Business funding for gyms and fitness studios
Gyms and studios buy equipment in one lump sum and then earn it back through recurring memberships and class packages, most of it billed automatically to a card. That recurring, card-heavy pattern is exactly what a lot of lenders in this space look for, and it is also what makes an MCA an option worth pricing carefully.
- One application, several lenders
- No credit pull to see your options
- No fee to you, ever
Common funding needs
- Buying or replacing cardio and strength equipment
- Building out or expanding studio space
- Covering payroll and rent through a membership dip
- Opening a second location
What usually fits
Products that usually fit
- Equipment financing for cardio, strength and studio equipment that holds resale value.
- Term loan for a build-out or second location.
- Merchant cash advance repaid from recurring membership and class card charges.
- Line of credit for payroll and rent between membership cycles.
How a merchant cash advance works for you, and when it is too expensive
Because membership and class revenue for most gyms runs through recurring card charges, an MCA here is repaid as a fixed percentage of those daily card receipts, so a slow renewal week means a smaller debit. The factor rate, typically 1.15 to 1.45, sets the total cost regardless of how fast it is repaid, and stacking a second advance on top of an existing one strains cash flow because both debits hit the same recurring revenue. For equipment or a build-out that pays off over years, compare the total dollar cost against equipment financing or a term loan first.
Compare term loans, lines of credit, cash advances and equipment financing side by side →
Separately, our sister company CELER Merchants offers card processing.
Illustrative example
A worked example
A studio finances $50,000 of strength and cardio equipment over 4 years at an illustrative 8-18% a year. Payments run about $1,221–$1,469 a month, or $58,591–$70,500 total.
The same $50,000 as a cash advance at an illustrative factor of 1.20-1.35 means paying back $60,000-$67,500, usually inside 6 to 12 months from card receipts.
Illustrative example only, not an offer or a quote. Rates, fees and terms are set by each lender and depend on your business. Fees are not included unless stated.
Underwriting
What lenders look at
- Recurring membership revenue and monthly card deposits
- Membership count trend and cancellation rate if available
- Lease length and rent as a share of revenue
- Existing equipment payments
- Owner credit and time in business
Honestly
Who this is not for
- A gym that just opened with no membership history
- Financing equipment the current membership base cannot support once rent and payroll are paid
- Stacking a second advance on top of one still being repaid
If borrowing does not make sense, we will say so.
Are you a match?
Lender network minimums
Close but not quite there? Apply anyway and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
*Best available terms from lenders in our network. Every lender sets its own criteria; approval, amount and funding time are decided by the lender and not guaranteed.
| Time in business | 1 year+ |
|---|---|
| Monthly bank deposits | $20,000+ |
| Credit score | 500+ |
| Bank account | Business |
| Fee to you | $0 |
| Credit pull to start | None |
FAQ
Gyms & fitness studios funding questions
Can a new gym get equipment financing?
Sometimes, often with a down payment or a personal guarantee, since lenders want to see membership traction first.
Do lenders care about membership numbers?
Yes, alongside deposits. Steady or growing membership card revenue is one of the clearest signals lenders look for.
Is a cash advance a good fit for gym equipment?
For a large equipment purchase, usually not; equipment financing is typically cheaper. We will show you both.
Can I finance used gym equipment?
Some equipment lenders finance used equipment; others only new. Tell us what you are buying and from whom.
Guides
Guides for gyms & fitness studios
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Where we work: all US states · all Canadian provinces
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