How to Open a Fitness Studio in 2025

Dear Fitpreneurs,

When we started building our first studio, we had no idea how much we didn’t know.

Leasing a space? Choosing the right model? It all felt overwhelming.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need everything figured out. What you do need is a clear starting point and the confidence to take that first step.

That’s what we want to give you today: a plan to open your own fitness studio in 2025, even on a tight budget.

Why 2025 Is the Perfect Year to Start

The fitness industry is shifting. People crave connection, community, and spaces that feel like more than just a gym.

Not just an online coaching platform or social media presence, but a tangible, sellable asset you can truly call your own.

Step 1 - Find the Right Location and Model

The most important decision you’ll make is your location and model.

Here’s what to look for when choosing a location:

• Population of 10,000–50,000

• A slightly older demographic

• No direct competition using the same model

• Positive growth trends in the area

For the space itself, ensure it’s large enough for at least 1:6 group sessions (100 sq. ft. per person).

And look for easy parking access (industrial units, high street shops, or repurposed offices are great options).

Step 2 - Secure Your Lease and Build a Financial Plan

When we opened our first location, we made one thing non-negotiable: a rent-free period.

It gave us breathing room to build momentum and establish recurring revenue before rent kicked in. Most landlords are open to this if you commit to a long-term lease.

Next, map out your finances. Create a P&L spreadsheet that accounts for every cost, including your own pay. Be conservative in your estimates (it’s better to over-deliver on profit than fall short).

Step 3 - Plan Your Launch

Your launch is where it all comes together. Here’s a blueprint to get started:

1. Build a waiting list using your CRM (we use LeadDec*).

2. Tease your opening in local Facebook Groups and invite people to join the list.

3. Share polls, quizzes, and competitions to keep your audience engaged.

4. Reveal updates exclusively to your waiting list to build excitement and make them feel part of the journey (we call these Lead Up Letters).

5. Ramp up Facebook and Instagram ads to expand your reach as you approach launch day.

The more you involve your market, the more invested they’ll feel when you finally open.

Step 4 - Start Hiring Coaches Early

Don’t wait until you’re fully booked to hire. Delegating early helps you focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional service and taking consultations that grow your business.

This step ensures your sessions run smoothly from day one and gives you the bandwidth to handle the momentum of your launch.

Step 5 - Run Facebook & Instagram Ads

We never ran ads for our first location, but if you have spare cash and want to maximise your chances of success—they’re a great tool.

Use our Local Ad Formula to spin up a campaign. This is where you build ad creative combinations to run simultaneously (giving you the best chance of conversion).

The ads will boost the size of your audience as well. So you’ll have more people to release your first offer to.

Step 6 - Release Your Introductory Offer

Three to four weeks before launch, it’s time to release your offer.

Here’s the Appointment Queue playbook:

1. Offer it first to your “skip the queue” segment (your hottest leads)

2. Open it up to the rest of the waiting list.

3. Finally, launch it publicly with ads and social media posts.

We recommend a six-week challenge. It’s long enough to deliver results but short enough to convert participants into memberships quickly.

This staggered offer release builds urgency and ensures a smooth onboarding process.

Step 7 - Nail Sales Consultations

When someone comes in for a consultation, make every moment count. We follow our Five A’s framework:

1. Acknowledge: Greet them warmly and make them feel valued.

2. Ask: Use a questionnaire to uncover their goals and needs.

3. Assess: Conduct a fitness evaluation to personalise your approach.

4. Articulate: Present your offer with confidence. Share your story, success stories, and why your studio is the right fit.

5. Accept: If it’s a match, make enrollment seamless.

With a solid process, you can aim for a 70% close rate or higher.

Step 8 - Onboard Members for Long-Term Success

Getting someone to join is just the start. Retaining them is the real win.

At week four of the challenge, invite participants to a progress check-in. Share their results, celebrate wins, and offer membership as the natural next step.

Sweeten the deal with a membership card that comes with perks from local businesses. This small touch makes members feel valued and sets the tone for long-term commitment.

Step 9 - Build a Strong Member Community

Your studio should be more than a place to work out—it should feel like a second home.

Here’s how to foster connection:

• Host events and workshops to keep members engaged.

• Celebrate milestones like 100, 250, or 500 sessions with small rewards.

• Actively listen to feedback and adapt your offerings to meet their needs.

When members feel like they belong, they’ll stick around and they’ll become your best sales people. A strong community isn’t just good for retention; it’s the best kind of marketing.

Client Success Stories

Tools We Use To Launch

• LeadDec* (CRM)

• LegitFit* (Booking Software)

• Notion* (Launch Plan)

• Canva (Graphics / Sales Deck)

• Facebook & Instagram (Marketing)

• ChatGPT (Repurposing copy)

• VistaPrint (Promotional items)

• Google Sheets (Tracking metrics)

*These links are affiliate partners.

Your Move

The hardest part of any journey is taking the first step.

Or maybe it’s time to move on from the grind of online personal training to a business model that gives you more freedom and impact.

That’s where Launch Kit comes in.

It’s our signature coaching programme designed to help you open and fill your studio before day one. It’s the exact process we’ve used to launch and fill both of our own studios—and now, we’re sharing it with a small group of clients.

We’re keeping this programme limited to just 10 spots, so if this sounds like the right move for you, join the waiting list to be the first to know when spaces open.

That’s it from us. Reply any time…

Cardy Brothers
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