Commercial Fitness & Gym Equipment Financing
Fitness equipment financing from Liberty Capital Group helps gyms, studios and fitness centers get the equipment they need now and pay for it over time. Whether you are opening your first studio or re-equipping a full club, we compare gym equipment financing and leasing offers from multiple funding sources with one application.
Fitness equipment financing at a glance
- Amounts: from about $10,000 to $5,000,000; application-only up to $250,000
- Terms: 12 to 72 months; used equipment up to 60 months
- Structures: $1 buyout lease, FMV lease, equipment finance agreement, gym loans
- Covers: equipment plus up to 20% soft costs (delivery, install, flooring, mirrors)
- Speed: next-day approvals on many deals; vendor paid within days of signing
- Credit check: soft pull for your quote, no application fee
What Is Fitness Equipment Financing?
Fitness equipment financing spreads the cost of commercial gym equipment over a fixed term, usually 12 to 72 months, instead of paying for it all up front. The equipment itself secures the deal, which makes approval easier than an unsecured loan and keeps your cash available for staff, marketing and rent.
Commercial fitness equipment financing works for every kind of facility: big-box gyms, boutique studios, CrossFit boxes, personal training studios, martial arts and yoga studios, hotel and apartment fitness centers, physical therapy clinics and corporate gyms.
Gym Equipment You Can Finance
New, used and refurbished commercial equipment qualifies, from one vendor or several bundled into one monthly payment:
- Treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers and rowers
- Spin and indoor cycling bikes
- Selectorized and plate-loaded strength machines
- Power racks, rigs, benches and free weights
- Functional training and turf areas
- Pilates reformers and yoga studio equipment
- Rubber flooring, mirrors and sound systems
- Recovery and wellness equipment: saunas, cold plunges, massage chairs
- Check-in systems, lockers and front-desk technology
- Tanning, spa and med-spa equipment
Types of Fitness Financing
Equipment finance agreement (EFA)
You own the equipment from day one with fixed monthly payments. A simple, loan-style way to finance a full fitness floor.
$1 buyout lease
Low payments, ownership at the end for a dollar and potential Section 179 treatment. The most popular option for gym owners.
FMV (operating) lease
The lowest monthly payment. Return, upgrade or buy the equipment at fair market value at the end of the term, ideal for cardio that you refresh every 3 to 5 years.
Gym loans and working capital
Cash for build-out, payroll, marketing and pre-opening costs. Working capital
SBA loans
Long terms and low rates for larger projects such as opening a new location or buying a gym, for owners who can wait several weeks.
Business line of credit
Flexible funds for seasonal membership swings, repairs and small equipment. Lines of credit
What Commercial Gym Equipment Costs
Commercial equipment is built for hours of daily use and costs far more than home equipment. Typical price ranges for new commercial-grade gear (brand, features and quantity change the numbers):
| Equipment | Typical cost per unit |
|---|---|
| Commercial treadmill | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Elliptical or cross-trainer | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Stair climber | $5,000 – $12,000 |
| Indoor cycling / spin bike | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Rower | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Selectorized strength machine | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Power rack or rig | $1,000 – $6,000+ |
| Pilates reformer | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Rubber flooring (per sq. ft.) | $3 – $10 |
That adds up quickly. A boutique studio often needs $50,000 to $150,000 of equipment, and a full-size gym can run $250,000 to $1,000,000+. That is why most owners finance instead of paying cash.
Sample monthly payments
Illustrative payments at two example rates. Sample rates are for established businesses with 3 to 5+ years in business and strong credit (680+ FICO), and are subject to credit approval. Rates for startups vary and are subject to final approval. This is not an offer or commitment to lend.
| Amount financed | 36 months @ 10% | 60 months @ 10% | 36 months @ 16% | 60 months @ 16% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $807 | $531 | $879 | $608 |
| $50,000 | $1,613 | $1,062 | $1,758 | $1,216 |
| $100,000 | $3,227 | $2,125 | $3,516 | $2,432 |
| $250,000 | $8,067 | $5,312 | $8,789 | $6,080 |
Want your own numbers? Use our payment calculator or get a real quote in 3 minutes.
