What do I need to open up my own gym?

Question

I want to open up a gym as I've found an old warehouse in my area that'd be perfect for what I have in mind.

I want it to be simple, bare, no-nonsense and old fashioned; concrete and iron, no mod cons or fanny-boy potted plants in the corner next to the treadmills.

So what is needed in the way of qualifications to open a gym in the UK? What health and safety/ environmental factors need to be met?

Thanks!

Answer 1

first u need permission

Answer 2

I have just been involved in this for a kickboxing club. We found a place that was an old warehouse that had been used as charity shop furniture storage for the last 15 years. It is perfect in that it has a wooden floor for three quarters of its length which we sanded up and stained, and the last quarter being concrete. There is now a training ring, free weights and multi-gym on the concrete bit, and heavy bags and speed ball down both walls of the other bit. The middle bit is a space for warm up/ line work. The place is no nonsense old fashioned un-poncy, sweaty gym. Everyone loves it.

As far as health and safety goes it is pretty much the same as any workplace. You need your health and safety at work poster, risk assessment, fire assessment for extinguishers, exits etc. (fire station officer will help here). You also need Public Liability insurance. You dont need to provide showers or changing rooms, but you do need toilets sufficient for the numbers likely to use the building (check with Council Environmental Health people).

We also checked with the Local Council that we could turn it into a gym. They said yes, but as it was close to a residential area no training after 10.00pm. So give the Council planners a buzz, it may need change of use approval, but I doubt it.

You don't need any qualifications to actually open a gym. If you are actually going to train people yourself then you need the relevant quals.

Go for it.

Answer 3

quick and min you could get premier FTA parts 1&2 thats two week and about a grand or a year with ymca and get every thing for less. you will also need ins and first aid and money all my kit i have got of ebay and i have still spent over 5 grand on it and im a personal trainer with a gym 15 footX30foot so stand by for the cost of your stuff its not cheep also your looking at showers mirrors (for form) mate it will cost shat loads of money but a great idea good luck if you do it. dont listen to the last mug he oveasly hasnt been to a propper gym.

Answer 4

Start with a pommel horse,no-one needs to use it but it will add an air of authenticity to the place,add a couple of medicine balls,some mats,some indian clubs,a few climbing ropes and presto you are well on your way to having a good old fashioned gym for men...

Answer 5

Qualifications are minimal, two legs preferrerd, the power of speech, intelligence can be a detriment, steriods and customers. Good luck you have choosen one of the easiest professions in the world GYM owner... Several ex Boxers owned GYMS.

Answer 6

a place 2 construct, money, gym materials.......

Answer 7

buy a nice place for your gym.. buy equipment & advertise it...

Answer 8

you need to put pot plants in