Business Loans For Gyms

Why you might need business finance for your gym or fitness business

The fitness sector is highly competitive, so it’s vital that you keep your facilities up to date, your equipment in tip-top condition, your services current and your marketing fresh and exciting.

On top of your day-to-day running costs (think tax, wages, utilities, cleaning and maintenance, insurance) this can be a major challenge, and a business loan may give you the cash you need to keep up with the competition.

There are many ways you could use the funds from a business to support or grow your gym or fitness business, such as:

• Buying new equipment or upgrading existing equipment
• Hiring skilled staff to take popular classes or training sessions
• Developing online marketing strategies and social media campaigns to promote your business
• Training and developing your staff
• Acquiring new premises or refurbishing your existing facilities

What are the requirements for getting a business loan?

Getting a business loan can be easier than you think.

While you can still expect to be knocked back by the big banks unless you have a solid trading history, a top-rate credit rating and collateral to offer, there are plenty of alternative lenders out there willing to offer business loans to gyms.

Each lender will have their own criteria when it comes to things like credit rating, how long you’ve been in business, and how high your turnover is.

If you’re higher risk (e.g. if your credit score is low) you may still be able to get a business loan, although you can expect to pay a higher rate of interest to compensate for that risk.

The most important factor ALL lenders will look at is your capacity.

Lenders need to know that you will have enough cash – after all your expenses – to cover your loan repayments.

How to apply for a business loan

If you are applying to an alternative lender for a business loan, the process is usually quick and easy:

What options are available to gyms and fitness centres?

There are several types of small business loans you could consider, to support or grow your fitness business.

Unsecured small business loan

A short-term option, unsecured business loans are usually for between 3 months and 2 years.

You can use the funds for any purpose. Many lenders will let you set a repayment schedule to suit your trading patterns.

Equipment loan

A specific-purpose business loan secured on the gym equipment you are buying.

The term will often be tied to the lifespan of the equipment. You will not be able to sell or upgrade the equipment until you have repaid the equipment finance.

Vehicle loan

There are several types of business car finance you can use to buy your work vehicles, including car loans, hire purchasing and leasing.

While your work vehicles are under finance you will not be able to sell or upgrade them.

Business line of credit

A business line of credit is similar to an overdraft facility, giving you access to cash up to an agreed limit, often with the right to draw, repay and redraw funds as you need them.

You only pay interest on what you borrow, but there are often set up and admin fees.

Business credit card

Business credit cards are great for covering day-to-day expenses and making purchases, but unless you clear the balance each month the cost can be extremely high.

Before entering in to any business loan agreement, be sure to seek professional advice. It’s also important to ensure you understand all of the costs (including all fees). You can get a head start by using our business loan calculator.