Naming any business, especially a gym, is a critical part of the overall branding process. The right name conveys all the right information about your brand and creates an immediate bond with your customers.
In this article, we’ll go over why having a good business name is so important and offer tips for creating the perfect name for your gym.
Why a Good Gym Name Is Important
In many ways, a good gym name is more important than ever. People searching the internet or other sources often have very short attention spans, and they make near-instant decisions when deciding on what information to pass on and which they want to explore more deeply.
Often, this means the first thing potential customers hear or see about your business is the name. Since you only have a tiny amount of time to hook them, that name needs to convey as much information as possible so that the potential customer wants to know more.
Tips for Choosing the Best Name for a Gym Business
Choosing the right name becomes much easier if you break it down into smaller processes that can each be explored.
Choose a Name That Is Easy to Pronounce and Spell
As we mentioned, modern consumers make very fast decisions when exploring information. This means that complicated names or difficult-to-pronounce names are generally a bad choice.
Although complicated names can seem more “exotic” and may work for some businesses, they usually aren’t a good choice for gyms.
Pick a Name That Tells About Your Brand Proposition
With a gym, this aspect is very important as different gyms offer different services and environments.
For example, is your gym focused on power-lifting? Then your gym name needs to immediately let people know this is what you offer. You want something that power-lifters will immediately recognize as something that speaks to them and their goals.
If your gym is more focused on group classes and a community feeling, try to incorporate those attributes into the name and branding. Someone looking for fun classes will respond to different names than someone looking for a power-lifting gym.
Determine your brand and what it offers then use that as a basis for selecting a gym name.
Consider Including Your Location
If you are located in a town or city with a brandable name or a sense of pride associated with it, consider using your location in the name.
This won’t always work for all locations, but specific locations have strong associations that customers recognize. Feel free to take advantage of this when naming your gym if your location is suitable and it fits your target audience.
Identify Your Target Market
One mistake business owners sometimes make is choosing a name that’s appealing to them instead of their target market. Sometimes, the owner and the target market have similar tastes, but other times they may not.
Carefully identify your target market and identify who your potential customers are. Always keep them in mind when creating your brand image and especially your name.
Remember, the goal of branding is to create a certain association in the minds of consumers. So your personal preferences may have to take a back seat.
This doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself or be unique, but find the balance between what the consumer is looking for and wants with your sense of style.
Gather Feedback From Family, Friends, and Potential Customers
If you’re starting a gym, you likely have friends or even family who are fitness enthusiasts as well. When you’ve created a short list of possible names, run them past your friends and others who are familiar with the industry.
When seeking feedback it’s important to be objective and not reactive. Be ready for negative comments and don’t let that cause you to be defensive. Try to determine if any possible criticism is valid and then consider it.
Just remember, the final decision is always yours to make regardless of the feedback you receive.
Check if the Domain Name Is Available
This is one reason why it’s important to have a list of possible names. Some names may not be available, either for a website domain or because another local business has the same name.
Also, if your name is too similar to another very large brand, people may not be able to find your business when searching online. Search engines will often default to the more popular brand variant when people search for something, so you don’t want another brand coming up for your gym.
200 Gym Name Ideas
Below are some possible gym names to help get you started. Try combining words or phrases from these names to come up with different combinations.
- PowerZone Fitness
- IronWorks Gym
- MuscleHaus
- Pumped Up Fitness
- FitNation Gym
- Fitness Forge
- BodyBlast Gym
- IronGrip Fitness
- Flex Fitness Center
- The Fitness Spot
- Sweat Society
- Strength Haven
- Muscle Mechanics Gym
- Tone Temple Fitness
- The Gym Spot
- Burn Brigade Fitness
- Hardcore Fitness Center
- Endurance Elite Gym
- The Fitness Co.
