989, the company offers an effective weight control program that allows clients to eat ordinary grocery store food and come in for counseling sessions without an appointment. Even a poor economy has not affected LA Weight Loss Center's growth because weight loss is finally being seen as a health issue, not a vanity issue-it's not just about looking better, but improving the quality of life.

Phenomenal Growth

Fitness franchises have existed for many years, but a dramatic change has taken place recently. Growth in this category continues to climb in the double-digits each year, with the number of fitness franchises increasing by almost 30% in 2002.

The women's fitness industry is experiencing the most rapid growth, especially women's only workout centers. Franchises such as Curves for Women and Contours Express promote a quick "30 minute or less" workout in a comfortable, supportive setting. And women are coming in droves, attracted to the all-women atmosphere and the short time commitment each session. The lack of free time is a major consideration for the average woman, so she is looking for a convenient workout that won't take up too much of her already jam-packed schedule.

Well-Known Names

And it's not just the new franchises on the block that are seeing such phenomenal growth - well-known names such as Jazzercise and Gold's Gym are also expanding, as more and more women decide to take control of their health. With fitness and obesity taking center stage in the media, many women are finally realizing the importance of a formal exercise program.

Specialized Programs

Specialized one-on-one fitness training is also growing in popularity with women through centers such as Fitness Together, whose philosophy is "1 client - 1 trainer - 1 goal". Although Fitness Together is open to both men and women, each location is designed so clients can exercise in a private training suite, away from prying eyes.

Eastern Influences

Once seen as simply fads, yoga and Pilates have officially entered the mainstream. A June 2003 Harris poll of 4000 Americans showed that 7 percent were practicing yoga, an almost 30 percent increase over 2002-while one in six respondents planned to try yoga for the first time during the coming year. The number of Pilates enthusiasts also continues to grow, with almost five million Americans involved so far.

Opportunity in Fitness and Wellness Franchising

The booming health and wellness industry offers plenty of opportunities for the savvy franchisee - with such a diverse range of franchises to choose from, there is definitely something for everyone in this field. And any franchisee who helps women reach their diet and fitness goals can feel good knowing that they've made a positive difference in someone's life-while earning a healthy income at the same time.

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