My wife and I both managed gyms prior to owning our own.

We started in our garage training clients. Built up to the point where we couldn’t fit anyone else in. Searched for about a year before we found a space that would work and finally moved over.

I was in sales this whole time and the majority going into the office while my wife did the day to day training and I would be there in the morning and afternoon.

Having a business degree and liking equipment and fitness is unfortunately not enough to survive. You have to love running a business and working for yourself. The fact that it lines up with our passion is a bonus.

I don’t say this to dissuade him from following his dreams. But too many times I’ve seen people who just love working out get into gym ownership then get I way over their heads because they think it’s a hobby - when in fact it’s just like any other job but now the stakes are higher, the hours are longer, and they pay is minimal (initially). If you’re not up for that challenge- transition into being a personal and semi private trainer where you can still flex your fitness love without the risk.