Fitness Premier

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-markowicz-cfc-9a87592a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-fitness-franchise-world-needs-lower-investment-opportunities-right-now-2715970" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jason Markowicz</a>, CEO of both the 13-unit fitness brand <a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-fitness-franchise-world-needs-lower-investment-opportunities-right-now-2715970" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> and emerging group-fitness franchise <a href="https://jchealthfitness.com/home?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-fitness-franchise-world-needs-lower-investment-opportunities-right-now-2715970" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">fitWAVE</a>, knows it’s not cheap to open a gym. The average startup costs for big-box fitness concepts come in between $250,000 and $1 million. These high costs end up impacting the consumer — gym owners need to charge expensive membership fees to make a profit. That’s why Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs and fitWAVE were designed to position fitness enthusiasts and first-time entrepreneurs for success through low overhead costs, flexible real estate and a proven membership model that can scale to fit markets other competitors can’t reach.&nbsp;Now, as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and people remain hesitant about spending, both Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs and fitWAVE offer franchisee prospects an exciting and uniquely well-positioned opportunity in the fitness industry.<h4>How fitWAVE Offers a Low-Cost Fitness Franchise Opportunity&nbsp;</h4>fitWAVE is a low-cost group-fitness franchise that is starting out in the Midwest. The brand features a smaller-than-average footprint of 1,500 to 3,000 square feet, which means the concept can fit almost any retail space. This not only makes it easier to find affordable real estate, but also allows fitWAVE to operate in more lucrative markets. While most fitness concepts rely on large, densely populated urban markets to turn a profit, fitWAVE can succeed in towns as small as just 15,000, which brings an array of benefits.“Most boutique fitness concepts are very expansive and large, which means you can only choose markets with a larger population to ensure you see returns,” said <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs85Z5gtVti0OAcbRcmVXgg?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-fitness-franchise-world-needs-lower-investment-opportunities-right-now-2715970" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Josh Chrestman</a>, a former Division 1 football player and high school wrestling champ who founded fitWAVE. “With the size of our footprint being so small, it opens the opportunity up to more markets and ensures franchisees can avoid the expensive real estate and demanding regulations that come with larger markets. There are also a lot of smaller, isolated markets available across the country with an untapped consumer demand, and this model fits perfectly in those areas. We are a small-town operator in Illinois ourselves, so we are really focused on providing a quality service to those smaller local communities.”In addition to increased market availability, that small footprint allows fitWAVE to require dramatically lower startup costs than its competitors. The initial investment for a fitWAVE location comes in between $75,000 and $180,000, depending on real estate and additional amenities.&nbsp;“The fitWAVE franchise opportunity was designed to help franchisees keep overhead costs very low,” said Chrestman. “For example, other competitors require expensive fitness equipment, but our equipment costs are significantly lower thanks to our smaller footprint and streamlined operational model.”&nbsp;<h4>How Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Keeps Startup Costs Low</h4><a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-fitness-franchise-world-needs-lower-investment-opportunities-right-now-2715970" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> is a fast-growing, group-workout and gym concept that has also seen major success in smaller markets, including the suburbs of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising/as-fitness-premier-247-clubs-begins-seeding-markets-existing-franchisee-eric-greenhill-scoops-up-3-locations-2715643#brand-latest-stories">Illinois and Indiana</a>. The brand strategically targets these more affordable rural markets to keep costs low for franchisees and emphasize a community-oriented approach to fitness, which fuels membership.