Today, I want to talk about gym memberships vs. network marketing. I want to share a few trends that I have noticed during the past few years. Initially, this post might sound a bit weird, or a bit different than other posts on my website. Just hear me out and read the whole thing, and they tell me what you think.
I know people who own gyms. I’ve also been a member at different gyms for more than a decade. I just want to share some of my personal observations. I doubt many people will disagree with what I am saying about gym memberships.
Here are a few things I know about gym memberships:
- They are affordable and low cost to buy (normally $20 to $50 per month)
- ANYONE above the age of 18 can buy a gym membership
- Most people who buy a gym membership end up canceling it within a year
- SOME people who buy a gym membership never go to the gym even once
- Most folks who buy a gym membership don’t go to the gym every day
- Most people who buy a gym membership do not CHANGE their bodies, lose much weight, and reach their fitness goals
Here’s something I found online:
- The average person with a gym membership goes to the gym twice a week
- 67% of people with a gym membership never use it
(source)
Here’s the funny thing. SOME people who buy gym memberships take their membership very seriously. They consistently work out. They hire trainers. They set goals. They are VERY committed to improving their health so they go to the gym every day, or almost every day. They stay persistent, and as a result, they change their life. They get healthy, lose weight and get stronger. Simply put, they SUCCEED.
Now, you might be wondering what does all of this have to do with network marketing? I think that’s a great question. Here are some things that you should know about network marketing:
- Most companies are less than $100 to join
- Anyone above the age of 18 can get started
- Most distributors never sponsor ANYONE
- Most distributors do not go on auto-ship
- Most distributors do not get any customers
- Most distributors do not work their business 10-20 hours each week
- Most distributors quit within one year, and most do that within 60 to 90 days
- Most distributors do not make any money
Here’s the funny thing folks.
SOME distributors take their business VERY seriously. They use the products. They get customers. They sponsor new people each month. They build a team. They find a mentor. They set goals. As a result, they build a LARGE team and make good money!
The truth is, INDIVIDUAL results will ALWAYS vary. You could use the same reasoning with any industry or anything in life. Some people are committed, and some aren’t. Some people will put in the work, but most won’t.
Some people are self-motivated and others aren’t.
What’s funny is I have NEVER seen a blog online calling gym memberships a SCAM. Have you?
It’s not until we own up and accept responsibility for ourselves and our own actions, nothing will change. Yes, a lot of people fail/quit in MLM, but people fail/quit in EVERYTHING in life. There will always be people who succeed and people who fail in every industry and endeavor.
If you want to succeed, you simply need to do what the successful people did. That’s it.
Do that and you will succeed. Don’t do it and you will fail.
I hope that helps.
Chuck Holmes
20+ Year Network Marketing Professional
Top Earner & Top Recruiter
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
P.S. Learn how to grow a successful network marketing business. Secret tips, training, and practical ideas. Free training delivered by email.
wow! So gym membership can be offerd through Mlm system?
Yes. Check out M5Fitness.
What I can’t understand Chuck, is WHY there is gym’s out there based around MLM for membership?
Wouldn’t that be an AWESOME opportunity 🙂
1. No hyped up marketing meetings needed (just meet in the gym at training)
2. No sales calls to friends (as you tell friends where you train anyway)
3. Recurring income from gym renewals (and if you refer X get your membership free)
4. Telling people you where you train is a natural act, when they find out they get paid to train at a certain gym, bang, they want to go there.
This to me would be a no brainer to a large gym entrepreneur, but there’s nothing like it anywhere.
Any idea why?
Cheers,
Adam
Check out M5 Fitness. They offer a MLM based gym service.
I looked them up Chuck but they appear to be a “home fitness” program, not a physical chain of gyms that offer membership to go into one on a MLM based model?
I know there’s a lot of fitness trainers who are part of varying MLM based health related products and they supplement themselves VERY nicely with those, BUT… the gym membership themselves aren’t based on MLM.
I just think this idea would be so great to have for a gym owner somewhere who has the mindset to actually do it, it doesn’t affect existing members if they don’t refer, but the ones who do refer get more than a $10 discount off their membership for one month, I’m not going to refer anyone for $10’s once-off, but I would definitely recruit EVERYONE I knew, if they did that every month forever (as long as my referred members stayed a member) that’s the POWER of MLM 🙂
They are not a physical gym, but an online one. I was actually a member for a few months and enjoyed it. It has a lot of potential, but it’s no where near as fun as working out in real life with someone. Just my two cents. Thanks for the comment.
Yeah, i wouldn’t stick to a virtual service like that either, a “Physical” gym MLM would be perfect, but I guess they have staff they need to pay and that’s where the cost problems for revenue sharing would be difficult!… Such ashame!
I think it would be possible if the owners could get a little bit creative. I would definitely be a member and distributor.
I have always thought of gyms as a waste of money. I can exercise just as well with what is free. I know some people join because they get this whim to get in shape. They may go a couple of times , and then they give up, but as you said Chuck, are gyms a scam. Network Marketing is not a scam, just like stockbrokers are not a scam. Now there could be some people in it who are not on the up and up, but it is usually the people and not the company.
I’m not a big fan of gyms myself either. I don’t think they are a waste of money, but I also don’t believe they are the only option. Some people do it for the social aspect.
I think the gym “social circle” aspect and just being around others who are fit gives some a goal to reach their own… like in MLM businesses you have mentors, coaches and a success circle to be part of… Not saying you can’t succeed alone, but it’s much tougher.
Business or fitness, getting up in the morning and actually “starting” is the hard part, but have you ever walked into a Gym and decided, “oh well, I’m just going to sit and drink a beer and watch today” or go to a MLM meeting and decide as a leader to just “take some time out and not lead” LOL…
For me, the gym is a place where I can meet other healthy people, and get access to the gear I want at my fingertips to train, as I’ve always trained daily in a gym for the past 25 years it’s my habit, but many don’t have this habit… Even if they go in and get a trainer for 5 to 10 sessions, they still might only take up 2 or 3, get too sore then quite when the sweetest part is on the other side of the soreness! 🙂
Love your blog Chuck, keep up the great posts mate.
Yes, going to a physical gym is a great way to socialize and meet people. You are spot on.
Wow, this is really true. It seems as though this sort of thing is more about the person themselves than what they’re starting. People who aren’t serious about one thing tend to not be serious about anything else, including their finances. And people who blame others for their failures in one area tend to do that in everything … but no one says gym memberships or hiking equipment websites or RV lots are a scam! … mainly because it’s not socially acceptable to do so.
If you went and said I got scammed at the gym, I paid but didn’t lose weight you’d be laughed out of the room. But people in our culture seem to think succeeding in business is some sort of magical thing instead of a case of putting in the work to make it happen.
I started reading this article wondering where in the world you were going with that title. I’m glad I read it. I especially like the comment about how few people call gym membership fees a scam, but many are quick to call MLM’s one, even though the required commitment and the potential to change your life with hard work are very similar. Why would someone be reluctant to admit that they failed to change their life with a gym membership, yet ready to shout out to the world that they failed to change their life with MLM? (And the MLM usually costs even less than the gym membership.)
I’m glad you enjoyed the article.