Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some queries we often get from potential franchisees, together with our answers.

Q:I have a very small premises, can I fit Back In Motion Pilates into my current set up?
A: Look at taking up a minimal Pilates scenario where fewer numbers are going through, eg two per half hour. The profits still make it worth while.

Q: We already have ACC clients being billed using our exercise room.
A: You will have more clients, so you will be making more profit and more profitable use of your business premises. You will also lose much of your reliance on ACC as an income source.

Q: I'm worried about the size of the 7.5% franchise fee.
A: 7.5% is a standard percentage for franchisor to charge. With the Back In Motion Pilates fee, 3.5% goes into marketing to help your business become more successful. Four percent goes towards manangment of general support, e.g. training and problem-solving, to help you become more successful.

Q: How long does it take to train a non-physiotherapist to take mat classes?
A: Three months, realistically, although after the first weekend's training the instructor can start running floor classes. Physiotherapists, with their clinical expertise, should be able to effectively use Pilates with most of their clients after completing a Level One program.

Q: What if someone from my town is also looking to buy a Back In Motion Pilates franchise?
A: We will look at the population base. If the population is not large enough to support more than one franchise we will work on a first-in-first-served basis.

Q: What are the initial training costs?
A: For the first year, six people training on four weekends would be charged $1,500 each, or $9,000 total. This does not include the managerial and reception training or on-going support.
If there were less people involved we could look at charging less.

Q: How quickly can my employees begin their Pilates training?
A: That's up to you. The sooner you sign up to the franchise the sooner training can begin.

Q: The up-front cost of $40,000 is a lot of money.
A: Franchise New Zealand's website states that 62% of franchises have start-up costs of below $100,000, over 25% are over $200,000. See http://franchise.co.nz/ .
There is significant value, too, in the 10 manuals you will have access to once you are signed up. The time saved in not having to develop such manuals more than makes up for up-front cost.
Your risk is also reduced by using Back In Motion's proven business system and support. Having an organised marketing plan takes away the hit-and-miss approach. Having a joint marketing approach takes the expense and time away from doing it alone.

Q: I'm already spending heaps on building new premises, the additional cost of the franchise is just too much.
A: Do not include your own building or leasing cost if developing this as a separate business with a separate return on investment. Keep these businesses very separate. They are two completely separate scenarios that each have to make a return in their own right.

Q: I think my rental for new premises is going to be high e.g. $350 per sqm.
A: Then your fees then have to reflect that, with a higher return if you are in a high income area.

Q: How can I be assured that Back In Motion will offer its support for years to come?
A: Why wouldn't we?
Back In Motion has been a steady, stable businesses for 20 years and will continue to be so. We have made our businesses structure as lean and low risk as humanly possible. The future success of our franchisees will only make us more solid.
Even if the worst happened and Back In Motion did not exist five years from now, by then you would have paid off your investment and have enough knowledge to carry on anyway

Q: What if the franchisee does not want the franchise any more?
A: You simply hand back all material and machines and never practice Back in Motion Pilates again.