GROUP FITNESS
MAKING IT ON
YOUR OWN
WITH A GROUP FITNESS BUSINESS
The closure of her long-term employer’s club forced GFM Kirsty Nield to take a bold
leap into the great unknown and set up her own group fitness business.
M y local gym first opened in the early 1980s. It was the most
up-to-date fitness facility for miles, with a pool, spas,
saunas, squash courts, creche and even its own bar. The
gym attracted people from far and wide and was known for its
community atmosphere, great instructors and welcoming staff. Over
the years, the gym adapted and changed. The squash courts were
re-purposed to accommodate treadmills, 24-hour access was
established, and a budget membership option was introduced.
Despite the changes over the years, the gym remained a community
hub, a place where people met to exercise and socialise. It was a
hugely important part of the local landscape.
The closure of our gym
In December 2019, this gym, the gym I had worked at for 20 years, went
into liquidation. One day we were going about our normal business;
teaching classes, connecting with our members, and doing what we
loved – the next, the doors were shut, the locks were changed, and the
liquidators were ready to sell anything possible to pay back creditors.
Being a community gym, the effect this had on the local residents,
the members, the staff and the instructors was significant. The
closure affected the entire community. There was a huge sense
of loss. Loss of family, loss of friends, loss of income and – most
importantly – loss of general and mental health.
With all the changes going on in the world today, this story is,
regrettably, not uncommon. The fitness industry is highly competitive,
and overheads are high. If not run properly, it can be ridiculously hard
for club operators to make ends meet. Add the new pressure a global
pandemic has placed on society and, unfortunately, many gyms have
had to dramatically change how they operate. Sadly, some have
closed their doors and, in many cases, the damage done is too great.
Some may never open again.
Despite gyms closing, people still need to exercise, and
instructors still want to teach. If you find yourself among those group
fitness instructors now finding themselves without work, hopefully
my story will inspire you to at least consider alternate employment
options that don’t require you to hang up your headmic.
The plan
In my case, having been employed at the fitness centre and having
an insight into what was happening behind the scenes, I knew the
closure was coming. For years I had been wanting to break away
from the internal conflict and questionable management style that
10 | NETWORK SPRING 2020