Top Fitness Franchise Opportunities for Entrepreneurs in 2025

You’re seeing them more and more: fitness franchise models.

From Anytime Fitness to fit20, from 24/7 gym concepts to exclusive boutique studios. Franchise models are popping up like mushrooms and that’s no coincidence.

Over the past five years, global revenue from fitness franchises has grown by nearly 5% annually. And in 2025 alone, a record number of over 820,000 franchise locations is expected. 🤯

Entrepreneurs are joining en masse.

But is it something for you?

Maybe you dream of having your own location. A place where you’re in control.

But at the same time, these questions keep running through your mind:

• Do I want to come up with and build everything myself?
• Or would it be smarter to join an existing concept?

A franchise offers security, systems, and support. But on the flip side: less freedom, monthly fees, and a fixed format you can’t easily deviate from.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through all the pros and cons of franchising, including statistics, real-world examples, and critical questions you need to ask yourself.

Not to convince you, but to help you decide!

So what exactly is a fitness franchise?

Alright, let’s go back to basics: what is a franchise, really?

A franchise is, simply put, a partnership between you (the entrepreneur) and an existing brand.

They have the concept, the name, the marketing plan, and the systems. You pay (as a franchisee) to use those and in return, you open your own location under their banner.

Hard franchise vs soft franchise

Not every franchise model is the same. Broadly speaking, there are two types:

Hard franchise

A hard franchise is a bit like running a McDonald’s. Everything is thought out. Everything is tested. And everything is predetermined.

You know exactly what you need to do, but you’re not allowed to come up with anything yourself.

From the color on the walls to the layout of your website. From the prices you charge to the campaigns you run. Sometimes even down to the scent in your studio (true story).

👍 The upside? You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

👎 The downside? You still have to ride it, even if it’s not steering quite your way.

Soft franchise

A soft franchise is like training with a coach who says:

“Here’s your plan, but if you feel you need something different, you can adjust it.”

You work under an existing brand name. You get support, direction, tools, and proven experience.

But you’re also allowed to decide things for yourself:

• What classes you offer
• How you speak to your target audience
• What kind of vibe you want to create in your studio

You get the foundation, but you choose the flavor.

And to be fair: some models fall somewhere in between. Call it semi-hard, if you like. 😉 What matters most is knowing exactly what you’re signing up for and making sure you don’t lose yourself in a system that doesn’t fit you.

Which Fitness Franchise Models Exist?

When you think of a franchise, you might picture a large gym chain. But the reality is far more diverse, which gives you more options!

Fitness entrepreneurs can choose from dozens of different franchise models and they come in all shapes and sizes.

While many of the examples featured here are U.S.-based, most are global brands. That means you can research if they operate in your country, too. Just keep in mind: franchise fees, investment levels, and conditions might differ depending on your location.

⚠️ The information in the tables below was collected from public sources in May 2025, including franchisesbiz.com, franchisepayback.com, and the official websites of the respective fitness franchise chains. Exact conditions may vary per franchise and can differ in practice, but this overview gives a clear idea of what to expect. ⚠️

Large Gyms & 24/7 Fitness Clubs

Big ambitions call for big systems.

These franchise giants offer full-access gyms with round-the-clock availability, solid infrastructure, and nationwide brand power.

If you’re looking for predictability, established processes, and a broader member base, this is your playing field.

👉 These full-service gyms are plug-and-play, but they’re not for the faint of heart. High upfront capital and ongoing fees mean this path is best for those who want scale, not side hustle.

Are you curious how a Gold’s Gym franchise really operates day-to-day?

Don’t miss the story of how Virtuagym powers Gold’s Gym with smart software and scalable systems.

Boutique & Group Fitness Studios

Want to offer more than machines? Boutique fitness is where curated experience meets serious community.

These concepts focus on vibe, brand, and small-group formats that drive higher margins.

These are premium plays. Perfect for entrepreneurs who thrive on energy, aesthetics, and brand culture.

Just know: the more polished the vibe, the tighter the ops need to be.

Yoga & Wellness Studios

Holistic health is no longer a trend, it’s a category. These yoga and wellness franchises tap into mindful movement, relaxation, and lifestyle support.

Ideal for community‑driven, value‑focused entrepreneurs.

Want to build a calm empire? These models offer lower overhead and long‑term member loyalty. Just add authenticity and community-building.

Outdoor & Bootcamp Fitness Concepts

High energy, low walls.

These models bring fitness outdoors or create bootcamp-style formats with minimal real estate.

They thrive on intensity, results, and scalable programming.

💪 These concepts are built for movement, literally and financially.

If you want flexible formats with strong brand identity and room to grow fast, this is where to dig in.

How to Choose the Right Fitness Franchise Model

There are so many options out there that sometimes you can’t see the weight room for the dumbbells. 🤭

A smart first step? Just line up different franchise models side by side using platforms like franchisesbiz.com or franchisepayback.com. There you’ll find current info on costs, terms, and contacts.

