Alfredo Sánchez is a civil engineer and owner of five gyms in Anytime Fitness, a global gym chain that has more than 5,200 branches and more than 5 million members. The brand was founded in 2002, 22 years ago; and they became famous for being pioneers in opening their doors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This entrepreneur weighed 150 kilos. On one occasion he came to a club Anytime Fitness in the city of Orizaba, Veracruz and the coach and the manager gave him excellent treatment and upon seeing the facilities, the behavior of the attendees and that there was a constant flow of people exercising, he considered that a franchise like that could be a good business. That was the reason why he decided to ask about the investment to put up a gym like that.
This franchisee has two Anytime Fitness clubs and is about to open three more, which would add five units. The first are located in Tehuacán and Angelópolis, in Puebla. The first opened in 2021, although the first contact with the Anytime Fitness headquarters was at the end of 2019 and the negotiation took place in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When I only had one club, in Angelópolis I became more and more convinced of the franchise and later it was a complete success. For this reason, I decided to open Tehuacán and then buy three other franchises that are in the process of opening,” shares Alfredo.
A concept of inclusion and healthy life
What made Alfredo Sánchez choose Anytime Fitness, among many other franchises in the field, was the concept of inclusion and healthy living. The variety of partners creates an atmosphere of family and friends in an environment where everyone is part of a community.
“It is not only for people who have a super athletic physique and are looking to compete, but it is for people of all ages who want a healthy life. We have elderly people and even 16-year-olds who are looking to integrate with us,” she explains in an interview.
The first thing that impressed Alfredo upon learning about Anytime Fitness was the color of the gym, which is a soft shade of purple. Immediately, he was very happy with the treatment of the coach and the manager who enthusiastically helped him meet his goals.
“It doesn’t matter if you are thin or have a robust build, they include you and that makes you feel very good. Because those of us who are heavier can have trauma or grief. But they motivate you by telling you: ‘Come, pass it on’. I remember that there were exercises that I couldn’t do and they told me: ‘Can’, ‘let’s try again’”says the franchisee.
Anytime Fitness takes you by the hand in everything
Currently, the weight of the Puebla franchisee ranges between 97 and 100 kilos. He exercises daily and also trains with courses on-line and through the National Franchisee Training (CNF). Both trainings are from the global gym chain.
The attention received by the Anytime Fitness Center has been a great support for this businessman. “It’s been all right. Before and after signing the franchise contract. They take you by the hand from the beginning in all areas of the business: human resources, administration, sales, finances, etc.,” he says.
Once the entrepreneur decides on a city, the Anytime Fitness staff is in charge of searching for commercial premises according to the study of marketing and propose options to the franchisee. “I always tell them: ‘I let myself be carried away by you’. Because they are the masters, those who know well about all this. In the end it was a success.”
Alfredo shares that, if he had to start from scratch, he would open through a franchise, without hesitation. “The great advantage of Anytime Fitness is its totally successful online payment system; and the owner disclaims that part. Everything is domiciled. Also, by undertaking it individually you can break rules with spell teams.”
Why decide to bet on the same brand instead of starting a new business with another? Alfredo has decided to acquire the Anytime Fitness franchise again and not buy another option, mainly for two things: being a worldwide franchise chain; and for the easy operation of the business.
Tips to replicate success
The main thing is the treatment of your partners and collaborators. Walk with them hand in hand. Have the sensitivity to relate to people. That’s too much use.
Alfredo Sánchez, franchisee of Anytime Fitness in the state of Puebla.
- Be attentive to your businesses and mainly to your finances.
- Business success is doing things with great pleasure and putting in all the effort in the world so that everything goes well.
- Everything in life is possible. You simply have to put dedication and love into everything you undertake; and you will achieve anything.
- First God and then us. With that we get to wherever we want. We have no limitations for work. Wanting is power.