Read this story to find out more about Jaye Cooke’s experience as a franchisee with Fitness Space!

I met with Fitness Space at The British and International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia in January 2017, and learnt more about the concept and Fitness Space model.

Why Fitness Space

I’ve trained at gyms for 20 years and I have always been interested in the fitness concept and the possible business opportunities in this field. I had looked at the financial viability of owning my own, independent gym but once I discovered fitness franchises, I saw the value of an expert on hand to provide support and operating under the umbrella of an established brand.
Differentiation was important. The Fitness Space concept, and the growth of the boutique sector made it an attractive option. I had considered budget gyms but there is much less personal interaction for the member, and they are left to their own devices to train. The Fitness Space sits in the middle of a polarised market. It targets the 26% of those who may be intimidated by a traditional gym environment. The provision of a dedicated coach and monthly PT sessions means the member is fully supported to achieve their fitness goals. The member also receives a Fitness Space smartphone app, whereby they can contact their coach 24/7 and have access to bespoke programmes. This high level of membership engagement appealed to me as a business concept.

Fitness Space franchise journey

I met with The Fitness Space at The British and International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia in January 2017. I learnt more about the concept and The Fitness Space model. This gave me the confidence it was the right franchise to move forward with. One of the stand-out benefits was the flexibility in choosing a location. Time Retail, one of The Fitness Space’s recommended partners, provide invaluable support in identifying possible locations and the right type of spaces. The franchise owner, however, has the autonomy to make the final decision, which is a significant value-add that many other fitness franchises were not able to offer.

From the initial meeting, my experience to date has been very positive. The franchise model gives me the flexibility to be involved to whatever degree that suits me.

As an investor, I have chosen to take a less active role. The infrastructure of partners and suppliers, along with the credibility and professionalism of the team at The Fitness Space HQ makes this possible.

The future
The plan is to open 10 Fitness Space clubs across the UK. My aspiration is to build a portfolio over the next 3-5 years, and see the performance of my clubs grow alongside the success of The Fitness Space as a nationally recognised brand.

Advice to potential franchises
Everybody has their own aspirations and goals, and it is important to take these into consideration and evaluate whether the franchisor is aligned.
As with any business opportunity, my advice would be to fully research the finances involved to ensure you have the right level of funding in place. If the business plans are closely followed then The Fitness Space offers a fantastic business opportunity with a clear path to return on investment.