Contours Express vs Red Effect Infrared Fitness Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Contours Express Franchise
Red Effect Infrared Fitness Franchise
Investment $35,000 - $50,000$149,500 - $1,037,500
Franchise Fee $12,500$45,000
Royalty Fee $395/mo.7%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19982016
Year Franchised 19982016
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Contours Express Franchise
Red Effect Infrared Fitness Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Contours Express Franchise
Red Effect Infrared Fitness Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

Training & Support

 
Contours Express Franchise
Red Effect Infrared Fitness Franchise
Training - On-The-Job Training: 386 hours Classroom Training: 94 hours Additional Training: 15 hours annually
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

Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad slicks Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
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)

Number of Employees Required to Run: 5

Expansion Plans

 
Contours Express Franchise
Red Effect Infrared Fitness Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion YesYes

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 Red Effect Infrared Fitness

"Red

Imagine being an integral part of the next big thing in fitness!
At Red Effect Infrared Fitness we provide a unique, life-changing approach to wellness.
Our group fitness classes combine infrared therapy, heart rate monitoring and
high-intensity interval training to provide our customers with a fitness routine they love.
Our members, trainers, and staff feel the effect from more than just the infrared.
We have seen our members experience changes in body composition, energy levels,
self-confidence, muscle recovery, health conditions and more.
With each success story, we pass on the effect.
Red Effect is now offering franchising opportunities.
Discover the benefits of being a Red Effect gym owner.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Standard Studio is from $283,000 to $718,000. This includes $157,000 to $594,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Red Effect for Women Studio is from $149,500 to $349,200. This includes $101,750 to $228,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Executive Club is from $863,500 to $1,037,500. This includes $479,000 to $873,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.