small gym business plan

Gym Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Gym Business Plan & Example

You’ve come to the right place to create a gym business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their gyms.

Gym Business Plan Example

Use the example below as a template to write a gym business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Steven’s Gym is a startup locally owned gym located in El Paso, Texas. Steven’s Gym will include various exercise equipment, strength training equipment, free weights, aerobic equipment, and plenty of cardio equipment. The gym will also offer HIIT group classes, spin classes, strength training instruction, and personal training.

Located in an up and coming, newly developed, and highly trafficked area of town, Steven’s Gym will attract both men and women ages 16 to 75+. There is something for everyone at Steven’s Gym, whether someone is just beginning their fitness journey or is a seasoned athlete and gymrat. The gym will have a welcoming atmosphere, experienced personal trainers, friendly staff, and frequently cleaned equipment and restrooms.

The membership options are affordable and will be offered on a month-to-month basis, a 6 or 12 month contract, or the ability to pay for an entire year upfront. Discounts will be offered to military, teachers, and healthcare workers.

Service Offering

The following are the services that Steven’s Gym will provide:

• Strength training equipment
• Cardio equipment
• Free weights/dumbbells
• Aerobic equipment
• HIIT group classes
• Strength training instruction

Customer Focus

Steven’s Gym will target all men and women ages 16 – 75+ who are interested in achieving and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. El Paso is a very diverse city that includes men and women from all walks of life. There are numerous blue collar individuals, white collar individuals, government employees, and military members as the local Army base is one of the largest in the country. Since Steven’s Gym will be very affordable, it will be able to attract people from all walks of life.

Management Team

Steven will manage the day-to-day tasks of running the gym. Steven will hire a gym manager to manage membership and three trainers. Steven will outsource a local CPA to handle payroll, accounting, and tax payments. He will also outsource a local advertising company to develop the gym’s logo, branding, photography, social media accounts, website, and billboard design.

Success Factors

Steven’s Gym will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Large, clean, and spacious fitness center that has all the necessary equipment for their fitness routine.
• Knowledgeable and friendly staff of trainers.
• Best value for membership pricing. The membership pricing options are affordable and offer military, teacher, and healthcare employee discounts.
• Convenient hours of operation.

Financial Plan Highlights

Steven’s Gym is seeking $300,000 in debt financing to begin operations of the business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the warehouse space, gym build-out, and purchase of the equipment. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and working capital. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Securing warehouse space, gym build-out, and design: $25,000 to $125,000
• Gym equipment purchase: $50,000 to $100,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $15,000 to $55,000
• Marketing & advertising: $15,000
• Working capital: $10,000

Company Overview

Who is steven’s gym.

Steven’s Gym is a new, locally owned gym located in El Paso, Texas. Steven’s Gym will include strength training equipment, free weights, aerobic equipment, and plenty of cardio equipment. The gym will also offer fitness classes, strength training instruction, and personal training. Located in an up and coming, and highly trafficked area of town, Steven’s Gym will attract both men and women ages 16 to 75+. There is something for everyone at Steven’s Gym, whether someone is just beginning their fitness journey or is a seasoned athlete and gymrat. The gym will have a welcoming atmosphere, experienced trainers, friendly staff, and frequently cleaned equipment and restrooms. The membership options are affordable and will be offered on a month-to-month basis, a 6 or 12 month contract, or the ability to pay for an entire year upfront. Discounts will be offered to military, teachers, and healthcare workers.

Steven’s Gym History

Steven’s Gym is owned by Steven Malone, a retired Army Master Sergeant who is also a seasoned powerlifter. Steven was stationed at El Paso’s Fort Bliss for many years before eventually retiring and deciding to stay in El Paso and embark on his dream of eventually owning his own gym. As a frequent gym goer, Steven recognized that El Paso lacks high quality independent gyms. The nicest and most equipped gyms in El Paso are large franchises that have too many rules and regulations. Steven envisioned a gym that was welcoming to all types of people that is encouraging, clean, and adequately equipped for those who are focused on sustaining an active, healthy lifestyle.

Since incorporation, Steven’s Gym has achieved the following milestones:

• Found a 10,000 square foot warehouse space for lease in El Paso, Texas that can easily be converted to a gym.
• Registered Steven’s Gym, LLC to do business in the State of Texas.
• Began the branding image, logo, website, and social media accounts for the gym.
• Began researching and pricing out equipment.

Steven’s Gym Services

The following will be the services Steven’s Gym will provide:

Industry Analysis

The Gym industry is expected to grow to an annual revenue of $38 billion in the next five years. This growth is likely a result of increased per capita disposable income, in addition to growing health-consciousness. As consumers’ disposable income levels rise, individuals are usually more willing to purchase gym memberships. Additionally, time spent on leisure and sports is expected to increase over the next five years, effectively increasing the potential pool of consumers.

During this period, demographic changes are expected to drive revenue growth for operators. In particular, as healthcare costs continue to escalate, health insurance providers may implement incentives to promote preventive health practices, including the use of fitness centers among individuals within their provider network. Additionally, initiatives that promote the health benefits of exercise will likely increase over the next five years, stimulating industry revenue.  

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Steven’s Gym’s target audience will include all men and women ages 16 – 75+ who are interested in achieving and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. El Paso is a very diverse city that includes men and women from all walks of life. There are numerous blue collar individuals, white collar individuals, government employees, and military members as the local Army base is one of the largest in the country. Since Steven’s Gym will be very affordable, it will be able to attract people from all walks of life.

Customer Segmentation

Steven’s Gym will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• High school and college students
• Locally-based Military
• Athletes who frequently train for fitness competitions

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Steven’s Gym will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below. Gold’s Gym Gold’s Gym is a large franchise-owned gym with two locations in El Paso. Gold’s Gym gives access to everything one needs to transform their life: state-of-the-art amenities, a variety of fitness classes tailored towards someone’s fitness needs, and the world’s best trainers. There are weekly fitness classes for group workouts ranging from martial arts-inspired cardio classes to foundational yoga sessions. There are also certified trainers if someone is new to exercise or just looking for more guidance and coaching. Gold’s Gym’s amenities include cardio equipment, group exercise, personal training, a pro shop, sauna/steam rooms, group cycle, free weights, functional training, kids club, locker rooms, and wifi.

Planet Fitness Planet Fitness is for people from all walks of life, whether they’re a first-time gym user or a veteran member, they are there to provide a workout environment in which anyone and everyone can be comfortable. All Planet Fitness members enjoy unlimited access to their home club and the support of their friendly, knowledgeable staff anytime they need it. PF Black Club members receive additional benefits, including the ability to bring a guest for free and access to any of their 2,000+ PF locations. Also, the PF member can take advantage of their free fitness training or find motivation by reading real member experiences on Planet of Triumphs. The goal of Planet Fitness is to provide a clean, safe, welcoming environment for anyone who walks through the door, and all the equipment, amenities, and support they need once they arrive.

Anytime Fitness Anytime Fitness is a welcoming gym that exists to help someone get to a healthier place – by giving the right support at the right times, in the ways the member wants. Every member receives a free, personalized Get Started Plan when they join. Their friendly, professional staff is trained to help someone along their fitness journey, no matter how much support they need. Aside from a large selection of strength and cardio equipment, Anytime Fitness offers the following services – 24-hour access, 24-hour security, convenient parking, anywhere gym access, private restrooms, private showers, health plan discounts, wellness programs, cardio TVs, and HDTVs.

Competitive Advantage

Steven’s Gym will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Large, clean, and spacious facility that has all the necessary equipment for their fitness routine.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Steven’s Gym will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Large, clean, spacious, and well-equipped facility.
• Dedicated team of trainers.
• Affordable membership pricing plans.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Steven’s Gym is as follows: Social Media Marketing Strategy Steven’s Gym will invest in advertising the gym on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram. By using targeted social media marketing, Steven’s Gym will be able to reach the appropriate target audience of El Paso. Before opening, Steven will hire an advertising agency to develop the branding and photography needed to create captivating social media posts.

Billboards Steven will invest in two billboards strategically located at busy intersections that receive thousands of traffic daily. The advertising agency will develop the print for the billboard design. Website/SEO Marketing Strategy Steven’s Gym will invest in a strong SEO presence so that when someone enters “El Paso gym” or “local gym near me” in their Google or Bing search bar, Steven’s Gym is at the top of the list. Their website will list all of Steven’s Gym’s services, location, pricing, and contact information. Word of Mouth Word quickly spreads around town and once a few people experience the clean, affordable, and professional staff at Steven’s Gym, more and more people will come in to see for themselves and sign up for a membership plan.

The pricing of Steven’s Gym will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing their services.  

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Steven’s Gym.

Operation Functions:

• Steven Malone will be the sole gym owner and operator of Steven’s Gym. He will oversee the staff, maintain that the cleaning schedules are being enforced, and ensure that all equipment is working per standard and safely. He will also manage all ordering of new and replacement equipment, schedule the group HIIT classes, and daily management tasks.
• Steven will hire a gym manager to be in charge of members and member management.
• A team of three trainers will run all of the fitness classes. As the membership grows and clients require more attention, more trainers and fitness classes will be added.
• A local CPA will manage all high level accounting functions, such as payroll and tax payments.
• Steven will also hire an advertising agency to develop the gym’s branding, photography, website, social media accounts, and billboard design.

Milestones:

Steven’s Gym will have the following milestones completed in the next six months. 8/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease warehouse space. 8/15/202X – Begin build-out and design converting warehouse space into a functional gym. 9/1/202X – Hire advertising company to begin developing gym’s branding, logo, social media accounts, website, and billboard design. 9/15/202X – Order all equipment. 10/5/202X – Hire gym manager and team of personal trainers. 10/15/202X – Train staff on proper policies and procedures. 11/1/202X – Grand Opening of Steven’s Gym.  

Steven’s Gym will be solely owned by Steven Malone. Steven is a retired Army Master Sergeant who has been stationed off and on at El Paso’s Fort Bliss for the past twelve years. Upon retirement, Steven decided to make El Paso his permanent home and embark on his dream of owning his own gym. Steven recognizes the lack of quality, independent gyms in El Paso and wants to open a gym that fits his idea of what a high-quality gym should be.

As a former powerlifter and personal trainer while serving in the military, Steven is aware of the proper equipment and facilities a gym should have. Steven envisions his gym to be friendly, clean, well-equipped, and affordable for the average person so that people from all walks of life will feel comfortable going to the gym and achieving their fitness goals. Steven will dedicate his life and focus on ensuring that his gym is always clean, staffed with the best trainers, and members are happy with what the gym has to offer.  

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Steven’s Gym are the membership fees it will charge each person that signs up to become a member. Each member will be placed on a membership plan where they can either pay month to month, enroll in either a 6 or 12 month contract, or pay for the entire year upfront.

The cost drivers will be the payroll for the staff, rent, utilities, cleaning supplies and equipment, and gym equipment purchase and maintenance. Other cost drivers will be the targeted marketing costs on social media and monthly fees for the CPA and advertising company.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Initial Number of New Clients per Month: 60
• Average Monthly Membership Fee: $150
• Gym Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Gym Business Plan FAQs

What is a gym business plan.

A gym business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your gym. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing strategies and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your gym business plan using our gym business plan template here .

What Are the Main Types of Gyms?

There are many types of gyms or fitness centers. There are large, franchise gyms that have multiple locations across the country. There are also large single facility gyms. Finally, there are smaller gyms that tend to focus on a particular fitness segment, such as strength training, CrossFit, or group HIIT training.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Expenses for a Gym Business?

The primary source of revenue for a gym or fitness center are membership fees. Typically, members pay month-to-month, or fulfill a year-long contract.

The key expenses for a gym or fitness center are the costs associated with payroll, purchase and maintenance of equipment, cleaning supplies, marketing costs, and working capital. Other expenses will be rent, utilities, taxes, accounts payable, and other licensing fees (if necessary).

How Do You Get Funding for Your Gym?

Gym businesses are most likely to secure funding from banks. Typically you will find a local bank and present your gym business plan to them. Family and/or friends could also be potential investors and other types of capital-raising such as crowdfunding are other common funding sources.

A well-crafted gym business plan, complete with a solid financial plan is essential for attracting any type of potential investor. This is true for a new gym business or established businesses looking to grow.

What are the Steps To Start a Gym Business?

Starting a gym or fitness center can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Write A Gym Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a solid gym business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include market research on the fitness industry and potential target market size, information on the services and/or products you will offer, marketing strategy, mission statement, business model and pricing strategy and a detailed financial plan.  Our business plan template is the perfect guide to show you how to start a gym business plan.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your fitness   business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your gym business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Gym Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your gym business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your gym business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Gym Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your gym business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your gym or fitness   business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising to reach your target audience.

Learn more about how to start a successful gym or fitness business:

• How to Start a Gym Business

Where Can I Get a Gym Business Plan PDF?

You can download our free gym business plan template PDF here. This is a sample gym business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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Gym business plan: a checklist with templates & examples

In this article, you'll find a checklist of everything you need to know to create a business plan for your gym or fitness business.

If you've recently discovered an ambition to start a gym , or this has been your dream for years, we've got you covered!

The first step in your journey is to create a gym business plan. This will include understanding your business's structure, determining your target market and what sets you apart from other gyms (your unique selling point), forecasting future finances, and any further details about your venture.

Your gym business plan is the key to your success. It will help you make better decisions and attract potential investors. Creating a business plan is ongoing; it's not something you do once and then forget about. Your business plan should be flexible and adapt as you move forward. 

You have to consider many elements to ensure your gym will succeed. All stages of your business plan are critical. In this article, we'll be doing a deep dive into understanding the core essentials of creating a fitness business plan.

What is a gym business plan? 

A gym business plan is a document that informs the reader about your company and where it's headed. In other words, it answers essential questions such as:

• How does your business work?
• How are you going to succeed?
• What steps do you need to take to succeed?

According to research, entrepreneurs who write formal business plans are more likely to be successful . 

This is especially true for business owners seeking external financial support. A formal business plan can help new businesses by providing a clear focus for their ideas.

Why it’s important to have a business plan for your gym? 

Simply put, your gym business plan is an organized and detailed process that provides a roadmap for your business. If someone reads it – like a potential investor, for example – they should be able to understand how you expect the gym to progress and succeed over time.

Plus, putting together a business plan with detailed description forces you to take a critical look at your operation as it currently stands and identify room for improvement or new areas of opportunity altogether.

Depending on where your business is located, a well-crafted business plan can serve multiple purposes.

Keep reading for even more reasons you need a business plan from day one!

Taking advantage of a steadily growing industry

The gym industry is booming, allowing gyms to capitalize on this growth. In the US alone, over 87 million people regularly attend the gym and spend billions of dollars annually on membership fees.

And according to projections, the global gym market is expected to reach 434 billion USD by 2028 – a 171% increase from 2021! This steady growth provides room for gym owners to get in on the action and reap the benefits.

