Should You Get a License, Franchise or Go Solo?

With the popularity of street dance as a way to lose weight and get fit continuing to gather pace, it should come as no surprise that scores of individuals and companies are setting their sights on the dance fitness industry as an exciting way to make a living.

For passionate dancers & street dancers looking for a way into this promising new world, the options can seem bewildering. With every new player in the market claiming that they’re the real deal, who should you put your trust in? Or should you ignore them all and focus on carving your own path to success?

To help simplify the situation, there are in essence three roads that potential fitness professionals can go down: they can buy a franchise, buy a licence (e.g. a Street Fit licence) or go solo. Each has its own merits and limitations, and this post is designed to cut through the confusion.

There are six areas in which all three strategies can be compared: cost, training provision, requirements, autonomy (freedom), support and location.

    Cost

Taking on a business franchise will almost certainly be the most expensive option and will usually require significant up-front capital. Since you are (or should be!) buying a fully-developed business model, you are unlikely to find any genuine franchise that costs less than £1,000, with some asking you to part with £5,000 or more.

Although a licence also carries costs (a Street Fit licence will set you back £285), it will be considerably cheaper than a franchise.

Of course, you could do without either, and save even more money but this could end up being a false economy as you may end up paying more in training and marketing costs while being unable to command the membership fees levied by your ‘branded’ rivals.

    Training

A good quality business franchise needs to ensure its model can be successfully replicated in the area you are assigned to. As a result, many franchisees have to undergo extensive training programmes and participate in other business activities. This can be difficult to fit around other commitments and the security of in-depth coaching needs to be weighed up against the time you are willing to spend to get going.

The training provision for a licensed fitness workout will vary depending on the company, but some (e.g. Street Fit) provide intensive day courses which will provide all the skills and tools needed to get started in the fitness industry.

Of course, if you go it alone you will need to provide all of your own training.

    Requirements

Franchises and licensed workouts are probably the best way into the industry for dancers who lack experience, with many companies (including Street Fit) requiring only a serious interest and passion in dance and fitness.

Unless you already hold a recognised fitness qualification, it is unlikely that you will be able to run a viable dance business without taking on some sort of training. You may be able to garner some support through your personal attributes alone, but serious customers will want to see proof that you can teach safely and effectively.

    Autonomy

Another drawback to buying a franchise is the lack of freedom in plotting your own course. A franchise relies upon franchisees following the company blueprint to the letter. This can be frustrating if you have ideas of your own that you want to express.

Licence providers vary in the degree of autonomy allowed, details of which will be set out in the licence agreement. Street Fit regards self-expression and creativity as a key component of hip hop dance, and actively encourages instructors to make their classes their own.

As a DIY instructor you will have the greatest degree of freedom, although you should be careful to ensure your classes are safe.

    Support

If freedom isn’t important to you, then the security that a good business franchise can give may appeal. Franchises will usually offer substantial, centralised administrative and corporate support although the quality will vary.

The level and type of support provided for licence holders will vary even more widely. Street Fit provide an excellent start-up package for certified instructors (including choreography, music and an instructors’ manual) but also supplement this with an affordable membership program. The strength of the Street Fit brand and the quality of the available marketing tools are a huge advantage to instructors.

Solo instructors will need to take care of their own administration and marketing which can be both time-consuming and expensive. Nevertheless, those with experience in running their own business, plenty of contacts and a background in dance or fitness might have the resources to succeed.

    Location

A franchise will usually give you the right to operate in a specific territory, so as to avoid competing with other franchisees. While this may seem an advantage on face value, it does not mean that you are protected from competition. On the contrary, the inflexibility of the franchise model can prevent you adapting to changes in the local marketplace and put you at risk of losing out to more innovative newcomers.

Which brings us back to Street Fit; the dance fitness market is not saturated, and there is plenty of room for quality street dance classes in every region of the UK. Just like a DIY instructor, Street Fit licence holders can set up anywhere and everywhere they choose. Hip hop has its very roots in the notion of competition and, rather than creating an artificial shield to protect them, Street Fit encourages our instructors to create a dance niche of their own.

