Hot Ground Gym: Building Confidence Through Obstacle-Based Fitness

Hot Ground Gym is a kids' fitness franchise founded in 2013 in Northbrook, Illinois, by military veterans Doug Gialds and Sam Simpson. The company is headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, and began franchising in 2023.

The brand was created to address a need for structured, engaging, and impactful fitness programs for children that go beyond physical activity. Hot Ground Gym specializes in obstacle-based fitness programs that focus on building physical strength, mental toughness, and strong character.

Its offerings include after-school classes, holiday camps, birthday parties, and team-building activities. All programs are led by instructors with backgrounds in the military or emergency services, ensuring a unique and disciplined approach.

The franchise differentiates itself through a curriculum built on five pillars of confidence: discipline, obstacle course fitness, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. This structured approach helps children develop not just fitness, but also resilience, communication skills, and responsibility.

Training

Hot Ground Gym provides a robust and multi-tiered training system to prepare franchisees and their staff for operating a successful location. The training is structured to cover the essentials before opening and includes ongoing support. Here are the key programs:

1. Initial Training Program: Franchisees and their Designated Location Manager must complete a 20-day program that includes online, classroom, and on-the-job training. This must be completed between three to six weeks before opening and is held at a location chosen by the franchisor. The cost is included for two trainees in the initial franchise fee, but expenses like travel and lodging are the franchisee’s responsibility.
2. Additional and Remedial Training: Additional training may be required for new managers or if performance issues arise. These sessions incur a fee plus associated travel and lodging costs. Franchisees must also pay a cancellation fee if training is missed or rescheduled.
3. Continuing and In-House Training: Franchisees are expected to conduct ongoing internal training for their staff to maintain standards and incorporate updates from the Hot Ground Gym system. This includes holding in-house meetings and mandatory participation in webinars.
4. Regional and Annual Training Meetings: Attendance at regional or annual training sessions is mandatory for key management personnel. These events may carry a fee and additional costs for travel and accommodations.

Territory Protection

Hot Ground Gym grants franchisees a "Protected Territory" as defined in their Franchise Agreement, which varies based on location demographics and population. Typically, territories in metropolitan areas are smaller than those in suburban or rural settings.

As long as the franchisee is not in default, the franchisor will not authorize another Hot Ground Gym location within that designated area. However, the protection has key limitations.

The franchisor and its affiliates retain rights to market and sell products, including proprietary items, within the franchisee’s territory through various channels. They may also solicit and accept customers from the franchisee's territory for other services not exclusively tied to the gym's core offerings, and franchisees are not compensated for such activity.