Want to get a real feel for what’s happening in the market? Attend an event like the The National Franchise Show, usually held in mid September.

There, you can speak directly with franchisors, ask questions, and get a sense of whether the concept truly fits you, not just on paper, but in terms of people and vision.

Because choosing a franchise isn’t just about numbers. You’re choosing a business partner.

And that partner needs to match who you are as an entrepreneur. 🧡

Franchising or Starting Your Own Brand. The Key Differences

Both paths come with benefits.

Both come with challenges.

There’s no right or wrong, only what best suits your personality, ambitions, and situation.

Here’s how the main differences stack up:

Franchising: You’re jumping on a moving train

A franchise is like a ready-made recipe. You get the step-by-step plan, the ingredients, the branding, and sometimes even the chefs.

That means:

Familiar name = instant recognition

No need to build a brand from scratch, people already know and trust it.

Support with setup and marketing

From brand guidelines to a launch campaign, you’ll often get help from HQ.

Systems and structure

Software, scheduling, pricing, customer journey, it’s all in place. Efficient, but with little room to improvise.

Limited freedom

You’ll need to follow the rules. Custom branding, your own pricing model, or targeting a different niche? Often not allowed.

You’ll pay fees

Think upfront investment, monthly royalties, and sometimes required supplier or tool packages.

Mandatory software

Some franchises tie you to specific systems or partners, like a POS system or app. (Fingers crossed they use Virtuagym 🤭)

Starting Your Own Brand: Anything’s possible, but it’s all on you

Building your own brand means full control. From the name on the sign to the scent in the locker room. That freedom also comes with responsibility. What to expect:

• No monthly fees. But watch out, your startup costs for branding, website, and marketing will likely be higher.
• You have to build it all. Software, customer experience, workflows, lead funnels, there’s no central support team.
• No built-in brand awareness. You’ll need to earn trust in your market. Nobody knows your name (yet).
• More room to stand out. Since you define the concept, you can create something truly unique, if you do it right.

Not sure if going independent is the right move? Check out our full guides for opening a gym, personal training studio, or pilates studio.

Find out what you’re really signing up for.

Advice from Walter Vendel, founder of fit20

fit20 is a Virtuagym partner, meaning all 140 studios run on our software.

Even though our interview with Walter is a few years old now, his thoughts on building your own business versus joining a franchise might be more relevant than ever today.

Timeless advice for anyone who’s still figuring out their next entrepreneurial move 👇

Fitness Franchise Trends and Market Data (U.S. Edition)

Franchising looks polished on the surface, but under the hood, it’s a game of numbers, strategy, and timing.

Here’s what really matters if you’re planning to invest smart and scale with impact.

Over 9,400 franchised fitness businesses currently operate in the U.S., generating around $7 billion in 2023. And that figure is part of a steady upward trend

The growth forecast? Approximately 5% per year.

Let’s talk money. Most fitness franchises require an upfront investment between $250K and $500K.

That’s the baseline, higher for premium models or multi-unit deals. But here’s the upside: many owners see ROI within 24–36 months. Some leaner models even hit break-even in 18 months.

Margins tell another part of the story;

• Average net margins hover between 16% and 23%
• Boutique franchises, with strong community and pricing power, can push this up to 30%.
• Case in point: Anytime Fitness reports ~$390K in annual revenue per location, with top operators achieving up to 23% in profit margin.

The middle is collapsing. The franchises winning right now are either budget powerhouses or premium experiences.

Budget models grew by 69%.

Premium offerings? Up 21%.

But traditional mid-tier clubs? Just 2% growth, and falling flat in retention.

This is not the moment to sit on the fence. Pick a lane and own it. The data’s clear: wishy-washy value propositions don’t survive in today’s fitness economy.

Digital is no longer optional, it’s the new standard.

89% of top-performing franchises now combine in-person training with digital services: mobile apps, online programs, nutritional tools, virtual coaching.

And consumers? They expect it. According to EuropeActive, 1 in 5 members mix gym and home workouts.

That hybrid behavior is now the norm. If your franchise model doesn’t support that fluid experience, you’re already behind.

Is a Fitness Franchise Right for You? 6 Brutally Honest Questions

Let’s be real: not everyone is built for franchising. And that’s totally okay.

But if you’re seriously considering joining a franchise model, you need to ask yourself these six questions:

• Do you want freedom or a proven system?
• How strong are your marketing and business skills?
• Are you okay paying monthly fees, even when times get tough?
• Can you follow rules set by someone else?
• Do you want to scale to multiple locations?
• Do you have enough capital to get started?

Conclusion

A fitness franchise can give you structure, brand power, and a fast track to launch. But it also asks something in return: the discipline to operate within a set system. And that’s not for everyone.

The most important thing? Choose a model that genuinely fits you. Not just because it’s trending, but because it gives you energy.

Whether you’re building your own concept or joining an established brand, make sure you stand behind what it stands for.

That’s how you build something great.