Why Health and Fitness Franchises Are a Smart Investment Now

Health and fitness franchises offer a proven path into a booming industry projected to reach $202.78 billion by 2030. With nearly 80% of Americans not belonging to a gym, there’s massive untapped potential for entrepreneurs.

Top Health & Fitness Franchise Options:

24/7 Gyms (Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness): Low staff, recurring revenue
Boutique Studios (Orangetheory, F45): High-energy, community-focused
Low-Cost Models (Planet Fitness): High volume, beginner-friendly
Specialized Concepts (StretchLab, 9Round): Niche markets, dedicated clientele

Typical Investment Range: $100,000 to $4+ million
Key Requirements: Liquid capital, net worth minimums, passion for wellness

Health and wellness are no longer trends; they are permanent lifestyle priorities. Consumers are investing in their well-being, from 24/7 convenience gyms to specialized recovery services. This creates a rare opportunity to build a business that’s both profitable and meaningful.

However, not all fitness franchises are created equal. Some require massive capital and hands-on management, while others offer semi-absentee options with lower investment thresholds. The key isn’t picking the “best” franchise—it’s finding the right one for your financial capacity, desired involvement, and target market.

I’m Max Emma, a Certified Franchise Executive who has built and scaled multiple businesses. I’ve worked with over 100 franchise brands, helping entrepreneurs find health and fitness opportunities that match their goals, budget, and lifestyle.

The Appeal and The Reality: Pros and Cons of Ownership

Investing in a health and fitness franchise is like hiring a personal trainer for your business: you pay for expertise, accountability, and a proven system. The question is whether that trade-off makes sense for your goals. You gain instant brand recognition, a built-in customer base, and ongoing support, but it comes with higher costs and less autonomy.

For many, these constraints are guardrails that lead to greater freedom in the long run, as I explore in The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Franchise Owners.

The Upside: Why a Franchise is a Strong Play

Starting a business from scratch is tough. A franchise offers a smarter path with several advantages:

Established Brand Power: You don’t have to spend years building trust; customers already know and trust the name.
Faster Startup: With proven systems, you can often open in 6-12 months, compared to 2-3 years for an independent brand.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisors provide national advertising, local marketing templates, hiring systems, and staff training. You’re not reinventing the wheel.
Reduced Risk: As former IHRSA chair Brent Darden notes, franchises offer a proven track record, making them a great way to build a successful business even without a fitness background. You’re following a system and have access to a network of fellow owners who have solved the challenges you’ll face.

The Downside: What to Be Aware Of

It’s crucial to understand the costs and constraints before you invest.

Financial Commitments: Expect an initial franchise fee ($20k-$100k+), plus ongoing royalties (typically 5-8% of gross revenue) and marketing fund contributions (1-2%). These are non-negotiable.
Strict Operational Guidelines: The franchisor dictates hours, pricing, services, and facility design to ensure brand consistency. This limits your ability to pivot quickly.
Potential Market Saturation: Some brands grow aggressively, which can lead to internal competition. It’s vital to understand the franchisor’s territory policies before signing.

Exploring Different Types of Health and Fitness Franchises

The health and fitness franchise landscape is diverse, offering models for every investment level and target audience. Understanding who you want to serve—budget-conscious beginners, dedicated enthusiasts, or busy professionals—is the first step to choosing the right category. A boutique studio might start around $100,000, while a large gym could require several million.

The 24/7 Convenience Model

Built on the promise of “access on your schedule,” these franchises offer members key card entry at any hour. The business model is efficient, with low staffing needs and predictable recurring revenue. This model works well for busy professionals and shift workers.

Anytime Fitness: A global leader with over 5,000 locations and $1.45 billion in annual revenue.
Snap Fitness: Serves a million members globally and has seen a 22% average increase in membership over the past two years by integrating holistic wellness features. More info about our Services.

The Low-Cost, High-Volume (LCHV) Model

This model makes fitness accessible with memberships often priced at $10-$25 per month. The strategy is to attract a large number of members to a welcoming, non-intimidating environment. It’s ideal for beginners and casual gym-goers.

Planet Fitness: The pioneer of the “Judgement Free Zone,” with 18.7 million members across 2,575 locations. Franchisees benefit from a remarkably low 3-year failure rate of just 2%.
Crunch Fitness: Operates with a similar “No Judgments” philosophy in large-footprint facilities.

The Boutique Studio Experience

Boutique studios focus on specialized, expert-led group classes like HIIT, Barre, or Pilates. They command higher membership fees ($100-$200+) by offering a premium experience, results-driven programming, and a strong sense of community.

Orangetheory Fitness: Dominates the HIIT space with over a million members and is growing at an impressive 30% year-over-year.
F45 Training: Offers 45-minute functional training sessions and has expanded to over 3,300 studios worldwide.
Pure Barre: The largest barre brand, with 640+ studios catering to clients seeking low-impact, high-intensity workouts.

The Specialized & Niche Model

These franchises succeed by targeting specific interests and building loyal followings. They go deep rather than broad, creating a strong competitive advantage in their niche.

UFC Gym: Brings the intensity of mixed martial arts training to a fitness setting, with over 150 locations.
StretchLab: The largest assisted stretching brand, tapping into the growing demand for recovery and mobility services with 248 locations.
9Round: Offers a 30-minute kickboxing circuit with no set class times, appealing to those who need quick, effective workouts.