If you are interested in becoming a licensed Street Fit Instructor you need to book on to one of our Street Fit Instructor Courses, you can do this by visiting http://streetfit.tv/become-an-instructor simply scroll to the bottom of a page pick the course you want to attend and book its that simple!

Start your career in Street Dance Fitness® today!

Street Fit’s Secret Ingredient

The Spice of Dance

They say that variety is the spice of life; well, a Street Fit® licence will give you that special ingredient guaranteed to give a kick to any choreography – absolute creative control.

The idea that working out can be fun (and needs to be if you want to attract customers!) is catching on fast, and Street Fit are by no means the only Dance Fitness company that want to turn fitness into more of a party than a chore.

But if you were holding a party for your friends, would you want to be limited to a set menu, restricted to serving the same dishes that everyone else is? Do you want to play the same games, and listen to identical music? Of course not.

The problem with some dance fitness concepts is that you can end up stuck with a pre-designed choreography that you get bored with – or even start hating. Some instructors have reported shelling out substantial amounts of money only to discover that the purchased routines feel disconnected.

You’re Head Chef

With Street Fit®, you’re not one of a production line of cooks, you’re head chef! Of course we provide you with the basic workout structure, and some choreography to get you going, but we expect you to adapt that to your own style, creating your own exotic and mouth-watering dishes.

Basically, we want you to take the Street Fit® concept and run with it, giving life to the urban spirit that underlies the hip-hop street dance culture.

Don’t Skip Dessert!

Just as all restaurants offer a similar progression of courses (starter, main, dessert, coffee, etc.), you are required to stick to the basic workout structure. This is for health and safety reasons, since omitting a warm up can lead to serious injury. We also stress the importance of cooling down after your workout. Some other dance companies have been criticised by dance professionals for skimping on the stretching and cool down phases.

Our Street Fit® Instructors’ Courses also emphasise other fundamental practices, such as observing correct alignment: high intensity exercise can cause injury if these important procedures are omitted.

Our Name Above Your Door

When we give you the right to use our name, we want you to think of it as a way of enticing customers in at the front door, not as a mark of ownership. Customers (and fitness venues) feel more comfortable relating to a powerful brand, which will work in your interest, but we need creative, expressive instructors who are not afraid to ditch the routine and reinvent fitness for a new dance-hungry generation.

What To Do When Content Loses Its Crown

It’s Time To Slay Your Dragon

Sir Alan says no to street dance fighting; but could ‘Beat Battle’ have worked?

To “adapt to any style, to be formless, to adopt an individual’s own style and not following the system of styles”.

Someone talking about street dance, maybe?

Wrong. This is Bruce Lee, talking about Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts system he devised in the Sixties and Seventies, popularising the concept of mixed discipline fighting.

So when Ricky Martin, the wrestling biochemist from ‘The Apprentice’, decided to blend modern mixed martial arts with Street Dance Fitness  in this week’s ill-fated fitness project, perhaps he wasn’t as deluded as it first seemed. ‘Beat Battle’ may have failed to impress the big fitness clubs (or Sir Alan Sugar for that matter, who described it as a ‘punch up in a disco’), but could something similar ever catch on?

After all, martial arts and Dance Fitness are not so dissimilar. Both require flexibility, discipline, balance and rhythm. Take Brazillian Capoeira, for example. Practised in secret, disguised as a dance, this is a Brazilian martial art which was once instrumental in helping slaves escape their captors. Today it is a competitive game which blends elements of combat, dance and music.

Shared urban roots

Parallels can be drawn between some popular forms of martial arts and formal street dance styles. Divorced from the real world, both have sometimes been accused of focusing on rigid, rehearsed routines to the detriment of spontaneity and creativity. Bruce Lee slated some martial arts forms as lacking combat realism by teaching ‘flowery techniques’ that wouldn’t work on the street.

