More Than Medals: GForce First Franchisee Wins With Community & Fun

“I never considered any other franchises… I had 100% faith and trust in this business model.” – Kelly

A Gymnastics Franchise Business They Believed In: Their Path to Ownership

For Erin, Kelly, and Ashley, becoming the first-ever GForce Gymnastics & Parkour franchise owners wasn’t about searching for the right franchise—it was about seizing an opportunity they already believed in. Having all worked within San Diego Gymnastics (SDG) in various capacities, they had first-hand experience with the business model, community engagement, and operational success. Unlike many entrepreneurs who explore multiple franchise options before committing, the trio was already convinced that this was the right move.

Erin Adams, has worked closely with SDG’s leadership team for years, had seen how the business operated from the inside—understanding both the financial model and the customer experience. Kelly and Ashley had been hands-on with customer service, programming, and day-to-day operations, giving them a deep appreciation for what made the business successful.

“I probably wouldn’t have [considered franchising] unless I had already worked for the company or knew how organized and hardworking the whole company is.” – Erin

That insider perspective gave them a significant advantage. While many franchise buyers weigh their options carefully, unsure if they can trust a brand’s support system, Erin, Kelly, and Ashley had absolute confidence in the franchise leadership and business model. They knew that GForce wasn’t just about gymnastics—it was about providing a profitable and sustainable business based on recreational programs, not elite competition.

Their journey began not with hesitation, but with commitment and conviction. They weren’t just investing in a franchise; they were continuing a legacy they had been a part of for years—bringing the SDG model to life under the new GForce Gymnastics & Parkour brand in an entirely new market.

From Idea to Reality: Preparing to Open Their GForce Franchise

“We started getting enrollments as soon as we had our software, our customer management software, up. Once we had our schedule up, we just kept chugging along.” – Erin

Once they committed to becoming the first GForce Gymnastics & Parkour franchisees, Erin, Kelly, and Ashley faced the challenge of turning their vision into a fully operational business. The transition from experienced gym managers to owners meant navigating new responsibilities—from securing a location to building brand awareness in a completely new market.

GForce’s model emphasized a retail-style location rather than the traditional warehouse-style gyms common in the industry. Finding the right site was a critical step, as the franchise had proven model criteria for selecting high-traffic shopping centers to ensure strong enrollment numbers.

While securing a lease was a major milestone, the next challenge was building up membership before opening day. Marketing was key. The team followed a structured pre-opening strategy, blending grassroots outreach, digital marketing, and community events to create buzz and drive early sign-ups. They initially focused on local schools and community partnerships, but soon realized that social media advertising played a role in getting them across the finish line.

As they approached opening day, their hard work paid off. Though they didn’t quite hit their target of enrollments before launch, they had enough momentum to surpass that number within their first month—setting the stage for a profitable start.

Making It Work: The Formula for Growth and Profitability

From the start, Erin, Kelly, and Ashley understand that while many independent gymnastics centers build their reputation around elite training, GForce Gymnastics & Parkour took a different approach: making the business sustainable through high-volume, recreational programs.

San Diego Gymnastics had already proven the model across six successful locations in operation today. The numbers spoke for themselves—out of hundreds of enrollments at any given location, competitive gymnasts made up less than five percent. The key to long-term success would come from filling classes with young beginners, keeping them engaged, and ensuring they had a fun, exciting, and positive experience.

By structuring their class offerings to prioritize introductory gymnastics and parkour, as well as birthday parties, camps, and other special events, they created multiple revenue streams beyond just traditional class enrollments. This approach not only widened their potential customer base but also made their business model far more predictable than those of competitors focused solely on competitive training.

This focus also shaped their hiring strategy. Unlike gyms that required high-level gymnastics experience from staff, GForce focused more on hiring engaging, energetic coaches who could make classes fun and approachable for young kids.

“We make it very clear that our number one priority is that the kids have fun. We want the kids to feel welcome and feel like their coach is excited to see them.” – Kelly

This mentality extended beyond coaching. Every aspect of GForce Gymnastics & Parkour—from its front-desk staff to its lesson plans—was designed around the idea that success wasn’t about training elite athletes, but about delivering an experience that kept kids coming back week after week.

