Stop Comparing Us: Independent Gyms vs Commercial Chains

There’s a narrative that’s been doing the rounds for too long in the fitness industry. It’s the casual comparison between independent gyms like ours and the commercial private-equity backed giants. And it’s time to set the record straight.

Let’s be clear: independent gyms and commercial gyms are two entirely different businesses with two entirely different models, two different sets of priorities, and two very different relationships with their members.

At The Fitness Fraternity, we’re not backed by venture capital. We’re backed by people. People like you, who walk through our doors and trust us with your health, your goals, and your time. That means every decision we make, every pound we spend, every piece of equipment we have brought in - it all matters. It all comes out of our pocket. Not from some corporate fund in a high-rise.

The Real Costs of Independence

Here’s the raw truth:

• We don’t have 20,000 sq ft of floor space - we operate smart and focused, not sprawling and diluted.

• We don’t buy equipment in bulk from global suppliers – we hand-pick the best, piece by piece, paid for over time with hard-earned revenue.

• We don’t run on single-digit profit margins – because we can’t. Our costs are higher. Energy bills? Higher. Insurance? Higher. Mortgage? Higher. Why? Because we can’t buy in bulk

• We don’t have saunas. Not yet. Because here’s the catch-22: to afford luxuries like saunas, we need more members. But to attract more members, people often want the luxuries first. What comes first…the chicken or the egg?

That’s the battle. Every day.

We’re Not Here to Compete With Commercial Gyms

We’re not trying to copy them. We’re not trying to undercut them. We’re here to offer something completely different.

Independent gyms have been the lifeblood of this industry since day one. Long before private equity saw fitness as a cash cow, there were independent coaches, lifters, and communities building real change from the ground up. That’s who we are.

We don’t have shiny LED lights. We don’t have smoothie bars. But here’s what we do have:

• A culture of accountability, not anonymity

• A space where real transformations happen

• Support, structure, and community

We Charge a Bit More - Because We Try To Give a Lot More

Yes, our membership might be a few pounds more per month than the commercial gyms. But that money goes directly into keeping our doors open, our standards high, and your results coming.

You’re not just joining a gym. You’re supporting local business, you’re joining a movement, and you’re stepping into a space that cares.

So next time someone compares us to a chain gym, remind them: we’re not the same. And we never will be.

We’re independent and proud, right on your local High Street, and we’re here to change your life, not just rent you a treadmill.