Contours Express vs World Gym International Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Contours Express Franchise
World Gym International Franchise
Investment $35,000 - $50,000$852,000 - $2,975,000
Franchise Fee $12,500$25,000
Royalty Fee $395/mo.$1,000/mo.
Advertising Fee -included
Year Founded 19981976
Year Franchised 19981982
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Contours Express Franchise
World Gym International Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Contours Express Franchise
World Gym International Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Contours Express Franchise
World Gym International Franchise
Training -On-The-Job Training: 7 days Classroom Training: 5 days
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
Marketing Ad slicksCo-op Advertising Ad Templates
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)

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 15


Expansion Plans

 
Contours Express Franchise
World Gym International 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 World Gym International

With a heritage that traces back to the glory days of Muscle Beach in Los Angeles, CA, World Gym has been keeping people fit and changing lives for over 40 years. Our experience runs deep. World Gym knows the difference between cheap fads and time-proven techniques. We’ve learned the best ways to get your hearts pounding and your adrenaline pumping. World Gym makes sure all of our gyms have all the tools you need to perform your best.
World Gym's Mission: To provide the finest level of service in the fitness community with special emphasis on top-level fitness and proven results.