How to Start a Gymnastics Classes Business

Start a gymnastics classes business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Gymnastics Classes Business
2. Form your Gymnastics Classes Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Gymnastics Classes Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Gymnastics Classes Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Gymnastics Classes Business
7. Get Gymnastics Classes Business Insurance
8. Define your Gymnastics Classes Business Brand
9. Create your Gymnastics Classes Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your gymnastics classes business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Gymnastics Classes Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a gymnastics classes business?

This business requires the use of a local gymnasium and gymnastics equipment. Though it is possible for the business to open its own gym, it is much cheaper to rent a local gym for the hours in which lessons are conducted. The business should also have a website to boot. Plan on spending at least $500 to build a website. Renting space at a local gym including gymnastics equipment will likely run several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per month at a bare minimum. The exact cost depends on the level of demand for the space as well as the number of lessons you conduct.

What are the ongoing expenses for a gymnastics classes business?

The business requires a gym, gymnastics equipment, a website, insurance, instructors, marketing and utilities. Budget a couple hundred dollars per month for utilities and a high-speed internet connection. The gym itself will likely cost several hundred dollars per month to rent at a bare minimum. Budget at least $100 to $200 per month for gymnastics equipment. Website maintenance and marketing will require another couple hundred dollars per month. Plan on paying instructors between $15 and $30 per hour. If you add an accountant or marketing expert, these professionals will command a yearly salary in the range of $30,000 to $50,000.

Who is the target market?

Though people of all ages take gymnastics lessons, the vast majority of these individuals are young. Target your services to families with kids age 18 and under. Ideally, parents with multiple children will sign up their kids for gymnastics lessons as a group.

How does a gymnastics classes business make money?

Money is made by charging clients for gymnastics lessons. These instructors typically charge by the half hour or hour for lessons.

How much can you charge customers?

In general, customers can be charged between $25 and $50 per hour of gymnastics instruction.

How much profit can a gymnastics classes business make?

This type of business tends to make between $10,000 and $100,000 per year. The exact level of profit will hinge on the demand for your services, the location of your business and the number of competitors offering similar services. Market your business in a prudent manner, produce successful gymnasts and your business will ramp up, creating the possibility for a six figure yearly profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider offering a gymnastics camp in which your instructors train participants across an entire week or longer. You can also make money by selling instructional DVDs. Sell your old equipment when upgrading to newer versions. If you own you a gymnastics facility and do not have enough customers to fill it during business hours, consider renting out your space to others.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your gymnastics classes business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a gymnastics lessons business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Release of Liability

To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, gymnastics businesses should have their clients sign a release of liability. Here is an example of one such form.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your gymnastics business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

A gymnastics classes business is generally run out of a gymnasium. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location:
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a gymnastics lessons business.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

• If you plan to purchase or build a location:
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your gymnastics lessons business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Services Contract

Gymnastics lessons businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example of one such services agreement.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is ideal for an individual who would like to make a difference in his community. Open a gymnastics classes business and you will have the opportunity to shape young people in a meaningful manner. Your gymnastics classes just might turn a couch potato into a superstar gymnast. If you would like to help people get in shape, have fun and spend time with others, you should open a gymnastics classes business. Ideally, you will enjoy working with kids and have motivational skills as this line of work requires extensive interaction with youngsters.

What happens during a typical day at a gymnastics classes business?

This business is centered on teaching youngsters the nuances of gymnastics exercises. The day is spent refining students' gymnastics techniques, guiding students through practice performances and marketing the business. The business owner might also perform accounting duties, answer phone calls and update the company's social media pages to boot.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful gymnastics classes business?

The business owner should have a background in gymnastics. It will help if the instructor(s) has competed in gymnastics in the past. The most successful gymnastics classes business owners also have business savvy. The manner in which this business is marketed matters a great deal. Even the details of the agreement for the use of a local gym can have a monumental impact on the success of the business.

What is the growth potential for a gymnastics classes business?

Though gymnastics is not the most popular sport, parents are certainly on the prowl for a means of getting their kids off the couch and active with athletics. Locate your gymnastics classes business in an area that is rife with families, market it properly and it will gradually grow. It is possible to expand the business to the point that you hire additional instructors for the facility. Some such businesses grow to the point that they expand to other cities and even entire regions.