Contours Express vs American Bodyworks Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Contours Express Franchise
American Bodyworks Franchise
Investment $35,000 - $50,000$72,000 - $246,000
Franchise Fee $12,500N/A
Royalty Fee $395/mo.-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 1998-
Year Franchised 1998-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Contours Express Franchise
American Bodyworks Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Contours Express Franchise
American Bodyworks Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support
 
Contours Express Franchise
American Bodyworks Franchise
Training -Before you open, you will run the ABW school. This is a very unique offer in the fitness industry. Under our model, anyone who has no experience in the fitness industry at all can learn how to run a health club. We teach you how to sell memberships, enter in contracts, reconcile your money, pick employees and trainers, and any other club operation necessary. Every new club can send one person to this week long seminar for no extra charge. After this training, you will feel confident when your doors open.
Support Newsletter, 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

American Bodyworks offers temporary and full time workers that have been in the industry and know how we operate. This ranges from sales people to back end workers. These workers can work temporarily to boost productivity and further your training; or provide a needed service for an extended period of time! Advertising. Through a small monthly fee you are a part of a national ad campaign. Our website is well maintained and up to date. We also have in house designers for any of your graphics needs that will make all of your promotional items professional looking and effective. Billing. As a franchisee we handle that for you. We run your credit card and checking drafts. We also provide a service for a small fee that will handle all your backend work for a monthly fee. This is perfect for non-owner operators. 24 hour tech support. Your computer system is vital to the operation of your club whether it is the draft or key card system. Problems sometimes arise and it is comforting to know someone is there to fix them at anytime.
Marketing Ad slicks-
Operations 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)

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Expansion Plans
 
Contours Express Franchise
American Bodyworks Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

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.

About American Bodyworks

American Bodyworks is the premier 24-7 fitness franchise of coed, neighborhood clubs. 
American Bodyworks is a "key" club which allows members to access the club at any time they want.
Each member has a key card to give them access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
American Bodyworks is setting the standard in 24-7 fitness. Most health clubs today want you to fit into their schedules, American Bodyworks wants to fit into yours. You are our top priority. We understand that you need a health club with flexible hours in order to fulfill your fitness needs and have a healthy lifestyle. We want to help you meet your goals, and that is why we provide our customers the best equipment and services available to their neighborhood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Everyone will feel welcome and comfortable with us. From beginner to athlete, all can workout in a non-intimidating environment with the best equipment available.  Normal people, like you and me work out here. All of our clubs have a community feel and everyone will know your name. You will not find the traditional, high pressure sales of health clubs. You will find a customer friendly staff whose job is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals.