Buying Guide
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Gym?
9 min read
A breakdown of the startup costs behind opening a gym, from fit-out to first-year operating budget.
Startup line items
Lease deposit and build-out, equipment, flooring, mirrors, sound, software, insurance, signage and launch marketing. Equipment is usually the largest single line, and the one with the most room to negotiate.
Typical totals
A small studio commonly opens for $80,000–$200,000. A full-size independent gym more often lands between $350,000 and $1,000,000 depending on size, location and whether equipment is bought or leased.
Where operators save
Buying refurbished strength equipment, phasing cardio purchases, and taking equipment from gyms that are closing are the three levers that move the number most.