The Exercise Coach Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2024)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Initial franchise fee
$49,500
Investment required
$136,000 - $349,000
Royalty fee
6.00%

The Exercise Coach: Revolutionizing Personal Fitness with Cutting-Edge Technology

Based in Zurich, Illinois, The Exercise Coach is an American franchise specializing in personal fitness boutiques, featuring innovative Exerbotic proprietary technology.

Founded in 2000 by Gerianne Cygan and her husband Brian Cygan in Lake Zurich, Illinois, The Exercise Coach was created to offer a unique approach to fitness.

The franchise is grounded in cutting-edge fitness science and data platforms, providing personalized, efficient workout programs tailored for individuals over 50. These programs aim to help clients lose fat, build muscle, and achieve a healthy overall physique.

The Exercise Coach began its franchising journey in 2010. Each boutique offers a welcoming environment designed to cater to clients' specific needs, with a focus on delivering effective workouts in just 20 minutes, twice a week.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount (Low) Amount (High)
Initial Franchise Fee $49,500 $49,500
Initial Training Fee or Multiunit Operator Training Fee $2,500 $2,500
Food, Lodging & Travel (up to 4 people) $1,000 $7,000
Lease Deposit & 3 Months’ Rent $4,000 $18,500
Utilities Deposits $100 $1,000
Build Out & Improvements $0 $50,000
Signage $1,000 $8,000
Furniture, Decorations & Furnishings $4,125 $6,240
Computer System $1,250 $3,500
Technology Expense (3 months) $1,554 $1,554
Third-Party Operating Software Expenses (3 months) $1,586 $1,586
Telephone and Internet Services (3 months) $400 $1,200
Fitness Equipment Package $10,129 $81,269
Shipping, Installation and Setup of Fitness Equipment Package and Other Equipment $6,500 $8,850
Initial Supply of Inventory $2,550 $4,250
AED and First Aid Kit $1,350 $2,100
Uniforms $600 $1,000
Pre-Opening Marketing and Advertising Plus Print Collateral Material $14,195 $20,775
Post-Opening Marketing and Advertising (3 months) $15,000 $22,500
Business License $250 $500
Professional Fees $2,620 $5,240
Insurance (3-months’ premium) $800 $1,500
Startup Payroll (3- months) $5,000 $10,000
Additional Funds (3 month period after opening) $10,000 $40,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $136,009 $348,693

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Number of units

2023
Franchised units

93

130

168

Company-owned units

2

2

0

Total units

95

132

168

Franchise Disclosure Document

Training 

The Exercise Coach provides a comprehensive initial training program to equip franchisees and their teams for the successful launch and operation of their studio. This program consists of:

  • 53 to 77 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours of hands-on training.
  • Topics covered include an introduction to Exercise Coach® Personal Training Studios, leadership skills, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise theory, sales and marketing strategies, exercise implementation, equipment operation, customer service, and general business practices.
  • Training is conducted in Lake Zurich, IL, and remotely.
  • The initial training fee is $2,500 for up to three individuals, payable at the time the franchise agreement is signed and is non-refundable.

Multi-unit Operator Training Program

For franchisees managing multiple units, there is a dedicated Multi-unit Operator Training Program that:

  • Commences after the signing of the second and subsequent franchise agreements and extends through the first six months of operation for each new location.
  • Emphasizes multi-unit management, team development, and includes a minimum of 5 hours of classroom training via Zoom and 20 hours of on-the-job training.

Exercise Coach® Fitness Certification Program

For fitness coaches, the franchise offers a specialized Exercise Coach® fitness certification program, which includes:

  • Access to a learning management platform, written examinations, and practical assessments.
  • Initial coach training is included in the initial training program, while new coaches can be trained by existing certified coaches alongside the online certification training program.
  • There is a certification training fee of up to $250 per person for all new coaches participating in the online certification programs.

Territory Protection

The Exercise Coach franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees, ensuring that each franchisee has a designated area to operate without direct competition from other franchisees within the same brand.

This protected territory is defined by specific geographic boundaries, which are outlined in the franchise agreement. This policy helps to safeguard the franchisee’s investment and promotes a stable operating environment, allowing them to focus on growing their business within their exclusive market area.

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