&nbsp;“The towns where Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs are located have a population of roughly 6,000 to 12,000 people. I think the biggest thing with the brand is that it becomes a part of the communities,” said <a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising/from-employee-to-franchisee-fitness-premier-247-clubs-franchisees-reflect-on-their-success-with-the-brand-2715746#brand-latest-stories">franchisee Joshua Schunke</a>. “I think it’s a great business model. They have 13 locations right now, and I am looking to maybe someday own 13 locations myself. Fitness Premier started with a focus on really owning your 24/7 club and building community. You either interact with people face-to-face, or it’s all faceless. That’s the whole reason why I bought in. I wanted to feel like I had that connection to my business.”While Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs’ startup costs are <a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising/5-reasons-to-buy-a-fitness-premier-247-clubs-franchise-in-2021-2715745#brand-latest-stories">significantly lower</a> than those of its competitors, they still come with many of the same benefits. The initial investment of only $39,999 comes with a start-up guide, initial training, marketing assistance, a proven system, equipment package, site selection and build-out assistance, distinctive image and interior design, operations manual and employee hiring/management quality controls.&nbsp;“Jason and our corporate team have worked with many other franchisees in the past, and we know how to create an affordable franchise opportunity,” said Kathy Mecklenburg, director of operations and HR for Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs and multi-unit owner herself. “Yes, there are franchise fees and start-up fees, but we’ve designed our model to be financially attainable and less expensive than the competition. We are also there to help prospects find financing, and we have people who can help guide them to make sure it is the right investment for them.”&nbsp;<h4>How Fitness Premier 24/7 and fitWAVE Make Fitness More Affordable for Customers and More Lucrative for Gym Owners</h4>By keeping overhead costs so low, Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs and fitWAVE owners are able to offer more affordable and flexible gym membership prices to their customers. fitWAVE and Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs also both offer a wide array of services, which means franchisees can tap into multiple revenue streams, bring in more customers and generate faster ROI.Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, for example, utilizes a hybrid model that drives both membership and service revenue, since members are able to create a fitness plan based on their specific budget, goals and progress. fitWAVE’s <a href="https://jchealthfitness.com/our-fitness?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-the-fitness-franchise-world-needs-lower-investment-opportunities-right-now-2715970" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">cyclical workout program</a> also stands out in the industry and appeals to both athletes and casual exercisers alike due to its high-value proposition and ability to generate impressive results. These affordable, innovative fitness programs ensure franchisees can create a dedicated fan base in the community and increase member retention exponentially.Today, Chrestman notes people have never valued their health and wellness more coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are in need of affordable options. With fitWAVE and Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, franchisees have the exciting opportunity to satisfy this growing demand with the help of a low-cost build-out, innovative programming and lucrative business model.“Our team did a great job of coming through the pandemic, and a lot of valuable new ideas were birthed from the crisis,” Markowicz said. “I’ve been on both sides of the franchisee/franchisor relationship. I have been in every situation that franchisees have been in. We were proud to create solutions for our franchisees during the pandemic, and we are excited to continue offering new solutions and opportunities for franchisees as we continue to grow.”&nbsp;Now, fitWAVE and Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs are both looking to add 10 new franchisees in 2021, and have identified Illinois, Indiana, and other parts of the Midwest as areas primed for growth.ABOUT FRANCHISE FIT FOR YOUFranchise Fit For You is a franchisee-first franchisor and franchisee consultancy. It is the franchisor behind low-cost group-fitness franchise fitWAVE as well as Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, a larger-box fitness brand. As a franchisee consultancy, Fit For You offers guidance for future franchisees on finding the best fit for their personal and financial goals. Fit For You is run by Jason Markowicz, a former multi-unit franchise owner of Massage Envy and current developer of Prose Nails, a membership-based nail salon. For more information, visit <a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising">https://1851franchise.com/fitforyoufranchising</a>.&nbsp;

