So, why work in boutique fitness?

Boutique fitness is becoming increasingly popular as a career path in the fitness industry. It offers a unique and exciting way to work in fitness that is often more personalised and specialised than traditional gym settings.  So, what really is different about working in boutique fitness and do you know if this the right path for you?

From carrying out our challenge, we have been able to see so many individuals loving what they do and excelling within a passionate, vibrant environment. Excellent service goes unnoticed, you can create that close community with your members and there is more autonomy when it comes to decision making and being closer to the product itself. The boutique fitness industry is fun and exciting, you can walk into work and be surrounded by a warm, motivating atmosphere and who wouldn’t want that in a workplace? From the bright, inviting decor to the high-energy music and the friendly and knowledgeable staff, the environment encourages both the members and team to push themselves to the next level. Boutique fitness also often offers flexible working hours, which can often be preferred by many.

There are a wide range of job roles within the boutique fitness industry and fantastic progression opportunities too. We have recruited roles from flexible front of house positions all the way to senior management positions. Front of house roles are quite often a perfect role for vibrant, confident individuals where they can truly shine as the face of the brand as members walk in. Boutique fitness truly offers a premium experience for members, and this begins from when they walk through the door. We often find these roles are great for individuals starting off in their career and have that natural flair and confidence and see a future within customer service.

Sales opportunities are also an excellent opportunity for individuals who excel in working towards targets/KPI's and can also be a lucrative career path too. The sales process is crucial to a boutique fitness studio, where again confident, driven individuals thrive!

We have also recruited many management positions within the boutique fitness industry, and these are proving to be super popular career paths for individuals as you really do get to run the club like your own business! Boutiques tend to be smaller in size and member capacity, therefore you really get to shine and add that personal touch to each member’s journey. Decisions are often quicker to be made, especially within franchise boutique models where you are in close contact with the owners/franchisees.

Our incredibly talented PTs and Fitness Instructors are simply fantastic within the boutique fitness industry. We have witnessed excellent fitness instructors who are able to juggle coordinating and organising a large class environment, give clear instructions whilst also motivating and revving up a studio and make it look effortless! A round of applause to you guys! Many fitness instructors have grown their own following and even online social presence too - stars in the making!

The opportunities do not end there, the list goes on. Whether your passion is in marketing, administration, finance, project management, operations - there are many opportunities in all these fields, and we have recruited for these positions also. Our inbox is always open if you ever need support or advice on getting into the boutique industry!

Our challenge has given us an insight to why the boutique fitness industry is an incredible space to be in right now. We have been able to experience the boutique fitness industry first hand and truly see it through a member’s eyes. We have outlined a few of the key trends we are witnessing and why we think these contribute to the success and growth of the industry.

Boutique gyms tend to cater to specific niches or fitness modalities, such as CrossFit, barre, yoga, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). By exploring these unique offerings, we gain a better understanding of the varied skill sets required for different fitness disciplines. This knowledge enhances our ability to match candidates with the right employers who seek expertise in specific areas. There is real growth in tailored niche workouts, and we can see why. Members are often gaining more than just a workout; they are being able to master a skill and pride themselves in a sense of accomplishment.

The boutique fitness industry is also incredibly varied and diverse. We've seen such growth within unique fitness trends including cryotherapy, EMS training, puppy yoga, antigravity fitness, indoor roller skating and so much more. The overall theme shows how fitness can be fun and tailored to anyone. There really is something for everyone and fitness and wellness can be enjoyable for all. Not only is the industry adored by its members, but we’ve also witnessed how much the team members and instructors enjoy coming to work every day. Working in boutique fitness is fun, vibrant, and exciting and who wouldn’t want that in a workplace?!

We expect the boutique fitness industry to continue to grow and even more exciting trends to launch. The boutique fitness landscape will continue to thrive by adapting to emerging trends while maintaining its core ethos of unique, community-driven fitness experiences. And we are certainly looking forward to being a part of that journey!

What's to come for OBAW?

We set ourselves the challenge at the start of 2023 to visit and try out a different boutique fitness class/ experience every week for the entire year. And we will certainly fulfil on that promise! We have so many more exciting adventures planned for the remainder of the year. We are aiming to try even more exciting boutique fitness classes and experiences and grow our one boutique a week further and get even more of the fitness industry involved too.

We have National Fitness Day soon approaching on 21st September 2023, which we plan to go big for! And it wouldn’t be a challenge without finishing the year with a bang. We would hope after 52 weeks of boutiques, we will be equipped to put ourselves through a challenge of sorts whilst raising money for an incredible cause! Keep your eyes peeled as we may need a few brave industry professionals to get involved in this one…

“What about next year?” I hear you ask. We absolutely plan to continue the one boutique legacy in an evolved version. After an incredible start, and with so many more boutiques to visit and yet to be opened, we couldn’t end the fun here. How this will look exactly, we haven’t yet confirmed, but will certainly have an update on this very, very soon.

 Our One Boutique a Week challenge has been phenomenal and we are excited for what’s to come. We have learned so much, experienced some incredible brands and been able to pass on our key learnings too. We have witnessed many common themes that make up a fantastic boutique including Community, Service, Quality of the Product and more. However, the resounding factor that truly makes a successful boutique is the people. The people who make up your team, your PTS/Instructors, Front of House, Sales, Management teams and also your members. Boutique gyms are stand out due to the exceptional people within your Clubs. There was a special sparkle exuded from the teams at the excellent boutiques we visited. The pure passion, vibrancy, confidence and love for what they do really adds that extra edge. This summarised for us excactly what we do and why we love to do it. Being able to see people excel in roles they were born to do really is a highlight in our jobs. We are fortunate to help industry professionals find their dream jobs and it’s amazing to see them in action!  We have met some fantastic individuals and are looking forward to meeting even more of you very soon…