- Fitness Force
- Bodyworks Fitness Studio
- The Iron Pit Gym
- Fitness Junction
- Lift Life Fitness
- The Workout Hub
- Atlas Gym
- Ironworks Fitness
- Apex Gym
- Muscle Forge
- Thunder Gym
- Brawn Fitness
- Peak Performance Gym
- Power House Gym
- Titan Fitness
- Elite Edge Gym
- Phoenix Fitness
- Spartan Gym
- Hard Rock Gym
- Iron Beast Gym
- The Iron Room
- Grit Gym
- The Muscle Hut
- Body Temple Gym
- Flex Fitness
- Diamond Gym
- The Fit Pit
- Lift Life Gym
- Fit Republic Gym
- Prime Fitness
- Flex Appeal Gym
- Sweat Factory
- The Pump Room
- The Iron Den
- Iron Horse Fitness
- Powerhouse Fitness
- The Muscle Mill
- The Iron Vault
- Steel House Gym
- The Flex Room
- Muscle Mansion
- The Fitness Lab
- Flex Fusion Gym
- The Lift House
- Muscle Mechanics
- The Iron Asylum
- Strength Academy
- The Sweat Shop
- The Iron Pit
- The Muscle Factory
- The Iron Temple
- The Sweat Factory
- The Power Plant Gym
- Iron Fusion Gym
- The Muscle Shed
- Body Builders Gym
- Body Builders Fit Pit
- The Fit Hub
- Iron Foundry
- Iron Warriors Gym
- Iron Nest Gym
- Muscle Madness Gym
- Iron Masters Gym
- Fit & Flex Gym
- Sweat Nation Gym
- Iron Rush Gym
- Fit House Gym
- Iron Elite Gym
- Iron Clad Gym
- Flex Society Gym
- Iron House Fitness
- Iron Gym
- Fit Generation Gym
- Muscle Park Gym
- Ironclad Fitness
- Flex House Gym
- Strength Society
- Muscle Haven
- Muscle Matrix Gym
- Flex Appeal Fitness
- Iron Strong Gym
- Power Body Fitness
- Muscle Minded Gym
- Iron Works Gym
- Fit Universe Gym
- Iron Ripped Gym
- Flex & Tone Gym
- Steel Fit Gym
- Muscle Up Gym
- Iron Warriors Fitness
- The Fit Workshop
- The Iron Circle
- Muscle Depot Gym
- The Muscle Forge
- Iron Power Gym
- The Flex Studio
- Iron Muscle Gym
- The Muscle Studio
- Iron Sports Gym
- Flex Gymnasium
- Iron Lifestyle Gym
- Flex Zone Gym
- Iron Fit Gym
- Muscle Sanctuary
- The Fit Society
- Iron Legacy Gym
- Flex & Flow Gym
- Muscle Movement Gym
- Iron Rush Fitness
- The Muscle Laboratory
- Flex Appeal Fitness Center
- The Iron Experience
- Muscle Anatomy Gym
- The Muscle Academy
- Iron Movement Gym
- The Flex Academy
- The Muscle Room
- Iron Kingdom Gym
- The Muscle Campus
- Iron Empire Gym
- Flex Evolution Gym
- The Iron Squad Gym
- The Muscle Depot
- Iron Vault Fitness
- The Fit Factory
- The Muscle Mansion
- Iron Beast Fitness
- The Flex Zone
- The Muscle Castle
- Iron Evolution Gym
- The Flex Castle
- Iron Oasis
- The Fitness Hub
- The Workout Club
- The Fitness Factory
- The Gym House
- The Fitness Box
- The Strength Zone
- The Sweat House
- The Gym Collective
- The Fitness Depot
- The Power Station
- The Gym Garage
- The Fitness Junction
- The Gym Loft
- The Fitness Place
- The Gym Warehouse
- The Fitness Workshop
- The Sweatbox
- The Fitness Vault
- The Gym Complex
- The Fitness Fortress
- The Fitness Center
- The Workout Zone
- The Fitness Palace
- The Sweat Shack
- The Gym Domain
- The Fitness Arena
- The Muscle Pit
- The Fitness Studio
- The Sweat Studio
- The Gym Studio
- The Fitness Temple
- The Muscle House
- The Fitness Clinic
- The Sweat Suite
- The Gym Club
- The Fitness Squad
- The Muscle Haven
- The Fitness Experience
- The Workout Station
- The Muscle Spot
- The Gym Firm
- The Fitness Network
- The Strength Shop
- The Muscle Club
- The Gym Community
- The Fitness Zone
- The Workout Studio
- The Sweat Circle
- The Gym Project
Remember your business name must be 100% unique to your state. You can find out if a gym business name is available in your state by searching through your state’s LLC database.
11 Steps for Starting a Gym Business
When you’ve selected your name, it’s time to make it all official by following the steps needed to turn your business idea into a reality.
Write a Business Plan
The first thing every business needs is a formal business plan. This founding document works as a roadmap to help you solidify your vision and the path for your business moving forward.
A business plan includes things like your target market, your branding strategy, your plans for growth, and other critical aspects of your business.
Decide on Your Business Structure
Your business will need to be registered as a legal entity and you have several choices for this.
Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship has one owner and all revenue goes to the owner. This is the most basic business structure but offers the least protection and benefits. Legally, there is very little separation between the owners and the business.
General Partnership
In a general partnership, there are two or more owners who generally share an equal amount of ownership and revenue. Each owner is also liable for the company’s obligations.
Limited Partnership
A limited partnership has more than one owner. One of the owners has a “limited” role in the liability of the business.
Limited Liability Company
A Limited Liability Company or LLC is often the most popular business structure. An LLC can be internally set up as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a type of corporation. It also offers personal asset liability protection for the owners.
This means if the LLC is sued or judgments are brought against it, the owner’s personal assets are generally protected.
An LLC can offer certain tax advantages assuming the owners use proper bookkeeping practices.
Corporation
You can fully incorporate your business as an S corporation or C corporation. This is a more complicated structure and requires more comprehensive paperwork to be filed on quarterly or annual schedules.
