Gym Startup Cost Calculator
Estimate the total capital to open your gym — equipment CAPEX, build-out, pre-opening costs and working capital reserve, line by line.
Model v1.0.0 · Data generated 2026-10-08 · 0 published reference values
Select a scenario to pre-fill realistic defaults for that facility type.
Anonymous, bucketed. We only store your decision profile (size, tier, scenario, result band) — never your inputs or identity.
Total Startup Capital
$474,630
50% confidence · model v1.0.0
Startup capital breakdown
Estimated total capital to open a 800 sqm mid-tier mixed-focused facility.
| Cost Item | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment CAPEX | $173,300 | 37% |
| Build-out / fit-out | $200,000 | 42% |
| Pre-opening costs | $17,330 | 4% |
| Working capital (3 months) | $84,000 | 18% |
Plan the equipment mix first
Equipment is typically the largest controllable line. Use the planner to lock counts before signing purchase orders.
Open Equipment Planner →Validate the financial case
Carry the total CAPEX into the ROI calculator to check payback before committing capital.
Calculate ROI →Assumptions
- • Fit-out cost per sqm: $250/sqm
- • Pre-opening cost ratio: 10% of equipment CAPEX
- • Monthly operating cost: $35/sqm/month
- • Equipment CAPEX basis: mid tier × mixed mix
- • Working capital reserve: 3 month(s) of operating cost
Limitations
- • Rent / deposit not included — Lease terms vary too widely; add your own deposit and first-month rent on top.
- • US-benchmark defaults — Fit-out and opex rates default to US commercial benchmarks pending editorial review (B2).
- • Linear scaling heuristic — Costs scale linearly with area; large boxes may benefit from economies of scale.
Data sources & method
This tool is a calculation model, not a database lookup. It runs arithmetic on the numbers you enter, using an explicit formula and a small set of documented default assumptions (service intervals, energy prices, useful life). Every assumption it applies is listed in the result, and each one is a default you can overwrite.
We do not hold a benchmark dataset. FitnessNav operates no gyms, runs no fleet, and has never collected equipment telemetry, so there is no measured useful-life, maintenance-rate or downtime distribution behind these models. The default assumptions come from published manufacturer documentation and standard trade practice, and they are labelled as assumptions \u2014 not as findings. Treat the output as a structured way to think about a decision, and replace every default with your own numbers before it leaves your desk. If a vendor hands you a benchmark, ask for the sample size and the age of the machines in it.
Gym Startup Cost Calculator — frequently asked questions
What are the four capital components?
Equipment CAPEX (density × mix × tier pricing), fit-out ($250/m² benchmark), pre-opening costs (10% of equipment CAPEX) and working capital ($35/m²/month × your reserve months).
How much capital for an 800 m² mid-tier gym?
Equipment lands near $150k–$190k for a mixed floor (800 m² × 0.035 = ~28 units at blended mid pricing); fit-out adds $200,000; pre-opening ~$17k and working capital $84,000 round out roughly $450k–$490k all-in.
Does working capital really need 3 months?
Three months of operating reserves is the default because membership ramp-up lags opening by one to two quarters. Extend to 6 months in low-footfall locations.
Is franchise fit-out cheaper than this estimate?
Franchises often negotiate fit-out below the $250/m² retail benchmark but add franchise fees outside this model — compare against your franchise disclosure document.