Franchise finance · Gyms and fitness
Franchise finance for gyms and fitness
Gym and fitness finance is lending against recurring membership revenue, used to fund equipment ranges, fit-outs and expansion for gyms, studios and franchised fitness businesses.
How franchise finance works for gyms and fitness
Much of the Australian fitness market operates under franchise systems with defined equipment packages, fit-out specifications and territory rights. Franchise finance funds the initial fee, the fit-out and the equipment package as one facility, and lenders that have accredited a particular franchise system will often lend on better terms because they already know the model’s performance data. Franchisor-approved suppliers and standardised builds make approval faster; territory and royalty terms will be reviewed closely.
The cash-flow pattern we plan around
Recurring direct-debit membership income with a strong January intake, a soft November–December stretch, and equipment costs incurred entirely up front.
What gyms and fitness typically fund
- Cardio, strength and functional equipment ranges
- Rubber flooring, rigs and mirrors
- Access control, security and member management systems
- Fit-out, change rooms and amenities
- Opening or fitting out a second site
Franchise finance for gyms and fitness: the numbers
| Typical amounts | $50,000 – $3,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Term | 24–84 months |
| Indicative rates | 7.5% – 15% p.a. |
| Repayments | Monthly |
| Speed | 2–6 weeks |
| Documents gyms and fitness usually need | ABN and lease for the premises · 6–12 months of bank statements showing direct-debit revenue · Equipment supplier quote or fit-out schedule |
Rates are indicative, change without notice and depend on the lender, product, asset, term and your credit profile at the time of application. They are not an offer of finance. Comparison rates, where shown, are true only for the example given.
Key terms
Gym equipment finance
Gym equipment finance is secured lending for commercial fitness equipment — cardio, selectorised and plate-loaded machines, rigs and free weights — usually written over three to five years against the equipment itself.
Recurring membership revenue
Recurring membership revenue is the predictable monthly or fortnightly direct-debit income a fitness business collects from its member base, which lenders use to size and assess a facility.
What is franchise finance?
Franchise finance is business lending used to acquire and establish a franchised outlet. It funds the initial franchise fee, fit-out, equipment and working capital, and is assessed against the franchise system’s documented performance as well as the applicant’s position.
What is an accredited franchise system?
An accredited franchise system is a brand a lender has already assessed and approved, allowing applications from its franchisees to be processed under pre-agreed lending parameters. Accreditation usually means higher funding ratios and faster decisions.
How much deposit do you need for a franchise?
Franchisees typically contribute 30–50% of total establishment cost from their own funds. Where the applicant offers residential property security, the required cash contribution can be lower and the term longer.
Questions from gyms and fitness
Should a gym lease or buy its equipment?
Cardio equipment that wears and dates suits a rental or operating lease with replacement every three to five years, while strength equipment and racks that last a decade suit a chattel mortgage with GST and depreciation benefits. Many gyms combine both, and Lyft Money compares the structures on the same page.
Can a new gym or studio get finance to open?
Yes, with the right lender. New gyms are approved with a deposit, a signed lease, a business plan, fitness industry experience and a clean personal credit file, and franchised fitness brands are often financed on the franchisor’s track record. Pre-sales and founding memberships strengthen the application.
Can I borrow against recurring membership income?
Yes. Lenders treat direct-debit membership income as strong evidence of cash flow, and established gyms are commonly approved for unsecured loans and lines of credit on bank statements alone for expansion, marketing or a second site. Applying before the November to December dip gets the best terms.
Can a full gym fit-out and equipment range be financed together?
Yes. Flooring, rigs, racks, cardio, strength equipment, change rooms and reception can be funded under one facility with suppliers and the builder paid as the fit-out progresses, repaid over three to seven years. Equipment is often financed separately at a sharper rate and combined in the same application.