| Type | Cost | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boutique | $50K–$150K | 500-2K sqft | Yoga, CrossFit |
| Standard | $150K–$300K | 3K-8K sqft | Full gym |
| Large | $300K–$500K+ | 8K-20K sqft | Multi-zone |
Compare gym spaces for lease
| Option | Upfront Cost | Monthly Cost | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget gym (Planet Fitness) | $0–$50 | $10–$25 | $600–$1,550 |
| Mid-range gym (LA Fitness) | $0–$100 | $30–$50 | $1,800–$3,100 |
| Premium gym (Equinox, Lifetime) | $200–$500 | $150–$300 | $9,200–$18,500 |
| CrossFit box | $0–$200 | $150–$250 | $9,000–$15,200 |
| Basic home gym | $500–$2,000 | $0 | $500–$2,000 |
| Premium home gym (Rogue, etc.) | $3,000–$10,000 | $0 | $3,000–$10,000 |
A home gym pays for itself in 1–3 years compared to a commercial gym membership and lasts 10–20+ years. A quality power rack ($400–$800), barbell ($200–$400), 300 lb weight set ($300–$600), and adjustable bench ($200–$400) cover 90% of exercises for $1,100–$2,200 total. Timing your purchase or service during off-peak seasons often saves 10-25% compared to scheduling during peak-demand periods when providers are busiest. Many providers offer free initial consultations, assessments, or estimates — always take advantage of these to compare options and get a feel for the provider before committing. Investing in quality upfront typically costs less over time than choosing the cheapest option, as inferior products and services often require earlier replacement or additional repairs. Check whether your insurance policy covers any portion of this expense before paying entirely out of pocket — many people miss applicable coverage they already have.
The total cost of gym startup depends on your approach to launch. A bootstrapped startup focusing on essentials will spend a fraction of what a fully-equipped operation requires. The key decision is how much infrastructure you need before generating revenue versus what can be added as the business grows.
Ongoing costs are often underestimated relative to startup costs. Monthly expenses like rent, utilities, insurance, software subscriptions, marketing, and payroll add up quickly. Model your monthly burn rate carefully and ensure you have sufficient runway to reach profitability.