Workout Wonder

Couple turns their workout and fitness passion into $1 million a year.

Do you dream of doing what you love and getting paid for it? Central Florida-based Chris and Jen Wherrell started My House Fitness with an investment of $200,000 in 2010. The husband-wife duo are fitness enthusiasts turned franchisors. Chris is a Bronze Level Ironman and all world triathlete; Jen is a seasoned marathon runner.

From 2010 through summer 2015, they slowly grew the company into four locations. And in just the past six months, they’ve franchised an additional 17 locations across the country – and what originally started as a hobby is now a $1 million business. The passion to profit model is alive and well!

Start Your Own Workout Business

Orlando-based My House Fitness provides clients with a personal, unique training experience. The My House Fitness team is dedicated to helping each client achieve health and fitness goals in a non-intimidating environment. My House Fitness currently has five Florida locations, one in Indiana, and two in Colorado with plans for rapid growth nationwide, including Nevada, Texas and Minnesota.

This Orlando-based fitness studio has grown into a million-dollar company since opening in 2010 and the company has plans for rapid growth nationwide in 2016 and expects to open franchises in 46 states.

My House Fitness caters to a wide range of clients by offering personalized one-on-one fitness programs, small and large group training, nutritional counseling, weight loss programs, golf fitness programs and virtual training.

The entrepreneurs’ goal is to make fitness fun so that participants will enjoy their workouts and stick to their goals. They embrace a model of social fitness.

According to the franchise founders, “When you hear about social fitness, it’s usually in reference to technology that allows you to connect with similar fitness-oriented people through apps or sites.

“My House Fitness has a different take on social fitness than what is posted as announcements and achievements in news feeds. We prefer to think of social fitness as a way of personally joining together with like-minded people on the path to reaching your fitness goals. Our social programs are designed to welcome you and a friend or two, although you are bound to make new ones even if you join our community without a partner.

“We’re willing to bet that there’s more than a few of you who, like us, would be lost in a sea of boredom if left to your own devices every day, for every workout. And boredom leads to trouble. In the land of fitness that could mean slacking off and even worse, total abandon of your routine in search of something more interesting. Why risk it? In general, we are stronger together. So, what’s the first step? Take a look at the classes we offer and take your pick! The first class is free. That’s good motivation to start.

“The group momentum and our awesome instructors keep you going while you’re here, and hopefully you’ll leave looking sweaty and smiley because you feel seriously accomplished. We know once you come, you’ll be back for more. If you have trouble gathering up the ‘oomph’ it takes to get to the gym, we have a challenge for you. In fact, we have several challenges throughout the year!” say the entrepreneurs.

Fitness membership options at My House Fitness locations include:

Training: An all-inclusive package that provides a full service approach to reaching lifestyle goals, this membership helps clients achieve their best results, including custom fitness and nutritional training that goes beyond the studio doors.

Social: For clients looking to change up their routines and the flexibility of class options, this membership provides the motivation that comes from being part of a team.

Cardio Club: For beginner to advanced runners, the Cardio Club offers professional running programs, running specific strength training workouts, endurance athlete nutritional guidance, and weekly running meet ups. Cardio Club is customized specifically to our client’s fitness level, whether their running shoes have seen miles of pavement or have just bought their first pair.

The My House Fitness Franchise Model

• Investment range is $95,825 – $179,200.

• My House Fitness provides a financing package for equipment, signage, flooring, mirrors and furniture.

• The training studio is focused on retention through social fitness.

• My House Fitness offers an individual training approach focusing on results to create stronger customer engagement.

• My House Fitness has a simple but sleek build-out including: complete how-to construction manual, national supplier for all equipment, national real estate advisors available, and operational simplicity.

• Minimal Employees are necessary for operation: 0-1 front desk, trainer driven center, semi-absentee franchisee is the manager, franchisee, perfect for multi-unit

• Full Service: Comprehensive wellness evaluations, One-on-one, group, family & personal training packages, Supplements/meal replacement packages, Nutrition planning packages

• Pay-as-you-go finance model. See the sidebar for contact info to learn more.       •

Category: Magazine, Start Your Own Business, Start Your Own Business Summer 2016