Know Your Own Strength
GYM Quick Find Search by Zip Code | Search Worldwide Gyms | October 8, 2008
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Franchise Support

As a Gold’s Gym franchisee, you benefit from the support of a successful international company with over 40 years of experience. We have developed and invested in proven systems and resources to help you build and maintain a premium facility. As part of the franchise program, we give you the structure, tools and resources to help you with all of your needs.

Primary areas of support include:
 
THE GOLD'S GYM NATIONAL VENDOR PROGRAM
Gold's Gym’s franchising network offers economies of scale and power in purchasing numbers.  We leverage our growing base of franchisees and corporately-owned facilities and align it with strategic suppliers through the Gold's Gym National Vendor Program (NVP). The on-going goal is to provide you with unprecedented quality, consistency, product selection and pricing.  We leverage our buying power for equipment, programs, software and other products and pass the savings on to our franchisee partners. With more than 100 approved vendors with a thorough understanding of our franchisees' needs, the NVP program provides exceptional value to being a Gold’s Gym franchise.
 
The NVP is a program designed as a win-win for all involved.  Franchisees have access to pre-screened suppliers to save time and money, while vendors are able to reach qualified buyers. 
 
REGIONAL FIELD MANAGERS
In addition to education and training, a dedicated Regional Field Manager from our Franchise Development team will provide you with ongoing business consulting support. Our team acts as business development managers whose primary focus is to evaluate results of your existing facility and provide you with business strategies that support and improve your organization and operations. Field Managers are your “partners in the field”, acting as your liaisons with the Gold's Gym International Corporate Entity to synchronize marketing, employee development, financial opportunities, training and other efficiencies necessary for a successful partnership with Gold's Gym Franchising.
 
RETAIL AND LICENSING
Through the Gold’s Gym Product Licensing program, franchisees are offered a broad range of high quality Gold’s Gym branded retail merchandise. To support your gym Pro Shop and provide additional opportunities to generate profits, we offer expertise on how to start and operate this important area.
 
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
The Gold’s Gym Design Guidelines provide information to owners and their design professionals for use in achieving the Gold’s Gym design philosophy.  The goal of Gold’s Gym is to establish an atmosphere that promotes personal health and fitness, embodies the dynamic energy that the Gold’s Gym brand represents, and enhances the community in which Gold’s Gym operates.  The design themes and materials for Gold’s Gym facilities have been developed to establish comfort and compatibility between all members; from the de-conditioned novice to the most seasoned fitness guru, while giving both the atmosphere they need to succeed. 
 
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GOLD'S GYM FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL FRANCHISE COUNCIL
Through the Gold’s Gym Franchisee Association (“GGFA”) and the National Franchise Council (“NFC”) individual Franchisees can communicate and work closely with each other and Gold’s Gym International. The GGFA and the NFC are effective and efficient ways for every Franchisee to make his or her voice heard on issues which are important to the continued success of their businesses. 
 
GROUP EXERCISE PROGRAMMING – LES MILLS
Designated in 2005 as “preferred group exercise vendor” to Gold’s Gym International, Les Mills creates and distributes its eight group fitness-to-music programs to over 12,000 clubs in over 75 countries.  Gold’s Gym franchisees enjoy heavily discounted pricing for Les Mills’ programs as part of Gold’s Gym preferred vendor program. Programs include the following: BODYPUMP™ (weights), BODYCOMBAT™ (martial arts), BODYSTEP™ (step), BODYFLOW™ (yoga), BODYJAM™ (dance), BODYATTACK™ (high-intensity aerobics), BODYVIVE™ (low impact) and RPM™ (indoor cycling).  The Les Mills Programs inspire a passionate response among many of the 4 million weekly participants worldwide and positively impact club membership retention, growth and overall profitability.  GGX and Les Mills share a common goal - a fantastic group fitness experience each and every time.   
  
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HUMAN RESOURCE SOFTWARE – PEOPLEANSWERS
Hire the best, improve productivity and lower the cost of managing your most valuable asset - your people.  Gold’s Gym International joined forces with PeopleAnswers to develop a revolutionary new software system that will help duplicate our existing top performers.  This software uses proven and validated Industrial Psychology principles to provide an unprecedented level of insight into the future capabilities of job applicants and existing employees. 
 
The software analyzes a large set of behavioral characteristics (behavioral DNA) in candidates and compares it with an ideal profile we have created for all gym positions. PeopleAnswers can help you ensure that only top performers get hired into your organization.  Besides unparalleled performance gains, this system can provide you with lower recruitment costs, increased productivity and shorter hiring cycles.
 
MEMBER FEEDBACK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Gold's Gym is proud to be the first in the industry to offer franchisees an automated and easy-to-use online member feedback tool that will measure member satisfaction on all areas of the gym including: Staff Service, Customer Service, Facility Cleanliness/Maintenance, Facility Operations, Equipment Selection, Group exercise programs, Personal training, Billing, and more!   In addition, this tool provides you with a cutting-edge reporting feature that allows you to manage your operations through member feedback- a proven system for increased customer satisfaction.
 