By having a gym business plan that considers the health & fitness industry as a whole, you'll be able to capitalize on this growth.

Ensures your business idea is feasible 

If you're considering starting a fitness business, know it will be complex. You have a fantastic idea and think it could take off--but how can you test that theory without launching the business? 

This is where a business plan comes in handy. By working through your concept and creating a well-rounded plan of action, you'll be able to figure out key details like numbers, market trends, and what your competition is doing and save yourself loads of time down the line.

It helps to bring in investors and secure funding 

To secure funding for your gym business from investors, you need a comprehensive business plan. This document helps startup businesses obtain the initial capital they need and provides established companies with funds for expansion.

Would-be contributors usually request substantiated data— such as numbers backed up by facts and figures—before deciding whether or not to invest in a project.

If you don't have a business plan, chances are slim that you'll receive money from sources like investors, banks, or other financial organizations outside your company.

Set and reach goals, both big and small 

Having long-term and short-term goals is a great start, but it's time to take the next step. A successful business plan will contain specific tactics on how you plan to achieve your objectives. 

This might be through your business model, acquiring equipment, hiring new talent, or marketing campaigns.

A successful business needs a clear plan to achieve its goals. Breaking down important goals into smaller, more manageable pieces would be best. 

And remember-- as your business changes and grows over time, so should your plan. Keep it updated regularly. 

Business planning is no longer a daunting task

A business plan is a vital tool for new and established businesses. It provides direction and helps to set the foundation for a successful start. 

By budgeting, analyzing your market, and setting out your goals and strategies, you can make more informed decisions about how to proceed. This process also makes it easier to track your progress over time and assess whether or not you are on track.

Something to consider before creating a gym business plan

Consider the cost of starting a gym. There are many potential expenses, such as equipment, personal trainers, class instructors, insurance policies, property fees, etc.

Also, consider how much time you are willing to invest in this venture – especially during the beginning stages when there is likely to be a lot of work involved in getting everything up and running smoothly.

It can be challenging to maintain a good work/life balance when starting any business; it will probably require working additional hours outside of your usual schedule.

Money and time are essential, but there are other things you need to be successful. 

People skills, marketing know-how, and financial smarts are essential if you want to succeed in the gym business world. It's not going to be easy, but it will be worth it if this is your passion. A solid plan is the first step toward making your dream a reality.

The 11 key elements of a detailed gym business plan

Before you develop your business plan, think about where you are and where you want to see yourself. Keep this vision in mind, as it will help guide you through writing your business plan. There will be countless opportunities wherein consulting your business plan will assist you in making a decision.

To create an effective health club business plan, you will need extensive research on your fitness industry, competitors, and future finances. 

Following these 11 steps, you can build an excellent gym business plan that covers all aspects of your health club.

Step 1: Executive summary

Your executive summary needs to be clear and concise while also grabbing attention. What you want readers to know is:

• Your mission/purpose
• How you'll achieve success (What will make you a success story?)

And finally, your vision for the future. Though it may seem tempting to hurry through this section because it is shorter than other parts of the business plan, don't rush! 

This is your chance to shine and explain what makes your company special. Don't worry if you feel like you have more to say about your goals and vision. You can expand on these topics in your company overview.

Step 2: Company overview

Your company overview is where you get to sell your gym and its potential. Build on your executive summary's vision and mission statement, delving deeper into what makes your gym unique. 

Think of your vision statement as a tagline for your future website. When outlining the purpose of your gym, which audience it will cater to, and how you plan to achieve business goals, also consider including the following: 

Your personal mission statement for the business- i.e., what outcome do you hope to see?

Then, give your readers some information on your background:

• What have you done in the past?
• Have you had any other businesses?
• What is your current status?

This is helpful for investors and partners to know so they can understand where you've been and where you're going. The more they know about you, the more trust they'll have in you.

Step 3: Services and amenities

Outline your strategy in detail: what services you'll offer and how you will develop new offerings. This includes if you need to hire someone or build a facility, such as a spa or a studio. 

This information will help you realize when or where your business requires more funding and extra staff.

By describing your products and services, you can gain valuable insights into your gym's size. Test your vision to determine if you have the necessary funding for these assets. If not, consider how you might acquire the required financing.

Some potential products you could invest in are: 

• Gym equipment like treadmills and rowing machines 
• Specialist equipment to cater to different types of gym-goers, such as bodybuilders 
• Food and drinks like energy drinks or healthy foods 

And services like: 

• Personal training sessions 
• Group classes like yoga, spinning, or body pump 
• Lockers for storing belongings while working out 
• Spa amenities like saunas or massages 
• A swimming pool 
• Physiotherapy

Furthermore, thinking about increasing your market share is a significant next step. You could start by offering pro bono services at local workplaces and schools, eventually introducing a fee.

This way, you can attract larger customers while still providing value.

When creating a business plan - be it for a gym or something else entirely - remember that its purpose is to lay out your objectives easily for potential bankers, partners, employees, and investors.

Step 4: Management team

It is essential to consider the positions you'll need to fill and how these people can help your gym succeed. 

You should write a summary emphasizing their skills and management experience while incorporating what they will be responsible for and any incentives you plan on offering.

Furthermore, creating an employee ladder is vital to establish who or what each new hire will report to so your business can secure its success.

Step 5: Market research and marketing strategy

Marketing is a field where creativity can shine. It's all about identifying different groups of people who would buy your product, coming up with reasons why they should choose you over others, and figuring out ways to get more sales.

Learn more:

Gym marketing strategy

Gym promotion ideas

Gym membership pricing

Best gym features

Even if marketing your fitness business isn't your favorite thing, remember that your marketing strategy will help you lay out a plan for expansion if you do it right. Your first target should be to summarise what you found in your market research. Are you still stuck? 

Consider where you are situated, similar businesses nearby, and who makes up the community around you.

Define your target market here. It could be

• Working professionals
• Senior executives

Or a particular group, like cyclists. After that, try to understand why this specific demographic would join a gym – for example, are they looking for cardio?

After you have completed your market research, take some time to understand your target audience. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How can I make this customer base loyal?
• What makes my company unique?
• What's the best membership package I can offer?
• Is there a need for special equipment or offerings?

In your plan, identify and communicate what makes your business valuable and unique. 

This is called a Unique Selling Proposition (USP), and it will help instill confidence in potential investors that they are making a wise choice by investing in your company. 

Furthermore, detailing marketing strategies in this document provides peace of mind that future income streams are lined up and secure.

There are many marketing strategies you can use to grow your business, including:

• Improving your services
• Advertising and sponsorship
• Loyalty plans and website promotions
• Email marketing campaigns
• Investing in new equipment or technology

Step 6: Competitor analysis - Understanding direct and indirect competitors

To do a competitor analysis, research businesses in your field that offer similar services. These are your direct competitors. 

You can mention indirect competitors, but this section is mainly for an in-depth look at businesses like yours. Depending on your business type, you could have brick-and-mortar and online rivals.

When investigating a competitor, these are some critical areas you'll want to focus on: 

• Services and products they offer 
• Target audience 
• Pricing and business model 
• Strengths and weaknesses

Step 7: Create comprehensive financial projections

Starting a gym requires careful budgeting. Make sure you consider every possible purchase and estimate the cost of each item.

The following are key areas to cover when starting your business:

• Lawyer fees
• Recruiting expenses
• Constructional endeavors
• Exercise equipment for the workplace
• Three months' worth of bills and other operational costs
• An accounting software

It's time to be practical and ascertain how much money you will need to open your gym and make it thrive. This way, you'll get a better understanding of what falls within your budget and what will require additional funding.

Next, you need to prove to investors, stakeholders, and employees that you have a feasible plan for attaining ROI. 

Consider revenue streams such as classes, services provided, and product sales- anything that brings in money. Set down an estimate here based on research and expert opinion.

If you're looking for ways to make money, selling healthy food could be a great option. You could create your protein shakes or energy bars, for example. 

If you plan to sell food, ensure you stay up-to-date with food hygiene standards.

Step 8: Financial forecasting

Your sales forecast for your business's first, second, and third years should be detailed. Specifying the number of active members, you estimate for your first year would also be beneficial. Estimate using:

• Unit sales per month
• Any relevant past data
• How purchases will be broken down (as specified in financial projections)

Step 9: Financial strategy

How can you use your fees in a way that will increase customer registration? For example, if all the other gyms in your area charge higher prices than average, this could be an opportunity to set your business apart by being financially conscious (lowering membership fees or having better offers than competitors).

Consider ways to show your appreciation for loyal customers, such as discounts or complimentary services.

Furthermore, if you're in the process of creating a gym and spa business plan, consider adding discounts for those who use both facilities. For example, many people would love to take advantage of the jacuzzi after working out.

Writing your pricing strategy down will help give you peace of mind about what's to come for your gym.

Step 10: Payment option

An easy and accessible payment system is crucial for any business, let alone a gym. To retain customers , ensure your payment processing is up-to-date and user-friendly. 

Let potential investors know what platform you're using or planning to use, so they can see that you're taking customer experience seriously. A positive buyer experience will encourage loyalty among your clientele.

Step 11: Funding

Make it clear where your business will obtain the extra startup capital it needs. 

This is a chance to be practical about your company. Can you realistically obtain the funding required to reach your targets? Or do you need to readjust your plan?

Below are some vital external resources that might provide the necessary funding:

• Loans from friends or family members
• Crowdfunding campaigns
• Business partners or sponsors

If you are looking to gain investors, be sure to detail where the funding for your project will come from and how much of a return they can expect. You should also include any previous loan applications related to this venture here.

You're almost there!

Now it's time to put all the elements outlined above into a gym business plan. This plan will be a reference point when you need to make tough decisions, help secure investment, and show direction to new employees or partners.

Your next steps to successfully run your gym

Here's a personal checklist to help you ensure that you have everything covered before you open your gym. Use it as a reference point throughout the development process to ensure nothing is overlooked.

• Write a business plan
• Register business
• Apply for a business license and permit
• Open business bank accounts
• Select an online payment platform
• Obtain taxpayer's ID
• Purchase insurance
• Rent/purchase facility
• Purchase/rent equipment
• Secure funding
• Recruit employees
• Drafting contract documents along with any other legal documents required
• Design company logo
• Develop website
• Write website content
• Create social media accounts
• Design leaflets & brochures
• Organize branded uniforms
• Launch party

Any business, no matter how big or small, comes with its fair share of challenges. However, the payoffs in the end always make it worth your while

Starting a gym can be an exciting and rewarding venture. However, it is important to ensure that you are well-prepared with all the necessary information before you open your gym. 

A comprehensive Gym Business Plan detailing the market research, financial projections and strategy, services and amenities, management team, and more should be developed to ensure success. 

Additionally, obtaining the necessary licenses, finding and hiring trainers, investing in the right equipment , and appealing to members with friendly incentives are all important steps.

Gym business plan template & examples

In addition, we've gathered a few of the gym business plan templates and examples below. These samples will provide you with suggested language for your own document as well as guidance on what to include.

Adam Fitness Centre

Grow think's template

PAWSitively Fit Club

Ecogym business plan

Capital Health and Fitness Club

Frequently asked questions on good gym business plan

How can i start my own gym business.

Follow these steps and understand gym business plans:

• Choose your area/location
• Develop a comprehensive business plan
• Apply and obtain all necessary licenses
• Find and hire certified trainers
• Invest in the right equipment for your business
• Appeal to members with friendly incentives

How do I write a business plan for a gym?

To write a gym business plan, you can implement the steps below:

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Services and amenities
• Management team
• Market research and marketing
• Competitor analysis 
• Financial projections
• Financial forecasting
• Financial strategy
• Payment option

What type of gym is the most profitable?

Out of the gyms surveyed in November 2020, 69 percent of CrossFit gyms were profitable, while half of martial arts gyms reported being in the black.

Is owning a gym a good business?

Owning a gym can be profitable, but you will need more time to make yourself rich. To succeed in this industry, you must put in the effort.

Do gym owners make money?

According to ZipRecruiter, an American jobs marketplace, gym owners in the United States will earn an average of $69,472 annually as of June 2022.

Do gyms make a lot of money?

A gym that is managed efficiently and has a good mixture of members can generate quite a bit of money. For example, if a gym has 1,000 people paying $50 monthly, the gym could bring in $50,000 each month. And if the monthly expenses for the gym are $20,000 per month, the profit would be $30,000 per month.

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How To Start a Gym Business In 7 Steps (+ Start-up Templates)

Published by caroline @ wellness creative co on 11 october 2023 11 october 2023.

Want to know how to start a gym business? Perhaps you’ve always loved fitness and want to start your own studio, or worked in the industry for years and it’s time to become your own boss. Whatever your reason for starting a gym, we’ve got you covered.

In this article – learn how to start a successful gym in 7 steps, including business planning, securing funding, and pre-launch marketing.

We’ve helped several new gyms and fitness studios to launch their businesses, so we know exactly what’s involved. Having worked in the fitness industry for 15+ years, we understand the operational, marketing, and financial aspects to setting up a successful business. So, you can shortcut the learning curve and benefit from our expertise in this guide…

How To Start a Gym or Fitness Studio – Overview

Here’s an overview of the seven steps towards opening a gym or fitness studio…

• Define your idea
• Create a plan
• Secure funding
• Find a location
• Set up your gym
• Grow your business

Let’s dive into each of these start-up steps in more detail…

#1 – Define Your Gym Business Idea

The very first step is to define the business idea for your gym, fitness studio, or health club. What’s the concept? Who is it aimed at?

For some people, this will come easily. They may have had a great fitness-themed business idea for a long time but only just decided to give it a go. But for others, this initial part can be tough. 

Perhaps you’re keen to start a fitness business but aren’t sure what kind of venture to go for. Or you want to look at all the options before making a decision. If so, then here is a list of gym business ideas that you can consider…

• Classic gym or fitness centre
• Boutique fitness studio
• Gym franchise (Anytime Fitness, Snap, Orange Theory, etc.) 
• Yoga or Pilates studio
• Personal training studio
• CrossFit box
• Health club
• Online fitness training business
• Or you can start a business related to gyms, like a fitness equipment or accessories distributor, workout clothing brand, mobile personal training business, or fitness supplement manufacturer .

At this stage, it’s also important to think about what will make your fitness club different from others in the local area. Will you be aiming for a specific target market or type of exerciser? Will your gym be a high-end premium concept, a boutique studio that specialises in doing one thing well, or high-volume low-cost model?

The fitness industry is competitive, so for your gym to be successful, it’s vital to think about what’ll give you a competitive edge. Doing this from the start means you can mainstream it into your business plan, make your funding bids more appealing, and choose a location that supports your concept. Defining your unique selling point (USP) will set your business up for success long-term, so it’s crucial to do this from the get-go.

#2 – Create a Gym Business Plan

Once you’ve defined your idea, you need to create a business plan for it. This will help you assess the viability of your concept and consider all of the little details. It’s also required for things like loan applications and renting commercial space.