Why the Fitness Franchise World Needs Lower Investment Opportunities Right Now

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Due to the pandemic, people are more focused on health and wellness but have less money to spend. By keeping overhead costs low, fitWAVE and Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs give franchisees the opportunity to invest in a low-cost solution to bigger gyms, while making memberships affordable.

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Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Opens First-Ever Florida Location in Sarasota

Building a Fitness Business With Staying Power: Why Fitness Premier Is Looking Ahead to 2026

Don't Go It Alone: Fitness Premier's Support System for Franchise Owners

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As&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> continues to grow beyond its Midwest roots, Florida is a new priority, particularly in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota markets. The decision is driven by member behavior, population trends and the ability to enter growing communities with a model that’s already been validated.“We started our search in the Florida market a couple of years ago,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-king-3954a1143/">Rick King</a>, vice president of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier</a>. “We were really amazed by the percentage of the community that’s a member at a fitness center in Florida compared to Illinois. It’s drastically different.”King says that Florida’s population tends to place a stronger emphasis on fitness, personal wellness and consistency, creating a deeper pool of potential members. That cultural alignment matters for a brand built around engagement, coaching and long-term results.“Florida has people whose mentalities are more along the lines of fitness and personal wellness,” King said. “So there’s a lot more of those we would consider potential members.”That demand is already translating into growth on the ground. In 2025, Fitness Premier opened its first Florida location in Sarasota, owned by franchisee Dani Stiegelmeyer. The opening gave the brand an early foothold on the Gulf Coast as it builds momentum across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota markets.<h2>A Market Where Demand and Growth Intersect</h2>While Florida isn’t the only region Fitness Premier is evaluating, Tampa Bay and Sarasota stand out as markets where growth, real estate opportunity, and fitness demand intersect.“There are a lot more members in those markets because a higher percentage of the population is focused on exercise and fitness,” King said. “So that’s kind of an easy opportunity for us.”Beyond demand, the brand looks closely at how markets are expanding and where gaps exist. Tampa Bay and Sarasota continue to attract new residents, creating opportunities for well-positioned fitness concepts to establish themselves early.“When we look at the real estate opportunities, the rental opportunities, the gaps in the markets and how much those markets are growing, there’s a real opportunity to establish yourself where the growth is going,” King said. “You get in there, do a good job and secure that market for the future.”<h2>The Type of Owners Fitness Premier Wants in Florida</h2>Fitness Premier is looking for the right operators to lead those locations. In Florida, that means owners who bring discipline and a team-first mentality.“We’ve always believed our ideal franchisees have an athlete’s mindset,” King said. “You win as a team. You’re competitive. You’ll put in the effort. You’ll constantly be improving yourself and being better.”That mindset doesn’t require an athletic background. Instead, it’s about how owners approach business, leadership and growth.“We’ve been talking to some potential franchisees who have never been athletes in their lives, but they have that entrepreneurial spirit and all the mindset qualities we’re looking for,” King said.<h2>Reducing the Time From Signing to Opening</h2>One of the advantages for franchisees entering Tampa Bay or Sarasota is the amount of work Fitness Premier has already completed behind the scenes. For identified priority markets, the brand doesn’t start from scratch.“We already have our real estate team doing market analysis,” King said. “We have performers ready to go. We have sites available for those markets.”That preparation allows new owners to move faster and with more confidence.“We’ve already done some performance analysis and demographic analysis,” King said. “We’re not talking in theories or guessing at what that market can do.”As a result, the timeline from franchise agreement to opening is significantly shortened.“It’ll shorten the time frame pretty drastically since we’ve done a lot of the prework already,” King said.<h2>A Strategic Entry Point in Florida</h2>For Fitness Premier, Tampa Bay and Sarasota represent more than expansion dots on a map. They reflect markets where culture, growth and preparation align — and where franchisees can enter with momentum already built in.By pairing high-demand regions with upfront real estate work and hands-on support, Fitness Premier is positioning Florida franchise owners to launch faster, compete effectively and grow with their communities for the long term.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.">https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Why Fitness Premier Is Targeting Tampa Bay and Sarasota for Expansion

Fitness Premier is prioritizing Tampa Bay and Sarasota because Florida’s fitness-focused culture, population growth and market gaps create strong conditions for long-term gym ownership.

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Fitness Premier Franchise - Looking Ahead to 2026 - 1851 Franchise

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Fitness Premier Enters Montana with First Conversion Deal in Bozeman