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TRAINING AND EDUCATION
 
Initial, Ongoing and Web Based Training
Gold’s Gym has a multi-level comprehensive training and support system that provides management training programs to franchisees - Gold’s Gym University (GGU),  and Gold’s Gym Management Institute (GGMI).  You will receive individual instruction, training manuals, training materials and programs for use at your gym. We currently offer complete and extensive operating manuals in the following areas: Sales, Front Desk, Personal Training, Customer Service, and Introduction to Fitness. 
 
Gold’s Gym University 
Gold’s Gym University is a 5-day, 28 class comprehensive workshop aimed at delivering efficient and modern approaches to learning and orienting new and existing franchisees to the Gold’s Gym organization and all it has to offer. The University has been designed to help ensure that owners and their staff are informed and equipped with all the skills required to run a successful operation. If you have recently opened or are about to open a new Gold's Gym Franchise, these classes are a must!  Knowledge is power, and Gold’s Gym University will provide even the most experienced gym operators with hands-on operational knowledge to enhance business operations.
  
Gold’s Gym Management Institute 
This five-day curriculum is guaranteed to help take your management team to the next level.  It is designed to help owners and managers learn what they need to know to efficiently manage their gyms by taking an in-depth look at the foundation and core operations of a successful Gold's Gym franchise. The Gold’s Gym Management Institute is open to Owners, Operations Managers, Area Managers, General Managers, and Assistant General Managers
 
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The Gold's Gym University Online Training System
At your disposal 24/7, the most innovative and effective on-demand employee training and testing system in the industry.  Designed to save you time and provide consistent on-demand training, the Gold's Gym Online Training System is an interactive, web-based training system that will provide you with on-demand training for your entire staff.  This system, with over 200 chapters, will provide you with consistent training in the areas of sales, front desk, customer service, personal training, new hire orientation, and corporate sales training. NO ONE else in the industry has a system even close to this - and Gold's Gym is proud to be the leader in this category.
  
Gold’s Gym International Convention
A first class annual convention that brings together key corporate management, owners/operators of more than 500 franchised gyms and key product vendors who attend the tradeshow, training seminars, award banquets and other networking events that re-enforce our shared Gold’s Gym vision.
 
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TURN KEY MARKETING SUPPORT
  
Marketing Support Materials
All new franchisees have access to proven Marketing & Advertising materials. The convenient on-line system provides all advertising for a given year, a press kit, marketing contacts, logo guidelines, interior/exterior branding standards, stationery, print and direct mail campaigns, outdoor and broadcast advertising, internal marketing, “Gym Tools”, website and email instructions, pre-opening/Grand Opening/Anniversary decals and announcements, a stock photo library and marketing partners.  On this system and within our Marketing Department, you will find all the materials and suggestions you need to successfully build your membership base and market your gym.
 
Materials Expertise
Gold’s Gym has a dedicated staff to assisting you with media expertise to insure you can make the most out of your local advertising efforts.  By balancing your budget with an accurate cost of local media in your market, our Franchise Marketing Department is committed to maximizing your advertising effectiveness and helping to build your memberships and sales.
 
Advertising
Advertising is a critical component in promoting any business, and an area that that Gold's Gym has excelled at for over 40 years.  Our track record of effective, award-winning advertising campaigns has established Gold's Gym as the most recognized name in the fitness industry worldwide. With a full array of capabilities to suit any campaign, we've designed strategically sound, branded materials for television, radio, print, direct mail, and special promotions. Franchisees can customize these advertising materials to a specific offer of their choosing while still delivering the consistent branded message that our materials provide.
 
Our marketing materials consistently reach a wide target audience with an engaging, recognizable and memorable approach.  We're proud of our advertising and encourage all franchise owners to take advantage of this important aspect in gaining a competitive edge and building a profitable business.
 
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Website
Franchisees can create their own website as part of goldsgym.com.  They can add web pages, navigate items, update class schedules, revise promotions and change banner images for their individual gyms. The look of each website meets Gold’s Gym branding standards as it functions as a flexible tool for franchisees to communicate with their members and staff, as well as receive and manage on line leads.
 
Intranet
Balanced with the website’s consumer side, franchisees are provided an intranet tool that enables them to upload new updates fast and easy.  You also have access to your own sales leads database, marketing materials, and franchise support tools with the Gold’s Gym Library -a virtual warehouse of information.  The Gold’s Gym Library offers a wide variety of marketing templates for advertising, public relations and promotions use.  Template examples include direct mail pieces, posters, flyers and print, radio and TV ads.
 
Web Based Lead Generation
Online marketing sends continuous new member leads to each franchise partner.