Case Study - Tom Burke

As an ex-employee of Fitness First and other large health club organisations, I felt I had a fair bit of knowledge of the industry and standards needed to make a fitness club successful, and when an ex colleague opened an énergie Fitness Club in Forest Hill, I took a look. The club was trading better than expected and the formula was simple. I was initially impressed so attended the énergie Discovery Day in Milton Keynes.

The énergie management team knew the fitness industry and the language and showed a clear knowledge of the market, something that other fitness franchise companies do not have from my experience. I would like to think I can spot a good business opportunity and from the clarity of the business plan and profit and loss indicators, I jointly opened the Fit4less club in Canterbury.

The énergie business plan told me exactly when I would expect to start making profit; and it was a fair plan which was very close to being spot on.

I have known people that have tried to set up a fitness club on their own and unfortunately failed, which is why énergie’s operating manual and brand standards became so important to establishing and building the business. You also have the support of head office when you come across subjects that I’m not so strong on such as HR, which is invaluable in saving time and money.

I have now opened Fit4less in Milton Keynes as my second club and sold nearly 700 members in just three months and we’re about to start making profit. The Fit4less model is a winner in such a competitive and crowded market in Milton Keynes. Location is everything and énergie has the resources to find you the ideal territory to make your business thrive – they will even go to the lengths of not letting you open in an area that is not right for you.