Likewise, the early hip-hop styles were more than just a collection of learned steps; it had a job to do. After all, hip-hop was born in the notorious South Bronx area of New York. When street dance crews met up to do battle, the stakes were high. In fact, according to Jeff Chang’s book, ‘Total Chaos’, when B-boying/B-girling was first developing it was itself influenced by martial arts movies, particularly some of the more aggressive-looking ‘toprock’ styles.

In terms of recent development, both mixed martial arts (MMA) and street dance are becoming fully integrated into mainstream culture. Just as Street Fit are adapting the street attitude and style to a wider fitness-seeking market (street dance fitness) , those within the mixed martial arts scene (particularly the American Ultimate Fighting Championship®) are attempting to do the same for their sport – said to be the fastest growing sport in the world.

So why did Ricky fail?

Building a successful fitness brand is not something that can be done overnight, even if you are bidding to be Sir Alan’s  next favoured one. One of the major issues with the ‘Beat Battle’ project, was poor video production – something which Street Fit have put a lot of effort into getting just right. Most of all, Rick’s team never convinced anyone that their idea could be fun, a central feature of any Street Fit® workout.

So if one of your customers suggests adding a few combat manoeuvres to your routine, why not give it a go. You might end up succeeding where the Apprentice-wannabees failed.

As for Ricky Martin; if he wants to go down the dance route, maybe he should follow in his namesake’s footsteps, and try ‘Livin La Vida Loca!’

“Is it time to kick-start my dance/fitness career?”

Starting a new venture is a big step for anyone, but the rewards for success include more freedom, more control over your life and (for some) greater earning potential. There may never be a ‘perfect’ time to start a dance fitness business, but there are several reasons why we think you should consider signing up for a place on our Street Fit Instructors’ course today.

If you are looking to find a Street Fit Instructor Training Course then click here alternatively you can contact us today call us on 0800 689 9909 or email hello@streetfit.tv

So What’s Today’s Excuse?

If you’re still toying with the idea of becoming a Street Fit Instructor, but haven’t yet convinced yourself to sign up, what’s stopping you?

We’ve decided to put together a list of the most common reasons why you might be stalling and submit them to a reality check.

I’ve got no time!

If you’re currently enjoying a brilliant career that you love, and putting every spare moment into it, then fine, we understand why booking a Street Fit Instructor’s course is not top of your priority list.

But if your definition of being too busy is working every hour under the sun in a job that is tolerable (at best) in order to pay the bills and put food on the table then you need to start creating the time you need to change that situation. Street Fit Instructor’s courses last one day – ONE DAY! No matter what their circumstances, everyone is entitled to a day off every now and then. Look through our list of courses and find the next course in your area and make sure you book it off – perhaps swap a day with a colleague.

Once you have your Street Fit licence under your belt, you may need to put in a bit of extra effort at first – just to get established. Are you a morning person? Consider starting off teaching early morning classes (for customers who like to exercise before work). If you’re more of a night owl, start an evening class. You may not be able to kick the day job straight away, but the extra income should help you trim down those work hours, while the extra energy you get from being Street Fit will help you make the most of your time.

I’m too unfit!

Would you make sure your house was spotless before hiring a cleaner? Of course not; so why do you think you need to be slim and toned to do a Street Fit workout? Street Fit is for everyone, not just those who’ve attained a high level of fitness (although if you want to marvel at some of the results, our Instructor’s courses are the place to come!). People of all shapes and sizes come through our street dance fitness program and you can do it too. If you are out of practise and feeling a little daunted, rest assured. You won’t be judged and you almost certainly won’t be the only one in the room.

I’ve no money!

While it’s true that it usually takes money to make money, in the dance fitness industry it usually costs a lot more money to launch a career than our modest £285 Instructor’s course fee (try adding another zero for a typical franchise). Could you do a bit of overtime at work? Is there a luxury you could do without for a month or two? Will friends or family lend you what you need? Your course fee is an investment in your future and will quickly be recouped when you start filling your classes.

