The Story Of Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym has been providing fitness results since our original location opened in 1965 in Venice, California. The premier gym for serious fitness and Southern California's fitness enthusiasts, our Venice gym quickly became known as "The Mecca of Bodybuilding" and received international acclaim in 1977 when it was featured in the movie Pumping Iron.

Since our first franchised gym opened in San Francisco in 1980, Gold's Gym Franchising has been the #1 health club franchise in the world. In 1993 we reached 1 million members and less than a decade later, in 2000, we had reached more than 2 million total members.

In just four amazing decades, Gold's Gym has become the largest co-ed gym chain in the world, boasting more than 675 facilities in 42 states and 35 countries. It is the gym of preference for amateur and pro athletes, fitness and beauty conscience entertainment industry professionals, and every day people committed to their health and the quality of their lives. Now with more than 3 million members worldwide, Gold's Gym's unmatched experience and expertise continues to change lives by helping people to achieve their fitness potential.

The Power of the Brand
Brand Awareness is one of company's most important assets and certainly the strong brand awareness enjoyed by the Gold's Gym brand is a key reason to consider a franchise. Franchisee can get benefit from over 40 years of Gold's Gym brand recognition as the fitness industry creator and leader.

Gold's Gym has established worldwide recognition through millions of dollars of advertising placement, consistent P.R. exposure and strategic marketing alliances and promotions. Members trust our tradition of excellence. Our brand awareness is constantly reinforced when they see us in Hollywood films and TV shows like:
•  Adam Sandler's The Longest Yard
•  The Dr. Phil Show's official gym for the Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge
•  VH1's Celebrity Fit Club
•  Entourage, Wheel of Fortune, Hogan Knows Best and Extreme Home Makeover

Gold's ongoing national media exposure shows we're the multi-generational choice of celebrities, professional athletes and successful fitness enthusiasts. Our nationwide list of VIP members reads like a "who's who" of Hollywood and pro athletes including names like The Rock.

A “FIT” INDUSTRY
Entrepreneur magazine named the fitness category the fifth hottest franchising trend in 2005. This trend has accelerated within the $14.8 billion explosion in the health and fitness industry. Fitness franchising outpaces overall franchising among the 1,500 franchise systems in the United States - there’s plenty of market share for everyone. In fact, health club membership has grown by an average 4.6% annually in the past decade. Working out at a health club is the #1 sports activity in the United States according to the National Sporting Goods Association. And Gold’s Gym is the #1 gym providing nearly 3 million men and women around the world with both facilities and expertise that can change their lives through a regimented fitness routine.

The Growing Need For Serious Fitness

• Obesity is a global problem that affects 300 million people worldwide.
• Nearly two-thirds, or 130 million adults in the United States are overweight, and nearly one-third, or 61 million are obese.
• Approximately 15 percent of children and adolescents are overweight.
• Forty percent of U.S. adults are sedentary.
• Risk for heart disease and high blood pressure is two to four times higher among the 18 million Americans with diabetes.
• An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the U.S. can be attributed to excess weight.
• Heart disease is the number one cause of death in American women, killing six times as many as breast cancer.
• Annual medical spending for the treatment of overweight and obese people is nearly $100 billion a year, approximately nine percent on U.S. health expenditures.
• As many as 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits or physical inactivity.
• Exercise helps prevent heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, insomnia and cancer.
• Exercise has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression and increase energy, focus and stamina.
• People who exercise regularly are happier, healthier and live longer.

FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

Gold's Gym has been in operation since 1965 when the first gym opened in Venice, California. In the past 40 years we've earned a reputation as the leader in fitness. Our first franchised Gold's Gym opened in San Francisco in 1980 and today, we are the #1 fitness franchise and the #1 co-ed fitness facility in the world with more than 600 locations in 42 states and in 27 countries.

We have become the most recognized brand in the health club industry because we have a proven business that offers franchisees first class facilities, operations training, economies of scale, award-winning marketing support and substantial tools, programs, and support to aid in enhancing all levels of your business.

We are particular about our franchisees because they all contribute to our success, one health club at a time. We are seeking only top visionaries who are committed to raising the bar in fitness. 

Although only eight percent of businesses are franchises, these operations represent 40 percent of all US sales. According to market research, consumers prefer nationally recognized names 2:1 over similar entities. Not only is advertising easier and more cost-effective by aligning with a world-recognized brand, the profitability of your operation should also benefit. 

We are currently in a rapid growth phase of our domestic and international franchise strategy. Area Development Agreements and individual Gold's Gym franchise locations are available in many areas of the United States.

We are also seeking qualified individuals or companies to expand with us as Master Franchisors on a worldwide basis. The purchase of a Master Franchise Agreement will allow an individual or company to successfully operate a local franchise, along with the opportunity to sell sub-franchisee's within the Province, State or Country. The benefits of being a Master Franchisor will enable you to extend and compliment your existing organization as well as increase sales and profitability through sub-franchise sales, and ongoing royalties. We supply our Master Franchisors all required franchise contracts, sales programs, training programs, and support to develop the Franchise Network.
 

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. With more than 65 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, nutritional supplements, energy drinks and nutritional bars. 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.

With the high level of excitement and interest in Gold's Gym, we evaluate hundreds of inquiries every month. Gold's Gym Franchising has developed a comprehensive pre-screening program that enables us to identify which potential franchisees are most likely to succeed. Our strict screening process enables us to maintain our valuable brand name and reputation as an international fitness icon.

Below we have listed the main criteria and steps required to become a franchise candidate. Please review the basic requirements if you and/or your associates want to be considered for a Gold's Gym Franchise opportunity.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS Potential franchisees must possess the capital sufficient to fund the development of a Gold's Gym facility. The minimum financial requirements for an individual or group are a net worth of $800,000 with $300,000 in cash or liquid assets.

Personal Character:

• High personal integrity
• An entrepreneurial sprit and strong desire to succeed
• Proven ability to motivate and train people
• Personal commitment to daily operations as an owner-operator, or the ability to put a qualified team in place to run operations
• Willing to complete a comprehensive training program to become proficient in all of Gold's Gym operating systems

We appreciate your interest in Gold's Gym. If you meet the minimum requirements, please fill out the Gold's Gym Request For Consideration below. If you qualify, a Gold's Gym Franchising Representative will contact you within 48 hours to help you proceed with the next steps.

The requested information will give us an insight into your plans, business ability and expectations in becoming a Gold's Gym franchisee. It will also allow us to research available territories in or near your preferred market prior to our first conversation.