Creating a business plan for your gym is vital if you want it to be a success. In fact, research shows that people who complete business plans are nearly twice as likely to successfully grow their businesses, or obtain capital. 

“Business plans double the chance of success”.

A solid gym business plan should include the following…

• Executive summary
• Industry and local market analysis
• Company overview
• Products and services
• Sales and marketing strategy
• Financial information
• Implementation plan

By covering these points, you’ll ensure that there’s adequate demand for your offering and you have a well-defined gym target market . It’ll also help you to understand the exact costs involved and whether you can afford to do it alone or need outside funding.

For a more detailed explanation of what each of these areas should cover, check out our article on writing a fitness business plan (with samples). Or get the start-up planning cheat sheet as part of our Fitness Business Templates bundle…

#3 – Secure Funding For Your Fitness Business

Once you’ve developed a sound business plan, you’ll be armed with the right info to seek funding for your gym. For some gym start-ups, this might involve securing several hundred thousand dollars to cover initial business costs. For leaner fitness businesses, you can do it on a smaller budget without the huge overheads.

Your business plan will help you estimate how much money is needed to start your fitness venture. It costs between $2000 and $4m to start a gym business, depending on the location and model you choose. Based on stats from Entrepreneur, here are approximate costs of starting different types of fitness business…

• Big-box gym start-up costs (e.g. Planet Fitness) – $1.1-$4.2m 
• Cost to start a small-medium sized gym (e.g. Anytime Fitness) – $77,000-$520,000
• Boutique gym start-up costs (e.g. Orange Theory) – $575,000-$1.5m
• Cost to start a fitness studio (e.g. Pure Barre) – $198,000-$446,000
• Pilates studio start-up costs (e.g. Club Pilates) – $168,000-$280,000
• Cost to start a group exercise class business (e.g. Jazzercise) – $2000-$7000
• Bootcamp business (e.g. Fit Body Boot Camp) – $136,000-$198,000

As you can see, the money required to start a gym varies from a couple of thousand to several million dollars. Factors like the venue type, location, and equipment required will all influence the overall cost.

So, how do you secure funding for your gym or fitness studio? The most common sources of finance are…

• Business loans from traditional banks
• Business loans from online lenders
• Loans from gym franchise preferred suppliers
• Personal savings

Choosing the right funding option for your business will depend on a huge number of factors. It’s best to do your own research, speak to financial experts, and read the small print thoroughly so you know all of the implications involved in any borrowing.

If you want to open a gym with no money, then the key is to start small . Running a personal training business or selling online fitness programs are both good options. Neither requires investments in rent, equipment, or staff salaries, so you can save money towards a gym studio while running them.

You can also look for creative ways to cut your costs and open your gym on a tiny budget…

• Find empty commercial spaces or shops and negotiate with the landlord. They might agree to let you run a short-term fitness pop-up for free rather than let it stand empty or be open to a revenue-share agreement where they receive a percentage of your profits instead of rent.
• Ask gym equipment manufacturers if they’ll lend you some kit for free , in return for being a case study or showcase site. Equipment companies are always looking for impressive locations where they can show off new products, stage photo shoots, and customers who’ll give testimonials to other gyms.
• Call in favours from your network to reduce costs wherever you can. You’re bound to have friends or family who can help with painting, carpentry, plumbing, graphic design, and numerous other jobs that’ll save money when opening your gym.

Opening your own gym or fitness studio can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to find creative ways of cutting the big costs, like rent and equipment. Don’t be afraid to ask – you might get a few ‘nos’ but when you finally get a ‘yes’ it’ll be worth it!

#4 – Find a Good Location for your Gym

The next step is to find the perfect location for your fitness business. There are lots of things that go into a good venue but the key is to find a place where your target customers are and rent is affordable.

Central gym locations will be more expensive. It’s great if there’s plenty of passing traffic but ask yourself if they’re your ideal demographic. Being close to your target market’s places of work, favourite hangouts, or residential areas are all good bets.

But it’s not just customers and cost that define a good gym location. In fact, Virgin highlight six different factors to consider when choosing the perfect business location . These are…

• Accessibility
• Competition
• Business rates
• Skills base in the area
• Potential for growth

How easily customers and staff can access your location, security and crime rates, and proximity to competitors can all affect whether a location is suitable. It’s also important to consider local business rates (for utility bills), whether staff in the area will have the right gym skills, and if the location can accommodate growth. Doing your research, knowing what you want, and being patient until the right gym location becomes available will all stand you in good stead.

#5 – Set Up Your Gym

Once you’ve got a location sorted you can begin to actually set up your gym business. This means getting everything ready, from business licences and staff, to interior decor and equipment. 

You should aim to do this as quickly as possible without undermining quality. Once you’ve started paying rent on your location, your bank balance will start decreasing quickly. So, it’s vital to open and get your members in the door as soon as possible. 

To start a gym you will need…

• Business license
• Electrics and plumbing
• Changing areas, toilets, and shower facilities
• Interior fit-out, design, and decoration
• Gym equipment and accessories
• Trained staff
• Operational processes
• Membership models and pricing

Let’s look at each of these areas…

Business License

Obtaining a business license is a crucial first step. Research your local regulations, complete the necessary paperwork, and pay the required fees. Compliance with local laws ensures your gym operates legally and avoids potential legal complications in the future.

Acquire comprehensive insurance policies tailored for gyms. This includes liability insurance to safeguard against accidents, property insurance to cover equipment and facilities, and potentially business interruption insurance to protect against unforeseen events that could disrupt your operations.

Electrics and Plumbing

Ensure your gym has a safe and efficient electrical and plumbing setup. Hire licensed professionals to assess, repair, or install wiring, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. Safety and functionality are paramount to providing a secure environment for your clients.

Changing Areas, Toilets & Shower Facilities

Design comfortable and hygienic changing rooms, equipped with lockers, benches, and adequate lighting. Install clean and accessible toilet and shower facilities. Think about ease of cleaning and privacy when designing these areas to enhance the gym experience for your clients.

Interior Fit-Out, Design & Decoration

Create an inviting gym atmosphere by incorporating the right lighting, colour schemes, and branding elements. A well-designed interior can boost motivation and create a positive gym environment, which both have a positive impact on member retention and cash flow.

Gym Equipment & Accessories

Invest in quality gym equipment that’s tailored to your target audience’s needs. Depending on the type of gym you’re opening, this might include cardio machines, free weights, resistance training equipment, and accessories like mats and water stations. Balance functionality, durability, and cost-effectiveness when selecting equipment.

Trained Staff

Recruit certified trainers , experienced instructors, friendly front-desk staff, and meticulous cleaners. Ensure they are well-versed in customer service, first aid, and emergency protocols. Regular training sessions keep staff updated with fitness trends and ensure a professional and knowledgeable team.

Operational Processes

Establish efficient operational processes, including membership management, class scheduling, payment systems, and cleaning routines. Use gym management software to streamline administrative tasks, track memberships, and communicate effectively with members. Clearly defined processes ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

Membership Models and Pricing

You will have already developed pricing models in the business plan stage, but now is the time to refine and establish them. Determine your pricing structures, payment methods, and cancellation policies. Transparent and flexible membership options enhance customer satisfaction.

By addressing these areas during the setup phase, you’ll establish a safe, appealing, and well-equipped space for your members. It’ll build a strong foundation for success and allow you to press ahead with promoting your new fitness facility…

#6 – Launch Sales & Marketing

When opening a new gym or fitness studio, your launch efforts are vital to its success. It’s essential to sell as many memberships as possible in advance to maximise cash flow from the start. This means going all out on your sales and marketing efforts asap.

Some of the most effective ways to market a gym and generate pre-sales include…

• Early-bird offer – offer a big discount to members who sign up two months before opening, and decrease the discount as the deadline gets closer (so customers are incentivised to act immediately or risk missing out).
• Use 3D layouts and fly-through videos – to help potential members visualise the gym space. It’s natural for people to want to wait and see what the gym’s like before committing. But visuals help overcome this objection.
• Elevator pitch – You’ll need a one sentence elevator pitch to use when talking to potential new members. It should summarise exactly who you help, what you do, and how long it takes e.g. “ We help [insert ideal client] to [overcome common problem] in [time frame]”.
• Sales pitch – You’ll also need longer sales points to use with potential clients and answers to common objections. Explain the concept, what you’re trying to achieve, and the story behind why you’re doing it. Then talk about all of the start-of-the-art equipment, brand new training techniques, or anything else that sets your club apart from the competition. 
• Website & Social Media – Create a website for your gym and social media profiles . Your website should contain all the info about your facility that a prospect or existing member might have, and both should act as a sales funnel for generating new membership leads .
• Google My Business Listing – Set up your a free ‘ Google My Business ‘ listing so that anyone who searches for your gym online will see its location and contact details.
• Organise a big launch event – to celebrate the gym’s opening and invite local media to attend. Promote the event on social media and give people a good reason to attend. They may not care about an opening but they will care about free fitness workshops, nutritional counselling, or tasty treats.

You might also like… 10 Effective Ways To Market Your Gym Or Fitness Centre .

It can be helpful to have a ‘soft-launch’ prior to the main event. This enables you to test out all of your processes and equipment before the hoards arrive. It also allows new staff to put their training into practice so that everything operates super-smoothly when you do open properly.

#7 – Grow Your Gym Business

Congratulations – at this point your brand new gym will be open! Of course, some would say that this is when the hard work really starts. But it’s a fantastic feeling to have opened the doors after all the effort getting your gym started.

Now it’s all about running your gym successfully and growing your business. We’ve seen gym owners do this in endlessly creative ways, but a few of the most effective include…

• Marketing & Promotion – Continue your marketing efforts post-launch to drive a continual stream of leads and customers. Combine social media, digital and local advertising , and community events to promote your gym. Consider offering promotions or referral incentives to attract new members.
• Community Engagement – Foster a sense of community within your gym. Organise fitness challenges , workshops, and member-exclusive events. Encourage trainers and staff to engage with members, creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
• Maintain Your Equipment – Establish a regular maintenance schedule for gym equipment. Prompt repairs and replacements ensure that all machines are safe, functional, and in good condition. Regular maintenance also prolongs the lifespan of your equipment, saving costs in the long run.
• Member Feedback & Satisfaction – Implement systems for collecting feedback from members. Regular surveys or suggestion boxes can provide valuable insights into member satisfaction. Address concerns promptly and use positive feedback for testimonials and marketing materials.
• Continually Improve & Innovate – Strive to enhance the experience for members, to keep them coming back and telling all their friends too! Along with acting on feedback, use tech to improve your operations. Consider implementing apps or software for class bookings, personalised workout plans and progress tracking, or to aid administrative tasks, making operations more efficient.

Starting a Successful Gym Business

So, now you know exactly how to start a gym business and set it up for success. By following these steps, you’ll maximise your cash flow and profitability early on. This is the key to ensuring that your business lasts over the long-term and becomes a well-established brand in your community. 

If you’d like a little help along the way, then check out our Fitness Business Templates . They include a business planning cheat sheet, 50+ creative brand name ideas, and loads of sales and marketing resources too. 

Caroline @ Wellness Creative Co

Qualified personal trainer (BSc Sports Science) & nutritionist (MSc Human Nutrition) with 15+ years of fitness & wellness marketing experience working with global brands.

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BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a gym business plan

• Annabelle Amery
• Sep 5, 2023
• 10 min read

When starting a business , it’s crucial to create a comprehensive and clear business plan. This applies to all types of businesses , including a gym business . A gym business plan is a strategic document that outlines the goals, objectives and strategies for starting and running a successful gym.

A gym business plan serves as a roadmap for entrepreneurs, providing guidance on how to navigate the challenges and complexities of the fitness industry. It helps entrepreneurs define their vision, mission and target market, as well as identify the resources and steps needed to achieve their goals.

Need a way to promote your gym business online? Get started with Wix’s website builder , which includes built-in marketing and scheduling tools.

Why create a gym business plan?

A gym business plan is particularly important for individuals who are new to entrepreneurship. It provides a structured approach to starting a gym by outlining the necessary steps, such as securing funding, finding a suitable location and acquiring equipment. Some of the other main advantages include being able to:

Attract funding: A well-written gym business plan can attract potential investors or lenders who may be interested in supporting your venture financially. It demonstrates your understanding of the market, your competitive advantage and your plans for profitability.

Understand resource requirements: A comprehensive gym business plan helps entrepreneurs identify the resources required to start and operate their gym successfully. This includes business registration (cost to start an LLC ), equipment, staff, gym marketing materials and other supplies necessary for day-to-day operations.

Achieve long-term success: A gym business plan provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to thoroughly analyze their target market and competition. By conducting market research and competitive analysis, they can develop strategies to differentiate their gym from others in the industry.

Set goals: A well-crafted gym business plan helps entrepreneurs set realistic and measurable goals for their gym. These goals can include financial targets, membership growth, customer satisfaction levels and other key performance indicators.

Make better decisions: Having a clear business plan in place helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions about various aspects of their gym, such as pricing, marketing strategies and expansion plans. It serves as a reference point for evaluating options and making choices that align with the overall business strategy.

Guide your website messaging and design: A gym business plan also includes considerations for creating a business website . Today, making a website is crucial for attracting customers and promoting your gym. The business plan can outline the website's purpose, design, functionality and marketing strategies to drive traffic to the site. Be inspired by these fitness website examples .

How to write a gym business plan in 6 steps

A gym business plan is a crucial document that outlines the strategies and goals for starting and running a successful gym. It provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs, guiding them through the process of establishing and growing their fitness facility. To create an effective gym business plan, it is important to include six main parts:

Executive summary

Business and domain names

Market analysis and research

Operations plan

Marketing and advertising

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary is a concise overview of your gym business plan. It provides an introduction to your gym, highlighting its unique selling points and summarizing the key elements of your plan. The executive summary should include a brief description of your gym, your mission statement, an overview of the target market and competitive landscape, a summary of your marketing, your advertising strategies and an outline of your financial projections (including how you plan to raise money for your business ).

Example of an executive summary for a gym:

“ABC Fitness is a state-of-the-art gym located in downtown Cityville. Our mission is to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals of all fitness levels can achieve their health and wellness goals. With top-of-the-line equipment, certified trainers and a variety of group exercise classes, we aim to be the premier fitness destination in our community.

In an increasingly health-conscious society, the demand for fitness facilities continues to grow. ABC Fitness differentiates itself by offering personalized training programs tailored to each member's specific needs. Our strategic location in the heart of the city ensures easy accessibility for our target market of urban professionals.

To attract customers, we will implement a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes online advertising, social media promotions, and partnerships with local businesses. We project steady growth in membership numbers over the next three years, resulting in increased revenue and profitability.”

