Gold's Gym vs Contours Express Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Gold's Gym vs Contours Express including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Contours Express Franchise
Investment $22,182,505,000,500$35,000 - $50,000
Franchise Fee $40,000$12,500
Royalty Fee 5%$395/mo.
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 19651998
Year Franchised 19801998
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Gold's Gym Franchise
Contours Express Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Contours Express Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Contours Express Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet

    # Protected Territory # 5 days of Training at Contours Express University # 3-Day Training at your gym # Adjustable Weight Stack Equipment # 16 Stations - 4 extra stations optional # Butt-n-Gut cd # Preferred Vendor Discounts # Unlimited Ongoing Training # Advertising and Marketing Advice # 24/7 Online Marketing Materials Library # Personal Gym Website # Prepared PowerPoint Marketing Presentations # Nutritional Counseling Program - C.O.R.E. # Site Selection Assistance

    Marketing Co-op advertising, Regional advertisingAd slicks
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Gold's Gym Franchise
    Contours Express Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Gold's Gym

    Bodybuilders training outside on Muscle Beach were the first customers for the original Gold's Gym when it opened in Venice, California, in 1965. With its intense, no-frills atmosphere, the gym soon became known as the 'Mecca of Bodybuilding.' Arnold Schwarznegger's movie 'Pumping Iron' focused on Gold's Gym, propelling it into the spotlight in 1975. Gold's Gym has been franchising since 1980, and franchises account for more than 90 percent of its locations. In addition to running the health club facilities, franchisees sell Gold's Gym licensed apparel through their Pro Shops.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #61 on Franchise Rankings.com

    "Entrepreneur
    #427 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Contours Express

    After operating coed clubs, working as consultants and working in other areas of the fitness industry, Daren Carter, Mike Widener and Charlie Woodward joined forces to create a fitness center just for women. In 1998, the partners founded Contours Express, a women-only center catering to towns with populations too small to support a full-scale, coed gym.

    Contours Express members follow a 29-minute cue tape that keeps them moving through aerobic stations and strength training machines. A fitness trainer (the franchisee or an employee) works with the members during their workouts, providing motivation and other services.

    Clubs, which are usually located in strip centers, are about 1,200 square feet in size and can accommodate up to 20 members at a time.