Fitness Studio Franchise Opportunities

Fitness Studio Franchise Opportunities

Setting up a fitness studio franchise 

The UK fitness industry is booming. 48% of people in the UK exercise regularly, according to the Pure Gym UK fitness report 2024/2025. Additionally, the report found that 17% of us have gym memberships, and 89% of 18-24 year olds with gym memberships do weekly strength training. It’s a great time to be investing in and setting up a fitness studio franchise.  

So, how can you get started in this highly competitive industry? What setbacks do you need to be prepared for?

We’ve interviewed members of two of the biggest fitness studio franchises in the UK to answer your burning questions and find out everything you need to know, so you can take advantage of a fitness studio franchising opportunity. 

What is a fitness studio franchise? 

A fitness studio franchise is a type of fitness-focused business which offers specialist, instructor-led workouts in a structured, safe, community-focused environment.

These workouts may focus on a specific training style, such as HIIT (high intensity interval training), yoga, Pilates or strength training.

Buying into a fitness studio franchise can help your venture to grow and flourish as you enjoy the expertise and support of a franchisor, while avoiding the risks often associated with starting a new business. 

Customer demand for a wide variety of high-quality fitness classes has led to a rise in the number of fitness studio franchises operating.

How can I become a franchisee? 

Max Henderson, co-founder and CEO of Hotpod Yoga explains how the start-up process works for his fitness studio franchise: "The potential franchise owner begins to get close to the brand so they can get a real feel for who we are.

"Once we’re confident that they will be a good fit, they can come and talk to us about where they’d like to open so we can see if the location has availability. 

"We allocate all our studio owners specific territories, in which no other Hotpod Yoga studio can open. This means they’re not impacting each other's efforts to engage with customers in that area. 

"The next step, once we've agreed the location, is for the franchise owner to work on a business plan. We offer guidance to help with this. We want them to get to the point where they feel they know all they need to do about launching and running a successful fitness studio franchise. It’s also crucial that they understand how much they’ll need to invest in order to launch it. 

"Once the franchisee has signed the franchise agreement and paid the initial fee is paid, they can then begin to move towards launching their studio. This means securing a property and diving into our specialist franchise training to kick things off."

"We provide our new franchisees with everything they need to know via an intensive, one-week fitness studio franchise training course. Beyond this, we also offer ongoing training programmes, teacher immersions and even a yoga teacher training academy." 

Fitness studio franchise case study: Hotpod Yoga 

Max Henderson and his co-founder, Nick Higgens, launched Hotpod Yoga in 2013. They initially ran a handful of sites across London. However, the intention was always to create a supportive platform to empower yoga instructors to run their own studios. 

Max explains: "We wanted to bring together our unique experience and brand to each yoga instructor's hometown.  

"Initially, this happened very organically, with Ana Chidzoy from Swansea. She was our very first franchisee and launched in August 2013. At the time we knew very little, but we were open and honest, and learned together along the way. 

"Twelve years on, Ana still has a thriving, successful fitness studio franchise and has been an inspiration to our other 60 studio owners across the country."

What makes a fitness studio franchise a success? 

So you’ve started up a fitness studio franchise in your area, but how do you keep afloat? Max from Hotpod Yoga believes that a real passion for what you’re doing is key.

He explains: "If you’re genuinely motivated and inspired by the service you’re delivering, that’s the fuel you need to keep going. The other key component is trust – franchise relationships are all about trust." 

It’s not just about motivating yourself though. To make a fitness studio franchise a success you need to have bodies in the studio and conversions from any campaigns you're running if you want to make money.

Kara Ratcliffe, franchise development marketing manager at Anytime Fitness reveals what she believes is key to making a new fitness studio franchise successful: "In a fitness franchise, the key to success lies in three main areas: location, member experience and community engagement.  

"A well-positioned fitness studio in a high-demand area can drive foot traffic. Meanwhile, offering a welcoming and supportive environment will encourage member retention.

"Anytime Fitness thrives on its strong sense of community. Actively engaging with members, hosting events and creating a culture of inclusivity all contribute to long-term success. 

"Additionally, leveraging your franchise’s proven systems, marketing support and technology will ensure a smooth operation and continued growth." 

Gym franchise or fitness studio? 

Gym franchises are, as the name suggests, specifically gym-focused, whereas a fitness studio is a place to run exercises classes. However, gyms often double up as fitness studios, running classes alongside the regular gym.  

Anytime Fitness is a gym franchise that also provides fitness classes. It was founded in 2002 in the United States with a simple but revolutionary idea: to provide 24/7 gym access and make fitness more convenient and accessible.  

Kara explains: "The brand grew quickly due to its flexible model, high-quality equipment and community focus. It expanded internationally, arriving in the UK in 2010. It's since become one of the best fitness studio franchises globally, with thousands of locations helping people to lead healthier lives."

What hurdles can you expect? 

As when setting up any new business, there are bound to be complications and bumps in the road. While a franchise team will be able to offer support and advice, there will still likely be teething problems along the way.  

Both Max and Kara explain how one of the biggest hurdles was the COVID-19 pandemic. As every franchise owner would likely agree, it caused an array of issues never encountered before, leading to a new way of working. 

Max from Hotpod Yoga explains: "Our franchise experience has been one big learning curve, but the pandemic was the ultimate hurdle. It challenged us to keep up our high levels of customer engagement without being able to do so in-person.”  

The challenge was met by both Hotpod Yoga and Anytime Fitness though. Kara told us: “The setback from COVID was industry-wide, but we adapted by enhancing our digital offerings and reinforcing hygiene measures." 

“Other hurdles we experience can include securing the right location – fitness studio franchises need both strong local demand and a premises that suits your needs. Growing memberships takes time, too. A proactive marketing approach is essential for that to happen." 

“Ultimately, challenges are a part of the journey, but with the support of a strong franchise network, they can be overcome.” 

Making your fitness studio franchise a success

The fitness studio franchise market is growing and diversifying as people prioritise their health more and more. It’s an exciting and rewarding time to join the sector. Kara offers the following tips for making your fitness studio franchise a success.

"First and foremost, do your research," she says. "Understand the market, location dynamics and the specific requirements of your fitness studio franchise model. Building relationships within your local community and focusing on exceptional customer service will set you apart.  

"Take full advantage of any training, guidance and marketing support that is provided by your franchise. It is there to help you succeed. 

"If you have the right mindset, are prepared to put in the work and are committed to delivering a great member experience, a fitness studio franchise can be both a fulfilling and profitable venture."

If you're interested in buying a fitness studio franchise, browse our wide range of franchise opportunities. You can also browse gym franchises, health club franchises and sports franchises.