02. Business and domain names

Choosing the right business name for your gym is crucial for building brand awareness and trust. It should reflect your gym's values, target market and unique selling proposition. Here are some steps to consider when deciding on a company name:

Brainstorm keywords and concepts related to fitness, health and wellness

Use a business name generator (or specifically a small business name generator ) for inspiration and to generate unique name ideas

Consider the availability of domain names associated with your chosen company name

Check the availability of the chosen domain name using domain registration websites

Be inspired: Gym business name ideas , Fitness business name ideas

Learn more about registering your business once you’ve landed on your business name and legal structure.

03. Market analysis and research

Including market analysis and research in your gym business plan is essential for understanding the competitive environment and developing a better business strategy.

Target market: Analyze the target market by identifying demographics, psychographics, and fitness preferences of potential customers. Conduct a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) to assess your gym's internal and external factors.

Competitors: Research competitors in your area to understand their strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies and marketing efforts. Identify opportunities for differentiation by offering unique services or targeting underserved segments of the market.

04. Operations plan

The operations plan outlines the logistical aspects of your gym, including location, premises, equipment and staffing needs. Make sure to select a suitable location that is easily accessible, has ample parking and aligns with where your target market is based.

Then determine the size and layout of your gym space based on the number of equipment, exercise areas, locker rooms and amenities. Research and budget for the necessary gym equipment, including cardio machines, weightlifting equipment and fitness accessories.

Lastly outline staffing requirements by identifying the number of trainers, instructors, front desk staff and maintenance personnel needed.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

The marketing and advertising plan lays out the strategies and campaigns you will implement to promote your gym business. To do this you’ll need to first identify your target audience and tailor your marketing efforts to reach them effectively.

Then, plan out a strong brand identity by creating a logo, color scheme and visual elements that resonate with your target market. (Need help creating a logo? Check out these fitness logo ideas or Wix’s free logo maker .)

Consider using various marketing channels such as social media platforms, online advertising, local partnerships and community events. Then plan compelling content that highlights the benefits of joining your gym and showcases success stories from existing members. You can also implement referral programs or incentives to encourage current members to bring in new customers.

06. Financial plan

The financial plan is a cornerstone of any gym business plan, providing an in-depth overview of how the business will secure initial funding, manage expenses, generate revenue and outline the projected time frame for achieving profitability. This section is pivotal in demonstrating the financial viability and sustainability of the gym business to potential investors, stakeholders and lenders.

Startup costs and funding: Starting a gym business entails various upfront costs that should be carefully estimated for accurate financial planning. These costs include lease or purchase of the gym space, equipment procurement, interior design, licensing and permits, marketing, initial staffing and operational supplies. Funding for these startup costs can come from diverse sources, such as personal savings, business loans, grants, partnerships or investments.

Revenue projections: Revenue projections provide a forecast of the expected income over a specific period, usually the first few years of the gym's operation. These projections should be based on thorough market research, competitor analysis and realistic expectations.

Profit and loss projection: The profit and loss projection, also known as the income statement , offers an overview of the gym business's revenue, expenses and net profit or loss over a specific period. It provides insights into the financial health of the business and its potential profitability.

Time frame for profitability: The time frame for achieving profitability in a gym business depends on factors like membership growth, marketing strategies, operational efficiency and retention rates. Typically, gyms aim to reach profitability within the first year or two of operation

Gym business plan examples

Creating a gym business plan from scratch can be a daunting task, especially if you're new to entrepreneurship. Fortunately, there are many resources available that provide gym business plan templates to help you get started. These templates serve as a framework for organizing your ideas and ensuring that you include all the necessary components in your plan. Here are two draft business plans for hypothetical gym businesses, incorporating the main parts discussed earlier.

By using templates as a starting point, you can customize them to fit your specific vision and goals for your gym. Remember to conduct thorough research, analyze your target market and develop strategies that set your gym apart from the competition. With a well-crafted gym business plan in hand, you'll be well-equipped to start your journey towards building a successful fitness facility.

Business plan template 1: neighborhood fitness studio

The Neighborhood Fitness Studio is a boutique gym located in a residential area, catering to individuals seeking a personalized fitness experience. Our mission is to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where members can achieve their health and wellness goals. With certified trainers, state-of-the-art equipment and a variety of group exercise classes, we aim to become the go-to fitness destination in our community.

Company name and domain name

We have chosen the name "FitHub" for our neighborhood fitness studio. The domain name www.fithub.com is available and aligns well with our brand identity.

Our target market consists of local residents aged 25 to 45 who value convenience and personalized attention

Competitor analysis reveals that there is no other gym within a two-mile radius offering specialized fitness programs tailored to individual needs

We plan to differentiate ourselves by offering personalized training plans, nutrition counseling and small group classes

We have secured a 2,000 square foot space in a commercial building with ample parking for our gym

The gym will be equipped with cardio machines, free weights, strength training equipment and a designated area for group exercise classes

We will hire certified personal trainers, fitness instructors and front desk staff to ensure excellent customer service

Marketing and advertising plan

We will utilize social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote our gym and engage with potential customers

Local partnerships with health food stores and wellness centers will allow us to reach a wider audience

We will offer a free trial period for new members and implement a referral program to incentivize word-of-mouth marketing

Business plan template 2: upscale fitness center

The Upscale Fitness Center is a premium gym targeting affluent individuals who prioritize luxury and exclusivity. Our mission is to provide a high-end fitness experience that combines cutting-edge equipment, personalized training and luxurious amenities. With our state-of-the-art facility, expert trainers and exclusive membership perks, we aim to become the preferred fitness destination for the elite in our city.

We have chosen the name "Elevate Fitness" for our upscale fitness center. The domain name www.elevatefitness.com is available and reflects our commitment to helping members elevate their fitness journey.

Marketing analysis and research

Our target market consists of high-income individuals aged 35 to 55 who value personalized service and are willing to invest in their health

Competitor analysis reveals that there are no other fitness centers in our city offering the same level of luxury and exclusivity

We plan to differentiate ourselves by offering VIP amenities, personalized training programs and exclusive member events

We have secured a 10,000 square foot space in a prime location, featuring high-end finishes and top-of-the-line fitness equipment

The fitness center will include dedicated areas for cardio, strength training, group exercise classes and a spa-like relaxation area

We will hire certified personal trainers, nutritionists and spa professionals to provide a comprehensive wellness experience for our members

We will leverage digital marketing strategies, such as targeted online advertising and influencer partnerships to reach our affluent target market

Exclusive membership events and collaborations with luxury brands will create buzz and attract high-profile individuals

We will offer personalized consultations and complimentary services to prospective members to showcase the unique value of our fitness center

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Gym Business Plans

Fitness equipment business plan.

Circuit Fitness Importing is a start-up business that has been formed to become the exclusive importer of the Wega Corporation’s innovative Esercitazione Diritta fitness equipment.

Health Club Business Plan

Corporate Fitness is a service-oriented, start-up business based on the belief that healthy employees are more productive and efficient employees.

Gymnastics Instruction Business Plan

Gymnastics Jump-Start will offer tumbling, introductory gymnastics, and low-level competitive gymnastics instruction to children in Bouncetown.

Karate Business Plan

City Dojo offers group and individual classes in the art of karate and self-defense.

Martial Arts School Business Plan

Cents and Senseibility is a new value-priced Taekwondo martial arts school.

Physical Fitness Gym Business Plan

Ladies Only Fitness’ goal is to provide a gym for young mothers who are looking for a fitness environment that is focused on their unique needs.

Rock Climbing Gym Business Plan

Igneous Rock Gym is a start up rock climbing gym that is dedicated to creating an ultra-safe environment with properly trained staff.

Weight Loss Seminars Business Plan

Brushy Mountain Retreat offers a series of workshop programs teaching a practical, livable, healthy livestyle approach to weight management.

Workout Gym Business Plan

Mountain Brook Fitness Center is a fitness center where parents can bring children to be taken care of while they do whatever exercise activity they desire.

A good gym involves more than just the right exercise equipment. You need to think of the type of clientele you’ll be serving, membership and subscription fees, hosting fitness classes, and finding new ways to differentiate your fitness center from the competition. The best way to plan all this out and leverage your strengths is by starting off with a business plan.

If you need a bit of inspiration check out or gym sample plans for fitness centers, corporate fitness, gyms, health clubs, as well as martial arts studios, gymnastics schools, and a number of other athletics businesses.

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Starting a Fitness Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Starting a fitness business is a heavy lift (pun intended). But it can also be a very rewarding industry to work in. You are helping people accomplish their fitness goals, and in turn, helping them to live healthier lives.

If you're looking to start a business with lucrative potential, this is a great industry to be in—the global health and fitness club market is projected to grow at a rate of 10.6% from 2018 to 2023. Furthermore, according to the 2019 International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHSRA) Global Report, the United States health club industry generated a record $32.3 billion in 2018. Comparatively, the United States health club industry only generated $25.8 billion in revenue in 2015.

If you're a fitness junkie, you already enjoy breaking a sweat. Now it's time to put in a different kind of work. Here's everything you need to do when starting a fitness business.

Starting a fitness business in 6 steps

A good fitness business is centered around providing excellent equipment, professional instruction, and personal training. But starting a fitness business requires a lot more than that. Here are the six steps you'll need to take to start your fitness business.

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Step 1: Decide what kind of fitness business you want to operate

There are many different kinds of fitness businesses out there. You can become a personal trainer, teach classes, or operate your own facility. There are pros and cons to each. Being a personal trainer is a low overhead venture if you're wondering how to start a fitness business with no money, but it requires in-depth knowledge of exercise and nutrition techniques. Operating a facility, on the other hand, requires a lot of overhead, but you can lean on the expertise of others. There are also gym franchising options to consider when thinking about starting a fitness business. Popular franchises include Crunch Fitness, Planet Fitness, and Pure Barre—you might even consider starting a Crossfit box.

If you're in need of inspiration for starting your fitness business, here are some popular options to consider:

Zumba studio

Physical therapy

Spin classes

Powerlifting gym

Yoga studio

Pilates studio

Step 2: Get trained

The next step in starting a fitness business is to get some training. Whether you want to know how to start a fitness training business or manage a gym, you need to have some background in fitness in order for people to actually think you know what you're doing. Good places to get credentialed include the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), American Council on Exercise, or National Academy of Sports Medicine. Legitimate certifications are accredited by either the NCCA (National Commission of Certifying Agencies) or the DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission).

Of course, training in fitness isn't the only education you'll need. You're also going to need to do a lot of research into learning exactly what it takes to start a business.

Step 3: Write a business plan and select an entity

This step is pretty similar regardless of whether you're starting a fitness business or any other kind of business. When you’re writing a business plan, there’s a lot you'll need to include. You might find it helpful to use a business plan template to make sure you cover all of your bases.

Factors to consider when writing your business plan include:

An analysis of the market

Who your competition is

Marketing and sales plan

Financial plan and projections

The key is to make sure there's a need for your business and that you'll be able to generate enough business to continue operating after you've invested so much to get started.

Another important part of your business plan when starting up a fitness business is selecting your business entity. Given the nature of the fitness business, you should go with a business entity that offers owners some protection from liability. A limited liability partnership or limited liability company might make the most sense for you if you’re looking for some liability protection.

Step 4: Get necessary permits and insurance

There may be certain business licenses and permits required to operate a gym in your state and locality. You should check with your town, city, or county clerk’s office to make sure you're following all the regulations outlined by your various governing agencies for starting a fitness business.

One permit you'll most certainly need is a certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy confirms that all building codes, zoning laws, and government regulations have been met. If you're leasing your gym space, it is typically the landlord's responsibility to obtain a certificate of occupancy.

Operating a gym also comes with some risks that opening another business might not. People are going to be working out, using equipment, walking around things they can trip over, and doing other potentially hazardous activities. You’ll want to make sure you get small business insurance for a host of scenarios so that if anything happens to someone while they’re in your gym, the business is covered.

You also want to be covered in the event that equipment is stolen or damaged. You might even want to encourage any instructors you hire to get personal trainer insurance as well.

Step 5: Get an EIN

There are a lot of reasons you need an employer identification number (EIN). It allows you to file taxes and avoid tax penalties, open a business bank account, speed up loan applications, establish business credit, and a lot more.

You can apply for an employer identification number online through the IRS. If you register with the IRS online, you should receive an EIN within minutes. Note that fitness businesses operating as sole proprietorships don't need an EIN, but it is still a good idea to get one for the aforementioned benefits.

Step 6: Get funding

If you're wondering how to start a fitness business with no money, some ventures aren't cheap, but you do have funding options that may work for you. According to health club consultant Bryan O'Rourke, costs start at $30,000 but can quickly soar to $500,000. What's more, getting a fitness business up and running takes some time—so you'll need to have a little in the bank.

If you’re looking for some startup funding there are a few options available to you, such as an SBA loan , a business line of credit, or a personal loan.

A business line of credit would give you access to money that you could pull from if you needed it in your early days of starting a fitness business. The difference between a line of credit and a loan is that while the money is available to you, you only have to pay interest on the funds you actually draw on.

There's also gym equipment financing , which is another great option if you're wondering how to start a fitness business with no money. The gym equipment purchased with the proceeds of the financing will, in turn, act as collateral for the gym equipment finance loan used to purchase it.

7 tips for starting a fitness business

Now that you know the steps you need to take when starting a fitness business, let's provide you with some tips that will help your business thrive. To provide you with the best advice possible, we talked to entrepreneurs who successfully started their own fitness business. Here's what they had to say:

1. Personalize your fitness business

The health and fitness club market is expected to grow to be a $147.1 billion industry by 2024, with an emphasis on personalized training.

Consider ClassPass, which operates in 18 countries around the world and is valued at $600 million. ClassPass teams up with classes at boutique studios to offer everything from cycling to yoga to dance to martial arts for its members. For a $19-$199 (which varies by subscription plan) monthly fee, members enjoy unlimited classes to studios in the ClassPass network and can attend the same studio up to a certain limit each month.

ClassPass’ success story is one example that customers want specialized, niche workouts offered in fitness boutique studios. If you're wondering how to start a fitness class business that will be attractive to a growing clientele, this is one example to follow. Other such examples include ShadowBox, a fitness boxing studio; GoRow Studios, a gym that specializes in workouts using rowing machines; then there’s modelFIT, a gym in New York and Los Angeles that is "marrying mindful nutrition with mindful exercise" and is a popular hangout for celebrities.

“People are kind of shying away from the lone wolf workout of going to a box or a membership gym because the [boutique fitness] market is more efficient,” says Eric Posner, CEO and co-founder of boutique cycling studio Swerve Fitness in New York City. “You get a better workout in a less amount of time and pay less than you would for a personal trainer by going to a fitness boutique.”

2. Make your fitness studio a place to hang out

In a panel discussion hosted by American Express' U.S. Small Merchants Group, ClassPass founder Payal Kadakia said fitness studios are “like the new restaurant scene"—it’s not just about burning calories and working out; it’s about the experience and lifestyle. It's paramount you know this if you want to know how to start a fitness business.