Ask About Our Fitness Equipment Financing Promotion
$99 for the first 6 months · 90-day deferred payments · $0 down (qualified)
Program Highlights
- Fast, simple online application. No financials up to $250,000
- Corp-only (no personal guarantee) options available
- Up to 120% of equipment cost, including delivery, installation, flooring and mirrors
- Up to $5,000,000 with financial statements
- Next-day funding approval
- 12 to 72 month fixed payment terms
- No prepayment penalties (program-dependent)
- $1 buyout leases and FMV options
Leasing vs. Buying Gym Equipment
For most gym owners, fitness equipment leasing beats paying cash:
- Cash flow management. Leasing needs a low capital outlay compared to an outright purchase, so your working capital stays free for staff, marketing and rent.
- Inflation buster. Equipment prices keep climbing. A lease locks in today's price with a fixed payment, and you pay it back with tomorrow's dollars.
- Low, manageable payments. Fixed monthly payments make budgeting predictable and can be matched to your membership revenue.
- Terms up to 5 years, most with a $1 buyout. At the end of the term you own the equipment for a dollar, with no balloon payment.
- Section 179 and 100% bonus depreciation. A $1 buyout lease is generally treated as a purchase for tax purposes, so qualifying equipment may be eligible for the Section 179 deduction (up to $2.56 million for 2026) or 100% bonus depreciation in the year it is placed in service. Confirm with your CPA.
- Conserve cash. Keep reserves and bank lines open for opportunities and emergencies instead of tying them up in equipment.
| $1 buyout lease / EFA | FMV lease | Paying cash | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | Moderate, fixed | Lowest | None, but large upfront cost |
| Ownership | Yes, for $1 or from day one | Optional at end | Yes |
| Upgrading | Sell or trade in | Easy, return and upgrade | Sell or trade in |
| Best for | Strength equipment you keep | Cardio you refresh often | Strong cash reserves |
Financing a Gym: Startups and Existing Clubs
Opening a new gym or studio
Startup gyms can finance equipment with good personal credit and a down payment. A realistic plan helps: your location, expected membership, pricing and a quote from your equipment vendor. Working capital or an SBA loan can cover the build-out and pre-opening costs, so the equipment lease isn't carrying the whole project.
Expanding or upgrading an existing gym
Established gyms with 2+ years in business and steady membership deposits get the best rates, the promotional programs and application-only approvals up to $250,000. Many owners use gym loans and equipment leasing together: new cardio on an FMV lease, strength equipment on a $1 buyout, and a line of credit for seasonal swings.
Gym Equipment Financing by Type of Fitness Business
Boutique and group fitness studios
Spin, HIIT, boxing and rowing studios finance matching sets of bikes, rowers or bags plus sound, lighting and flooring in one package.
CrossFit boxes and functional training
Rigs, racks, bumper plates, sleds and turf are financeable, and used equipment is common for new boxes.
Full-size gyms and health clubs
Large cardio and strength floors are often split: cardio on an FMV lease for regular upgrades, strength on a $1 buyout.
Franchise gyms
Franchisees can finance the franchisor's required equipment package. Lenders like the proven model, but still underwrite the owner's credit and capital.
Pilates, yoga and barre
Reformers, towers, props and studio build-out; reformer studios are one of the fastest-growing segments we finance.
Personal training studios
Smaller packages of $15,000 to $75,000 are usually application-only with fast approvals.
Hotels, apartments and corporate gyms
Property owners finance fitness centers as an amenity, often on FMV leases to keep equipment current.
Physical therapy, chiropractic and med spas
Rehab and recovery equipment can be financed alongside clinical equipment. See medical equipment financing.
Example: how a spin studio's equipment pays for itself
A studio finances 20 bikes at about $2,000 each plus $8,000 for sound and flooring, $48,000 in total. At 60 months and a 10% example rate, the payment is roughly $1,020 a month. Fifteen classes a week with 12 riders at an average of $18 per ride brings in about $13,900 a month. The equipment payment is around 7% of class revenue, and the studio's cash stays available for instructors and marketing.
How to Choose Fitness Equipment Leasing Companies
Gym equipment leasing companies are not all the same. Before you sign, compare:
- Total cost, not just the monthly payment
- End-of-term options: $1 buyout, FMV, renewal or return
- Soft costs: whether delivery, installation and flooring are included
- Vendor flexibility: whether you can buy from any dealer or only one
- Prepayment terms if you want to pay off early
Working with a broker means one application reaches several fitness equipment leasing companies at once. See our guide to fitness equipment leasing companies and commercial fitness equipment financing tips.
