Thinking About Buying a Franchise? Here’s Why a Gym Might Be the Best Investment You Make

Estimated Read Time: 12 min.

Why a Gym Could Be a Smarter Franchise Investment

Not all franchises are created equal. Some have high brand recognition but razor-thin margins. Others require minimal training but come with high employee churn. And some just don’t align with your personal values or goals.

But fitness—especially performance-based fitness—is a different kind of opportunity. When you invest in the right gym franchise, you're tapping into:

• A fast-growing, resilient industry
• An expanding audience, from youth athletes to active adults
• A mission-driven model that lets you change lives every day

And it’s not just personally rewarding—it can be financially lucrative, too. The performance-based training industry hit $27.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to over $50 billion by 2035. That’s massive potential, especially for franchise owners who are ready to get in now and ride the wave of demand.

What Will It Cost to Own a Franchise?

Before you dive into any franchise opportunity, it’s important to understand the full picture of what you’re investing in—and what you’re getting in return.
Franchise ownership typically includes a few major categories of costs:

• Franchise Fee – A one-time upfront payment to use the brand name, systems, and support.
• Royalty Fees – Ongoing payments (usually a percentage of revenue) to the franchisor.
• Startup Investment – The money required to open your doors. This can include real estate, equipment, staffing, marketing, buildout costs, and working capital.
• Ongoing Overhead – Monthly costs like rent, payroll, utilities, insurance, software, and marketing. These impact your bottom line, so make sure any franchise you consider helps you forecast and manage them well.

Costs vary widely depending on the type of franchise, location, and support level offered. Be sure that when you’re comparing franchise opportunities, you’re taking all of the costs into consideration.

Make It Count: Invest in Something That Lasts

At the end of the day, franchise ownership is about more than a business model. It’s about how you spend your time, who you influence, and what kind of impact you want to have. That’s why more mission-minded investors are turning to fitness.

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to build something real. Something meaningful,” then this is your moment to explore what that could look like.

D1 Training: A Franchise Worth Considering

If you’re exploring fitness franchise opportunities, D1 Training deserves a spot on your list.

We’re not your average gym franchise. We’re a performance training brand built by athletes, for athletes, serving everyone from kids and adults to college and pro-level performers.

With more than 150 facilities nationwide, our locations are backed by:

• A 5-Star Training Program modeled after Division 1 collegiate strength & conditioning
• 100+ NFL Draft Picks trained
• 3,000+ college athletes developed
• Over 2 million athletes served nationwide

But what sets us apart isn’t just our results—it’s our values. We believe in building strength, discipline, and character. And we partner with franchise owners who want to do the same. If you're looking to invest in a franchise that blends purpose, performance, and long-term growth potential, we’d love to start a conversation.

| What Does a D1 Training Franchise Cost?

D1 Training is upfront about what it takes to get started—and what you get in return. You'll need a minimum of $250,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $500,000 to get started. And if you're ready to grow beyond a single location, D1 offers reduced franchise fees for multi-unit ownership.

• Initial Franchise Fee: $59,500
• Total Startup Investment Range: $474,843 – $906,979*
• Royalty Fee: 7% of gross revenue

 (*See Item 7 of the current FDD.)

What You Get In Return:

A franchise is only worth the investment if it sets you up to succeed. With D1, that includes:

• Site selection and lease negotiation support
• Facility design and equipment planning
• Done-for-you marketing campaigns and launch strategy
• Coaching and training for you and your team
• A national brand with 20+ years of performance training experience
• Ongoing support, data insights, and access to a network of high-performing owners

So while the upfront investment may be significant, you’re not doing this alone—and you're stepping into a model with proven systems, growing demand, and long-term brand equity.