The Ideal Gym

For the past couple years, I have been working as a CrossFit Coach, recently at Dynasty CrossFit in Gainesville, FL. Before I got started in my CrossFit journey I did a lot of searching on the Internet for the right gym for me and a lot of visiting and trying these gyms out. Needless to say it was a lot of work, and once I found the right gym for me it was a relief, almost to the point where money was not an issue. CrossFit is a new fitness industry that is spreading like fire across the world. Many people are learning about it through the media and through friends and families that are bragging about their results. Many of these people want to join the right CrossFit gym but the process is more complicated than it sounds. They have to find the gym that fits their personality, a place where they belong and can make lifelong friends. They might want a place close to their home or that have the right hours for their schedules. They might be interested in a certain price or looking for a specific program to meet their needs. So how do these people find the right gym? Like I did, hours and hours of researching and calling and visiting, and frankly many people don’t have the time for that. I believe there is a need for a service that can help people find the right gym for them and introduce them to the right people and even prepare them for the movements they will be introduced to. Almost like a middle man that will do the research and the calling and visiting and match them to their new home. 

The prototypical customer is someone who is searching for a CrossFit gym or is interested in doing CrossFit but might not have the time to search or might be scared of joining for any particular reason.

#1 – Late Twenties Single Man in College

1. What are just 3 characteristics of your ideal gym? 

“ A sense of belonging. I want to be able to make friends and meet people my age. Knowledgeable coaches who are staying up to date on current health/exercise research. And a group of people with my similar goals.”

 2. If this gym existed locally how would you most likely go about searching for it?

“I would most likely search for it through google and google maps.”

 3. What is or would be keeping you back from joining this gym?

“If the price is way too high compared to what I will be getting in return, if I don't feel like the coaches are knowledgeable or experience in what they are doing or are not understanding towards personal needs.”

 4. if we eliminated this issue/concern would you join?

 “Yes, most likely.”

 5. Did you know on top of the monthly price most CrossFit gyms also charge a foundations course fee for the first month?

“No, I didn't know that.”

6. Would you be more inclined to join if you knew the foundational movements and didn't have to pay for that initial course?

“Yes!”

 7. Would you be interested in a service that would find your "ideal" gym for you and also provide you with the necessary training to be ready to jump into the CrossFit classes right away, at a fraction of those costs?

“Yes!”

#2 – Late Twenties married mother of 5

1. What are just 3 characteristics of your ideal gym? 
“Clean, I am a clean freak! Also, it needs to be spacious (not crowded) and friendly.”
2. If this gym existed locally how would you most likely go about searching for it?
“Online, most likely like google or probably Facebook.”
3. What is or would be keeping you back from joining this gym?
Having a baby, I am paranoid about the germs I don’t want my baby to be exposed to them and also I would need daycare.”
4. if we eliminated this issue/concern would you join?
“For sure I would!”
5. Did you know on top of the monthly price most CrossFit gyms also charge a foundations course fee for the first month?
“I had no idea, but now that I think about it, it makes sense.”
6. Would you be more inclined to join if you knew the foundational movements and didn't have to pay for that initial course?
“Maybe.”
7. Would you be interested in a service that would find your "ideal" gym for you and also provide you with the necessary training to be ready to jump into the CrossFit classes right away, at a fraction of those costs?
“Yes possibly!”

#3 – Male in early forties, married with children

1. What are just 3 characteristics of your ideal gym?

“Its got to be clean, seeing people cleaning the gym or wiping it down would be nice. Adequate lighting nothing too depressing like some power lifting gyms. Enthusiastic coaches (it would be nice to see coaches of all body types and from all backgrounds).” 

2. If this gym existed locally how would you most likely go about searching for it?

“Most likely I wouldn’t search for it, I really don’t have time.”

3. What is or would be keeping you back from joining this gym?

“Money, time, and childcare.”

4. if we eliminated this issue/concern would you join?

“Yes I would go if it was free, if I had unlimited time, and if childcare was offered. That would be amazing.”

5. Did you know on top of the monthly price most CrossFit gyms also charge a foundations course fee for the first month?

“nope.”

6. Would you be more inclined to join if you knew the foundational movements and didn't have to pay for that initial course?

“I have no idea what this course is for.”

7. Would you be interested in a service that would find your "ideal" gym for you and also provide you with the necessary training to be ready to jump into the CrossFit classes right away, at a fraction of those costs?

“Sure. But do you mean this app would help me find new fast food restaurants and give me coupons for cheap food?”

Reflections:

It seems like most people know what they want in a gym and it differs for everyone. Childcare seemed to be a big priority for people with kids. Most agreed that they wanted a place with great coaches and friendly atmosphere. Some didn’t care about the age of their peers or the look of the gym. The prototypical customer would have to be very motivated and have a big reason for joining a gym. It seemed like the ones who most needed it where the ones that might not be as interested.

Summary:

I think this would involve very hard work. I think the opportunity exists and there is people out there that need and would be interested in the service but they would have to be very motivated to joining their ideal gym. They would have to make it a priority and not just “try it out.” A lot of people rely on word of mouth and I think this would be a service that once a couple of people have a good experience it will spread rapidly. The initial problem is finding out what this service is (an app, a website, a call center, etc) and how to deliver it to these prototypical customers. In the end, once people see how much time they would save and how easy the process could be for them I think it could be a success.