What You Need to Apply
- Online application. Complete, upload and authorize. Soft inquiry first; a hard inquiry may occur upon approval.
- Equipment invoice or quote. Multiple vendors accepted and bundled into one monthly payment. Pre-funding up to 100% for approved vendors.
- 3 to 4 months of bank statements. Your funding advisor aligns the process and timeline, issues the offer and coordinates vendor payment.
Why Gym Owners Choose Liberty Capital Group
Since 2004 we have helped fitness businesses finance equipment and growth. One application is shopped across multiple fitness equipment leasing companies and lenders, so you see real options side by side. No application fee, a soft credit pull for your quote, and we don't sell your information. Questions first? Read our business financing FAQ or see all equipment leasing options.
Approval Timeline
- Day 1: 3-minute online application with a soft credit pull.
- Day 1–2: Your advisor reviews bank statements and your equipment quote, then presents offers.
- Day 2–3: You pick an offer and sign electronically.
- Day 3–5: The vendor is paid and schedules delivery and installation.
Larger deals with financial statements typically take 1 to 2 weeks; SBA loans take several weeks.
5 Gym Financing Mistakes to Avoid
- Paying cash for everything. Draining reserves before opening is one of the most common reasons new gyms struggle.
- Comparing only the monthly payment. Compare total cost and end-of-term options.
- Leaving out soft costs. Delivery, installation and flooring can add 10% to 20%. Finance them in the same deal.
- Putting all equipment on one structure. Cardio you will replace and strength equipment you will keep often belong on different leases.
- Using a merchant cash advance for equipment. Daily payments and a high cost make MCAs a poor fit for long-life equipment.
Fitness Equipment Financing FAQ
Is leasing better than financing for gyms?
It depends on your goals. A $1 buyout lease or equipment finance agreement is best when you want to own the equipment and possibly deduct it under Section 179. A fair market value (FMV) lease gives the lowest payment and makes it easy to upgrade cardio equipment every few years.
Can soft costs be included?
Yes. Many programs finance up to 120% of the equipment cost, covering delivery, installation, rubber flooring, mirrors, sound systems and other build-out items.
Do you work with startup gyms?
Yes. New gyms and studios can qualify, usually with good personal credit and a down payment. Existing gyms with steady membership revenue get the best terms and the promotional programs.
How fast can I get funded?
Application-only deals up to $250,000 can be approved as soon as the next business day, and the vendor is often paid within a few days of signing.
What credit score do I need for gym equipment financing?
Good credit gets the best rates and promotions, but fair credit can still qualify with a down payment or a shorter term because the equipment secures the deal.
Can I finance used fitness equipment?
Yes. Used and refurbished commercial equipment can be financed, with terms up to 60 months depending on age and condition.
Can I finance a whole gym, not just equipment?
Yes. Equipment financing covers the machines, and working capital, SBA loans or a line of credit can cover the build-out, marketing and opening costs.
Will checking my options hurt my credit?
No. We start with a soft credit inquiry. If a program needs a hard inquiry at approval, we tell you first.
Can I finance a franchise gym's equipment package?
Yes. Franchisees can finance the franchisor's required equipment package. A proven franchise model helps approval, but lenders still review the owner's credit, liquidity and experience.
What happens at the end of an FMV lease?
You can return the equipment, upgrade to new equipment on a new lease, renew, or buy it at fair market value. It's a good fit for cardio equipment you plan to replace every 3 to 5 years.
Can I combine equipment from several vendors?
Yes. We can bundle quotes from multiple vendors, such as cardio from one supplier and strength or flooring from another, into one monthly payment.
Can payments be structured around slow seasons?
Some programs offer deferred starts (up to 90 days on our current promotion) or seasonal payment structures, which help gyms that open ahead of a January rush.
Get Your Gym Equipment Financing Quote
Liberty Capital Group, Inc. · Established 2004 · NMLS #2009539 · California DFPI #60-DBO49692. Approval, promotions and terms depend on the program, lender and credit. Consult your CPA about the tax treatment of equipment purchases and leases.