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For the operating partners behind&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/own-a-fitness-premier/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> in Grundy County, Illinois, the future of fitness goes far beyond lifting heavier weights or adding more machines to the floor. Franchisees Dana Odegaard and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bergeson-535180156/">Brent Bergeson</a> are expanding the traditional gym model to include Fitness Premier’s Relax and Restore across clubs in&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/minooka/">Minooka</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/coal-city/">Coal City</a> and soon,&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/morris/">Morris</a>. This gives many members something they didn’t even realize they were missing: intentional recovery.&nbsp;Relax and Restore at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier</a> is a dedicated recovery space designed to help members recharge after workouts and daily stress. These rooms combine calming, easy-to-use recovery therapies — like heat, massage, compression and light therapy — to ease sore muscles, improve circulation and support overall wellness. It’s the perfect place to slow down, reset and let recovery work hand-in-hand with your fitness routine.“It kind of brings a different dynamic to the gym,” Bergeson said. “You come here to work out, but we also have this other avenue that’s really focused on recovery and restoring your body versus just beating it up.”Relax and Restore has become a meaningful business driver for Fitness Premier franchisees. By adding a premium wellness layer to the traditional gym model, Odegaard and Bergeson have created a clear upgrade path that supports higher membership adoption, stronger retention and more consistent usage across the week. The recovery suites also give clubs a built-in differentiator in competitive markets, positioning Fitness Premier as more than just a place to work out.<h2>Building a Recovery Experience Members Actually Use</h2>The Relax and Restore suites were designed to be more than a checklist of trendy equipment. Every amenity was selected based on usage, feedback and real-world impact.Human Touch massage chairs quickly became one of the most popular features across all clubs. Even after transitioning away from hydro massage beds, member response was overwhelmingly positive.In addition to massage chairs, members have access to saunas, red light therapy, jet compression boots, percussion massage guns and salt chambers — all positioned as part of a complete post-workout routine, not a luxury add-on.<h2>Location-Specific Amenities That Elevate the Experience</h2>While each Grundy County club offers a consistent set of recovery tools, the Minooka location stands out with additional amenities that give members more options in how they recover.One of those features is the Frost Locker, which delivers the benefits of cold exposure without the setup or intensity of a traditional cold plunge. It offers a more accessible way to experience cold therapy, especially for members who are curious about recovery trends but want something simple and approachable.“Cold plunge is a really popular thing right now,” Odegaard said. “But the Frost Locker gives you a lot of the same benefits with way more ease of access.”For members looking for a more traditional contrast therapy experience, Minooka also offers the Fire &amp; Ice Lounge, which pairs an infrared sauna with a cold plunge in the same space. This setup allows members to move between heat and cold to support circulation, muscle recovery and overall relaxation.“If you want a more authentic experience, we do have the cold plunge and an infrared sauna together,” Bergeson said. “You can bounce back and forth between the two. It's called our Fire &amp; Ice Lounge.”<h2>Letting Member Feedback Lead the Way</h2>Rather than guessing what members might want, Odegaard and Bergeson rely on constant feedback and usage data to guide decisions.“We’re tracking how much use each thing is getting,” Bergeson said. “Those massage chairs are so highly used that we’re already talking about getting another one in Minooka.”That approach has translated directly into membership adoption. Since launching Relax and Restore, roughly 50% to 70% of members across their clubs now use the recovery amenities.“It just shows us that this is a category people really want to have access to,” Odegaard said. “More than half of our new members are joining on the membership that includes these amenities.”<h2>Collaboration Without a One-Size-Fits-All Mandate</h2>While Fitness Premier’s leadership team gives operators flexibility to test new ideas, collaboration across the system plays a major role in shaping future upgrades.“We’re always talking with other clubs that have had Relax for quite some time,” Bergeson said. “Asking them what’s working, what people like and what trends they’re seeing.”That collaboration extends beyond recovery, allowing operators to share insights on new technology and emerging member preferences, with successful ideas often spreading organically throughout the network.<h2>Redefining the Purpose of the Gym</h2>One of the biggest surprises for the team has been how many members were unfamiliar with recovery tools before Relax and Restore launched.“We assume everybody knows about these things, but we're constantly getting members in every day that don't know about these recovery tools and things that can absolutely change their life and change their workouts and the way that they see results in the gym,” Odegaard said.&nbsp;By educating members through staff training, in-club materials and trial periods, the team has reframed the gym as a place not just to push harder, but to feel better leaving than when you arrived.“Everyone looks at the gym as hard work,” Bergeson said. “Now we can say, yes, you come in and work hard, but let’s take care of your body too. That longevity aspect changes how people experience the gym.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.">https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.</a>&nbsp;

image of  Dana Odegaard and Brent Bergeson Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Minooka, Coal City and Morris.

