Recent searches have found that people in Dubai are health or fitness-conscious. Due to the increased population, the demand for opening a gym business in Dubai is growing. This place has become a hub for new as well as established entrepreneurs to participate in opening a gym in Dubai.
You will be guided through this blog as to how you can go about conducting good market research to get your license to setup this business in Dubai.
Why Start a Fitness Centre Business in Dubai?
Dubai is a place where you will find many people of high-income class. These people do make time for themselves after the office or working hours to go to fitness centres in Dubai. The people here are ready to pay a special amount for the quality of service you give. Dubai is also well known for its technological advancements such as using virtual reality equipment. People who travel to Dubai as tourists, a couple of them will prefer the fitness centres.
Steps to Open a Gym Business in Dubai
Conduct Market Research
According to a report, with a total of 930+ fitness centres in 2022, Dubai is expected to have 1130+ by 2027. Local gyms and mass centres whether online or offline will be on the top. So, all that you have to do is conduct thorough market research to figure out your niche, current trends, and consumer callings.
Develop an Extensive Business Plan
Making a complete business plan is very important as you cannot directly jump into throwing your money. A good business plan will decide your success. An important point to note is that potential investors read your business plan.
A detailed business plan will have a business model, on how to get equipments, hiring plans, and marketing ways.
Choose the Right Location
You can choose Downtown Dubai to setup your fitness club as Downtown Dubai is popular due to its central location and high foot traffic. Downtown Dubai is also ideal for opening a premium fitness centre due to people’s high throwaway income. Jumeirah is a good choice for fitness centres targeting families and individuals. Dubai Silicon Oasis is a tech-focused free zone area, which is home to many young professionals and tech companies.
So, before you select the right place look for factors such as whether there is accessibility, visibility, whether it’s near to residential and business areas, and the demographics of people.
Obtain Licenses and Permits
To legally operate a fitness center in Dubai, you must have all necessary licenses and permits. The first step that you need to take is to register your business with the Department of Economic Development(DED). Next, you can go about applying for a commercial license from DED. third, obtain a fitness center permit from the Dubai Sports Council(DSC).
Tip: Apply for complete insurance coverage for your fitness center.
Acquire Superior Fitness Equipment
Before you try to get top-level level fitness equipment, understand the preferences of your target demographic. Are people more inclined towards cardio, strength training, or specialized fitness programs like yoga and Pilates? Once you know their taste, invest in equipment from reputable brands. E.g., Among professional gyms brands like Life Fitness, Technogym and Precor are popular choices that you can consider if you want to open a fitness gym in Dubai.
Hire Competent Staff
Only get qualified and certified trainers in our fitness centre. You could look for trainers from the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), or the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).
Implement Effective Marketing Strategies
Well-known marketing strategies such as digital marketing or local advertising can be applied. You can also provide promotional offers and discounts (free trial classes, discounted first-month memberships, or free fitness assessments) to attract new clients. You can also host fitness events, workshops, and challenges within your community. Email, affiliate, and influencer marketing are also some of the popular choices that you can work on.
Prioritize Customer Experience
Create a welcoming and friendly environment from the time the client enters your centre. You can use fitness apps or virtual classes to improve client experience. Based on your budget you can provide a spacious locker room, showers, relaxation areas, and healthy snack bars. You can also work on community building and feedback systems.
Cost to Open a Fitness Centre in Dubai
The total cost of open a fitness centre in Dubai will depend on range of factors. The factors have been discussed above such as license, real estate, equipment, staffing, marketing, operational, and miscellaneous costs. Considering the just said factors a rough estimation of total cost can be made to AED 1,000,000 to AED 2,000,000. Though the scale and luxury will give a different cost.
Conclusion
The blog covers at its best the necessary steps to open a gym business in Dubai.
If you are interested in setting up a fitness center business in Dubai, you can avail our free consultation and have your business up and running in just 7 days.
