Entrepreneur.com:
Americans’ desire to lose weight and get fit isn’t slowing down. In fact, calorie-burners present a healthy opportunity for entrepreneurs. Whether they’re hitting treadmills, health clubs or the local biking path, you can bet they want equipment, apparel, multimedia products and other aftermarket accessories to help them achieve a better workout.
The secret lies in finding the right niche. Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi have all reached mainstream status - boasting nearly 23 million enthusiasts in the U.S. in 2004, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Lance Camisasca, trade-show director for the Health & Fitness Business Expo and Conference, says opportunity abounds in creating and selling related products such as mats, resistance bands, instructional videos and clothing: ‘It takes very little space in retail stores, but is very profitable.’
Targeting groups, such as aging boomers or pregnant women, is another way to carve your niche. Pregnant women, for instance, have found maternal bliss with PiYo, a fusion of Pilates and yoga - and smart businesses are responding to the special needs of this group.
Bess Hilpert, felt uncomfortable pressure under her belly while staying active during her pregnancy, but found nothing on the market to offer comfort and support. After nearly 4 years of R&D, she (who previously owned an exercise physiology business) created a support piece that’s built directly into exercise apparel. Mothers in Motion Inc., her Round Rock, Texas, biz, is seeing healthy returns today, with 2006 sales projected to exceed $2.5 million.
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