Independence day for Fitness Inc.

After 12 years as both a Gold’s Gym and a World Gym franchise, Fitness Inc. is now operating as an independent

1 of 4Trevor Zak of Fitness Inc. in Cranbrook, B.C., is happy to operate his gym as an independent business, after 12 years as a franchise. — Marie Milner photo

2 of 4Fitness Inc., formerly a franchise as Gold's Gym and World Gym, is now an independent fitness centre. — Marie Milner photo

3 of 4Fitness Inc. offers child-minding on weekday mornings. — Marie Milner photo

4 of 4Fitness Inc. in Cranbrook, B.C., is open seven days per week. — Marie Milner photo

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On August 1, 2013, the gym at Tamarack Centre in Cranbrook, B.C., hung its new sign: Fitness Inc. The gym’s owner, Trevor Zak, believed that after 11 years as a franchisee—first with Gold’s Gym and then with World Gym—his business had come of age. In January 2013, he gave notice to World Gym that when his contract expired on July 31, he would go forward as an independent.

Flying solo

“It was Zak Fitness Inc. that bought the Gold’s Gym franchise,” said Zak. “The Gold’s name and reputation certainly helped us to get members initially. We had a good relationship with them and with World Gym, and we learned a lot from both of them.”

Zak said that the new independent status means he doesn’t have to clear his decisions with anyone else—and he likes that.

“We have a great relationship with Mark and Jo-Anne Elliot at Cranbrook Signs (formerly Maximum Impact Signs),” said Zak, “and we’re really happy with the new logo that Mark designed. Our new clothing line is arriving any day now—Fitness Inc. clothing, made by Kieran and Erin of Giv’Er Shirt Works in Fernie. We’re bringing in hoodies, hats, shirts and tank tops in some great colours, with our logo in both pink and green.”

Pain and gain

According to Zak, there can be big financial rewards to running a fitness business, but you have to be willing to work hard.

“As the owner,” he said, “you have to be willing to be a jack of all trades, doing everything from maintenance to accounting. You have to train your staff well, you have to back them up and you have to be able to trust them. Ultimately, you have to be willing to make decisions and accept responsibility for the bottom line.”

Fitness Inc. has 10 customer service reps on staff—both full time and part time—about 15 contracted people who teach Group X classes, and a janitorial and maintenance crew. Zak said that the teachers and trainers at the gym often face resistance from the customers—exercise is hard!—so they have to believe in the benefit of what they’re doing and genuinely care about people.

“The staff has a great attitude; they are reliable and represent us well,” said Zak. “They know it’s important to make a good first impression, and to follow that up with good service.

“People know that we provide a clean facility, equipment that always works and great customer service. We haven’t made any changes to our pricing or policies—if you knew us and loved us before, you’ll still love us.”