The top five questions people ask about fitness franchising

If you’ve ever thought about owning your own business, you’ve probably found yourself dreaming about building something meaningful and something that makes a real difference.

Fitness franchising offers exactly that but of course, I know it’s natural to be apprehensive.

I’ve spoken with countless entrepreneurs who felt both excited and nervous when they first considered franchising. I caught up with our team about the five main concerns that come up from prospective franchisees and here, I’ve broken them down and given my take.

“Isn’t it expensive to start a fitness franchise?”

Let’s be honest: yes, there’s an upfront investment. Between build costs, leases, high-end equipment and franchise fees, you’ll need to be financially prepared to be a gym owner.

We would never want someone to overstretch themselves and ensuring any franchisees have the necessary liquid capital is a key part of our sales process.

We strive to make gym ownership as accessible as possible, which is why we work with leading high street bank and leasing partners who can typically lend up to 60% of start-up costs.

While the initial costs are high, the returns can be significant. Our new gyms are opening with more members than ever before, with our support and guidance helping franchisees reach operational breakeven within weeks.

“I don’t know anything about running a gym”

This is an understandable question and one I’m always happy to provide reassurance on! Franchising is the best way to capitalise on an industry you don’t have any previous experience in.

Support Offices are there to give you the playbook and the support that you need, regardless of your background. I’d say close to 90% of the Snap Fitness franchisee network had no previous fitness industry experience and with our support, have been able to build and sustain hugely successful businesses.

“What if I want more creative control?’

Totally fair question. When you invest in a franchise, you're aligning with a brand which means certain standards and systems come with the territory. That’s a good thing as consistency is key to building member trust and operational excellence.

However, we absolutely believe in entrepreneurship and the power of local ownership. Our franchisees bring invaluable insight from their communities and we welcome ideas and adaptations that elevate the brand while staying true to our values. It's about collaboration, not control. Although it’s our name above the door, franchisees can still make their gym unique to them.

“The market feels saturated—can I still stand out?”

My team hear this a lot! The fitness industry is competitive but what matters is quality, community, and brand differentiation. The 2025 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report released in June showed that gym memberships in the UK reached an all-time high for a third successive year.

This demonstrates that the sustained demand is there and if executed well, even in a busy market, the right franchise stands out against its competitors.

Our biggest investment right now is our in-gym experience and technology, ensuring our franchisees have the product to stand out. The stats show we’re doing it too; our total membership base grew by 18% between March 2024 and March 2025, over three times the fitness industry average.

“Is this going to take over my life?”

Starting any business takes work and there’s no sugar-coating that. Particularly at the start of your franchise journey, we recommend getting hands-on to build the foundations of your business and leverage all the support available to you.

Particularly with a gym, getting off on the right foot is integral to your success. The more members you open with, the quicker you’re on your path to your return on investment.

Once your gym is established, you’ll likely start to take a step back and entrust the majority of the day-to-day operations to your Club Manager. This will free up your time significantly and give you a great work-life balance. Plenty of our franchisees have investments in other sectors and fitness franchising gives you the flexibility to have the time for other personal and professional interests.

To sum things up, objections are healthy and means you’re thinking and doing due diligence like any business owner. My advice? Don’t let uncertainty stop you from exploring something that could be life-changing.