Thinking About Opening a Gym? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Estimated Read Time: 10 min.
If you’ve already experienced success in your career—but keep feeling the pull toward fitness and wellness—you’re not alone.
More and more people are choosing to take their passion full-time. Maybe you’re a former athlete, a seasoned trainer, or a lifelong gym-goer who’s tired of the 9-5 grind. Maybe you’ve run small group classes or trained clients 1:1, and now you’re ready to scale up and create a space of your own—one that reflects your values and helps your community get stronger.
Opening a gym can be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. But before you start signing leases or ordering equipment, here are 3 things you need to think through:
1. Understand Where the Industry Is Headed
Good news: the fitness industry is growing—and strength training is leading the way.
- 97% increase in time spent with free weights
- 57% increase in use of resistance equipment
- 51% decrease in cardio equipment usage
(Source: Track My Gym & Harrison Co., Data between 2010 - 2022)
Today’s gym members are more informed. They’re looking for real results, science-backed programs, expert coaches, and welcoming environments where they can train with purpose.
When you’re building out your business plan, consider what your community actually wants—and where the industry is headed.
2. Decide: Go Independent or Franchise?
This is one of the biggest decisions you’ll face early on: Do you build your gym from scratch, or partner with an established fitness franchise? Here are some of the benefits of each model.
Starting Your Own Gym:
Going fully independent means total control over your brand, layout, programs, and vision. But it also means:
- Writing your own business plan
- Finding and negotiating a lease
- Selecting, ordering, and installing equipment
- Marketing and brand development
- Hiring and training a team
- Handling admin, legal, insurance, software, and member communications
For many gym owners, it’s worth it—but the early stages can be overwhelming and expensive. Expect a longer runway before profitability.
Opening a Franchise Gym
Investing in a franchise means you'll have branding, systems, and support already in place. That includes:
- Site selection and lease negotiation assistance
- Equipment and facility design
- Pre-built marketing campaigns
- Member retention systems
- Training and onboarding for you and your staff
The tradeoff? You’ll pay a franchise fee and follow a set business model. But you’ll also reduce your risk, shorten your launch timeline, and gain a network of support.
3. Evaluate the Competition and Demand
Once you know the type of gym you want to open, do your research:
- Are there similar gyms already operating in your area?
- What do they do well—and where do they fall short?
- Is there an unmet need for strength training, youth athletic development, or adult small-group training?
This step helps you position your gym effectively and speak to a real need in your local market—not just your own interests.
Pro Tip: Set Yourself Up for Long-Term Success
Opening a gym is one thing. Keeping it thriving for the long haul is another. Think beyond launch day:
- How will you stay current with evolving fitness trends and training methods?
- Who will you turn to for support when challenges come up?
- Will you be reinventing the wheel—or building on proven systems and shared experience?
Whether you go independent or join a franchise, having a long-term strategy for education, growth, and support is crucial. A network can provide that. So can a mentor. So can a brand that’s already been where you’re headed.
Add D1 to Your Shortlist
When it comes to opening a gym, the path you choose will shape your future—for better or for busier. Whether you go independent or franchise, you owe it to yourself to explore the strongest options out there.
D1 Training is a strong contender.
We’re a national franchise backed by 20+ years of results, a proven 5-Star Training Program, and a mission to train the athlete in everyone. From first-timers to future pros, we’ve helped develop:
- 100+ NFL Draft Picks
- 3,000+ College Athletes
- Over 2 million athletes nationwide
But the real impact happens inside our communities—where kids, adults, and families grow in strength, confidence, and character.
If you’re serious about opening a gym and ready to explore your options, D1 should be on your list.
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Why You Might Be a Perfect Fit for D1
- You’ve built successful teams before—and now you want it to mean something more.
- You’re an athlete, parent, or professional who believes in the power of dedication, teamwork, and character.
- You’re not afraid of hard work.
- You thrive on challenges and growth.
- You care deeply about helping others become the best version of themselves.
Sound like you? Then you’re in the right place.
INVEST IN THE EXPLOSIVE FITNESS INDUSTRY
100+ elite facilities in U.S. operation
$808K*+ in average unit revenues
$1.5+M* revenue for top franchise locations
*2023 data for locations open 2+ years
READY. SET. GROW.
By purchasing an existing D1 location, you won’t be starting from scratch. You’ll be stepping into a fully operational D1 Training facility with an experienced team, loyal membership base, and top-tier equipment already in place. Here’s what you get:
- Prime territory in a high-opportunity market
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Existing coaches and staff
- Built-in client base with room to grow
- Proven business model with fast-track onboarding
You’ll also avoid 12+ months of construction and development time—this facility is ready for your leadership and expansion.
It's Time to Step Up
Interested in buying a D1 Training Franchise in your community? Let’s talk!
Give us a call at 615-933-5653.
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