I’ve no confidence

Doing anything new is going to be a little bit scary, but if we never push ourselves we will never change. Acting confidently will make you feel confident, so instead of worrying that you don’t know anybody, use that fact to indulge in a bit of play-acting (this really does work!). Before long, the upbeat atmosphere of our Street Dance Instructor’s Course will banish those early nerves and leave you wondering what all the worry was about.

You could even consider recruiting a couple of friends to come with you (but don’t forget to sign up as an agent first to bag some referral fees!)

I could never breakdance!

Street Fit isn’t breakdancing! There are plenty of other fun and funky hip hop moves that can be incorporated into a Street Fit workout. Besides, learning any skill has to start somewhere so don’t give up on yourself just yet. There could well be an inner ‘B-Boy’ (or girl) waiting to come out.

I’m too old to street dance!

As long as you’re fit enough to exercise, you’re fit enough to learn a Street Fit routine (just check with your GP first if you have any doubts). And don’t buy into the myth that losing weight will make you frailer as you grow older. Evidence shows that regular exercise helps you enjoy better health in old age, including improved strength, co-ordination and gait.

I’ve never danced before!

There are no pre-requisites to attending a Street Fit Instructor’s Course (although you have to be 18 or over). The fact that you’re on this page is probably enough to indicate that you would benefit from registering.

I don’t know how to sign up

That’s easy! Just go to http://www.streetfit.tv/become-an-instructor, and scroll to the bottom for our list of upcoming courses. Click ‘Register Now’ on the course you want, or feel free to visit http://www.facebook.com/streetfit.official and nag us for a course in your area.

Your Customers are Ready

Throughout the country, thousands of men and women are coming round from their Christmas and New Year’s excesses and preparing to return to normality. Young and old alike are, as you read, wistfully pinching inches, consulting with the bedroom mirror and struggling to pull up zips and fasten buttons. In a few weeks time they will be taking up new gym memberships, starting dance fitness courses, like our exciting new Street Fit classes, or finding other ways to address their body shape concerns through 2012.

Between now and then is a once in a year period of opportunity, where the remnants of 2011 are being left behind and choices and actions are being made that will shape the next twelve months. If you are intending to teach fitness or dance classes then a huge bulk of these people will be your customers…if you want them. Time is ticking.

The dance fitness industry: it’s all in the timing

As every business owner in a niche market will tell you, there are key annual events that you need to be in tune with. The home improvement stores all release advertisements around the bank holidays, the holiday companies launch new brochures for January and February and ice-cream vans are more prevalent in the summer. For the dance fitness industry, the New Year is the key period for marketing dance fitness courses, because:

Street Fit’s innovative fusion of street dance and fitness workout provides the strongest platform for anybody wanting to get ahead in the dance fitness and dance industry but, if we haven’t made it clear yet, time is starting to run out for those who want to maximize their customer-reaching potential.

How Street Fit will help you get ‘em and keep ‘em

First of all, we are offering you the chance to become a Street Fit Instructor, for a relative pittance, by enrolling in one of the remaining places on our January and February Street Fit Instructor courses.

By getting your hands on one of our exclusive Street Fit licences, you will automatically give yourself an edge in the battle for securing new members, especially from the younger generation. Our eye-catching Street Fit logo and high-definition video promos will give you that touch of style and professionalism that will stand out in the competitive field of dance fitness.

By becoming a Street Fit member, we will also help you keep the buzz going. It is a well-known fact that many New Year’s resolutions fizzle out after a few months. It doesn’t have to be that way. One of the secrets to keeping members motivated is ensuring your dance fitness courses remain fresh and relevant. Street Fit members can do this effortlessly by making use of our regular updates, including new workouts and original music.

If you’re already waiting to attend your Street Fit Instructor course, you’re well on your way to making 2012 a life-changing year. If you’ve yet to book your place then now is the time to make that commitment because time won’t wait for you…and neither will your customers.

If you are looking to book a Street Fit Instructor Course then contact us today call us on 0800 689 9909 or email hello@streetfit.tv