To learn more about the Contours Express Franchising Opportunity please click here
1.How did you first get into the women's fitness industry?
I had already owned a couple of gyms in Kentucky. The inspiration for the business came from my mother who disliked the intimidating machines and environment at a local gym. I then commissioned the design of smaller equipment and a special 29-minute workout, and then opened my own club for women. I started Contours Express with $10,000 of my personal savings and no outside funding.
2. .Do you believe that women are becoming more conscious of staying fit
in recent years?
Definitely! This can be mainly credited to the media because there is a lot of emphasis on looking and feeling good. When you switch on the TV, there will be many fitness programs, diets, weight-loss products etc. being demonstrated and this has aroused a lot of interest among women. Also, people live longer now thanks to fitness and emphasis on balanced nutrition etc.
3. How does Contours Express contribute to women's fitness?
Women are busy people who are also good multi-taskers. That is why we have a franchise of fitness facilities for women, which bring busy women into the gym at least three times a week. We have opened fitness clubs for ladies only at convenient locations like strip malls or near daycare centers, and equipped them with machines designed for a woman's physique and develop a routine that works all muscle groups in just 29 minutes.
4.What is your 29-minute circuit training program all about?
Our 16-piece training circuit alternates strength training machines with aerobic stations. A cue tape keeps members moving through the circuit at a fast pace while a fitness trainer provides motivation. After only 29 minutes, members of all fitness levels have strengthened, shaped, and toned all their major muscle groups, worked their cardiovascular system, and burned up to 600 calories.
5. Why do you think Contours Express would be an attractive franchise opportunity for women?
Because it is low cost. No experience is needed. Anybody can do it provided they have a positive attitude.
6. How successful is Contours Express today?
We have 700 locations today. We are in 40 states today. 27 years since the inception, we are the second largest fitness chain in the world!
7. What qualities do you look for in a franchisee?
The ideal franchisee would be someone who is willing to follow a system that is proven to work.
8. Do you believe that women make excellent entrepreneurs?
For sure. The thing with women is that they are willing to listen. Once you show them how to do it, they will carry it out to perfection.
9. What are the most important lessons you learnt along the way?
That I can be as big as I see myself to be. First I saw myself owning a gym in Kentucky, then I saw myself owning gyms in several states and then in a few countries. And that is where Contours Express is today - in several countries. The Contours Express network has grown both domestically, since its launch in 1998, and internationally, with Master Franchisees operating in 13 countries throughout Central & South America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Ireland and the UK. We are the second largest fitness chain in the world.
10. Your advice to women who want to make it in business?
Work smart as well as hard. Spend as much time working on your business as you do working in your business.
To learn more about the Contours Express Franchising Opportunity please click here |
