Home PT Studio

Mister_Zim

Hi all,

First time post here so any help will be greatly appreciated.

I'm a newly qualified personal trainer and would like to know if I can run a studio/gym from my home garage? What are the legal issues or anything else I would need to consider?

Have looked online but can't find any info?

Thanks!

googler

Assuming your garage has already been converted to living accommodation

Home insurance needs amendment
Public liability insurance
Council Tax/business rates
Change of use planning permission
Depending on how many customers, the highways department at the council may want to know
Your neighbours may object to extra vehicle traffic
What parking arrangements do you have?

What will you provide for your clients in terms of washing, shower and/or WC facilities Will they use your (or your family's) bathroom?

Most gyms are air-conditioned to keep customers cools as they build up a sweat - does your garage have air-con?

Don't know where you've been looking online, but....

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/39255/12-829-home-business-guide.pdf

http://www.hituni.com/the-business-of-hit/new-approach-to-running-a-fitness-business/

http://fitbusinessinsider.com/fitness-business/

Mister_Zim

Thanks for that response, very thorough.

It's only an idea at this point. My garage is still a garage, however, it is fully kitted out with gym equipment and is used only for this purpose. Do you know if it needs to be converted? No shower facilities or air con are provided but obviously drinking water and toilet will be available. I would only have one client at a time so that shouldn't affect neighbours but will look into the whole process in depth with your provided links.

Thanks again.

gb12345

Mister_Zim wrote: »

it is fully kitted out with gym equipment and is used only for this purpose.

Is the gym equipment suitable for commercial use? (don't know if there is a difference - but it is something to consider).

skintsocks

You'll also need a CRB check, on top of the other things already mentioned.

googler

Mister_Zim wrote: »

My garage is still a garage, however, it is fully kitted out with gym equipment and is used only for this purpose. Do you know if it needs to be converted?

I don't know if it NEEDS to be, but IMHO it won't give a very good impression of your business if you're letting the public in through an up-and-over door .... or if they're let in through a side door, but when they are in, the wind is whistling through the gaps around the up-and-over.... or if the space hasn't been lined, or had some flooring put down

I would only have one client at a time so that shouldn't affect neighbours ...

If you're fully booked for a day, with daytime and evening clients, that could be a total of (say) 9 or 10 different cars coming and going per day over and above residents and visitors, and that's the kind of thing that the council could object to, maybe prompted by adverse comment from any of the neighbours ....

InsideInsurance

Mister_Zim wrote: »

My garage is still a garage, however, it is fully kitted out with gym equipment and is used only for this purpose. Do you know if it needs to be converted?

Conversion of the physical aspect is unlikely from a legal point of view but as others have said you may want to consider it from a client perspective.

Irrespective of if any physical work is required you may well still need planning permission to change the use of the property from purely residential to part residential part gym. A quick call to the local planning office should give you guidance but also check the deeds to your property to ensure there are no covenants against commercial use

Mister_Zim

Thanks for all the responses. I've spoken to the Dept for Business Innovation and Skills and also my local council. It appears that no physical conversion is needed, however I would change the interior to be more welcoming for prospective clients.

I do need change of use planning permission from garage to gym though.

As I said it is still only an idea and I certainly wouldn't be having more than one client a day once its up and running. Once I get a feel for running my own business and things pick up I would look to move into a commercial space.

Thanks for everyone's help on the matter, certainly put me in the right direction!