Gold's Gym vs Iron Tribe Fitness Franchise Comparison

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.

Iron Tribe was founded by fitness industry veteran, Forrest Walden, back in 2008 in his 400 square foot garage. Initially, it was just to have a place for Forrest to do group-based workouts with his friends because he couldn’t find anywhere locally that offered the right amount of space and equipment. There was no charge to belong, but you had to have a personal invite.  As more and more friends begged to come and join his garage gym, Forrest began to dream about what it would look like to start a brand-new concept that would take his team-based, group workouts to the next level and allow more lives to be impacted. The first official Iron Tribe location opened in February of 2010. The response from the community was immediate and overwhelming. In fact, the 250 membership cap was reached in under 8 months with a growing waiting list .

That location has operated at max capacity since  September of 2010 eventually moving across the street and expanding the location to serve 300 clients.