Snap Fitness Expansion India

Author
Patrick Strait, Snap Fitness

Snap Fitness, Inc., the rapidly growing franchisor of compact, 24/7 express fitness clubs, recently announced it will open new clubs in Bangalore and Mumbai, India. The new clubs will be owned and operated by Force Fitness India Pvt. Ltd., an experienced area developer of fitness franchises in India.

"With people earning more money in India today than ever before, many have an increasing propensity for spending their disposable incomes on ways to look and feel better," said Deepak Lalvani, Director-Sales Snap Fitness India. "For many of the workers in call centers and other business services that must work unusual hours, there is great demand for a fitness club such as Snap Fitness that is open 24/7, and emphasizes fast, convenient and affordable workouts."

Founded in 2003 by CEO Peter Taunton, Snap Fitness offers fitness clubs that emphasize fast, convenient and affordable workouts. A typical 2,500-square-foot facility features the same quality equipment as traditional big-box health clubs, but in a smaller, non-intimidating setting and at a fraction of the membership price.

Snap Fitness is experiencing phenomenal growth with more than 1,500 locations across the United States and Canada. Snap Fitness opened 86 new clubs in the second quarter of 2008, has opened close to 200 new clubs for the year. The company expects to close out the year with over 1000 locations open with 2000 markets sold. In addition to the two new club openings in India, Snap is looking to expand internationally throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia.

The company is the leader in promoting member-friendly policies and value-added benefits. It offers month-to-month memberships as opposed to long-term contracts, and allows memberships to be frozen for up to three months a year with no penalty. In addition, the company provides members with a host of products and services, such as an Online Health Assessment and customized supplements, designed to give members better results and more value for their money.

"We are excited about the Force Fitness group joining the Snap Fitness team, and even more excited to expand Snap Fitness on an international level into India," said Taunton. "People all over the world are becoming increasingly aware that health and fitness is a necessity as opposed to a luxury. We are looking forward to fast growth in India and throughout the Middle East, and plan to open 250 new clubs within the next five years internationally."

Growing Fitness Franchise | Snap Fitness: An exercise in growth

The Oakland Press

Tough times force people to get creative and Snap Fitness proves the point.

Snap Fitness, a franchise business that started in Minneapolis in 2003, is moving into the Detroit area in a big way.

By the end of the year, it hopes to have as many as a dozen locations open around Oakland County, counting the new sites in Oakland Township and Berkley that are expected to open before the end of the year.

“Michigan is becoming one of our fastest growth areas,” said Patrick Strait, marketing communications manager for Snap Fitness. “We have had a lot of people say ‘Hey, I see the potential for this.’ It’s the franchisees that are driving the growth,” said Strait, noting that over the past year or so Snap Fitness has opened sites in Ferndale, Birmingham, Commerce Township, Troy, Farmington Hills, Oxford, Highland Township, Novi and South Lyon.

“We never strive to be the cheapest show in the town but we do strive to offer the best value,” says Strait. “We also created a model that’s easy to use,” said Strait, noting that more and more gym enthusiasts have traded in their memberships at large clubs to join Snap Fitness.

“Our founder, Peter Taunton, used to manage ‘big box’ fitness clubs,” said Strait. “He concluded people wanted to be healthy, but they didn’t need rock-climbing walls or swimming pools. What people needed was fitness. What we offer is the same fitness equipment as the big box clubs but at a fraction of the prices,” he said. Seventy-five percent of the visitors used the cardio-vascular equipment, he said.

Taunton concluded many of the costly amenities offered by the large clubs facilities such as racquetball courts and childcare sat idle most of the day. He designed a model for a club that incorporated the most readily used health club equipment into a smaller, more efficient, passcard-secure facility. By doing this, he was able to deliver affordable membership pricing and quality exercise equipment to neighborhoods across America. Snap Fitness was the second-highest ranked concept in the health category in Inc. Magazine’s annual survey of fast growing companies. Overall, it was one of the top 20 fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S., according to Inc., Taunton said. “We look forward to continuing success and to breaking into the Top 10 next year, as both investors and consumers continue to recognize the value we provide,” he said.

Launched in only 2003, Snap Fitness opened its first site in 2004 and now has more than 2,000 locations and more than 400,000 members around the world. The basic concept is to open small fitness centers with state-of- the -art equipment that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Taunton said.

Stephen Collias, the owner of the Birmingham Snap Fitness location, said he had opted for a Snap Fitness franchise more than a year ago and he has been pleased with the results.

“I had owned a mortgage company,” he said. “But when that started getting soft, I decided to start a new venture. I’ve been very interested in athletics all my life and I live in Birmingham, it was tough getting started and getting it open. But it’s been great,” said Collias, whose Snap Fitness gym on Willits in the Center of Birmingham has been open since August 2008. “We’ve grown steadily every month,” he said.

“We’re staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (weekdays) and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends. We have six personal trainers, who will set up personal appointments,” he said. “Otherwise members are free to come and go as they want,” he said.

“We’ve heard nothing but good things. It’s easier to keep 3,000 square feet clean than a big box store. It’s an energetic environment,” said Collias, adding he already has 700 members. “With the 24 hour access, it alleviates the stress. It’s convenient to own and in some ways it’s like having your own personal gym boutique with the very best equipment.

