Starting out
How to start a gym in Australia
A gym commits most of its money before the first member pays: the lease, the fit-out and the equipment. That makes the number of members signed before opening an important figure for the first year.
Tell us about your business and what you need.
The short answer
Get the lease right, then sign members early.
How to start a gym in Australia: choose a location by catchment and parking, check the building before signing, keep equipment costs down, and sell memberships during the fit-out.
The lease
The lease is the decision you cannot undo
Equipment can be leased, bought second hand or added later. A multi-year commercial lease in the wrong place cannot be undone.
People drive to a gym, so location is about catchment and parking more than foot traffic. A cheaper site ten minutes further out can be a worse deal than it looks.
- Check the catchment
- Convenience to home or work usually matters more than visibility.
- Check parking at the times members will come
- Early mornings and evenings.
- Check ceiling height and floor loading
- They decide what you can install.
- Read the make-good clause
- It sets what you owe to return the space at the end of the lease.
Second hand commercial equipment is a sound choice for most first gyms. It is built to outlast several owners, and the saving can fund months of marketing.
Before opening
Sign members before you open
People join gyms that look used. Founding member offers sold during the fit-out bring in cash while costs are running, and they mean the doors open to a room with people in it.
The searches that matter are your suburb plus gym, and the specific thing you offer: 24 hour, women’s only, strength or small group. The specific searches are less contested and more likely to bring members who stay.
- A founding member offer
- Sold while the fit-out runs.
- A Google Business Profile
- With photos of your real space, not stock images.
- A page for what makes you different
- 24 hour, women’s only, strength or small group.
- A trial that is easy to book
- One form on a phone, with no phone call needed.
The short version
Choose the site carefully, keep equipment costs down and spend the fit-out period signing founding members. A gym that opens with members in the room is far easier to grow.
From clients
What clients say about working with spareday
“He was able to take our rough ideas, from concept through to reality. The site has provided an influx of new members, helping to keep our club viable.”
“He created a stunning website for us that captures and nurtures leads with an automated email marketing system, which has filled a huge gap in the business and saved a lot of time (and money!).”
“Huge shoutout to Reece for building my website for Hughesys Painting Services. Since it went live my phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
Official guidance
For independent background, read the official guidance on starting a new business and business insurance.
Common questions
Questions people ask.
How much does it cost to start a gym in Australia?
The lease and fit-out usually cost more than the equipment, and both vary widely by location and size. Price the lease and make-good obligations first.
Should I buy new or second hand equipment?
Second hand, for most first gyms. Commercial equipment outlasts several owners, and the saving can fund marketing.
When should I start signing members?
During the fit-out, with a founding member offer.
What qualifications do I need?
To own a gym, none specifically, though trainers working in it need their own. The main requirements are the lease, insurance and council approval for the use of the space.
How does spareday charge?
spareday quotes one price for the work your business needs, agreed in writing before anything starts. The figure depends on what the business needs, and it comes with your quote.
Who you’ll work with
Hi, I’m Reece.
spareday is my business, based here in Newcastle. You’ll deal with me from the first review of your website, and I’m the person you talk to each month about what’s working.
Find us
spareday in Newcastle.
12 Grey Street, Wickham, Newcastle NSW 2293.
Next step
Get a free growth plan for your gym.
spareday builds the pre-sale page, Google Business Profile and trial signup for new gyms. Tell us your suburb and the kind of gym you are opening. We will talk through the details and send you a free growth plan, price included.
Or call 0485 017 387.