Fitness industry business models: from the traditional franchising chain to the fitness boutique

Silvio Addolorato; Jorge García-Unanue; Leonor Gallardo; Jerónimo García-Fernández

doi:10.5585/podium.v11i1.18287

Authors

Silvio Addolorato University of the Sacred Heart Milan, Italy. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0136-0716
Jorge García-Unanue University of Castilla-La Mancha Toledo, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1741-5566
Leonor Gallardo University of Castilla-La Mancha Toledo, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6296-6121
Jerónimo García-Fernández University of Seville, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6574-9758

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5585/podium.v11i1.18287

Keywords:

Fitness boutique, Fitness industry, Fitness settings, Business models, Service experience

Abstract

Objective of the study: Fitness centres or “gyms” nowadays represent a real need for human beings in daily life routines worldwide. Through an exhaustive analysis of the literature has been possible to define the concept of the fitness boutique by analysing the current state of the art of scientific publications on business configurations/schemes and during the postmodern fitness industry timeline available until now.
Methodology: Regarding the study design, three main databases have been utilised: ISI-WoS, Scopus, and SportDiscus. The following combination of search was employed: “fitness” intersected with “chain”, “studio” and “franchise”.
Originality/Relevance: The research and keywords utilised revealed about 33 articles, and three thematic areas have been sorted: (1) franchise: from 1st to 2nd generation; (2) the boutique “essence”; and (3) social responses.
Main results: Above all, the eight (8) main untouchable-qualitative features obtained of the fitness boutique model have been listed.
Theoretical/methodological contributions: The research points out how the fitness industry evolved with its proper business and market models during the most recent timeline.
Social/managerial contributions: This study could (1) assist researchers and professional alike in familiarising themselves with the extent of work published in the most relevant sports and leisure databases, and (2) in understanding all the qualitative secrets and successes of the franchising schemes inside the fitness field.

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Author Biography

Silvio Addolorato, University of the Sacred Heart Milan, Italy.

PhD Candidate in Social Health at (see Affiliation provided n°2)

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