Mobile fitness provider GymGuyz establishes first franchise in Arkansas

Michael Moore and Bobby Carlson, franchisees of the first GymGuyz in Arkansas, want to bring the gym to the customer, instead of the customer having to go to the gym. The Bentonville-based franchise is expected to open in November and will offer the nationwide brand’s mobile gym concept to residents of Bella Vista, Bentonville and Rogers.

“People really need to start getting their workout delivered,” said Josh York, founder and CEO of GymGuyz.

GymGuyz, based in Plainview, N.Y., was established in 2008 and is one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in the nation, with more than 100 franchise locations in 25 states and two countries, York said. Each franchise location has fitness experts and at least one van with more than 365 pieces of fitness equipment, including mats, dumbbells, resistance bans, boxing gear and pool apparatus.

“We’re in the business of changing lives and helping people,” York said. “We’re coming to you, bringing a fully loaded van. It’s about the convenience.”

GymGuyz serves customers of nearly all ages, starting from 7 or 8 years old, he said. Classes start at $15, and a one-hour training session runs about $80.

Prices for the Bentonville franchise have yet to be set, but the sessions won’t run more than $80. And customers can purchase multiple sessions, driving down the price, Moore said. The company offers a complementary assessment with a certified trainer to determine the customer’s goals and the number of training sessions needed to reach the goals.

The Bentonville location plans to start with one van, a head coach and six to seven part- and full-time trainers for the first year of business, Carlson said. While its initial service area will include Bella Vista, Bentonville and Rogers, it could expand to more Northwest Arkansas cities and Fort Smith, depending on demand.

York said GymGuyz earned a 91 as its Net Promoter Score, a higher score than Amazon or Costco. The score is an index ranging from -100 to 100 that measures customers’ willingness to recommend a company to others.

Carlson previously worked for McLane, an independent grocery distributor, for 25 years before retiring. Moore also had worked for McLane with Carlson, and spent 22 years working for Wal-Mart Stores before retiring.