Description
My Gym is a globally recognized children’s fitness and enrichment franchise designed specifically for kids from infancy through early elementary years. Blending physical development, cognitive growth, and social interaction, the brand has built a powerful niche at the intersection of fitness, early childhood education, and family-focused experiences.
Unlike traditional gyms or after-school programs, My Gym centers are purpose-built for young children, offering age-appropriate classes that promote motor skills, confidence, coordination, and emotional development in a fun, non-competitive environment. Brightly colored spaces, structured yet playful programming, and highly trained instructors create an atmosphere that parents trust and children love.
In the U.S. market, My Gym stands out as a recession-resilient, community-driven business model. Parents consistently invest in early childhood development, wellness, and enrichment—making this franchise an attractive option for entrepreneurs seeking a purpose-driven business with strong brand equity and recurring revenue streams. The brand’s proven systems, long operating history, and loyal parent communities position it as one of the most established children’s fitness franchise opportunities in the United States.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in My Gym means aligning with a brand that combines emotional impact with commercial strength. Key reasons franchisees choose this concept include:
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Strong Demand Across the USA: Growing awareness around childhood wellness, physical activity, and early development supports long-term demand.
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Recurring Revenue Model: Monthly memberships, structured class programs, camps, and birthday parties generate predictable income.
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Low Staffing Complexity: No requirement for certified trainers or licensed educators; instructors are trained using proprietary systems.
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Community-Based Growth: Word-of-mouth referrals from parents, schools, and local organizations fuel organic enrollment.
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Multi-Unit Expansion Potential: Many successful owners scale into multiple territories after stabilizing their first location.
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Purpose-Driven Ownership: Franchisees benefit from meaningful community impact while operating a profitable business.
Background
Established Year: 1983
Founders: John and Mychelle Gavin
Industry Category: Children’s Fitness & Early Childhood Enrichment
Franchise Active Units (Current):
My Gym was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles, California, with a clear mission: to create a safe, engaging, and development-focused environment where young children could build physical strength, confidence, and social skills through structured play. At a time when organized fitness programs for very young children were virtually nonexistent, the concept addressed a significant gap in the market.
The founders introduced a proprietary, age-specific curriculum that blends physical activity, music, sensory engagement, and positive reinforcement. This unique approach quickly gained traction among parents seeking meaningful early childhood enrichment beyond traditional daycare or competitive sports models.
As demand increased, the brand expanded through franchising across the United States, allowing entrepreneurs to bring the concept to family-oriented communities nationwide. Centralized ownership continues to oversee curriculum development, training standards, and brand consistency, ensuring a uniform customer experience across all locations.
Support Training
The franchise offers a comprehensive support structure designed to guide owners from pre-launch through long-term growth.
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with site selection and territory planning
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Lease evaluation and space layout recommendations
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Studio design guidelines and equipment planning
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Step-by-step opening timelines and checklists
Training & Onboarding
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In-depth initial training covering operations, sales, staffing, and customer engagement
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Curriculum instruction focused on age-appropriate programming and class delivery
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Safety standards, child interaction protocols, and experience consistency
Operational Support
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Ongoing business coaching and performance tracking
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Scheduling, enrollment systems, and staffing optimization
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Access to proprietary class plans, lesson structures, and music libraries
Marketing & Brand Support
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National brand messaging and positioning
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Local marketing frameworks for digital ads, events, and partnerships
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Seasonal campaigns, promotions, and enrollment drives
Ongoing Support
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Continuous curriculum enhancements and new program launches
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Franchisee peer networks and system-wide conferences
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Dedicated operational and growth support teams
Ideal Candidate
This franchise is well-suited for entrepreneurs who value both impact and scalability. Ideal candidates typically include:
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Community-Focused Owners: Individuals who enjoy working with families and contributing to child development.
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Business-Minded Operators: Experience in retail, service, education, wellness, or management is helpful but not required.
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Hands-On or Semi-Absentee Models: Owners can choose direct involvement or managerial oversight.
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Financial Readiness: Ability to meet the initial investment and maintain adequate working capital.
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Location Awareness: Preference for family-oriented neighborhoods with strong population growth and young demographics.
No prior fitness or teaching background is required, as all operational and instructional training is provided.
Financial Detail
| Investment Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
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| Total Investment Required | $115,000 – $185,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$115,000 |
| Initial Franchise Fee | ~$49,500 |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $25,000 – $60,000 |
| Equipment, Fixtures & Signage | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Initial Marketing & Grand Opening | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Technology & Systems Setup | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~7% of gross revenue |
| Brand / Marketing Fund | ~1%–2% of gross revenue |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 months |
| Expected ROI | Strong for owner-operators |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Memberships, classes, camps, birthday parties, events, merchandise |
All figures are approximate for the U.S. market and may vary by location, size, and operating structure.