This concept of hanging out at your workout spot is how Posner, along with his co-founders Chelsea Kocis and John Henry McNierney came up with the idea for Swerve. It was just a few years ago that the three co-founders, who at the time were college athletes-turned-finance professionals, found themselves tired of taking clients through the typical dinner-and-drinks routine. Instead, they took them to cycling classes.

"We found this to be an unbelievable way to build relationships that were meaningful, as opposed to the typical steak dinners and drinks," says Posner.

“We were going to mostly cycling classes and what we saw about these classes was there were unbelievable ways to get an efficient workout in and do it with other people, but [these classes] weren't capturing the camaraderie of going with a group or going with other people. It was very individualistic,” continues Posner. “So, that's how we came up with the concept of a team-inspired indoor cycling workout.”

Making your gym a place people want to hang not only brings customers in the door, but also makes your fitness business a place they'll want to return to again and again.

3. Incorporate data into your services

We live in a data-driven world, so it makes sense that people want data-driven workouts. People want to see how many calories they burned, how their current performance compares to their past averages, and how they compare to other people—basically what they achieve when they leave a workout session.

Take the technologically-savvy Swerve workout room for example, where riders are divided into teams and try to bike their way to the highest score.

“Technology is playing a big role and the way that [Swerve was] able to tap into that is we have a console—you have a console on your bike—and you see your own personal metrics on this console during class,” explains Posner. “And there are big flat screens behind the instructors where you see your team's average score. After class, all your stats—and this shows how many miles you biked, how many calories you burned, where you ranked in class, and all that—can be viewed on your account profile.”

“So, we find that to be a huge motivating tactic for our riders… and that kind of adds another layer of accountability and it's very results-driven.” Want to know how to start a fitness business that will keep clients coming back? Give them the tools and data to accomplish their personal fitness goals.

4. Specialize in a type of workout or demographic

When Alana Kessler opened the doors to her yoga studio in 2009, she quickly realized classes offered to pregnant mothers who have busy, working lives basically didn’t exist. As a result, Kessler made prenatal classes essential to Sangha Yoga Shala's list of classes offered and has since then built a name for herself.

The key to how to start a fitness training business that offers quality, specialized classes is that you can’t skimp on good trainers. Spend time training instructors and finding excellent ones who will give your customers consistent results every time they’re in front of the class. If you want to know how to start a fitness business, the first thing you should figure out is how to acquire awesome trainer talent.

“I encourage my teachers to build,” advises Kessler. “I incentivize them to build with me. Some [studios] might tap out at a low rate to keep their overhead low, but I pay my teachers well.”

5. Get your studio on social media

Vanessa Packer, co-founder of modelFIT, told the audience at American Express' panel discussion that Instagram played an “instrumental part” in helping modelFIT become a lifestyle instead of just a gym. This means reaching out and engaging with your community on social media.

Do you make it easy for customers to post about their experience? Do you respond in a timely manner that builds connections with existing clients? Additionally, have you thought about untraditional marketing strategies to spread the word for your business? For example, ClassPass gave away passes to influential fitness bloggers in the beginning to quickly get their story out there. What social media marketing techniques could your fitness business do?

6. You'll need to wear many hats

According to Tyler Sellers, senior coach at Total Shape, starting a fitness business requires a lot more than just fitness instruction.

"You must be well-prepared for the behind-the-scenes logistics, especially at the start. As a piece of advice, being a small business owner means that you are the accountant, the administrator, the marketer, and the trainer at the same time," Sellers says.

7. Hire excellent staff

When Laurel Roach started TriFIT Wellness, a corporate wellness training facility in Phoenix, AZ, she says she didn't have a background in the fitness business. Therefore, she had to lean on the staff she hired in order to make her business a success.

"I recommend hiring the most qualified trainers because the wellness industry is notoriously under-regulated," says Roach. "Genuinely passionate employees are difficult to replace so make it a priority to hire and retain the trainers that make your customers feel like an all-star."

Start Your Dream Business

The bottom line

Starting a fitness business is a lot of hard work. But if you succeed, you'll join a booming industry that helps people live their life to the fullest.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

How to Create a Flawless Gym Business Plan

Your gym business plan is your roadmap to success. It guides you on your journey, helps you to make better decisions, and attracts potential angel investors to your business. Creating a business plan is a process. It’s easy to think of your business plan as one single document that you build and then you’re done. But, your business plan evolves and changes with you; it’s not a static checklist. 

Whether you’re starting a new small business or expanding an existing one, a business plan sets the foundation for success.

A great gym involves more than fitness equipment. Setting up a gym is a big task which is why you want to give yourself the best opportunity to succeed. All stages of your business plan are equally important and essential for the final steps. In this article, we try to understand the core elements of a gym business plan and how you can craft a business plan for your fitness business. 

• What is a gym business plan? 
• Why do you need a fitness center business plan?
• 8 steps to create a great gym business plan 

What is a Gym Business Plan? 

Before we dive into how to create your business plan, let’s start at the beginning. So, what is a gym business plan? Well, it’s a document that tells the reader who you are as a business and a realistic idea of where the business is heading. At a basic level, your business plan answers the following questions: 

• How does your business work?
• How are you going to succeed?
• What steps do you need to take to succeed?

Research shows that entrepreneurs who write formal business plans are more likely to succeed . Business owners seeking external financial support are also more likely to commit their thoughts to a formal business plan. With a new business, it’s beneficial to pull your ideas into focus and put pen to paper. 

The 6 Crucial Steps to Opening a Gym or Studio

Why do you need a fitness center business plan .

The main aim of your gym business plan is to create a blueprint for your business. For instance, if a potential investor were to read your business plan, they would understand how your gym will progress and succeed in the future. Your business plan also helps you to identify fresh opportunities and see gaps in your current business model or setup. Depending on where your business is, a business plan can be dual-purpose. Here’s why you need a business plan from day one. 

1. Test Your Business Idea 

Starting a fitness business is by no means easy. So, you have an idea, and you think it could be a winner. But you can’t always go out and test that idea. A business plan allows you to feasibly test that idea without actually starting the business. Working through your idea and creating a business plan allows you to break down numbers, analyze the market and competitors, and save you a lot of time in the long run. In the early stages, it’s a good idea to work through your idea and create a business plan. The more knowledge you have about your business, industry, and potential customers, the better you can see if your business idea could be a success. 

2. Attracts Investors and Secure Funding 

If you want to attract investors, you need a business plan. Most businesses need to secure funding and seek outside financial support. A thorough business plan helps you to obtain startup capital and funding for your new gym business. Even established businesses often need extra funding for expansion and business growth. Potential investors and finance companies will need concrete numbers with facts and figures to move forward with your business. Without a business plan, there is little to no chance of getting funding from investors, banks, or other external financial institutions. 

Read More: How to Get Financing For Your Gym

3. achieve short-term and long-term goals .

It’s great to have both short-term and long-term goals in mind, but it’s important to go a step further. A good business plan will contain detailed strategies on how you intend to achieve these goals. It could involve your business model, equipment plans, hiring strategies, and marketing efforts. Think about everything that you need to do to achieve your goals. Most businesses tend to have overarching business goals that are supported by smaller goals. It’s crucial that your business plan maps out your strategies for achieving your goals. Because goals and strategies can shift, as your business evolves, you can update your business plan as necessary. 

4. Make business planning manageable 

A business plan is important for both new and established businesses. Firstly, a business plan gives you a higher chance of success. Budgeting, market analysis, and planning will set the foundation for a smoother beginning. When you have set out your goals and strategies to help you achieve them, you can implement what you need to progress. This whole process helps to make business planning more manageable and effective. A great business plan helps you to manage your business, monitor, and assess your progress over time. 

Chris Cooper, a gym owner, author, and the founder of the Two Brain Business offers expert insight into the proven formula for a successful fitness business . In an episode on The Fitness Founders Podcast, he talks about how gyms were forced to rethink their business models during the COVID-19 crisis and where fitness operators should spend their time and money to be successful. 

Read More: How ABC Glofox Can Boost Your Business

8 steps to create a great gym business plan .

Developing a business plan is an organized process where you go through specific steps to achieve a final result. To start, think about where you are now and where you want to be. This will help you get into the right mindset when writing your business plan. There will be many times when you will refer to your business plan to help you make a decision. So, the more information you have, the better. You will need to dig deep into your business idea, future finances, competitors, and fitness industry to help you collate the information together. By following these eight steps, you can begin to cover all the different aspects of your health club and start building a great gym business plan template. 

1. Executive Summary 

The executive summary is always at the top of the business plan. It should be an attention-grabbing business pitch that’s short and concise, yet interesting. You will continue to flesh out the points from your executive summary throughout the document. But this first section should be very clear and engaging. Although the executive summary is the first document in the business plan, it can be easier to write it at the end. Keep in mind what it should include so that you answer your own questions as you write your business plan. The executive summary should explain: 

• Who – who you are and what you offer. 
• Why – what you hope to accomplish. 
• How –  how you are going to get there, 

2. Company Overview 

The company overview is a more detailed description of your business. You go beyond talking about who you are and delve into the type of clientele you plan on serving, how your business stands out from the competition, and the goals of your business. Because gym business models can differ, now is a good time to explain how you will run your business in more detail. Your executive summary states your mission statement and explains your thoughts at a high level. As you go through your business plan, you have the opportunity to expand and build on your thinking to showcase your business. Your company overview can include: 

• Expand on the purpose of your business. 
• Business model and structure.
• Products and services you offer. 
• Target market research.  
• Founding story. 
• Legal structure. 

3. Industry Analysis 

The industry or market analysis is where you investigate the local market. Think about your niche, current trends in the market, and how your business aligns with market demand. You’re looking to evaluate the fit of your business in today’s market. Try to include some facts and statistics about your industry and the future of the market. For example, a gym looking to obtain funding for expansion into online fitness would include trends and statistics on the rapid acceleration of digital fitness and where the market is headed in the future. 

4. Customer Analysis 

Within the gym industry, there are various niches and audience segments. Even within one business, you can have multiple target audience personas. The customer base you choose to target will have a big impact on your business, the types of services you offer, and how you market yourself. Start by breaking your target customers down by the following: 

• Demographics – age, gender, income level, occupation, location, and education, etc.   
• Psychographics – needs, interests, opinions, beliefs, and values, etc.  

5. Competitor Analysis 

A competitor analysis investigates businesses that are direct competitors to you. These are the gyms that offer a similar service in your niche. Although you can mention indirect competitors, this section is mainly for a detailed analysis of your direct competitors. Depending on your business type, you could have both in-person competitors as well as digital-only competitors. Although it may be impossible to find out everything about a competitor, you can usually get a clear idea from your research. Break down each of your competitors into the following: 

• Services and products they offer 
• Target audience 
• Pricing and business model 
• Strengths and weaknesses 

6. Marketing Strategy 

The marketing section of your business plan is the place to explain everything you plan to do to get your services in front of your target audience. Include your strategy, projected startup costs, and consider who will be handling the marketing efforts of the business. Your marketing strategy can include: 

• Social media marketing 
• Advertising 
• Email marketing 
• Referral program 
• Sponsorships
• Partnerships 

7. Management Team 

Ideally, you and your team members have fitness experience within your niche. This section is a great place to highlight the skills, experience, and expertise of your management team. By doing this, it helps to show how specific team members will help you to achieve success. Lay out key members of your team. This doesn’t need to be limited to your fitness experts, but other experts who will guide your business like marketing and sales managers, customer service, and maintenance personnel. How you structure your business and the type of compensation and benefits you offer will help you to attract and retain high-quality talent over time. 

8. Financial Plan 

Depending on where you are with your business, your financial plan can include current financials for the most recent year and future projections. Your projected revenue should be based on facts and solid research with supporting numbers. The financial plan can include a five-year projection with detailed breakdowns of monthly and annual earnings. Think about your income, cash flow, costs, and outgoings. Your finances are the backbone of your business, so it’s important to be as thorough as possible. 

In Summary 

Starting a business is hard and comes with its own set of challenges. A good business plan gives you a point of reference to help you navigate your business. Whether you’re looking to expand your gym or start from scratch, a business plan covers all aspects of your gym so that you have every opportunity to succeed. While you may face some unforeseen issues, a business plan helps you to identify potential problems as much as possible. Your business plan isn’t a static document set in stone, instead, it can serve as a guide to growth and your future success through changing times. 

If you’re looking for a fitness business platform that can help you create a fitness franchise that will stand the test of time, ABC Glofox is the platform for you. Along with reducing your admin time by 20%, the ABC Glofox platform, on average doubles user revenue in just 18 months.

If you’re ready to take the next step in growing your fitness business, book a call with a member of our team today.

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How to Build a Fitness Community With ABC Glofox

How ABC Glofox Uses Data to Boost Your Business Growth 

How to Build a Fitness Community – The 6 Essential Steps

How ABC Glofox Saves You Time  

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Fitness Business Plan Template (+ Free Examples)

Use this free fitness business plan template to modify and use as you learn how to create a fitness business plan.

Do you dream of starting your own fitness business ? With the increasing demand for health and wellness services, now is the perfect time to turn your passion for fitness into a profitable venture. There are many ways to make money with fitness (you can even start a fitness business from home or start a fitness business with no money ). However, before diving headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive fitness business plan that will serve as your roadmap to success.

Looking to start a fitness business? Our comprehensive fitness business plan template will guide you through the process, helping you create a solid foundation for success. Then learn how to create a gym business plan , how to create a gym budget , how to create a gym sales forecast , how to get a gym loan , and more—all part of understanding how much it costs to open a gym , how to start a fitness business , and how to start a gym . Or maybe you want to learn how to become a fitness influencer —we’ve got you covered with the best online fitness coaching software and the best fitness software for fitness influencers who want to start a fitness influencer business online.

And, of course, managing your fitness business online with the best gym management software and the best personal training software means that you can easily create fitness session plans, waivers, forms, fitness assessments, lead forms, registration forms, online booking, workout plans, and much more. Save yourself some time and hassle and get a demo with the best fitness business platform: Exercise.com.

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Fitness Business Plan Template

[business/brand name], executive summary.

Business Concept

• Briefly describe the fitness business idea, its core offerings, and unique value proposition.
• Outline the short-term and long-term goals of the business.

Mission Statement

• A clear statement defining the business’s purpose and approach to reaching its goals.

Vision Statement

• A depiction of what the business aspires to achieve in the future.

Business Description

Nature of the Business

• Detailed explanation of the type of fitness business (e.g., gym, personal training studio, online coaching service).

Target Market

• Description of the target demographic and their fitness needs.
• Details about the business location and why it’s beneficial.

Market Analysis

Industry Overview

• Overview of the fitness industry, current trends, and future projections.

Target Market Analysis

• Detailed analysis of the target market, including demographic, psychographic, and behavioral aspects.

