How to Start a Unique Kid's Fitness Center
The epidemic of childhood obesity has led many parents and health professionals looking for solutions. A kids' fitness center is one solution that can offer help to children struggling with a weight problem as well as place for children to exercise and have fun. A kids' fitness center is different from an adult-oriented gym, because children will need different instruction and motivation to exercise. They will also need more supervision than an adult gym would need.
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Instructions
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Choose the unique theme you want your fitness center to operate under. You may choose a sport to focus on or you could focus on offering free play areas that offer a chance to exercise or specific types of classes you offer to children. Another choice is to combine the options to expand your fitness center to attract as many kids as possible.
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Lease or buy a space for your gym. Generally it is best to find the space and then design the areas in your gym afterward, but you should have an idea of the amount of space you will need for your fitness center.
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Apply for a business license in your town or county. When you apply for the license check to see what other permits you will need to apply for to open for business. You may need to file to have the zoning changed on your building as well. The license office should be able to refer you to anyone else you need to speak to complete this process.
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Design the layout for your gym. For example you may have a play space with indoor playground equipment such as a climbing space and slides in one section of the gym. Kid size exercise equipment in another section. You may have one or two separate rooms for classes. You may have a locker room for the kids or just have restrooms, depending on the services you want to offer. Then hire contractors to build it according to your design.
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Purchase the equipment you need to run your fitness center. For example, if you are offering tumbling classes you will need mats and a trampoline. If you are offering dance classes you will need a ballet bar. You may also need to purchase kid-size exercise equipment, balls and other sports items.
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Hire a gym manager and staff for your gym. The manager and teachers should be qualified to work with children and to teach the classes. Since they will be working directly with children you should run a background check on the workers. Each worker should receive first aid and CPR training.
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Check to see if you need to be licensed in your state to operate classes for children. If you plan on offering day camps during the summer or after school care, you may need to get licensed in addition to other certification you may need.
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Schedule your building inspection, allowing enough time for a second inspection to fix any mistakes that may have been made during construction.
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Advertise and hold a membership drive once you open. Offer free classes to attract customers and discounts to purchase more than one pass.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase liability insurance to protect yourself and your workers in the event there is an accident at the gym.
Include a lobby for the parents with free Wi-Fi and other entertainment options for them to access while their children are in class. Another option is to offer some family friendly classes that parents can participate in as well.
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