In the fast-paced world of fitness, keeping gym facilities up-to-date can seem like a never-ending mission. According to the 2016 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, one in every seven people in the UK is now a member of a gym, with an all-time penetration rate high of 14.3%. With this in mind, it’s vital you’re offering an exceptional experience to stay at the forefront of your competitive local market.
Previous owners of Fengate Gym, Dave and Brenda, had been running the facility since its inception in 1988, making it one of the longest-established gyms in Peterborough. The duo decided to take a step back earlier this year and the business was acquired by new director, Steve Hoffmann.
Before taking ownership of the gym, Steve had accumulated 10 years’ experience in the leisure industry, including time at Escape Fitness; a company specialising in the improvement on gym environments. Having been a member of the Fengate Gym himself since 1990, Steve earmarked the business as one with huge potential, and since taking over, has implemented a series of incremental upgrades to boost membership and modernise the facility.
Steve liaised with Johnson Reed’s Jamie throughout the refurbishment, who was able to secure a competitive lease for the necessary upgrades. The gym’s ageing equipment was replaced with state-of-the-art fitness machines and the open-plan space designed to host group exercise sessions and fitness classes was kitted out with rubber flooring. As well as being able to accurately calculate forecasts and budget around the fixed repayments, the lease also enables great tax savings throughout the term, which can be offset against the cost of equipment.
Jamie was very supportive throughout the whole process. Once he had visited the gym and saw its potential, the rest was just a case of deciding on which upgrade phase to implement first.
– Steve Hoffman, Director of Fengate Gym
As a result of the hard work and modernisation efforts over the past three months, Fengate Gym has now doubled its membership since January, and is on track to hit its 350 membership target by year end.