Competitive Analysis

• Analysis of competitors, their strengths and weaknesses, and your business’s competitive edge.

Services and Products

Service/Product Offering

• Detailed description of services and products offered (e.g., personal training, group classes, wellness programs).

Pricing Strategy

• Rationale behind pricing models for services and products.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

Marketing Plan

• Strategies for reaching and attracting the target market.
• Channels and tactics to be used (e.g., social media marketing, community events, referral programs).

Sales Strategy

• Approach for converting prospects into customers.
• Sales funnel and customer journey mapping.

Operational Plan

Daily Operations

• Description of daily business operations, including opening hours and staffing.

Facilities and Equipment

• Details about the physical space and equipment required for the business.

Suppliers and Partnerships

• Information on any third-party suppliers and partnerships.

Management and Organization

Organizational Structure

• Breakdown of the business’s organizational structure.
• Roles and responsibilities of key team members.

Management Team

• Profiles of key management team members.

Financial Plan

Start-Up Costs

• Detailed list of initial expenses to start the business.

Revenue Projections

• Forecast of revenue for the first few years.

Profit and Loss Statement

• Projection of income, expenses, and profitability.

Funding Requirements

• Total amount of capital needed to start and run the business.
• Plans for securing funding (e.g., loans, investors).
• Additional supporting documents like market research data, resumes of key team members, detailed financial forecasts.

Using a platform like Exercise.com can significantly enhance the operation of a fitness business. Its comprehensive tools for client management, workout programming, scheduling, and reporting can streamline business processes and improve client engagement and retention.

This template provides a structured approach for creating a fitness business plan. It can be customized to reflect the specifics of your fitness business idea, market, and operational strategy.

Fitness Business Plan Example 1: Dynamic Pulse Gym

Dynamic pulse gym.

• Dynamic Pulse Gym, a state-of-the-art fitness center specializing in personalized training programs and high-energy group classes.
• Short-term: Establish a member base of 500 within the first year.
• Long-term: Expand to multiple locations and incorporate wellness services.
• To provide an empowering fitness environment that motivates members to achieve their health goals.
• To be recognized as the premier fitness destination in [City/Region] that transforms lives through innovative fitness solutions.
• A full-service gym offering cutting-edge equipment, diverse fitness classes, and personalized training.
• Health-conscious adults aged 20-50, looking for a motivating and supportive fitness environment.
• Situated in [City/Region], in a densely populated area with high foot traffic.
• Growing interest in personal health and fitness, with an increase in demand for versatile workout options.
• Busy professionals and fitness enthusiasts seeking convenient and varied workout options.
• Competitors include local gyms and fitness studios. Dynamic Pulse Gym differentiates itself with advanced technology integration and a wide range of services.
• Personalized fitness assessments, one-on-one personal training, various group classes like yoga, spin, and HIIT.
• Wellness workshops and nutritional counseling sessions.
• Competitive membership fees with premium options for additional services.
• Launch campaign with social media ads, local partnerships, and community events.
• Ongoing engagement through a referral program, member testimonials, and fitness challenges.
• Focus on building relationships through free trial sessions and personalized gym tours.
• Implement a tiered membership system to cater to different customer needs.
• Operation hours from 5 AM to 11 PM, with a staff of trained fitness professionals.
• 10,000 square feet facility equipped with cardio machines, weightlifting areas, a yoga studio, and a spin room.
• Equipment sourced from leading manufacturers; partnerships with local wellness brands.
• Led by a CEO, with departments for operations, marketing, and training.
• CEO with extensive experience in the fitness industry.
• Operations Manager with a background in gym management.
• Marketing Manager skilled in digital marketing.
• Estimated $250,000 for facility lease, equipment purchase, and initial marketing.
• Projected $500,000 revenue in the first year based on membership and service sales.
• Expected profitability within the first two years with controlled operating expenses.
• Seeking $300,000 in funding for initial start-up and operational costs.
• Market research data, equipment lists, detailed biographies of management team members.

Exercise.com’s comprehensive platform enhances Dynamic Pulse Gym’s operational efficiency, offering seamless scheduling, client management, workout creation, and progress tracking. This robust system ensures that Dynamic Pulse Gym operates at the forefront of the fitness industry with superior client engagement and retention.

Fitness Business Plan Example 2: Holistic Harmony Online Coaching

Holistic harmony online coaching.

• Holistic Harmony, an online coaching service focusing on holistic health, combining fitness, nutrition, and mental wellness.
• Short-term: Build a client base of 100 active clients in six months.
• Long-term: Develop a holistic wellness app and expand service offerings.
• To guide clients towards a balanced lifestyle through tailored online coaching.
• To become a leading online platform for holistic health and wellness coaching.
• Online personal coaching with a holistic approach, offering custom workout plans, nutrition advice, and mindfulness coaching.
• Individuals seeking a balanced approach to health, particularly remote workers and those with busy lifestyles.
• Fully online operation with the potential for global reach.
• Increasing demand for online health services and a shift towards holistic health approaches.
• Individuals aged 25-45, primarily working professionals who prefer the flexibility of online coaching.
• Other online fitness and wellness platforms. Holistic Harmony’s comprehensive approach and personalized services provide a competitive edge.
• Custom online fitness programs, nutritional planning, and virtual mindfulness sessions.
• Subscription-based pricing with different tiers based on service levels.
• Digital marketing strategy focusing on content marketing, influencer collaborations, and targeted social media campaigns.
• Offering free initial consultations and introductory discounts to new clients.
• Leveraging testimonials and success stories for client acquisition.
• Regular client check-ins, content creation for the platform, and ongoing program adjustments.
• No physical facility required. Investment in a high-quality website and coaching software.
• Collaboration with freelance nutritionists and mental health experts.
• Founder-led with a small team of certified coaches and administrative support.
• Founder with expertise in fitness training and holistic health.
• Team of freelance professionals for specialized coaching needs.
• Approximately $50,000 for website development, marketing, and initial software setup.
• Anticipated $150,000 in the first year, based on subscription model and consulting services.
• Profitability projected within the first year with minimal operating expenses.
• Seeking $75,000 in seed funding for initial setup and marketing.
• Detailed website plan, service descriptions, and credentials of coaching team.

Utilizing Exercise.com’s versatile platform, Holistic Harmony can streamline client management, workout and nutrition plan creation, and progress monitoring. This platform facilitates efficient operations and high client engagement, positioning Holistic Harmony as an innovative leader in online holistic coaching.

These examples demonstrate how a fitness business plan can be structured for different types of fitness ventures, emphasizing the integration of Exercise.com as a key tool for operational efficiency and enhanced client service.

Why You Need a Fitness Business Plan

A fitness business plan is more than just a document. It is your blueprint for building a thriving fitness empire. Whether you are seeking investors or planning to self-finance your venture, a well-crafted business plan will demonstrate your understanding of the industry, your target market, and your sustainable competitive advantage. Moreover, it will provide you with a clear roadmap and actionable strategies to navigate through the challenges and uncertainties that come with starting and running a fitness business.

Additionally, a fitness business plan can help you secure funding from banks or other financial institutions. Lenders often require a detailed business plan to assess the viability and potential profitability of your fitness business. By including financial projections, market analysis, and a comprehensive marketing strategy in your plan, you can increase your chances of obtaining the necessary funding to launch or expand your fitness venture.

Key Components of a Fitness Business Plan

When creating a fitness business plan, there are several key components that you need to include. These components will ensure that your plan covers all essential aspects of your fitness business, allowing you to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively.

The first component is setting clear goals and objectives for your fitness business. This includes defining what you want to achieve and outlining specific milestones that will measure your progress. By setting clear goals, you can stay focused and motivated throughout your journey.

The second component is defining your target market. Understanding your ideal customers is crucial for tailoring your products and services to their needs and preferences. By conducting thorough market research, you can identify your target market’s demographics, interests, and pain points, enabling you to position your fitness business as the ultimate solution.

Next, you need to develop a unique selling proposition (USP) for your fitness business. Your USP is what sets you apart from your competitors and gives your target market a compelling reason to choose your fitness services over others. By identifying your unique value proposition, you can communicate your brand’s distinctiveness effectively.

Another essential component is analyzing the competition in the fitness industry. By assessing your competitors, their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning, you can gain valuable insights to refine your business strategies and maximize your competitive advantage.

Creating a comprehensive marketing strategy is also crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Your marketing strategy should outline the channels and tactics you will use to reach your target market effectively. This includes online and offline marketing, social media, content creation, and building strategic partnerships.

Designing your products and services is another vital component of your fitness business plan. You need to clearly outline the range of services you will offer, including personal training, group classes, or specialized programs. Additionally, you should consider the equipment, facilities, and technology required to deliver exceptional experiences to your clients.

Outlining financial projections is essential for creating a sustainable business. This includes estimating your revenue, expenses, and profit margins. By projecting your financials, you can determine pricing strategies that balance profitability and competitiveness.

Estimating startup costs and funding sources is another critical component of your fitness business plan. This involves identifying the capital required to launch and operate your business and exploring financing options, such as loans, investors, or personal savings.

Formulating a management and organizational structure is crucial for streamlining your operations and ensuring smooth business processes. This includes defining roles and responsibilities, creating a hierarchy, and establishing efficient communication channels.

An effective sales and customer service strategy is essential for driving revenue and creating customer loyalty. You need to define how you will generate sales, whether through memberships, packages, or partnerships. Additionally, you should outline your approach to customer service, including feedback collection, complaint handling, and staff training.

Developing a strong brand identity is crucial for standing out in the crowded fitness market. Your brand identity should encompass your mission, values, visual elements, and tone of voice. By aligning your brand with your target market’s aspirations, you can create a powerful connection that inspires loyalty and drives referrals.

Implementing technology solutions is vital for enhancing your fitness business’s operations. This includes utilizing management software, scheduling systems, and online booking platforms to streamline administrative tasks and improve customer engagement.

Creating an actionable timeline and milestones will ensure that you stay on track and achieve your business goals within a specific timeframe. This involves breaking down your business plan into smaller, manageable tasks and setting deadlines to complete them.

Evaluating risk factors and formulating contingency plans is necessary for protecting your fitness business from potential threats and uncertainties. By identifying risks and establishing protocols to mitigate their impact, you can ensure business continuity and resilience.

Finally, monitoring and reviewing the performance of your fitness business based on the plan is essential for making data-driven decisions and adapting to market changes. By regularly analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), such as revenue, customer satisfaction, and employee productivity, you can identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments to drive growth.

In conclusion, creating a comprehensive fitness business plan is the first step towards turning your fitness passion into a successful business venture. By addressing all key components, you can ensure that your plan covers every critical aspect of your fitness business, allowing you to make informed decisions and navigate challenges with confidence. Remember, a well-crafted business plan is not only a roadmap; it is your recipe for success in the ever-evolving fitness industry.

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How To Draft the Perfect Gym Business Plan

A good gym involves a lot more than just the right exercise equipment. You need to think of the type of clientele you’ll be serving, membership and subscription fees, hosting fitness classes, and finding new ways to make your gym stand apart from your competitors. Setting up a gym is by no means an easy task, which is why the best way forward is to start off with a gym business plan.

So what is a business plan?

It is a formal document that lays down who you are as a business and gives a realistic picture of where the business will go in the future. At a fundamental level – It is a document that shows exactly how your business works, how it’s going to succeed, and the steps you need to take to get there.

Do you even need a business plan for your gym?

Industries are now gradually clawing back to their pre-pandemic growth rate. Old enterprises are re-opening and new businesses are popping up faster than we can imagine. To new entrepreneurs, business plans are more of a formality that can be overlooked. But sometimes, undermining the importance of a strategic plan for the growth of your business can backfire.

According to a study , business owners who have a well-defined business plan have almost twice the probability of securing capital and growing their enterprise when compared to those who don’t. 

How will a gym business plan help you?

The primary purpose of a plan is to create a roadmap of how a gym will progress in the foreseeable future. Writing a business plan can be a useful exercise to help you discover fresh ideas which you might have missed and gauge if there is any room for improvement. While starting a gym, you can rely on your business plan for things like:

• Deeper assessment of the market : Making a business plan forces you to research the various aspects that will influence your gym’s success. These could include things like your ideal clients, target market, facility and equipment costs, local competitors, and any other market variables that could impact your business’ success.
• Choosing the right way forward: By getting ideas down on paper through various rough drafts of plans, you will be able to evaluate what has the best chance of success. This allows you to focus your time and energy wisely.
• Fund acquisition: Without a clear image of how the money will be used, no smart investor or lender will put money into a business. A good business plan lays out how the money will be spent and what the primary goals will be.
• Detailed mapping: Even though you have company goals in mind and rough ideas for achieving them, having your strategies written down is not the same as having them in your head. A good gym business plan will include thorough plans for marketing, resource allocation, hiring new staff, and other initiatives to help you achieve your objectives. It can assist you in understanding the scope of the fitness industry and determining the resources required to get started.

How do you go about writing one?

Creating a business plan is an organized and detailed process that helps you define the key metrics associated with your business. For this, you need to have a mindset that helps you to make strategic decisions while having realistic expectations . To begin with, ask yourself: 

• Where are you right now?
• Where do you want to be in the future?
• And, how do you envision yourself getting there?

Understanding the answers to these questions will put you in the right spot to draft the best possible plan for your gym. Generally, there are 2 types of business plan templates: 

• Lean start-up business plan ; and
• Traditional business plan .

A lean start-up business template highlights the key components of your strategy which allows you to view all the relevant details of your business in a single go.

However, having just a lean start-up plan for your business isn’t enough. Banks and financial institutions require extensive business plans as they can showcase an in-depth study of your business and how you plan to take it forward.

A compromise between the two might be the best for your gym . A lean business plan template could be useful for having an overview of your setup. There will be many occasions where you might need to refer to your plan for some important decision, and a lean business plan would be useful in those instances. On the other hand, a detailed gym business plan will be a necessity during fund acquisition, asset expansion, and internal guidance. So keeping both of these handy will not put you at a disadvantage, to say the least 🙂

The 9 key elements of a detailed gym business plan

Drafting a gym business plan is by no means an easy task. You have to strategize a plan of operation, dig deep into the market, run competitor analysis, project financial data for upcoming years, and collate everything in a single document.

We have established businesses that can be susceptible to changes, so owners of pre-existing gyms need to know about how they should update their business plans for future reference.

On the other hand, upcoming gym owners might not know what to include in their business plan, simply because this isn’t something people do on a daily basis. On top of that, they also have to keep their preparation for setting up their gym on track.

While all of that may seem a little overwhelming at first, it’s okay to work at your own pace and do your tasks one step at a time. You don’t have to learn everything at once. This is why, for your reference, we have put together a series of blog posts on:

• How to draft a gym business plan; and
• How to start a gym . 

