Very very true.
They say...'ANY publicity, GOOD or BAd is GOOD publicity'. Get it? Planet Fitness might look like 'victims' being harassed by big burly no neck mean steroid using maniac thug bodybuilder guys.
These gyms are killing it right now because of the way they are setup.
They only take on people who have some serious capital in the bank. It costs between $500,000 and $1 mil to set one up and planet fitness doesn't take on people who have to borrow the whole amount they take on established business owners with $$$.
They use typically large retail space in malls like old furniture shops... The rent of these places isn't the top rate.
The fitout is simple and not expensive. No saunas/spa just basic showers and toilets. Basic rooms for the sunbeds, paint the roofs black instead of false ceilings etc.
They get great deals from Startrac and bodymasters on equipment.
Once open they are run by skeleton staff levels and with no classes their ongoing wage levels are very low (aerobics programmes are what kills most gym owners from a cost standpoint).
Becasue they are so cheap most people who join never cancel their memberships even if they rarely go. If you only go once every few weeks big deal if it costs you $12-15 per month.
