What will I be doing?

The fitness craze continues. In fact, it is big business. If you enjoy helping people work toward fitness and weight-loss goals in a social atmosphere—while keeping fit yourself—consider managing a full-time aerobics studio in your home. That’s right, in your home. You can provide the facilities for classes or coordinate the use of an outside studio from your home.

What will I need to start?

The first requirement for a full-time home-based aerobics studio is an interest in fitness and a strong desire to help others. You’ll also need knowledge and skills. Start an aerobics studio after you’ve been a regular customer of a studio for a year or more. You’ll then understand what customers expect from a studio, what is available and how to reach new customers. You’ll probably have the knowledge and skills to make your studio a success.

You’ll need other resources as well, including a space to hold the class and some equipment—such as exercise mats and music equipment. Don’t worry that your location may not be on a major highway. Many successful aerobics studios operate in a garage and draw people who live within jogging distance. A few manage the studio from home but hold classes in a church basement, rent a room in a commercial gymnasium or even teach classes on-site at a local business.

Who will my customers be?

Customers for your aerobics studio include both students and instructors. You can specialize in organizing exercise classes for the elderly, rent your studio to aerobics teachers who find their own students, give lessons yourself or all of the above.

Finding your customers will be easier once you’ve decided how you want to manage and run your studio. Look around to discover what customers are not being served well. Ask your friends who are into aerobics and other fitness
programs. Then learn what your potential customers have in common aside from exercise. Maybe they go to a specialized health food store in your area or read a certain local publication.

How much should I charge?

The hourly rate for your studio will depend on many factors. Typical rate is $40 to $75 an hour for the studio depending on size, location and equipment. You’ll get the higher rate if you take on some of the marketing yourself and set up your own classes. The lower rate will be for teachers who sign a contract with you for a specific amount of time.

How much will I make?

The costs of operating an aerobics studio are minimal, especially if it is
located in your home. You will have costs of furnishings, extra electricity for lighting, some added insurance costs, advertising costs and a few other expenses. Of course, expenses will be higher if you rent a building somewhere else.

Once established, only 10 to 20 percent of your time will be needed for management and marketing. Within a year you should be able to keep your studio booked up months in advance with little effort. Your overhead costs will be 20 to 40 percent of income depending on expenses. So a studio that is booked 30 hours a week at $50 an hour with 30 percent overhead costs will net you $1,050 a week.

How can I get started?

To start a successful aerobics studio you must first know who your best customers will be. Maybe they are your friends and acquaintances. Maybe they are members of a fitness teachers’ group. Talk with them. Learn what they want in a studio that they aren’t getting now. Then decide whether your home or apartment is the best location for the classes or whether you should rent a building. If so, find out where. Begin looking for an opportunity today and within a few weeks you may be able to help others stay fit in your aerobics studio.

How can I use computers to increase profits?

Aerobic studios use computers to track enrollment, schedule classes, bill customers, produce newsletters and class flyers, and for time management. A package such as Microsoft Office can do many of these chores. So can the less expensive Microsoft Works or other packages. Or you may find individual programs that better fit your needs. Trade publications for aerobic services will include ads for useful software.