Now that you have a fair idea of what a gym business plan means and how important of a role it plays in the growth of a gym, let’s look at its 9 key elements which will help you cover every single aspect of your gym without missing out on anything:

• Executive Summary
• Gym Business Overview
• Market Analysis
• Competitor Analysis
• Products and Services
• Sales and Marketing Strategies
• Management and Operation Plan
• Financial Projections
• Funding Requirements

We have also included a sample gym business plan for you at the end of this blog ( Click here to go right to it ) .

1. Executive Summary

Having a strong executive summary is crucial if you’re looking for investors or loan sanctions. If your first few pages aren’t compelling enough, potential investors or loan officers would find the document mundane, which is the last thing you would want! 

This section is basically a summary or an overview of the business plan. Give a brief description of your gym along with a summary of the market analysis that you have done. Then explain why your gym is uniquely qualified to fit in this market. Your executive summary should address the following questions:

• What is your business model and its strengths?
• What market demand will your gym fulfill?
• What key market data supports your concept?
• What is your competitive advantage?
• What will be your support line in terms of revenue, expenses, and profit/loss for the first three years?
• What are you requesting in terms of funding?

While you’re working on the executive summary, you might find yourself wanting to fill in more data than required, and it is important that you DON’T . The purpose of the executive summary is to highlight your goals for the gym and to give a very high-level understanding of the steps you will be taking in order to achieve those goals. You will have plenty of opportunities to fill in all the relevant information under the coming sections.

2. Gym Business Overview

This is a more detailed description of your gym, the clientele you serve (or the clients you hope to serve), and how it stands out from the competition. This is also a good place to include your goals for your gym

The executive summary captures the mission statement and a high-level understanding of the goals that you want to achieve. You can build on these points in your gym business overview to provide further detail. Try to cover:

• The purpose of your gym – Spreading awareness about maintaining good health, helping people stay fit, etc.
• Target audience ; niche-specific type of gym
• The founding details of your enterprise
• Strategies you will be adopting in different departments to achieve your goals
• The legal structure of your business

3. Market Analysis

Focus on writing about what your market is about and the specific niche your gym fits into. Think of things like:

• Do you have a niche?
• What kind of audience comes under this niche? 
• What are the current trends in the fitness industry? Do your business plans cover these trends and how compatible are these trends with your ideal clients?

Carefully examine your local market and your gym’s potential to fit into that market successfully. It’s a good idea to include some hard data and statistics to show where the market has been and where it’s expected to go.

4. Competitor Analysis

Research your competitors . You should make a list of direct and indirect competitors with their strengths and limitations, as well as how your gym compares to them.

• Direct competitors: This includes gyms similar to yours in the local area that are going after the same type of customer.
• Indirect competitors : These are the other types of gyms, health and fitness-based centers in your local area that target your market with different kinds of products and services.

You can talk to locals, hand out questionnaires, and do surveys to gain some insights. Ask them why they chose their current gym, what all do they think they are missing out on, and try to capitalize on that. Getting real-time information can be difficult but it is the most valuable feedback you can get . Collate the data under this heading and highlight how your gym can fulfill the wants of your potential customers.

5. Products and Services

This section is a detailed breakdown of what you offer to your customers. It should cover membership options, group classes, available exercise equipment, and personal training opportunities. You can also include child care options, or special training sessions, whatever fits your idea.

Discuss the needs that your services fill for your target audience. Use this section to detail any plans to add or change services, including the projected cost and payoff for those changes.

You could also explore opportunities to sell products. This can help you establish your brand and kick off an additional source of revenue. Ensure that if you plan to sell health food items, keep in check with food hygiene standards and include procurement sources and a budgeting overview. 

6. Sales & Marketing Strategies

Sales & marketing strategies are a key part of the fundamentals of funding plans and financial projections. These are highly dependent on market research and competitor analysis . Your marketing strategy can comprise of:

• Improving services
• Advertising
• Sponsorship
• Loyalty plans
• Website promotions
• Email marketing
• New equipment

There are no boundaries to your ideas here. It is very important to try and cover all possible bases because these strategies will help you maintain the rate of client acquisition and increase your client retention period. For an in-depth understanding, this section should address the following questions:

• What membership types will you offer and what will you charge for them?
• What are your sales forecasts?
• What is your strategy to get your target market into your club and convert them into members?
• What is your unique selling proposition?
• What promotional offers and marketing strategies will you use during pre-sale and post-launch?
• How will you retain your members?

It’s easy to overlook marketing strategies while doing extensive research on other things which constitute your business plan, which is why we’ve created a list of some simple, low investment, and high ROI gym marketing ideas. Check out this blog to learn about different ways to get more clients for your gym.

7. Management & Operations Plan

This is one of the most important sections of a business plan, while you’re in the phase of opening a gym because this will outline how your gym will actually function and what are the various moving parts involved.

Lay out the key members of your management team and the experience they can bring to help grow your business. This should not be limited to fitness experts and trainers you hire, but also people with business experience who will help you with administrative tasks. It is important to show any potential investors that the right people are in place to help your gym succeed.

If you plan on managing the club, include your bio alongside the rest of the management team’s profile in the appendix. Provide an organizational chart along with a description of any non-management staff you’ll need. They can include:

• Personal Trainers
• Sales/membership managers
• Storage handlers
• Customer service
• Maintenance personnel

Outside of rent, labor is the biggest expense for most fitness club operators, so having the right compensation is critically important. Break down your management and staff profile, along with their compensation and benefits plans. ( Xanax )

How you structure compensation and benefits will impact your ability to attract and retain a strong team and can make the difference on whether or not your business is profitable in the short and long term. So give these points and good thought before cementing anything in your plan.

8. Financial Projections

Include your financials for the most recent year, as well as your projected revenue for the coming years. These projections should be based on the solid market research you’ve done.

Create comprehensive financial projections that include income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the next three years based on the expected best and worst-case scenarios. Provide context for these numbers by comparing them to industry benchmarks. Start-up costs, payroll expectations, debt payment schedules are important to reference as well.

Make sure to consider membership and revenue-generating service ramp-up, membership churn, and staff compensation in your projections.

9. Funding Requirement

Use this as an opportunity to think realistically about your business. Include the key external resources you might consider to get funded. These could be:

• Personal savings
• Soft loans (family members, friends, gifts)
• Crowdfunding
• Sponsorship from other business

Detail exactly where you plan to get your funding from, and how much . If you’ve previously made loan applications, make a note of them here for any potential investor to consider.

Conclusion (+ Free template)

Starting a business has its own set of challenges, but the payoff is well worth the effort in the end. If you have a gym business plan that covers all you’ve learned so far, you’ll be able to kickstart a gym with a bang! Simply because your plan:

• Will act as a point of reference for you when you have to make important decisions.
• Be a resource to help you secure investment.
• Give you the security that you have explored all aspects of your new business.
• Show partners or new employees which direction you aim to head in.

Want a template to get you started? 

Check out this gym business plan template that we’ve created for you. 

Download the FREE gym business plan template!

Save it or print it out and use it to create a robust business plan!

Yay! You are one step ahead in a successful personal training business!

Every business is unique. So, don’t be afraid to tailor your own gym startup business plan that is specific to your needs.  Even though sample business plans are designed to assist you in creating the ideal presentation for your clients and investors, it is ultimately up to you to decide how you can best communicate your ideas.

About Appointy

We at Appointy, help business owners grow and run their businesses with our online scheduling software. This blog was a part of our ‘Manage your Business’ category, where we provide expert tips, and resources, or simply talk about the challenges that small and medium businesses face every day. 

If you have any thoughts on this blog or would like to chat about your business struggles and achievements, let us know in the comments below. 

We love a good talk!

Hi there!! As I have been reading going through on How to draft the perfect gym business plan. I then saw where it states check the template but there is no where to print or open. Please help

Hi Magellan! Please try adding your email and then click on the “Download!” button, you’ll find a printable PDF template.

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Writing a Gym Business Plan? 10 Step Guide To Gym Business Strategy

Powerful integrations

Backed by industry standards

If you’re reading this, you’re probably the type of person who takes exercising seriously.

Has the idea of starting a gym suddenly sparked your interest? Or perhaps it’s a lifelong ambition of yours, and you are now ready to make a move.

Either way, what’s brilliant is that you’ve picked the right door. Because the first step you need to take is creating a gym business plan .

As the notorious American football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, once said, “It’s not the will to win that matters—everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.”

Knowing the structure of your business, understanding your target market and Unique Selling Point (USP), forecasting your financials, and hashing out any other details about your future gym: these are the vital components needed to create a valuable business plan.

Are you ready to make a name for yourself in a £4.7 billion industry which is steadily growing? Then let’s get started.

But before we get on the treadmill….

Ask yourself: can you afford to run a gym? This venture could see you outlay on equipment, personal trainers, class instructors, insurance policies, property fees, and more, depending on the scope of your gym.

If you’re comfortable financially, think about how much personal time you are willing to sacrifice, especially in the beginning. Maintaining that work/life balance is one of the greatest challenges of starting any business; you’ll probably need extra working hours to become fully operational.

Remember, though, that money and time won’t be enough to pass ‘Go’ if you don’t have good people skills, a savvy head for marketing and sales, or the ability to manage your finances (unless you have extra cash to splash out on skilled people …).

But here’s the good news: it will be worth the money and the hard work if this is your passion. And a big or small gym business plan is a reliable way to make that dream a reality.

Your Gym Business Plan Template

The latter group is crucial as Score, an entrepreneur mentoring enterprise, explains: in order to raise the capital you need for your gym to grow, “individuals or banks want a realistic forecast for when they will be reaping on their capital” to confidently invest in your gym.

Below is a comprehensive template for your business plan. Include all ten stages and you’ll fly. Miss one and you’ll fall. Because they are all equally relevant to your future as a gym owner.

Step 1: Executive Summary

Your executive summary needs to shout:

The what – your goals

The why – your mission

The how – what’s going to make you a success story

The bigger picture – your vision

It has to be attention-grabbing, to the point and clarifying. Which is why you need to keep it short. But that doesn’t mean you should rush this part of your business plan. It is your business pitch after all, as the Telegraph explains:

“The fact of the matter is that decision makers can only read so much in the course of a day. So if authors want their work to be paid attention, they must first sell it with a convincing pitch. To this end, executive summaries are a necessary and essential part of running a business, from start to finish.”

If you’re itching to say more on your goals and vision, don’t panic. You can flesh out these points in your company overview.

Step 2: Company Overview

This is where you put passion onto paper.

In your executive summary, you briefly outlined your vision and mission statement. In your company overview, you can elaborate on these points for further insight. Think of your vision statement as if it were a tagline on your future website. Cover:

• The purpose of your gym
• Who it’s going to be for
• How you’re going to accomplish your business aims

Your mission statement can be more personal. Talk about your desired outcome for the business. Here’s an example from Nike :

“To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. If you have a body, you have an athlete”

Consider the main reason you decided to go into this industry and share it. Is there something you want to change about the fitness world? Or make it better?

Then give your readers a brief word on your history:

• What have you done previously?
• Have you had any other businesses?
• What is your current status?

Again, this is useful for your investors and partners in understanding your journey and future plans. The more they know, the more they trust you.

Then you need to outline your strategy: discuss what services you plan to offer in the beginning, and how you might approach development and new offerings. Perhaps you’ll need to hire an instructor or build a new facility like a spa or studio. This will be a valuable resource for helping you realise when or where you might need funding or extra staff.

Get another green tick for thinking about ways to increase your market share. You could set up pro bono services with workplaces and schools, for instance. Then you might start to introduce a fee gradually: an efficient way to convert big target customers.

Whether you want to create a gym and spa business plan or any other kind of blueprint, an overview should communicate your planning objectives to potential bankers, partners, employees and financial backers.

Step 3: Management

Consider the positions you’ll need to fill and how these people are going to help your gym succeed..

What’s your employee ladder going to look like? What or who will they be responsible for? What incentives can you offer?

Follow this through into a summary that emphasises how their skills and management experience will solidify your business’s success.

Go back and read this section as if you are an outsider considering becoming a partner to this gym. Does the management structure make you feel satisfied and excited, or concerned?

If it’s the latter, explore how you can change this by making your chain of command stronger.

Step 4: Market Research and Marketing

If marketing isn’t your thing, motivate yourself with the knowledge that solid research and marketing strategies will help you map out a plan for growth.

Your first goal is to summarise your market research. Not quite there with your findings? Think about your location, existing gyms in the area, and your local demographic.

When you are ready, use this space to define your target market. It might be:

• Working professionals
• Senior executives

Or even a specific group, like cyclists. Then explore why this specific demographic would join a gym – i.e. for cardio.

Having done your market research, you should have a better understanding of your target audience. Now ask yourself:

• How will you gain their loyalty?
• What makes you special?
• What’s the best membership package you can offer?
• Is there a demand for special equipment?

Answer these in your plan and define your Unique Selling Point (USP). This should communicate what makes your enterprise a valuable investment opportunity.

Identify your marketing strategies here and you’ll feel more secure about raising your business’s income in the future.

Your marketing strategy might include niche services such as:

• Improving services
• Advertising
• Sponsorship
• Loyalty plans
• Website promotions
• Email marketing
• New equipment

And any other ideas you have to build your customer base and increase your revenue.

Step 5: Services and Amenities

Here are some examples of products you might buy:

• Gym equipment (treadmills, rowing machines, etc.)
• Specialist equipment (have the best equipment available to draw in members like body-builders, etc.)
• Food or drink products (energy drinks, health foods etc.)

And services:

• Personal training
• Classes (yoga, spinning, body pump etc.)
• Swimming pool
• Physiotherapy

For bonus points: describe the benefits of your products and services. Perhaps this is a gym and spa business plan ; look to demonstrate why this added facility would be a valuable asset to your customers.

Next, you want to create a pricing list. The easiest way to do this is to bullet point the costs for specific products and services. This will lead you to your financial forecasting.

Step 6: Financial Projections

Create a menu for your gym. What do you need to spend your capital on? Leave no table unturned, and make sure you put an estimate next to each purchase.

Here are some key areas to get the ball rolling:

• Legal expenses
• Hiring costs
• Building work
• Gym Equipment
• Operational costs for the first three months
• Account software

Then it’s time to get real. Get out your calculator and write down how much you will need to successfully launch your gym. This will give you a clear indication of what you can achieve with your budget, and what you might need funding for.

Your next step in this part of your gym business plan is to highlight potential sources of income.

The idea is to reassure your investors, stakeholders and potential employees that you have a solid plan for your return on investment. Think about how much your services will bring in i.e. classes, a cafe, services, a spa and jot down your educated guess here.

You could also explore opportunities to sell products , such as health foods. You could produce your own protein shakes or energy bars, for example. Just ensure that if you do plan to sell food you keep in check with food hygiene standards.

Step 7: Financial forecasting:

“Your sales forecast is the backbone of your business plan. People measure a business and its growth by sales, and your sales forecast sets the standard for expenses, profits and growth.”