With this structure in place, the first GForce franchise was already exceeding expectations, proving that focusing on fun, inclusivity, and high-volume participation was the key to making their business thrive.

While social media ads were highly effective, local engagement was just as critical. The team became actively involved in local parent groups, homeschool communities, and family-friendly events, which not only drove awareness but also built credibility within the community.

“There’s a lot of events here. This is a very family-oriented community… We invested in an easy-up (signage), we rented an area, and we would bring a mat and a couple of props for the kids to play on and talk to the parents there.” – Kelly

Beyond outreach, word-of-mouth referrals became one of the most valuable tools in growing their membership. The high-energy atmosphere and welcoming environment at GForce set them apart from competitors, leading to enthusiastic recommendations from parents.

“The whole community has been so supportive of us. It’s been really, really nice.” – Kelly

By combining structured learning with an engaging, inclusive environment, GForce’s first franchisees turned new sign-ups into active recurring members, creating the foundation for a thriving business.

“We have our lesson plans planned out for the year. They’re ongoing and rotating, so they’re never doing the same thing every time.” – Kelly

The GForce Experience: What Makes Their Business Stand Out

One of the biggest misconceptions about owning a gymnastics business is that it must revolve around competitive athletes. The first GForce Gymnastics & Parkour franchisees understood that success wasn’t found in producing Olympians—it was in creating a fun, welcoming environment where kids of all skill levels could participate, enjoy themselves, and build confidence.

This philosophy guided every aspect of how they built their gym, from hiring the right staff to creating a space that prioritized customer service and community engagement.

Hiring the Right People: Energy Over Experience

“A coach is going to come in here with 10 years of gymnastics experience, and they want to share it with their students, which is awesome. But our priority is that the kids have fun.” – Kelly

The key to their success wasn’t just bringing in technically skilled gymnastics coaches—it was hiring people who understood how to engage with children and parents. During the hiring process, they placed an emphasis on personality, warmth, and customer interaction over elite gymnastics experience.

“You can love kids, you can like being around them… But do you really like being with three-to-five-year-olds for 50 minutes straight and keeping their attention? Because that’s a different thing.” – Erin

A Facility That Encourages Parent Engagement

“So many families come in saying, ‘We tried this gym, we didn’t like it. We tried both of these gyms, we didn’t like it. We’re so glad you’re here and focused on the recreational side and have these extra programs.’” – Kelly

Many traditional gymnastics centers prioritize training but lack a comfortable experience for parents. The GForce team designed their facility to be family-friendly, making sure parents felt welcome and engaged.

Unlike some competitors that limit parental access, GForce ensured parents could watch their children’s progress in real time. They also selected shopping center locations rather than industrial parks, giving parents options to run errands or relax while their kids participated in classes.

“The business model is to be in a busy shopping center, so the mom can walk across and get her nails done, go to the grocery store, or stick around. We have comfortable lobbies where they can see the entire gym and watch their kid too.” – Kelly

Support and Training: What It Takes to Launch a GForce Franchise

“I had the least amount of experience… The in-person training in San Diego was very helpful, especially when it came to learning the education on gymnastics and parkour. I learned a lot about terminology, the way lesson plans are run, and how a gym operates.” – Kelly

One of the greatest advantages of franchising is having a proven system to follow. For the first GForce Gymnastics & Parkour franchisees, even with their background at San Diego Gymnastics, having access to structured training and support was essential in ensuring a smooth launch.

The transition from employees and operators to full-fledged business owners came with a learning curve, but GForce provided the tools necessary to bridge the gap.

Ongoing Support from the GForce Team

“If we need anything, we know who to go to. Gavin and Gabby (from the franchising team) are super responsive and get back to us really fast.” – Erin

Beyond the initial training, franchisees receive continuous support from the GForce gymnastics franchise team. Whether it’s marketing strategies, operational guidance, or troubleshooting an issue, they have access to experts who can provide quick solutions.

