Am I too old to become a gym manager?
My name is Matt. I discovered this site through a Google Search. A long time fitness enthusiast, I have spent my life working in an architectural firm as a project manager. In my twenties, I was a personal trainer. Now, I am researching recertification options. My goal is to leave the world of architecture and begin a career as a Fitness Club Manager. But I worry if I am “too old.” I just turned 50 but am told that I look younger (if that matters). I am looking for advice from gym owners and other managers. Do I stand a chance? I do not have a Bachelor’s Degree but have loads of business experience managing multi-million dollar construction projects. I’d love some truthful advice. Is 50 too old? My manager at Gold’s told me that I am at the perfect age….but he is 50, too. The other thing is, I can relocate anywhere in the USA. I have no ties.
This is not a “job request.” I am truly looking for truthful opinions. Is it too late for me?
My dream Job would be to one day work for Gold’s or a national chain, traveling the country evaluating and auditing individual gyms. Thanks.
Hi Matt,
while I agree with the others that age is not a major factor, the question of your experience may be. You are describing yourself as a fitness enthusiast, and you were a personal trainer at some point in your life. Managing construction projects for an architectural firm is impressive but how will this translate into the skills necessary for managing a fitness club?
If you were looking for a job in the corporate world of a Gold’s Gym or a similar company, your job would probably have very little to do with fitness. If you are looking to be a club manager, you would probably deal with an owner as employer who owns one of more franchises and who deals with all of the day-to-day problems of running a facility. Such an employer would look for a versatile person who can manage people but also have some practical knowledge and a fair amount of experience.
If you had asked to start a new career as a personal trainer, I would have given a wholehearted heads-up. To be frank, if I was looking for a manager of my gym, I would not pick you unless you had more specific credentials to offer, some of which only come with some years of experience.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
OK, let me rephrase that. Many people come up from the ranks into management, so there’s definitely a place for trainers and instructors to grow with the companies that they’re with. And there are many stories of executives who started by working in the mail room. So I’m not discounting that path. I’m just saying that your expertise in project management and interest in systems audit might not require an extensive knowledge of fitness. A good questioner and curious listener can learn the needs of his or her employees without having to do that job. I used to be in tax consulting and fresh eyes learning about a business and questioning the “we’ve always done it this way” thinking of departments can add a tremendous amount of value.
In my opinion, you stand a very good chance. Although you may not have been in the fitness industry recently, you’ve done extensive amounts of project management. Management of a gym doesn’t really require a knowledge of anatomy so much as it requires general management skills. You can build a team around you that has the fitness skills.
You might want to see if you can get information interviews with the corporate offices of some of the major chains that interest you. 24 is big enough for this. Bally used to be but I’m not sure of their financial stability (the club where I worked got sold off to LA Fitness). LA Fitness might be big enough, but I don’t get a very organized vibe from their management from when I worked there (maybe you could fix that!). Equinox isn’t as big, but they’re more of the high-end club that would likely have the infrastructure around management and operations.
Hi Matt,
I’m not a gym owner (I have my own in-home training business), but I can tell you that age is just a number. If you have the passion and knowledge–be it from a text book or practical experience–then you can do it. Do all of your research and have a business plan in place. Make connections in the field and see if you can find a mentor as well. It may take some time to get everything in order with your requirements, certifications, and more experience, etc…, but it is worth it.
Best of luck to you.
Christine