There’s an old proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The gym owner version of this could be paraphrased as, “If you want to grow faster, gym partnerships are your jam.” Or something like that.
For experienced gym owners, this isn’t a new concept. Starting a small business from scratch, then finding ways to create brand awareness and revenue are challenging. As gym owners ourselves, the PushPress team fully understands this.
But the good news is, having a great support system - including other entrepreneurs - is a game changer. Forming new gym partnerships can be beneficial for everything from saving time to increasing revenue. And the fall rush is a perfect opportunity to get the ball rolling.
Today, we’re exploring new partnership ideas for you to consider in your gym. We’d also love to hear your ideas and success stories in this area. After you read the blog, head over to the PushPress Facebook Community and share your thoughts with other gym owners!
Five Gym Partnerships to Consider this Fall.
1. Apparel or Merchandise.
One of the first gym partnerships to explore is for apparel and merchandise.
The benefits of selling apparel include more than just profit for your gym. These sales can specifically be effective for things like brand awareness and even membership retention.
The key is knowing how to do it right, and partnering with the best company for the job. At PushPress, we highly recommend Forever Fierce. It’s a custom apparel provider with years of experience in the gym business.
Forever Fierce works with gym owners to help plan out an entire year in advance. The team also manages the design work and gives recommendations for what will likely sell well. By removing all the headaches that sometimes go along with apparel sales, you can save time and money in the long run.
2. Corporate Wellness Gym Partnerships.
These days, more and more businesses are recognizing how much more productive their employees are when they prioritize their physical and mental health. And because of it, they’re willing to spend money to help their people achieve health and wellness goals.
For you as a gym owner, this can be a gold mine. And as gyms who’ve already set up corporate wellness partnerships have seen, it can mean gaining 10, 20 or more new clients all at once.
To get started, reach out to local corporations to gauge interest in a corporate wellness program. Offer to do the work for them by creating fitness challenges, nutrition coaching options or educational lunch-n-learns. Consider offering a special membership package or group discount if a certain number of clients sign up.
Or, if the group is big enough, a unique option with corporate gym partnerships is to offer on-site fitness classes at the company’s head office. If space permits, this can sometimes make it more convenient for employees to work out.
3. Meal Prep Services.
As you know, nutrition goes hand-in-hand with fitness goals. And during the fall rush, people are more motivated than ever to dial in their calories and macros. The problem is, they’re also busier than ever with work and the kids’ various after-school programs.
Therefore, meal prep services - especially those that deliver - can significantly help your members. They’ll be able to save time and eat healthier by letting someone else do the work. Further, the meal prep pros help with controlling portion size and balancing nutritional aspects of each meal. Plus, the biggest payoff for a partnership like this can be in launching a nutrition coaching program.
So, how do you benefit from making this one of your new gym partnerships? Imagine you have 25 members that regularly place an order from the meal prep company on Sunday. On Monday, the meals get dropped off at a fridge in your gym. The meal prep company obviously makes a profit, of which you can work out a deal to take a percentage, or you get free meals for being the facilitator.
4. Gym Partnerships with Health Practitioners.
Gaining the trust of local doctors, chiropractors or physical therapists can take time, effort and patience. But building gym partnerships with a network of health professionals in your area can be hugely beneficial.
Even knowing where to start can seem overwhelming. But Nicole Aucoin, founder of Healthy Steps Nutrition (HSN) assures gym owners it’s possible to get there.
“Start with people you know,” she said. “It’s not a light switch. You need to build the relationship and trust with how you can help.”
Aucoin went on to explain that most gym owners have at least a few health practitioners in their area, if not plenty. She recommended approaching any health care clients or providers you know first. Simply start the conversation to gauge interest in a more formal, referral-based partnership. Over time, it’s possible to get an entire health clinic on board, referring clients to your gym.
5. The Local Coffee Shop.
Perhaps one of the most fun gym partnerships to launch is with your favorite coffee shop, breakfast spot or brewery.
The options here are vast. Let’s use the coffee shop as an example. You could set up a trade where baristas get a discounted membership in exchange for your gym community getting a coffee discount. Or at the local brewery, perhaps the owners get a free membership in exchange for hosting gym community events.
Pro Tip: Once you’ve set up some new partnerships, use the power of automation in PushPress Grow to spread the word to members! Book a demo with our team today to learn more.
In Summary: For Best Results, Partner Up This Fall
Whether you’ve just opened your doors or you’ve been in the game for years, driving brand awareness and increasing revenue are challenging. But forming new gym partnerships can help with both, and the fall rush is a perfect time to start.
Start with an apparel partner to boost revenue with merchandise sales inside your gym. Next, consider setting up a corporate wellness program with local organizations. Reach out to meal prep companies to offer healthy and convenient nutrition for your members. Build relationships with a network of local health care professionals to encourage referrals. And finally, come up with some creative ways to partner with other favorite small businesses in your area.
When it comes to business-to-business partnerships, the options are plenty. And there’s no better time to explore new gym partnerships than the back-to-school season.