GForce ensures that franchisees are never alone in their journey. Even as first-time owners, they can lean on the franchisor for guidance and focus on growing their business instead of figuring everything out from scratch.

“The franchisor gave us all the tools we needed to be successful. The systems are in place, and if you follow them, they work.” – Kelly

The first GForce franchisees may have had experience working in gyms, but transitioning to ownership required a shift in mindset. Instead of just running classes, they had to build a business. Thanks to GForce’s structured training and ongoing support, they were able to do just that.

The Business Model That Works: Why GForce Prioritizes Fun Over Competition

“Competitive is a very small part of the business… competitive kids are making up less than 5%.” – Erin

Understanding the Profitability of a Recreational Gymnastics Franchise

At San Diego Gymnastics, they had already seen that competitive teams made up only a small percentage of total enrollments. While competitive gymnasts are highly skilled, they require more resources, more specialized coaching, and more time in the gym—but don’t necessarily contribute to the bottom line. A competitive team might have 12-30 kids in total, whereas a recreational program could have hundreds of kids enrolled weekly.

The Real Value Proposition: Fun, Community, and Growth

GForce stands apart from other gymnastics programs because the model focuses on:

• Play-based learning: Young kids develop strength, coordination, and confidence through structured but fun activities.
• Diverse program offerings: From gymnastics to parkour, birthday parties, parent’s night out, and more, there’s something for every age group.
• Inclusivity: GForce is for any kid who loves to move.

By shifting the focus from performance to participation, GForce creates an environment where every child can succeed—not just the top athletes.

The Role of Parkour: A Key Differentiator

“The parkour program has really helped grow the boys’ population in our gyms.” – Kelly

One of the standout features of GForce is its parkour program, which brings a fresh, exciting energy to the gym. Unlike traditional gymnastics, which often skews higher toward female enrollments, parkour attracts a broader demographic, particularly boys who might not otherwise be drawn to a gymnastics gym.

• More boys in the gym = larger customer base
• Parkour complements gymnastics = encourages kids to explore both disciplines
• Unique programming = stands out from competitors

Parents often enroll their children in GForce’s parkour program for the same reason they seek out gymnastics: to channel their child’s natural energy into a structured, safe environment.

“We hear it all the time: ‘My kid won’t stop climbing and jumping off things in the house. I need somewhere safe for them to do this!'” – Erin

Lessons Learned: Advice for Future GForce Franchise Owners

As the first franchisees of GForce Gymnastics & Parkour, Erin, Kelly, and their team have gained invaluable insights that can serve as a guide for those considering joining the franchise. Their journey has revealed what it takes to not only open a gymnastics facility but to run it successfully while maintaining the core values of GForce—fun, safety, and community engagement.

“I always get asked, ‘What was the hardest part of opening this franchise?’ I really think the hardest part was having faith in the trickle-down effect of not only the marketing but the word of mouth… It will appear.” — Erin

One of the biggest takeaways from their experience was that success takes time, persistence, and a belief in the process. They emphasize that while strong marketing efforts—both online and in-person—play a crucial role, word of mouth and community trust take time to build.

The Importance of Hiring the Right Team

“You should be doing research to find the perfect spot, at least the perfect area… But you also need to find people who match your culture and values.” — Kelly

Another key lesson they stress is hiring the right people. The most successful gymnastics gyms aren’t necessarily run by elite former gymnasts, but by strong leaders who understand customer service, child engagement, and business operations.

Final Thoughts: A Business With Purpose

One of the biggest reflections from the first franchisees is that GForce is more than just a business—it’s a place where kids develop confidence, and owners take pride in making a real impact in their community.

“I can’t imagine a more fun place for a former gymnast, a business owner, or someone who has a yearning to be in a kid-focused industry… It is so freaking fun to say to strangers, ‘I own a gymnastics franchise!” — Erin

GForce Gymnastics & Parkour offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to make a difference while running a profitable business. The first franchisees have proven that with the right mindset, a commitment to the model, and a focus on community, success is not just possible—it’s achievable! If you are interested in learning more about GForce Gymnastics Franchising, contact the franchise team here.