With fitness enthusiasts continually growing in numbers, many people in your community are committed to reaching their fitness and wellness goals.
Whether they're aiming to build muscle, improve flexibility, or simply stay active, access to the right equipment is key.
As gyms have adapted to post-pandemic life, there’s a growing demand for convenient ways to access fitness equipment without the need for a gym membership. Many individuals and gyms are looking to rent out their unused equipment, providing a win-win solution for both parties.
This presents a great opportunity for you to step into the gym equipment rental marketplace and cater to this evolving demand.
Do you plan to start an online fitness equipment rental business? Read on to discover why and how you can make this happen effectively!
Why Start a Fitness Equipment Rental Business Online?
- The added advantage of taking your rental business online is Business Expansion.
- You don’t have to use traditional methods to market for your business.
- Word of mouth travels at a faster pace with just one click in social media. Scenario: Imagine a fitness influencer books a piece of equipment from your portal and posts a snap on his/her social media tagging you! Voila! People start getting to know your online fitness equipment rental business and the word spreads.
- Making a user-friendly booking experience gives you an edge as an online rental business owner.
- Care about your end customerS even after you connect with them, it goes a long way! You can express your care through the features and feedback you provide.
All these can be achieved when you take your business online and also you’ll get the attention that you and your business deserves!
What Features To Include in Your Online Fitness Equipment Rental Marketplace?
When it comes to technologies, the basic expectations are its features and how beneficial it is.
Read further, to know about the features that you’ll definitely want for your marketplace.
Equipment Owner & Renter Features
Multiple sign-in options
Allowing your end-users to sign-in using multiple login options is helpful. Including their social account, google account, and basic information feed to log in could increase the chance of them going forward with the registration into your portal.
SMS verification
To ensure the right kind of login processing with the details given by the users, it is essential to have an SMS verification system, connected with your registered phone number. For instance, Twilio is used in verifying the phone number of the user by sending a one-time password to the said registered phone number.
Language and currency switch
Providing multiple languages and currency options according to the location in which your target customers are residing could induce familiarity while using your online fitness equipment rental marketplace.
Fitness equipment rental website features
Platform’s home page banners
The look and feel of the web panel is everything, to begin with. Giving multiple sliding banners with captivating images and catchy description is essential.
Advanced search filters
Filter-based search enhances the search results and user experience while booking fitness equipment.
- Filter based on the type of equipment, price, brand, availability, and discounts if it permits.
- Filters based on weight-classes can also induce the newly working out people to try out renting.
- Keyword-based filter options in the search bar are also a way to go.
Geo-location
Equipment availability within the surrounding area is also an added advantage while looking for equipment rental in and around the location.
A pop-up could appear in listed locations stating the price of that particular listing. That will give an estimate if the equipment fits within the renter’s budget before he/she gets to know more about the listing.
Instant booking:
This feature can be included for the end-user to book the equipment instantly without waiting for the equipment owner’s approval before renting. It can be added to increase the ease of booking experience.
Equipment Owner Features
iCal integration
Calendar integration is to ensure that there is no clash in any booking. The booking calendar can be synced with any external calendars and also can be accessed with any other devices.
Seasonal pricing calendar
If the owner of the equipment feels like giving any special prices for special days or to mention whether the equipment is available or booked. He/She can always mention it while listing their equipment with your rental marketplace platform.
Payout method
The payout received by the owner of the equipment can be of multiple modes which gives him/her an option. Using a Paypal account and bank account could be feasible options to receive their payout.
Doorstep delivery or self-collect
The owner could give an option of either the renter wants to pick up the equipment by themselves or the owner could offer to deliver on the renter’s doorstep.
Renter Features
Wishlist
If the renter wants to keep the equipment in a halt to rent it later he/she can wishlist it for future booking preferences.
Payment methods
The renter of the equipment can make payments using three options: through cash, Paypal account, bank account. It is to ensure that they book and pay for what they need at ease.
In-app message
The renter can message the equipment owner even before he/she plans on renting the equipment, just to enquire about the condition of the equipment and such.
Admin panel features
So far you got to know what you’ll be offering to your end-customers, it’s time to know what will you be controlling as the fitness equipment rental owner.
Manage all the users
You’ll be in control of both the equipment owner and the renter – their login information, listing details, booking details, and such. You can cover the end to end of business operations with your admin panel.
Review management
You can control the reviews given by the users (equipment owner and the renter) to each other and also you can rate & review the equipment owners.
Manage payout
As the one in charge, you can control making payouts to the equipment owner. The payout could be automated and you can hold the payout to the equipment owner if necessary. Remember, you are in control.
How Do You Earn From An Online Fitness Equipment Rental Business?
As the admin of the marketplace, you’ll be receiving commission from the equipment owner as a service fee and the renter as a booking fee for every booking made on your marketplace.
How to Build Your Own Fitness Equipment Rental Platform
Now that you know what you’ll need to start your online rental business, it's time to see how you can launch your rental business platform. well tell you how
Developing an app typically falls under these two options. Well, let me tell you what they are.
Custom development
This is the process where you build the platform from scratch for your business, and the process involves:
- Planning your requirements and creating a basic visual guide for your platform.
- Designing the platform with an appealing interface.
- Developing the functional aspects of the platform based on the design.
- Testing the platform to ensure it works properly.
- Finally, launching the platform and maintaining it
And by the end of it all, you'll have your own custom fitness equipment rental platform. But, as we said earlier, custom development is not your only option here.
Readymade solution
To explain simply, a ready-made solution is a pre-built app solution that includes the essential features and functionalities you need in your business platform.
This is different from custom development because here the process involves:
- Purchasing the solution.
- Rebranding the platform to match your business (done free of cost by the provider).
- Customizing the platform to add unique features (if needed).
- And launching it as your own business platform.
And here, since the solution is pre-built, you can launch the platform in a shorter time.
It is also considered cost-effective for the same reason.
We have given you two options to launch your rental business platform, but what you choose should be according to your business needs and preferences.
So, analyze the difference between custom development and ready-made solutions and decide which one is most suitable for your business requirements.
And in case you happen to decide on a ready-made solution, why not check our ready-made car rental app solution that can be customized into a fitness equipment rental platform?
With our solution, you get:
- The best UI and UX.
- A website and Android and iOS apps for both renters and owners.
- An admin panel to help you manage the platform.
- Free tech support, which covers app activation, server installation, and support following app rejection.
- Free white-label service.
- 100% source code, so you may change its functionality if necessary.
You may have queries on how our car rental app solution can help you launch your fitness equipment rental platform. We can answer them.
Reach out to us through WhatsApp, and we will clarify all your queries.
End note
In conclusion, starting your online fitness equipment rental business opens up a world of opportunities for growth and expansion.
By offering a user-friendly platform with essential features for both equipment owners and renters, you can streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
As the marketplace admin, you not only provide a valuable service but also create a sustainable revenue stream through commissions and booking fees.
Embrace the digital shift and watch your business thrive in the evolving on-demand economy!
Launch your App with Us!