Case Study HYbrid Fitness Loughton

"Hybrid Fitness is invested in its franchisees. They want us to succeed and are constantly checking in, ensuring we have everything we need and providing additional support and training. If I have any issues, I know I only have to call, and they will be there to support and assist."

We sat down with Hybrid Fitness Loughton Franchisee Jay Atwal to chat about his experiences working with Hybrid Fitness, how he came to find us and how he is finding life as a franchise business owner.

What was your background before becoming a Hybrid Fitness franchisee?

I've always been hugely into health and fitness, and I've worked for a few chains before in one capacity or another. But I never really thought about owning a gym before.

Where did your interest in opening a fitness franchise begin?

I've seen how the industry has grown over the years, how it's developed from gyms where all you had was weights and a few machines to where it is now: a massive variety of high-end studios, budget gyms, a range of specialist classes, online training, personal training. There's literally something for everyone.

However, I didn't want to own a gym that was just a reincarnation of an existing product. I was looking for something that offered a high-end training environment that was still inclusive and a place for everyone and anyone to train.

I had considered going it alone, as I thought what I wanted didn't exist. That's when I came across Hybrid Fitness.

What brought you to Hybrid Fitness, and why did you want to open your own Hybrid Fitness?

I had a vision of what I wanted my gym to be. Looking at other franchises, I was left frustrated with how prescriptive they were with layout, design, and fit-out, but also with their product offering.

There wasn't scope to create an environment that offered a blend of really great classes and a great gym At an affordable price. The choices were either a studio, which priced out a large chunk of the market, or a cheap gym offering only a space to get a session in.

Hybrid Fitness offered something a little different. Their management team had experience working in ultra-exclusive, high-price gyms, budget offerings and expensive studios.

They saw how there was a middle ground between the spaces. That's where Hybrid Fitness came into being. A space with the look, feel and fit-out of a high-price ultra-exclusive, along with classes that you'd expect to find in a studio.

Their ethos is "fitness for everyone"; they didn't believe the general public had to miss out on anything. Inclusivity was at the heart of their product, which ticked an enormous box for me.

Alongside the inclusivity, I was drawn to the core product: great gym and strength and conditioning classes that followed a structured programme developed in-house. Triple Threat, a high-intensity style class utilising cardio equipment, bags and weights. And Hot Yoga. I was also drawn to the flexibility in that, alongside the core product, I could include classes that worked for my area specifically.

The flexibility and the freedom to build my desired gym made a huge difference. The research they conducted and the campaign they created for me for opening (and beyond) was truly above and beyond what others were offering.

How did you find the process and support from Hybrid Fitness as a new franchisee?

The level of support from Hybrid Fitness was excellent. From helping source a location to designing the layout, fitting the gym, finding and training staff and setting up the marketing, Hybrid Fitness were outstanding.

What sets them apart is that everything was done in collaboration with me and my team. We genuinely worked together to build the experience I wanted within the Hybrid Fitness Brand.

The ongoing support is excellent too. Hybrid Fitness is invested in its franchisees. They want us to succeed and are constantly checking in, ensuring we have everything we need and providing additional support and training. If I have any issues, I know I only have to call, and they will be there to support and assist.

We work together to make this work, and the support has been and continues to be fantastic.

What is your favourite part of being a Hybrid Fitness franchise owner?

It's been a collaboration. We've worked together to build a gym that is bespoke, unique and exactly what the area needs. We stand out because we researched and developed something special that stayed within the core offering at Hybrid Fitness.

The team did everything they could to help me build my gym. They designed the gym floor, sourced top-end equipment, and offered me support and team training.

They did it to help me succeed, and that's what I value the most. We worked together to build this space, and they involved me every step of the way.

Would you open more Hybrid Fitness clubs in the future?

Definitely, I'm already looking at new locations!