Most small businesses tend to start with an LLC at first. However, for some businesses, forming a corporation can be the right option depending on their specific industry and needs.
Register Your Business
You’ll need to register your business and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you form an LLC, you will already be registered in your state as a legal entity. However, some states or cities may have additional requirements for registering before doing business.
Contact your local Secretary of State’s office for information regarding any additional registration in your specific state or county.
Obtain Licenses and Permits
A gym generally doesn’t require any special licenses to open other than the standard business licenses required by the city or county.
However, there may be certain permits that are specific to your location. For example, you may need certain emergency equipment or protocols in use to satisfy certain permitting or code requirements.
Also, if you provide additional services from your gym, such as food services or massage services, you will need additional licenses and permits for those activities.
Finally, if you provide shower facilities on-premise, many local areas have special permit requirements involving businesses with public showers.
Open a Business Bank Account
Once you register as a legal entity, you need to open a business bank account. This helps to separate your personal funds from your business funds. In many cases, a business bank account will be necessary to secure funding or even to obtain the ability to accept credit cards.
As long as you have registered as a business entity, you should have all the information needed to open a business bank account.
Look for Funding
Opening a gym requires a certain amount of start-up capital. For some business owners, this may mean they need to seek funding to get their gym off the ground.
The first place to try is generally your private bank. Assuming you have a strong business plan, have registered your business, and have good credit, you may be able to secure funding through your private bank.
Another option is an SBA or Small Business Administration loan. These are loans backed by the U.S. Government and offer as much as $5 million with favorable terms. However, these require extensive paperwork since they are guaranteed loans.
But it is wise to look into these as they often offer longer terms that private bank loans can’t.
Whichever route you choose, you will need to complete all the previous steps before securing funding.
Choose the Best Location
If you’re going to rent a location, make sure the property can be used for the type of gym you plan on opening. Your landlord will need to have a certificate of occupancy and if you perform any renovations, this will need to be updated before opening.
Also, you want a location that offers easy parking if many of your customers will be driving there. You will also want a centralized location that allows you to draw customers from the most populated geographic areas near you.
Buy Gym Equipment
If you have the funds, you can buy your equipment outright. You can choose to buy new or to buy used. Buying used can save you a substantial amount of money and for certain types of equipment, used is as good as new.
If you don’t have the funds, you can look into leasing equipment. This is where you pay a monthly fee for the equipment and possibly have the option to buy it outright at the end of the lease.
This increases your monthly expenses, but it does allow you to start your business with less money or use that money for other business expenses.
Hire Trainers and Support Staff
Depending on the size of your gym, you may need staff to help run the business. This means front desk staff, trainers, and instructors.
Trainers and instructors will need to be licensed depending on their area of expertise. You can also choose to bring in instructors and trainers as contractors instead of hiring them directly as employees.
Get Business Insurance
To run a gym you will need business insurance. Your landlord will likely also require it as part of the lease. So make sure to know what levels of coverage are required by the landlord to be approved for the lease.
If you have any bank loans or financing, they may also require certain levels of insurance to cover losses, damage, or accidents that may happen and threaten the business and its assets.
Advertise and Promote Your Fitness Business
Now it comes time to open your business and start attracting customers.
If you are in the process of opening, you may be able to attract customers before you even open. By offering a special introductory price to members who join before opening, you can hit the ground running with paying customers already in your system.
Also, create social media accounts before your opening to start attracting followers and potential customers to your gym. Fitness is very popular on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. So make sure to take advantage of this free advertising by promoting yourself on these platforms well before your grand opening.
Start Your Gym Off Strong
Turning your dream business into a reality can feel daunting at first but having the perfect gym name and following all the necessary steps to make sure you launch your fitness company the right way will be worth it.
If you need help setting up your business structure or managing your business bookkeeping, contact doola. Our team of experts can help to set up your entity fast and handle your company finances so that you can focus on running your fitness brand.
FAQs
How do you come up with a cool gym name?
First focus on your brand and target market. Your gym name should immediately convey what your gym specializes in and the vision behind it. Once you have that, start making a list of words or phrases that convey that vision. Combine those words or phrases until you start creating a short list of names you like.
How profitable is owning a gym?
A gym is based on a recurring billing model, so it can provide a steady income month after month without the need to constantly replace old customers with new customers. A gym does have higher startup costs though than some other small businesses, so this is something to be aware of.
How much does it cost to start a gym business?
A small to medium-sized gym can generally be started with $45K – $200k in startup funding. This includes the need to secure equipment and renovate your rental space to accommodate a gym.
Free e-book
How to form a US LLC in 5 minutes
A beginner-friendly guide on the basics of LLCs. Learn about formation, banking, and taxes.
Have questions on
formation, banking and taxes?
Schedule a FREE consultation with a US CPA today 📞
Keep reading
Start your dream business and keep it 100% compliant
Turn your dream idea into your dream business.