Outline your sales forecast for the first, second and third year of your business. It might also be a good idea to detail your active members predictions for your first year.

Make an educated guess based on:

• Unit sales per month
• Any relevant past data that you have
• Breaking down your purchases (as you will have done in the financial projections)

Step 8: Financial Strategy

How will you use your fees to increase enrolment? Perhaps you discovered that all the gyms in your area have higher prices than average. This would be a golden opportunity to add value to your business by being financially sensitive (you could lower your membership fees or have better offers than the competition).

You could also think about rewards for loyal customers, discounts for group registrations, and pro bonos (as we previously discussed).

Additionally, if you’re creating a gym and spa business plan , compliment your gym with discounts for the spa facilities (jumping in the jacuzzi after a workout session is a gym-goer’s dream come true).

Putting your pricing strategy on paper will make you feel more secure about the future of your gym. The Balance contributor, Darrell Zahorsky , agrees:

“The pricing strategy of your small business can ultimately determine your fate. Small business owners can ensure profitability and longevity by paying close attention to their pricing strategy.”

Step 9: Payment Options

How a customer pays for their gym membership or other fees is important. Use clunky, out of date and unregulated systems for processing payments and you’ll repel your customers.

If you do have a quick and painless booking system or banking platform in mind, make it known in this section of your gym business plan .This will instil confidence in your potential investors: with a seamless buyer experience in operation, your customers have an extra reason to be loyal to you.

Your most obvious choice is a managed direct debit service .

Because having automated payments in place ensures that bills are never forgotten, delayed or lost, allowing you to maintain a solid cash flow.

And the easiest way to integrate this into your business is to use a third-party to operate any direct debits on your behalf.

Take FastPay, for instance. Its simple user interface does wonders for user experience.

And since FastPay independently processes your payments, you’ll never have to chase down customers, giving you more time to focus on developing other areas of customer service. It’s also secure: customers are protected by the Direct Debit guarantee.

With a Direct Debit solution like FastPay in place, your customer retention level will rise. Why would they move to a competitor if paying for a class or gym membership through you is so effortless?

Step 10: Funding

Here are the key external resources you might consider to get funded:

• Personal savings
• Soft loans (family members, friends, gifts)
• Crowdfunding
• Sponsorship from other business

Detail exactly where you plan to get your funding from and how much you are going to gain. And if you’ve previously made loan applications, make a note of them here for any potential investor to consider.

You’re One Step Closer to Cutting the Red Ribbon

With a big or small gym business plan that details everything you have learnt today, you’ll be unstoppable in your new venture. Because you now have a solid roadmap that:

• Will act as a point of reference for you when you have to make important decisions
• Be a resource to help you secure investment
• Give you security that you have explored all aspects of your new business
• Show partners or new employees which direction you aim to head in

Your Personal Checklist:

Before you leave, here’s a personal checklist to guide you through the next stages of running your own gym. Refer to it throughout the development of your business to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

• Write business plan
• Register business
• Apply for business license and permit
• Open business bank accounts
• Select online payment platform
• Obtain tax payer’s ID
• Purchase insurance
• Organise rental space / purchase facility
• Purchase / rent equipment
• Secure funding
• Set up Direct Debit service
• Recruit employees
• Draft contract documents and any other legal documents required
• Design company logo and brand
• Develop website
• Write website content
• Create accounts on social media platforms
• Design leaflets and brochures
• Organise branded uniforms
• Hold launch party

Starting any business is not without its challenges, but the rewards are more than worth it in the end. Sign up to a Direct Debit bureau and make collecting recurring payments from your fitness suite members a reliable, secure and pain-free process. It’ll be a weight off your mind.

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How to Create a Fitness Studio Business Plan

February 8, 2023

Whether you are starting a studio, or already run one, a well-crafted fitness studio business plan is essential for building a profitable fitness business. A solid gym business plan helps you stay on track by identifying key market dynamics, illuminating opportunities for competitive advantage, and giving you key performance metrics to focus on. 

Your fitness studio business plan may drive such critical decisions as where to locate your gym, how large a space to buy or lease, how many staff members you hire, what their pay rates should be, how many fitness classes and what type of classes and training programs you’ll offer, and the most effective ways to promote your fitness business. 

If you own and operate an already established fitness business, revising your business plan – or creating one if you never have – can make a huge difference in boosting your bottom line and helping you to grow, especially if your gym’s growth has plateaued. A business plan is a constantly evolving blueprint that should reflect where your fitness business is in the moment, and let stakeholders know where you’re going and how you plan to get there. 

In this post, we’ll review the elements of a solid small gym fitness plan, give you some gym business plan examples and links to gym business plan templates.

Here are the key elements of any good fitness studio business plan:

Executive summary.

In this section of your gym’s business plan get down on paper your “why.” What is the purpose of your fitness business plan? What elements will you include in your gym’s business plan and why? How will this business plan demonstrate the viability of your fitness studio over time? What are your long term goals and how will you define success? Consider this section your “elevator pitch.” 

Starting a fitness business is no small feat. Doing your homework up front will not only give you confidence to weather the ups and downs of running your own business, but show potential investors that you’re prepared. Imagine being an investor who is reading your business plan, and whom you want to assure that you’ve got a solid vision backed up by well researched facts and figures. Add a few lines about your fitness business’s “why” that inspire and demonstrate your passion and commitment as a small gym or fitness business entrepreneur. 

Company Overview

This is the place to give all the details about who, what, where, when and why your fitness business exists. Include your mission and vision plus a detailed description of the type of services your fitness business offers and to whom. How is your gym or fitness studio structured? Is it independently owned by one or more people? Is it a franchise? Is there more than one location? What is the ownership structure? Are there shares? How are important business decisions made and by whom? 

This is the place to give clear, concise information about the products and services you offer, why you started your fitness business and what differentiates you in your local market. 

Industry Analysis

Taking time to research your market, understand trends and map the competitive landscape can make or break a fitness business, whether you’re in start-up mode, or an established player. 

What is your population size? How far are the people living in your area willing to travel to work out? What is your target demographic in terms of age, gender, income and other lifestyle factors? Pinpoint your major competitors. Get to know their pricing and promotions. Is there an unmet need in your area that your fitness business can tap into? You may want to consider using a SWOT format, outlining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for competing gyms and your fitness studio. 

Also, make sure you’re on top of the latest national and global fitness industry trends like online workouts and gym-goers’ preference for small boutique fitness experiences versus big box gyms. What innovative programs and services are top companies offering? Why? 

Marketing Strategy

Many small fitness business plans rely solely on word of mouth to promote their gym. While getting great recommendations through your community is an essential step in building a thriving fitness community, long-term, your fitness studio needs to have a solid, multi-channel marketing strategy to maximize your brand’s exposure to potential new customers. 

In today’s competitive fitness industry landscape, it’s essential to understand how to efficiently use digital marketing platforms like social media, local search and email. To effectively run promotional programs, having a fitness business software platform that tracks your customer’s engagement and includes email, web and social media integrations is essential. 

List all the key members of your fitness studio’s leadership team and include professional, biographical information that highlights their skills and experience. Your gym’s leadership team could include owners, board members, investors, lead instructors, sales and customer service representative and any business advisors you may have brought on board. 

Describe how each person on the team will guide your fitness business to success. Consider including compensation structures and information about performance bonuses. Plan ahead for an eventual sale of your fitness business and formalize how owners and/or investors will be paid. 

This is the section where many new business owners are overly optimistic. Base your financial projections on fact and always over-estimate expenses and under-estimate revenues. This includes being realistic about membership sales, seasonal fluctuations, attendance and staff turn-over. Calculate your gym’s monthly expenses and then figure out what your revenue per class or training session needs to be to cover your expenses plus owners’ compensation. From here you can determine how many class passes and/or monthly membership’s your fitness business will need to be profitable. 

There can be a high turn-over rate in the gym business, so you’ll need a steady stream of potential new students coming through your doors each month, and know at what rate they will convert into long-term customers. Know your fitness niche’s average new student conversion rate. 

Build out at least five years of financial profit and loss estimates. Be sure to take into account any rent increases in your lease, taxes, increases in instructor pay and get granular with your expenses, from phone and internet to Facebook ads to the toilet paper in the bathroom, and don’t forget all those new cleaning products you’ll need to operate safely and courteously in a post-pandemic world. 

Gym Business Plan Templates

BusinessPlanTemplate.com This site offers a free outline of all the core content you’ll need to include in a fitness studio business plan. You can purchase a step-by-step business plan builder, including access to customer service and expert advise for $97. Business Plan Template.com is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and has strong, positive ratings from satisfied customers. 

Bplans If you need a bit of inspiration check out or Bplans DIY gym sample plans for fitness centers, corporate fitness, gyms, health clubs, as well as martial arts studios, gymnastics schools, and a number of other athletics businesses.

For those who want a higher level of support in creating a full fleged, modern business plan, Bplans offers a paid option called LivePlan . It contains the same templates and information you can access for free on the company’s website, plus additional guidance to help you develop a complete plan. Pricing starts at $12/mo. for a year subscription or $18/mo for a 6 mo. plan.

Institute of Personal Trainers This well-respected trade organization offers personal trainers a free business plan that includes step-by-step instructions. You can download the guide using the link on the association’s website. The institute understand that during the process of writing a business plan you will be presented with questions, ideas or challenges that you might not have thought of before. According to the organization, this alone makes it worth doing.

Remember, it’s better to start the process of creating a gym business plan, even if you feel intimidated, than to procrastinate until you feel you’ll get it perfectly right. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained simply by going through the process. Writing out your fitness studio business plan may open your eyes to blind spots in your business strategy or long-term performance goals and shift your business into a whole new realm of growth opportunity in the coming year. 

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Gym Business Plan

According to Statista , the health and fitness industry generates over $80 billion of revenue every year. With annual revenue that big, it shows that many people are mindful of their physical health. And that they’re willing to make room in their  budget to keep themselves in excellent shape. So if you ask us about opening a gym or physical fitness center, we’d say that it’s a profitable business. That said, if you’re planning on launching such a business, we’ll help you get started by offering our business plan examples for a gym!

10+ Gym Business Plan Examples

1. gym business plan template.

• Google Docs

Size: A4, US

2. Annual Gym Business Plan

Size: 570 KB

3. Fitness Business Plan Template

Size: 115 KB

4. Play Center Gym Business Plan

Size: 103 KB

5. Sports Gym Business Plan

Size: 605 KB

6. Sample Gym Business Plan

Size: 329 KB

7. Gym Business Plan in PDF

Size: 78 KB

8. Gym Working Business Plan

Size: 175 KB

9. Fitness Business Plan in PDF

10. Simple Gym Business Plan

11. Gym Business Plan Example

What Is a Gym Business Plan?

A gym start-up business plan is what you’ll need to formulate strategies and actions to open your gym facility. Its basic elements and functions are the same as those of other business plans . With the countless things that a gym business needs, such as equipment, licenses , permits, and start-up budget , it’ll be hard to prepare them without using a new gym business plan example. It serves as your guide to keep track of your gym business’s progress and status. Other than that, entities who might be interested in supporting your gym will want to see a business plan. They will want to know how feasible it is before they form a partnership with you.

How to Launch a Gym Business

There are several preparations you must do to plan for the gym you want to open. But what we’ll show you here are its four crucial foundations. They’re pretty basic, but they hold tremendous importance for your gym to be successful.

1. Formulate a Budget

Every business needs a budget; that’s the golden rule. Without a budget, a business can’t start operations. But if it does, its owner is in danger of suffering substantial financial losses. So make sure to establish enough budget to purchase your gym’s necessities. When you make your budget, try to limit the cost of opening a gym as much as you can. As a business owner, it’s essential to have a cost-effective mindset.

2. Search for a Good Location

Gyms have to be accessible. Otherwise, not many people will be able to visit them. With that in mind, make sure to find a good location for your gym. Aside from being accessible, the location must have plenty of people around it. You can choose areas with other businesses surrounding it, such as malls and business parks.

3. Purchase High-Quality Gym Equipment

Of course, you can’t call your business a gym without the proper equipment. So make sure to purchase ones with high quality. See to it that all of them are made of quality materials and are safe for the users. Your gym won’t be able to attract people if it has substandard equipment.

4. Look for Skilled and Knowledgeable Personal Training Staff

It’s hard to manage a gym all by yourself. Plus, you can’t act as a personal trainer to all of your clients. That’s a lot of responsibility to carry. For that reason, you should hire personal trainers. They can help you plan fitness regimes , plot workout schedules , and entertain clients. Hire those that have a rich fitness background and have experience in managing gym facilities. Offer them an employment contract to be with you for the long term.

How to Write a Gym Business Plan

Earlier, we’ve talked about a gym business plan and how important it is. Not just important, but also necessary. So here, we’ll show you the four steps in writing a gym business plan.

1. Describe Your Gym and Its Programs

Talk about what makes your gym unique from other ones. And explain how its training programs will help clients achieve their fitness goals . You can also provide previews and descriptions about how the facility will look and what equipment it’ll have.

2. Explain Your Marketing Strategy

A marketing plan plays a big part in putting your gym business on the map. So make sure to explain it thoroughly in your business plan. Talk about how you’ll promote your gym and what platforms you’ll use to make it popular.

3. Structure Your Gym’s Business Model

The business model is a system of how your gym will get clients, generate revenue, cover expenses, and grow. It showcases your entire gym’s operations. It would help if you had a well-structured business model so that you’ll have a clear direction on how to run your gym. And for sure, potential investors of your gym will want to know its business model.

4. Write Your Executive Summary

Most gym and fitness center business plan examples online have an executive summary . It’s the first section of a business plan, and it’s an overview of the business. So, make sure to write one for your gym business plan. It may be the first section, but it’s best to write it last. Please take note that it’s a summary. So it’s like a bird’s eye view of your business plan. If you write it last, it’ll be like writing a short recap, which is more manageable.

What are the various types of gym facilities?

These are the types of gyms that you can do business out of:

• Training gym
• Membership gym
• 24-hour access gym

How can I make my gym more popular?

Here are excellent approaches to bring more people into your gym:

• Use social media as a marketing platform
• Organize competitions for charity, such as Crossfit games
• Establish a referral program
• Offer one-time free sessions, such as yoga and Zumba classes
• Host corporate wellness activities

What are suitable names for my gym?

If you’re looking for some gym names ideas, we have some for you:

• Strip and Gain Gym
• Kratos Power Gym
• Beast Mentality Gym
• 24/7 Intensity Gym
• Warrior’s Den Gym

Those are names that we made up ourselves. You can get inspiration from them.

You might not know it, but your gym will be a place that can change lives for the better. Fitness is key to a better and healthier life, and your gym can bring that to many people. So start moving! Make preparations for your gym business as soon as you can. And let our gym business plan templates help you.

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