Collias also said the surge of new Snap Fitness sites in Oakland County hasn’t disturbed him. “That’s actually better for the brand,” he said.

“As more people see health and fitness as a necessity versus a luxury, they’re seeking convenient and affordable ways to look and feel better. While people are trading in their big SUV gas guzzlers, they are currently doing the same thing with their fitness memberships,” said Taunton.

Fitness Industry Trends | Consumers Go Crazy for No-Frills Fitness Franchise Concept

CNNiReports

As millions of consumers continue to swap over-priced SUV’s for wallet-friendly compact cars, the same trend is taking shape in the fitness industry. No-frills concepts like Snap Fitness are rapidly dominating the $16 billion fitness category, as workout enthusiasts trade in their memberships at big-box facilities for the convenience and affordability offered by 24/7 compact fitness clubs.

The world’s fastest growing franchise featuring compact, state-of-the-art fitness centers, Snap Fitness has defied recession conservatism and continued to expand its “no frills” concept worldwide, having already opened approximately 300 clubs in 2009. Today, Snap Fitness has nearly 1,000 locations open and operating throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and India, with more planned in Australia and New Zealand.

The burgeoning brand consistently opens 300-400 new clubs each year and plans to have a total of 2,500-3,000 centers worldwide in the next few years.

After spending more than 20 years in the fitness industry owning and operating various big-box clubs, Snap Fitness Founder and CEO Peter Taunton realized that many of the costly amenities offered in his facilities such as swimming pools, racquetball courts and childcare sat idle most of the day. Knowing most people are on the go, constantly seeking balance between work and family, he designed a model that incorporated the most readily used health club equipment into a smaller, more efficient, passcard-secure facility.

Snap Fitness gyms are small – only 2,500 square feet – and frills free. There are typically five treadmills, two stationary bikes, five eliptical machines and weight equipment. The gyms typically attract married folks, aged 35 to 55, with kids. Most don’t have the time to linger over a cappuccino or leer at the young man or woman on the next bike. Many live within two miles of the gym.

“Our more than 400,000 satisfied members, combined with our triple-digit revenue growth, proves we've honed in to what consumers want and expect from their fitness program,” said Taunton.

Shop wise for a gym membership

Given the tough economy, you are probably still looking for ways to trim unnecessary expenses and save money wherever possible. The real challenge is finding ways to cut costs without cutting quality of life.

Take your health, for example. A recent survey by Money magazine shows that about half of all consumers are unwilling to part with their gym membership despite the uncertain economy. But even if fitness is a staple in your life, there are ways to save or get more value without compromising the quality of the workout experience.

Here are some tips to consider, according to Snap Fitness

Ask about freeze and cancellation policies

“Some gyms advertise a great enrollment offer but don’t tell you about the long-term contract that goes with it,” said Peter Taunton, Snap Fitness Founder. “Ask the salesperson if you can pay month-to-month, if you are able to freeze your membership and how much notice you need to give in order to cancel your membership. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying a lot more money over a long period of time.” Snap Fitness offers the option of paying as you go, allows you to freeze up to three months per calendar year and requires 30 days’ cancellation notice.

Inquire how the club will help you reach your fitness goals

“Anyone can open a gym, buy some equipment and sell you a membership, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting your money’s worth or able to achieve noticeable improvement in your health,” said Taunton. “At our club, we offer new members a free $100 Fitness Assessment with a personal trainer to test your strength, endurance and flexibility, and give you a sense of the types of workouts you should do to improve. We also include a free session to show how to use the equipment and put you on a workout plan. It’s just another way we give our members more for their money.”

Ask about convenient, value-added services that may come free with the membership

Snap Fitness recommends looking for add-ons that “coach” you towards better results. Snap Fitness, for example, offers members a host of online tools for little to no cost, including meal planning, workout tracking and health and wellness coaching.

“We know times are tough but that doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice your health,” continued Taunton. “Avoid paying for amenities you don’t need. Make a list of what’s really important for you in a health club and let that list be your guide. Look for the club that can give you everything you need and nothing you don’t.”

Snap Fitness Recognized as One of Twin Cities' Fastest Growing Companies By Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

Snap Fitness, the fast growing franchise system featuring compact, state-of-the-art fitness centers has ‘muscled’ its way to the top of the Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal’s “Fast 50”.

Unveiled on October 22, Snap Fitness leads the list fastest-growing private companies in Minnesota with a growth rate of 638 percent since 2006 and 2008 revenue of nearly $32 million.

“We are truly honored to be recognized as the fastest growing company in our home state,” said Peter Taunton, Founder and CEO of Snap Fitness. “We look forward to building on our continued success and growing worldwide in 2010.”

Launched in 2003, Snap Fitness offers members a fast and convenient workout alternative to traditional “big box” health clubs, including access 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the industry’s best equipment, allowing members to get the same quality workout experience at a lower cost and with no contracts.

“Our more than 400,000 satisfied members, combined with our triple-digit revenue growth, proves we're honed in to what consumers want and expect from their fitness program,” Taunton added.

Today, Snap Fitness has nearly 2,000 locations open or under development worldwide and consistently opens 300-400 new clubs each year. Company plans call for a total of 2,500-3,000 centers within the next five years. In addition to being in nearly every state, Snap Fitness also operates clubs in Canada, India and Mexico, and recently launched its expansion into Australia and New Zealand.