Why Fitness?
There’s no question that the fitness industry continues to be on the rise. It’s been growing at a steady, consistent rate since the fitness boom first hit back in the 70’s.
One reason for the continued growth is that exercise, despite what some people would say, actually serves a basic human need; a physiological need. Just like with food, water, and sleep, it’s something everyone needs. Without it people become sluggish, unhealthy, and slowly deteriorate. Industries that help satisfy basic physiological needs have always grown, and have been recession proof, successful, and extremely profitable.
Do you live in a community without a grocery or convenience store? Are you willing to pay for a bottle of water in the absence of a water cooler? Regardless, retail food distributors and bottled water companies operate in billion dollar industries that serve our physiological needs and there’s no evidence that they’re going away anytime soon. Because fitness is a business that satisfies a basic human need, it’s a smart choice because it’s recession proof and allows you to capitalize on the fact that the market will NEVER dry up…as one generation goes, the next one comes.
Another factor attributing to the growth is that people are vain creatures by nature. Today, more than ever, they want to look and be their very best, and they’re not afraid to spend to get what they want. They continue to splurge at health clubs, fitness centers, gyms, spas, tattoo and piercing parlors, and cosmetic surgery clinics to get the same look they see in the media.
Yet another reason, for the escalating growth, is the fact that no one wants to grow old or show that they are aging. Thus, millions upon millions of baby boomers are now flooding establishments from coast to coast. They’re patronizing fitness clubs in an attempt to slow the aging process down and cosmetic surgery clinics to reverse the process. When the boomers die off, the generation X’ers will be right behind for you to serve.
Still another reason, for the steady growth, is the continuous rise in the population. Today, with population levels at an all time high, there’s never been more of a market to serve. Given the poor overall condition of the general public, it’s truly a pathetically unhealthy and unconditioned market. Their obesity levels are at an all time high. Their heart disease rates are going through the roof. This is all due to decade-descending changes in our lifestyle that are caused by poor, eating-on-the-run, fast-food habits, and a lack of exercise. As the population continues to grow, guess what? The unconditioned market continues to grow!
Unfortunately, there’s no end in sight because despite both educational and awareness programs, and despite the need for improved and better health, these problems will seemingly never go away from modern society. In a way, it’s rather sad to be able to capitalize on such an unfortunate situation. Yet, on the other hand, it can also be a happy, satisfying, and gratifying one. You’ll be rewarded with that never-ending, good feeling of knowing you’re part of an industry that not only cares about the situation and is trying to rectify it, but also wants to prevent any further deterioration.
Don’t simply choose this industry based on growth or because the financial prospects appear to be better than some others. Choose it because you want to be a part of it. Choose it because you know you’ll love doing it. Choose it because you’re passionate about it. Choose it because you feel it’s an important way to help people.
But before you make your decision, here’s another good reason why you should choose our industry. As a fitness provider, you are providing a service, not a physical product. Often, when a product is involved, you can be at the mercy of technology. Take, for example, franchised movie rental stores. Today, because of technological advances, one in every neighborhood is no longer necessary. This has forced virtually every franchisor, including Blockbuster®, to begin closing stores left and right. Why? Because people now have better choices and more convenient options, like ordering their movies over the internet, or choosing them on-demand from their cable or satellite service provider, or getting them anytime they want out of a vending machine. However, when it comes to fitness, technology will NEVER be able to put it out-of-business! That’s because no one will ever be able to use exercise equipment over the internet. No one will ever be able to download their workout to their computer, then directly into their body. No one will ever be able to rent exercise machines through a vending machine. No one will ever be able to have exercise equipment transmitted through their television, directly into their living room. And no one will ever be able to have a gym full of equipment beamed into their home!