What a gym fitout costs in Australia
Gym fitout quotes make more sense once you know the one number the industry agrees on: $1,500 to $3,000 per square metre, all-in. Here is how that breaks down and what it means at each gym size.
The totals by size
| Facility | All-in build | Financed, per week |
|---|---|---|
| 150 sqm PT studio | $225,000 to $450,000 | $1115 to $2230 |
| 300 sqm 24/7 gym | $450,000 to $900,000 | $2230 to $4465 |
| 500 sqm club | $750,000 to $1,500,000 | from $3720 |
The per-sqm band moves on three things: warm shell versus cold shell (a site that already has HVAC, amenities and power saves hundreds per metre), finish level, and equipment density. Fitness is actually the cheapest commercial fitout category per metre; the equipment is where gyms spend.
Equipment is 40 to 60% of the budget
Package pricing runs $30,000 to $80,000 for a small PT studio, $80,000 to $200,000 for a mid-size gym, and $200,000 to $500,000 plus for a large commercial floor. Inside that: a full cardio zone $30,000 to $80,000, plate-loaded strength $18,000 to $55,000, selectorised machines $30,000 to $75,000, and commercial treadmills $4,000 to $15,000 each depending on brand tier. Package buying earns real discounts against unit pricing, so quote the whole floor at once. Flooring runs $40 to $80 per square metre supplied, with free-weight zones at the thick end.
The HYROX and functional angle
A full race-spec functional setup, sleds, ergs, wall balls and the running capacity to match, budgets around $40,000 to $90,000 in equipment and wants 300 to 400 square metres for full-distance sled runs. It is the strongest differentiation play in the market right now and it prices like a mid-size strength package, not a second gym.
Financing the build
Equipment writes on chattel mortgage and the fitout wraps into the facility, one repayment for the whole build. Property-backed borrowers generally price around 6% to 9% p.a. and non-property-backed deals around 9% to 13%, with approvals commonly back in 24 to 48 hours. Presales matter: lenders read a founding-member list the way they read a contract pipeline. Run your package through the gym equipment finance calculator, or start at gym equipment finance.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gym fitout cost per square metre in Australia?
$1,500 to $3,000 per square metre all-in is the consistent published band: $1,500 for a warm shell with lean equipment density, $3,000 for a cold shell with premium finish and dense equipment.
How much does it cost to open a 24/7 gym?
A 300 square metre 24/7 gym runs $450,000 to $900,000 all-in. A 150 square metre PT studio runs $225,000 to $450,000, and studios can launch under $100,000 with lean equipment.
How much of a gym budget goes on equipment?
40 to 60%. Packages run $30,000 to $80,000 for a studio up to $200,000 to $500,000 for a large commercial floor, and package-buying earns meaningful discounts against per-unit pricing.
Can a gym fitout be financed with presales instead of trading history?
New gyms are financed regularly. Lenders weigh the location, the founding member presales, any property backing and the operator's industry history.
The whole floor, one repayment
Tell us the site and the equipment list and we will come back with one weekly number for the build, usually within a day.
This article is general information only and not financial, credit, or tax advice. Ventas Asset Lending is a finance broker, not a lender. Approvals are subject to lender assessment. Consider your own circumstances and speak to a qualified professional, including your accountant for any tax questions.