No Pain No Gain - Part 1 

Health is an important part of our life and staying healthy is a key to happiness.  Apparently, due to our busy schedules and ignorance we are not able to maintain a healthy life style. Therefore, I am dedicating my research on Health clubs and Gymnasiums around the city. My intent is to weigh these services on following parameters:

1. Owner's understanding
2. Facilities provided
3. Infrastructure
4. Cost to customer
5. Advertisement medium
6. Customer base
7. Business strategy

Keeping this intent in mind I started my journey from Mahabalipuram and got to know that there are only 2 health club facilities available viz.

1. Harry Potter Gym
2. Body Sculptures

Owner's understanding

To start with, I visited Harry Potter Gym and met Mr. T Pancha to discuss few key points about his facility. Mr. Pancha is a 7th Black Belt martial art specialist and has won National Championship in year 2000. He has a decent experience of 23 years in this field and also associated with Body Building Association, Kanchipuram Dist., as a Vice President. He worships his profession and highlights the necessity of living a noble life. He beautifully quoted that "People have to give workout to their face and not to the body" i.e. your actions should help you to keep your head high. His work has bounded him to visit abroad and has willingness to travel more.

Facilities Provided

Mr. T Pancha claims to educate students in martial arts, fitness, aerobics, and platious. He further adds that his services are different from other institutes and that's why his customer base is increasing everyday.

Infrastructure

Harry Potter Gym is located at beginning of Mahab market and is a vital location for any business. This facility has all basic equipments but missing technically advanced machineries. It is a men only facility and opens as early as 5 AM. 

Cost to customers

Customers has to pay a nominal sum of Rs 300 per month for these services. However, Mr. T Pancha provides his expert guidance in case students want to. For his expert guidance students have to pay an additional sum of Rs 1000. Customers believe it to be an ideal fee for using that facility and are happy to stick with Harry Potter Gym.

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Mr. Pancha is running his gym from past 12 years and never advertised in any social media. According to him, everyone knows about his work and a word of mouth appreciation is doing all the tricks for him. This has enabled him to attract 200+ enthusiasts during peak season (Oct - Feb) and 100+ during non-peak season (Mar - Sep). He has displayed a collage of pictures at front desk to advertise his achievements. 

Customer Base

Near by locality people are among the ones who are enjoying this facility to the full. In addition, some visitors and foreigners also showed their interest in this facility. According to Mr. T Pancha, 13 of his students have opened their own gym after under going expert trainings under him.

Business Strategy

Mr. T Pancha believes in a word of mouth appreciation and simplicity. He believes that his work speaks for itself and has enough customer base to keep moving. His strategy is to provide best services at nominal prices and guide customers as per their requirements.

All in all, Harry Potter Gym has basic facilities to enable customers to get going. Further, with Mr. T Pancha's experience and guidance students are enjoying value for their money. Despite absence of advance facilities and equipments, Harry Potter Gym is delivering happiness and health to all its customers.

My next venture will be Body Sculpture Gym.


Compiled by: Hemant Grover (FT13426)