The industry-disruptive mobile fitness company kicked off 2020 with eight new franchise owners and implemented strategic measures in response to COVID-19 for continued success.The industry-disruptive mobile fitness company kicked off 2020 with eight new franchise owners and implemented strategic measures in response to COVID-19 for continued success.
Josh York created GYMGUYZ at his parents’ dining room table in Plainview, New York during the economic crisis of 2008 — so he is no stranger to prevailing in times of hardship and uncertainty. The 250+-unit personal training franchise specializes in bringing the workout to the customer; an early and direct response to convenience-focused trends arising across various industries at the time. Even in the face of COVID-19, another unexpected challenge, GYMGUYZ has aggressive growth goals for this year, and has already kicked off the year with strong growth results.
In the first quarter of 2020 alone, GYMGUYZ added 8 new franchise owners in 16 new territories across Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina; Delray Beach, Naples and Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Oakville, Ontario. In addition to expanding its international footprint, GYMGUYZ has confronted the consequences presented to the fitness industry by COVID-19 with a creative and strategic approach focused on supporting its franchise owners with what they need to remain successful.
GYMGUYZ has gone completely digital, offering virtual personal training sessions, streaming weekly workouts via Facebook Live, and lending specialized exercise equipment to clients so they can safely continue their workouts at home. The brand is also offering a Workout Migration Program to those who have gym and fitness program memberships they are temporarily unable to use due to business closures and other COVID-19 related restrictions. Participating locations provide incentives to be used for remote personal training services while those closures and restrictions are in place.
COVID-19 allowed GYMGUYZ to go back to its roots and be the scrappy, proactive company that does what it takes to get through hard times, quickly shifting its core business model to provide support to franchise owners and as a resource for people that need to exercise even when social distancing.
GYMGUYZ’ growth and value as a franchise investment has been reinforced by awards and accolades received in the early part of 2020 including recognition by Entrepreneur Magazine on the publication’s annual list of Fastest-Growing Franchises and Top Franchises to Buy Under $100,000. The brand also received a second place ranking on Franchise Gator’s Fastest-Growing Franchises of 2020.
York has a lot of hope for what’s to come after the coronavirus pandemic. Regardless of the current crisis GYMGUYZ will continue offering virtual services. He looks forward to seeing the evolution of the industry as a whole.
