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Eco Gym: Where the Green Come to Pump Eco-Friendly Iron

Who is the target audience for a gym? Does that target audience change if the gym is a "green" one? How do you drive people do such a place and how do you let them know that it is an eco gym, without being too in your face with the concept? And who should consider opening such a business proposition in the first place? Is there really a market for the eco gym?

Target Audience

First, the target audience for a gym should be the same whether it is ecologically aware or not, in fact, the audience for an eco gym would probably be higher because it is green. That target audience would include: those who are health conscious, those who need to be more proactive about their health, those who want to lose weight, body builders and of course, the occasional gym rat who simply comes to socialize. Of them, the majority, probably also takes steps to be more eco-aware in their daily lives anyway.

Marketing your Eco-Gym

Marketing the fact that the place is in fact "green" should be done of course, but again, not so much that it becomes overkill. The line between selling a concept and preaching a hard line is a very narrow one indeed. A simple announcement that says that you are using environmentally safe products wherever possible, as well as a direct, straightforward mention of other ecologically sound ideas you are using should be all that you do. Using "eco" in front of every word does not make anything any greener, nor does it bring in any clients to your gym. Be honest and up front about your desire to help the planet, but do not think you will convert anyone by beating them over the head with the concept. Most people go to a gym to get away from work or stress and to burn off some of their energy. If they think they are going to be berated at every turn, they will not come to your gym at all.

Setting up any kind of business, takes planning and foresight and therefore, it is probably a good idea to have some level of expertise in the market that you are planning to break into. If you have never danced before you would not open a ballet studio for instance. Opening an eco gym might be right for you if you have: managed or co-owned a gym before, if you have owned a business and enjoyed working out at a gym or if you have extensive knowledge of the fitness industry.

Choosing to open a green gym would require that you know environmental factors like efficient heating and cooling and what products should be included in your restrooms, as well as your business office to keep the place as green as possible.

Finally, there is a discernible need for green gyms as the health conscious move toward more and better ways to lessen their carbon foot prints, while continuing to work on their abs and glutes.

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