How Much Does It Cost to Open a Gym in 2025?

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When I first decided to open a gym, I remember Googling: “How much does it really cost to open a gym?” I wanted a straight answer, and instead I found a dozen vague articles that all said the same thing: “It depends.”

That wasn’t very helpful.

So, after going through it myself (and talking with a ton of other owners), I want to give you the clearest picture possible of what it actually costs - the numbers, the hidden expenses, and some lessons I wish I’d known before I signed my first lease.

The truth? You can technically open a gym for as little as $5,000 (a barebones personal training setup), but if you’re dreaming of a big commercial facility with premium equipment, you could be looking at $500k - $1M+.

Let’s break it down.

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What Kind of Gym Are You Opening?

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This is the first question to answer, because the type of gym dictates everything else: space, equipment, staff, even insurance.

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Gym Type: Estimated Cost

Home-based or Personal Training Studio: $5,000 - $15,000 

Small Boutique Studio (e.g., yoga, cycling): $15,000 - $75,000

Small Training Gym: $50,000 - $150,000

Mid-size or Franchise Gym: $150,000 - $500,000

Large Commercial Gym: $250,000+

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When I was first starting, I had visions of a giant, fully kitted-out gym with shiny equipment and a juice bar. Reality check: unless you’ve got deep pockets (or investors), starting smaller is usually the smarter play. The gyms I’ve seen succeed long-term are the ones that grow into their space, not the ones that burn out trying to fund a “dream gym” upfront.

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The Big Costs to Plan For

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No matter what kind of gym you open, there are some big costs you’ll need to plan for.

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1. Renting or Buying a Space

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This is almost always the biggest line item.

I looked at three different options before signing my lease:

- Downtown space: amazing foot traffic, but rent was more than double what I pay now.

- Suburban strip mall: cheaper, but zero visibility.

- Industrial unit just outside the city: less flashy, but affordable and gave me room to expand.

I chose option three - not glamorous, but it worked for my budget.

👉 Expect $2,500-$15,000/month in rent for small to mid-size gyms. Buying is an option too, but you’ll need a hefty down payment plus mortgage, taxes, and insurance.

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2. Gym Equipment

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This one shocked me. I thought I’d just need “a few racks and treadmills.” Turns out, even the basics add up quickly.

Here’s what I ended up spending:

- Cardio machines: $2,000-$5,000 each. I bought two used treadmills and a rower.

- Strength gear: My biggest expense. A full set of dumbbells, barbells, plates, and racks came in around $15k.

- Flooring: $4,000 just for rubber mats. Worth every penny to protect the equipment.

- Accessories: Medicine balls, kettlebells, bands, plyo boxes - $2k here, $2k there… it added up fast.

💡 If you’re on a budget, look at refurbished equipment. I saved nearly 50% buying second-hand, and honestly, my members couldn’t tell the difference.

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3. Renovations and Design

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Even if your space looks “fine,” you’ll probably want to upgrade.

For me, that meant mirrors, lighting, paint, and signage. Nothing fancy, but it still cost around $10-$15 per sq. ft. A full buildout with showers and custom design can easily hit $50-$100 per sq. ft.

My advice? Make it clean, functional, and motivating. Don’t waste money on marble countertops when you’re still trying to build your membership base.

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4. Licenses and Permits

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Not the fun part, but essential. The requirements (and fees) vary depending on your state or city. Factor this in early so you don’t get blindsided. Business and health permits often fall between $50-$200 . Insurance (liability, property, etc.) typically ranges from $1,000-$5,000/year, depending on coverage and location 

5. Staffing Costs

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When I first opened, I thought I’d run everything myself. Within three months, I was burnt out.

Here’s a reality check on staffing:

- Trainers: $20-$75/hour depending on experience.

- Front desk/admin: $12-$20/hour.

- Cleaning: $500-$1,500/month.

Even if you start solo, plan to add staff as soon as possible so you can focus on growing the business, not just running the day-to-day.

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6. Marketing Budget

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The “if you build it, they will come” approach does not work. I learned this the hard way.

My launch budget included:

- Website + branding: $2,000

- Local ads: $500/month for the first six months

- Free classes + community events: $1,500

👉 Rule of thumb: spend 5-10% of your projected revenue on marketing in year one. Without it, even the nicest gym will sit empty.

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7. Gym Management Software

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I didn’t think about this until I was already juggling spreadsheets and Venmo requests. Huge mistake.

Most platforms charge $100-$150/month, which adds up. I switched to Recess because it handled scheduling, payments, and member communication in one place - and it was free. Honestly, it saved me hours every week and kept members from slipping through the cracks.

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Hidden & Ongoing Costs

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Here are the ones that surprised me:

- Utilities: Heating, cooling, lights, water - $2,000/month on average.

- Cleaning/maintenance: $1,000/month (worth every dollar).

- Equipment repairs: A treadmill motor went out in month four - $800 fix.

- Member churn: Losing members quietly kills revenue. Retention is just as important as new sales.

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So, What’s the Real Price Tag?

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Based on what I’ve seen (and paid):

- Small studio: $15,000 - $75,000

- Small to medium gym: $50,000 - $150,000

- Mid to large gym: $150,000 - $500,000+

- Full-service facility: $250,000 - $1,000,000+

I opened mine for around $85k, and I kept costs low by starting smaller, buying some equipment used, and doing most of the renovations myself.

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Final Thoughts

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Opening a gym is one of the most exciting (and stressful) things I’ve ever done. It’s a big financial risk, but also incredibly rewarding.

My biggest advice? Start smaller than you think you need to, don’t skip the boring stuff (permits, insurance), and use tools that save you time and money. For me, Recess was a game-changer - it streamlined everything and freed me up to focus on building my community.

If you plan smart, manage your budget carefully, and take care of your members, your gym can absolutely be both profitable and sustainable. And the best part? You get to build something that changes people’s lives.

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Check out A Founder's Guide: How to Start a Gym for more information and useful tips to help you bring your vision to life.

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