Operating partners Dana Odegaard and Brent Bergeson are redefining what it means to be a local gym with Relax and Restore suites. These wellness-focused upgrades are driving retention and growth.

Relax and Restore: How Fitness Premier’s Grundy County Clubs Are Expanding From Fitness to Full-Body Wellness

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SARASOTA, Fla.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/">Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs</a> has opened in Florida for the very first time with a new location in Sarasota under the leadership of new franchise owner Dani Stiegelmeyer. With a strong background in fitness, sports and marketing, Stiegelmeyer is excited to bring&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/fitness-premier/info">Fitness Premier’s</a> community-focused approach to Florida for the first time.&nbsp;The gym is located at 3530 Clark Road, just outside Gulf Gate Estates in South Sarasota. It’s conveniently situated less than 10 minutes from Siesta Key Beach and 10 to 15 minutes from the UTC District and University Parkway. Nearby landmarks include the intersection of Beneva Road and Clark Road, with easy access from U.S. Route 41. Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gym can be reached at 941-298-0823.&nbsp;"I've lived in Sarasota for a while now, around five years, and I've been in the gym for a long time,” Stiegelmeyer said. “That location is honestly such a prime spot — it's beautiful. Sarasota is one of my favorite places I've lived so far. I actually used to work right across the street, so I know the area and all the businesses really well.”As Stiegelmeyer and her team prepare for the opening, updates to the space are well underway. Fresh paint and design changes are being finalized, and she is eager to transform the gym into a space that reflects Fitness Premier’s signature clean and welcoming style.Fitness Premier’s strong corporate support and emphasis on transparency stood out to Stiegelmeyer when choosing to join the brand. She also points to unique features that set Fitness Premier apart from other local gyms, including user-friendly technology at the front desk and the&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/fitwave-club/">fitWAVE group training program</a>, which offers small group sessions that blend the benefits of personal training with a community atmosphere.“fitWAVE is really cool to see because you don't get that at a lot of other places,” she said. “Usually you’re either by yourself or it's one-on-one with a trainer. You might have classes elsewhere, but not smaller, personal training groups like this.”Building a sense of community is a major priority for Stiegelmeyer, who views fitness as an important part of life for busy professionals, parents and business owners alike. She hopes to create a welcoming space where members feel connected not just by their workouts, but by the shared experiences of everyday life. “We're all in this together,” she said.In the short term, Stiegelmeyer’s focus is on ensuring a smooth opening and making sure every member feels confident and comfortable from day one. Long term, she has her sights set on expansion. “We would like to, down the road, have more than one,” she said.&nbsp;Ahead of the opening, Stiegelmeyer and her team are planning presale membership opportunities and considering options like a hard hat tour to give prospective members a sneak peek of the renovations. The goal is to show the community the transformation and invite them to be part of something new and exciting.The Sarasota Fitness Premier 24/7 Club will deliver a personalized, supportive fitness experience designed to empower members and strengthen community ties. Ready to take the first step? Call 941-298-0823 or click&nbsp;<a href="https://fitnesspremierclubs.com/locations/sarasota/membership-payments-sarasota/">here</a> to find a membership that fits your lifestyle.About Fitness Premier 24/7 ClubsFitness Premier 24/7 Clubs is a fast-growing fitness concept that fosters community between its staff and guests. With a focus on strategic growth markets, Fitness Premier differentiates itself through its people, culture, and systems. Founded by Jason Markowicz, Fitness Premier began franchising in 2016 and has since expanded to 19 locations. Fitness Premier offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to join a brand with the support, innovation, technology, marketing, culture, and product differentiation they need to succeed. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.">https://ownafitnesspremier.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Local entrepreneur Dani Stiegelmeyer leads the brand's Sunshine State debut, bringing Fitness Premier's clean, community-first gym experience to the Gulf Coast.

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Why the Fitness Franchise World Needs Lower Investment Opportunities Right Now

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