Your Pre-Workout Checklist: Key Factors for Choosing a Franchise

Choosing a health and fitness franchise requires careful due diligence. This means aligning the business with your passion, researching your local market, and thoroughly reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). The FDD is a comprehensive legal document detailing everything from fees and obligations to performance history. It’s your roadmap, and reading every page is non-negotiable.

This is where a professional guide is invaluable. As a franchise consultant, I help clients cut through the noise and identify opportunities that truly match their financial and lifestyle goals.

Financial Requirements for health and fitness franchises

Understanding the full financial picture is critical. The total investment varies significantly by model:

Boutique Studios: Typically $100,000 to $1 million.
Big-Box & LCHV Gyms: Can range from $1 million to over $4 million.

This total investment includes the initial franchise fee (usually $20,000 to $60,000), plus costs for equipment, real estate, build-out, and at least six months of working capital. Franchisors also have minimum financial qualifications. For example, a 24/7 model might require $380k net worth and $225k liquid capital, while a brand like Planet Fitness requires $3M net worth and $1.5M in liquid assets.

Ongoing costs include royalty fees (4-8% of gross revenue), national marketing fund contributions (1-3%), rent, payroll, and other operational overhead.

Finding the right support for your health and fitness franchises

When you buy a franchise, you’re buying a support system. A quality franchisor provides:

Comprehensive Training: Intensive programs covering operations, sales, and brand standards for you and your staff.
Marketing Support: National campaigns to build brand awareness and local marketing toolkits to drive leads.
Real Estate Assistance: Sophisticated site selection analysis to help you find a profitable location.
Operational Systems: Integrated technology for member management, booking, and payment processing.
Peer Network: A community of fellow franchisees to share best practices and solve problems.

The quality of this support varies by brand. Working with a Certified Franchise Executive helps you identify franchisors who are truly invested in their owners’ success.

The Future of Fitness: Industry Trends and Technology

The health and fitness franchise industry is evolving rapidly, driven by a fundamental shift in how people approach wellness. To succeed, investors must understand these key trends:

Holistic Wellness: Fitness is now part of a larger picture that includes mental health, nutrition, and stress management. Consumers want solutions that improve their overall quality of life.
Recovery Services: Offerings like assisted stretching, infrared saunas, and cryotherapy are becoming mainstream. Franchises like StretchLab, now the largest assisted stretching brand with 248 locations, prove that recovery is a profitable and in-demand service.
Technology Integration: Wearable tech, fitness trackers, and member apps are no longer optional. They enable hyper-personalization, allowing workouts to be custom to an individual’s goals and progress.
Hybrid Models: The pandemic solidified the need for flexibility. Successful franchises now combine the community of in-person classes with the convenience of on-demand virtual options.
Community Building: In an increasingly isolated world, gyms that foster a genuine sense of belonging and connection have much higher member retention. The community is as important as the workout.
Innovative Concepts: New models, particularly from Australia like F45 and BFT, are gaining traction with their focus on team-based, high-intensity functional training.

As Rose Minar of Snap Fitness notes, the priority is to “make it easy for our franchisees to run their businesses” by focusing on member value and constant innovation. The future of fitness is about creating personalized, community-driven experiences that improve every aspect of a member’s life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Health and Fitness Franchises

Which fitness franchises are growing the fastest?

The fastest-growing categories include HIIT studios, wellness/recovery brands, and 24/7 convenience models, especially those with strong tech integration. Standouts include Orangetheory Fitness, with 30% year-over-year growth, and Planet Fitness, which added 165 new stores in 2023. Brands like Anytime Fitness and Snap Fitness also continue to expand steadily, proving the durability of the 24/7 model. Niche concepts like StretchLab are also growing rapidly by focusing on specialized services.

How much does it cost to open a gym franchise?

The total investment varies widely by model. Boutique studios (e.g., Orangetheory, Pure Barre) typically range from $100,000 to $1 million. Larger, full-service gyms or low-cost, high-volume models (e.g., Planet Fitness) can require $1 million to over $4 million. This total cost includes the initial franchise fee, equipment, real estate and build-out, and working capital. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for any brand will provide a detailed breakdown of all expected costs.

Can I own a fitness franchise without a fitness background?

Absolutely. Successful franchise owners come from all professional backgrounds. Your role is to be the business leader, not the head trainer. The franchisor provides comprehensive training on operations, marketing, and management. You will hire certified fitness professionals to lead classes and train members. What’s most important is your business acumen, leadership skills, and passion for building a community. As expert Brent Darden states, a fitness background is not a prerequisite for success in this industry.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Fit in the Fitness Industry

The health and fitness market is booming, projected to hit $202.78 billion by 2030. We’ve explored the diverse landscape, from 24/7 gyms to boutique studios, and covered the financial realities and key trends. But this information is only useful if it leads you to the franchise that fits your life.

Successful owners find a brand that aligns with their values, financial situation, and desired lifestyle. Navigating franchising—with its complex FDDs, market analysis, and financial projections—can be overwhelming on your own.

This is why Main Entrance Franchise Consulting exists. My team and I provide personalized guidance to help you cut through the complexity. We connect you with proven health and fitness franchises that have strong support systems and track records. Best of all, our services are provided at no cost to you, as we are compensated by franchisors.

Whether you’re drawn to a 24/7 model, a boutique studio, or a low-cost concept, we can help you understand the opportunity and ask the right questions. If you’re serious about building a profitable and meaningful business in this growing industry, let’s talk.

Start your franchise buying journey with an expert