Personal Training Franchise Expands to Meet Rising Demand
Explore how Josh York’s mobile training franchise is expanding globally, adapting to market demands, and offering career advancement for trainers
The future of personal training looks bright.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the employment of fitness trainers and instructors will increase by 14% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This is expected to create about 69,000 job openings each year.
Gen Z and Millennnials are largely driving the demand. According to reports, those in the 20 – 40 age range are eager to develop healthy lifestyles and are more wellness-focused than the generations before them.
Considering this growth, Athletech News tapped into Josh York about his business – GymGuyz – the fast growing, in-home mobile personal training and fitness franchise company – to look at the industry, what types of trainers they seek and how they are scaling to answer market demands.
The Genesis of GymGuyz
Sixteen years ago, York was working as a trainer, experiencing the trials and tribulations of late clients, cancellations and more.
“One day I had a client nonchalantly mention that if I were to just come to her house and bring the equipment with me it would be so much easier, and that was my ah-ha moment,” he said. “It was such a simple idea, and nobody was doing it, so I did it.”
Now GymGuyz services thousands of clients in three countries,
“Taking the workout to the client eliminates the excuses,” he says. “Our professional, results-oriented trainers take the customized training plan and equipment to the client’s workout place of choice, whether that’s a home, office, park or anywhere in between.”
With 200 franchises, GymGuyz recently experienced its largest year of growth. York says the company was already on this trajectory and the pandemic catapulted it.
“More people are training than ever before because they are realizing their health is their wealth and it’s becoming a lifestyle of choice,” he explained. “This has translated to tremendous growth for us.”
Meeting the Demand
GymGuyz’s growth has also been driven by strategic shifts to better meet consumer demands and act on changes in the industry.
Already offering services in 13 different health and fitness categories such as cardio fitness, nutrition counseling, senior fitness, strength training, youth and teen fitness and more, the company launched Assisted Stretching Sessions in the Fall of 2023.
“At GymGuyz, we are persistent in our pursuit of empowering our clients with the tools they need to achieve their fitness goals,” GymGuyz President Phil Brojan recently told ATN. “The launch of assisted stretch is a testament to our commitment to excellence and is sure to elevate our client’s fitness journey.”
On the heels of this, the brand introduced a new 1,700 square-foot personal training studio at their headquarters in Melville, New York hosting virtual training sessions to further meet the demand for at-home fitness programs.
“Be it an at-home assisted stretch session, a fitness class at your place of work, or now, an online personal training session, GymGuyz offers a range of services to connect people with personal trainers wherever they are,” said York.
And at the end of last year, the company launched several major B2B partnerships, ushering in a new chapter for the fitness franchise.
“The global corporate wellness market is expected to grow from being a $53 billion market in 2022 to an industry with $74.9 billion in projected revenue in 2030,” said York. “Adding B2B was key and we’ll continue to grow here.”
The brand now provides training services for a major hospital system in the Greater Morris County area, has inked a six-year contract with San Jose’s parks and recreation department, has crafted fitness curriculums for several schools, and more.
GymGuyz Key to Success: Top Talent
To sustain this growth and continue delivering exceptional services to expanding markets, GymGuyz needs to hire more trainers, ensuring they are the best of the best.
“When I first launched GymGuyz I remember crossing my fingers for good resumes, and now we get thousands every week,” York says.
To handle this, they’ve created an in-house program that thoroughly vets and screens all prospects.
Regarding the criteria, York says all GymGuyz trainers must be reputable and have proper certification, great communication skills, a full working knowledge of the latest techniques and science-backed practices, and the ability to fully tailor workouts and nutritional advice to individual needs, goals and limitations.
“We are huge on these core values, but it also goes beyond this,” he says. “A seemingly simple yet often overlooked trait we prioritize in our trainers is a genuine sense of happiness. It’s essential that all the trainers we hire bring a positive and upbeat attitude to their work.”
Beyond a Job: The Career Journey
York highlights a key distinction between GymGuyz trainers and those working in gyms or independently: the potential for growth and scalability.
“When we bring on trainers they sometimes need to be rewired to realize that this opportunity is not simply a job, it’s a career with the potential for a lot of growth,” he says.
“No one will tell you when you enter this field that being a trainer is not scalable,” he says. “I used to work in the typical training environment that requires a grueling pace day in and day out for the same compensation. But GymGuyz is not at all like that.”
He points to opportunities to grow into roles such as territory manager, area manager, general manager and even becoming a franchise owner.
“There are numerous options for growth and long-term careers within the brand,” he concludes.
Future-Proofing GymGuyz: Key Strategies for Success
With this remarkable growth and thousands of trainers worldwide, how does York ensure the brand stays true to its vision?
“Our core values, effective systems and advanced technology,” says York. “I believe GymGuyz stands up to any brand in these three areas.”