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Best business loans for gyms and fitness studios in 2026
The best financing for most gyms and fitness studios is equipment financing or leasing for machines, since equipment is the largest purchase and it wears out on a predictable cycle. An SBA 7(a) loan fits a buildout or new location, and a line of credit smooths the summer dip in memberships.
By the WithFunded team · Published November 11, 2026 · Rates as of November 2026
The short list
- Best for cardio and strength equipment
- Equipment lease
- Best for equipment you will keep
- Equipment loan
- Best for a buildout or second location
- SBA 7(a) loan
- Best for seasonal membership swings
- Business line of credit
The 4 best options, ranked
1. Equipment lease Best for cardio and strength equipment
Cardio machines date quickly and members notice. Leasing keeps the floor current and makes replacement a routine swap instead of a new purchase.
Watch for: On a fair-market-value lease you do not own the equipment unless you pay the buyout. Equipment financing guide →
2. Equipment loan Best for equipment you will keep
Racks, free weights, and rigs last for many years. Buying them with an equipment loan costs less over time than leasing.
Watch for: Older or highly specialized equipment gets shorter terms and higher rates. Equipment financing guide →
3. SBA 7(a) loan Best for a buildout or second location
Locker rooms, flooring, and HVAC for a new facility are expensive and long-lived. A 7(a) loan spreads them over a term that membership revenue can support.
Watch for: Heavy documentation, and the timeline rules it out for anything urgent. SBA loan guide →
4. Business line of credit Best for seasonal membership swings
Sign-ups peak in January and fall off in summer. A line covers rent and payroll through the low months.
Watch for: Some lenders add draw or maintenance fees, and a limit can be cut at renewal. Business line of credit guide →
Side-by-side comparison
| Option | Verdict | Cost basis | Funding speed | Qualifies on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment lease | Best for cardio and strength equipment | A monthly lease payment; total cost depends on the end-of-term buyout | Days to weeks | The equipment is the collateral; often less cash up front than a loan |
| Equipment loan | Best for equipment you will keep | Representative 8%–30% APR, with the term matched to the equipment's useful life | Days to weeks | The equipment is the collateral, which can offset a thinner credit profile |
| SBA 7(a) loan | Best for a buildout or second location | Capped at 10.00%–13.50% by loan size (prime plus the SBA maximum spread) | Weeks to months | Generally stronger credit and two or more years in business |
| Business line of credit | Best for seasonal membership swings | Representative 8%–30% APR, charged only on what you draw | Often days | Revenue, time in business, and credit |
What it costs
Monthly payments on a standard fixed-payment loan at the representative 8%–30% APR band. The low end of each range is 8% APR and the high end is 30% APR.
| Amount | 36 mo | 48 mo | 60 mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,253–$1,698 | $977–$1,440 | $811–$1,294 |
| $120,000 | $3,760–$5,094 | $2,930–$4,321 | $2,433–$3,882 |
| $300,000 | $9,401–$12,735 | $7,324–$10,802 | $6,083–$9,706 |
Financing $120,000 over 48 months costs about $2,930–$4,321 a month, or $20,618 to $87,395 in total interest, depending on the rate you qualify for. WithFunded calculation, representative 8%–30% APR band. Not a quote.
A line of credit charges interest only on the balance you have drawn. This is the monthly interest on a carried draw, before any principal is repaid:
| Carried draw | At 8% APR | At 19% APR | At 30% APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $133 | $317 | $500 |
| $50,000 | $333 | $792 | $1,250 |
| $100,000 | $667 | $1,583 | $2,500 |
Interest-only illustration across the representative band. Draw fees and repayment schedules vary by lender. WithFunded calculation.
What lenders look at
- Recurring membership revenue and the monthly cancellation rate.
- Lease terms, since a gym's buildout is worthless without the space.
- Revenue per square foot compared with rent.
Mistakes to avoid
- Financing a buildout on projected memberships. Presale numbers are the best evidence a lender, or you, can have.
- Leasing equipment on a term longer than you expect to keep it on the floor.
Frequently asked questions
- Should a gym lease or buy equipment?
- Lease equipment that dates quickly, such as cardio machines, and buy what lasts, such as racks and weights. Compare the total paid over the term, including any buyout.
- Can I get an SBA loan to open a gym?
- Yes, though startups face more scrutiny. Lenders want industry experience, a cash injection from the owner, and a signed or pending lease. Franchise gyms can be easier to finance.
- How do gyms handle the summer slowdown?
- With a line of credit or cash reserves built in the first quarter. Lenders prefer to see annual or prepaid memberships that soften the seasonal dip.
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How we ranked these options
This guide ranks types of financing, not individual lenders. Each option is ordered by how well it fits the need described on this page, judged on four things in this order: whether the structure matches how the money will be used and repaid, total cost, funding speed, and how hard it is to qualify. Cost figures are WithFunded calculations from published rate inputs as of November 2026: the bank prime loan rate from the Federal Reserve, the SBA maximum-rate schedule, and Federal Reserve survey data. The method follows our 2026 SMB Financing Cost Report, whose own figures use June 2026 rates.
WithFunded is a financing marketplace, not a lender. Our 2-minute form suggests a product type from the families we cover, and a funding partner reviews the request. Not every structure named in this guide is available through WithFunded: options such as SBA microloans, USDA farm loans, bank loans, and seller financing are ones you would pursue directly with the provider. They are listed because leaving out a good fit would make the ranking less useful.
Related guides
The top-ranked option on this page is equipment lease because it fits the most common version of this need. Your own best fit depends on your revenue, time in business, credit, and how fast you need the money.
Disclaimer. WithFunded and Big Think Capital are a financing marketplace; we are not the direct lender and do not guarantee funding, approval, rates, or terms. Everything on this page is a representative example only — not an offer or a commitment to lend, and not financial advice. Actual rates, fees, payments, and terms are set by the funding lender and depend on your business, credit, and the product. Where required by state law, the lender provides cost-of-financing disclosures before any agreement is signed.