I would love your opinions on my business idea of a children's gym!

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Hi everyone. I am thinking of opening a gym just for children and would really appreciate your thoughts. It would be based on an adult gym with mini equipment aimed at 3 to 10 year olds. There would be mini bikes hooked up to big plasma screens where children can race each other (or cycle independently), rowing machines, treadmills, twisters and cross trainers. There would also be two big sponge pits where the kids could take a big run and jump into them, a mini zip wire and a climbing wall. I also thought about getting an interactive shadow wall like at Cadbury's world where the children hit, move, wave etc objects (shadows) that fall down the screen. I would also hold classes such as cheerleading, mini step, yoga, ballet and jedi academy based on star wars. I would offer fruit and water during sessions and there would be a healthy eating cafe on site. If possible I am aiming to get some outdoor space for nice days where group activities could take place or equipment could be moved outdoors.
I thought about charging on a pay as you go basis £3.50 per hour or £5.00 per hour and a half The gym would be light, airy, spacious and well staffed by qualified workers. It would also be very secure. What does everyone think?

Thanks Katz. I have had offers from several investors, Yorkshire Forward not being one of them! I will most certainly email you.
I had thought that the idea of staged activities would work, I thought that under fives would love the other activities that will be on offer, especially the foam pits. This could be a time when parents would stay and after four or five as you suggest having staff supervise the older children. I would have the teenager part open all the time though, as it would be separate from the kids part.
I would really appreciate your help here with asking around to see what other mums think, who will tell you the truth (unlike to me, as it was my idea and they might not have wanted to offend me!)

I go to David Lloyd and it's very popular with teenagers. I think their parents drop them off and pick them up hours later knowing they're in a safe area, they can go for a swim, have a coffee with their mates etc. Perhaps they should be your target group?

Our local Virgin gym has some of the mini equipment like cycle achines. Apprently they ar very popular.

I would have a look at something like the OP idea for DD. Sounds fun, and prices sound very good.

i'll ask at work about which of the other government agencies can help with starting a business, Sheffield is just coming to the end of it's Objective 1 funding (european money to help increase wealth in the region) which is generally released through Yorkshire Forward. not sure how much help my contacts will be but more than happy to fish out the links i do have.

I am in Sheffield so do put out a shout if you do start something like this up. I can imagine a lot of people beng interested, if done well.

Regular gym classes would be good too. 6yo DD would love the idea of cheerleading (thinking HSM, lol), etc.

The place I am looking to lease is quite big but not big enough for a pool(couldn't afford to have one put in either!). I could offer older children gym equipment, a cafe and maybe some classes? Not really big enough for indoor rugby etc, but like you say, a safe environment for them to do something active.

Glad I didnt give up earlier when comments were so negative! Could really have something here. What else would you like to see for your daughter Hulababy?

ruth, what's its bus route like? since the bus is the way most of the pre-teens and teens near me seem to travel

Which area are you considering? This will affect your market/target audience I would think?

I would prefer, for 6y anyway, to be drop off and leave, although option to have drink in cafe sounds good too depending on how far from home.

I'd avoid too much soft play - there are lots of them in Sheffield as it is.

Gymboree is more like Tumble Tots than soft play, just a more expensive version!

I think jim equipment a definite no no. all the other stuff a maybe, with some jimnastic equipment, eg beams/rings/horse/trampoleens etc as well. And I would make that for the 3-10 year olds.

But for the older children I would have things like a climbing wall, and then perhaps some sports courts, ie basketball/babminton/tabletennis/squash. And maybe a scate ramp somewhere?

A definite noooooo to whoever suggested a room full of wii?s.

But your costs are going to be astronomical.

You will need public liability insurance, on top of the insurance you have on your premises/kit. Your staff will need to be properly trained in terms of instruction, and if parents are going to be leaving their children you will need a high staff ratio, 1-8 I think it is for children 3 and upwards, so you will need a full staff capacity in case the jim is full at all times.

If you are going to be running a café you will need health and safety and food hygine certificates. This is not so stringent if you are buying your food in rather than preparing on sight.

Also look at your investment. What deal are they offering you? How much are the prepared to invest and what portion of the business are you going to have to give them in return? Or if the investment is a loan what terms are they loaning you the money on?

How much are you going to have to earn to break even on your investment? And how long will it be before you start to make a prophet? Can you afford to live without a salary for that period?

also would be reluctant to refer to it as a jim as it gives too much an impression of wanting to make children into minni fitness freaks.

I would be more inclined to market it as an activity centre.

I would avoid ballet too TBH - again there are loads round here. How about something more informal - dancing to pop songs, making up routines and having fun. Nothing formal with exams.

Climbing wall sounds great. Dd would like that. Little by next door is same age and that wuld be right up his street - he already goes climbing in the peak district with his dad.

Rathe than soft play - what about gym aparatus -, a bit like they have at schools. Climbing frame/bars, benches, a box/horse, etc.

The Virgn Gym's most popular class for children IIRR, is their bounce class - mini trampolines, bouncy castle, space hoppers, etc.

I would also like not just drop in option - but a memebership/regular class option, so you know they will be able to go and get a place in the required class each week.

And additional stuff ins chool holidays - things during the day.

But it must all be very safe and regulated, with fully qualified staff, all CRB checked, etc.

I have seen premises in Woodseats, on the corner of Abbeydale Rd and Woodseats Rd, next to Climbing Works. It is on about 15 different bus routes from all over the city.
Costs are going to be high, but this is something that can work. I know there are umpteen hurdles, but I am optimistic (must be!). I can only try, if it all goes wrong then I will be back where I started, if it goes well, who knows where it will end up?
My business plan looks very good but I need more input from people who might actually use it or send their children before I commit for sure.

re climbing i know the gym i'm a member of have just started childrens climbing classes.

As I said before, I think you should seriously consider the type of equipment that they have at Launchpad in the Science museum, DS can happily spend hours here and it would deifnately be different to the usual stuff. It might also be good to have some stuff to help kids wind down after getting all hyper and excited, when they are crashing after all the physical stuff, so maybe a sersory area?

Really Katz? hen you go can you find out more info for me?

Hmmm - I am afriad that is a bit far out for me I suspect. Would have to be really special to make me want to go that distance.

oh yes crb checks. And even they come at a price (£32).

Tbh, I would be inclined to rent some space in an existing establishment to run a couple of classes first before parting with your hard aquired millions (and I think it would be millions), and if you get a good take-up of those, you could expand then. but would be cautious about setting up such a big establishment from the outset as the costs will be high and you could stand to lose a lot.

I like the dance routine, singing part, that will definitely be part of it! I had thought about trampolines, bars, vaults etc, but there is a gym nearby so want to be more fun based. Having said that I will have smaller parallel bars, low beams and mini trampolines and little vaults just not the big versions!
For five years and older it would be a drop and leave. I have worked my costs around staffing for this. I would probably want bookings rather than just turning up to avoid disappointment and to arrange staff. I could offer discounted membership as an alternative option to pay as you go. What do you think?

info here usport but sadly from age 7 onwards

have you done a SWOT analysis yet?

How do you plan to market it?

Sorry, just thinking out loud, I'm sure you have if you've already written a business plan.

There is also a possibility of a place near B and Q on Queens Road. What do you think of that as a location?

would you have consessionary rates for people on benefits?

rent it out to primary schools to use during the day?

Def monthly membership would be good, or even termly.

Katz - just found it; what a shame. I really fancy it myself but Tuesdays are not a good day.

Also could consider having a party room.