Gym / Fitness Center Valuation
Gym / Fitness Center Business Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Gym Owners
We built one platform that tracks your gym / fitness center business's value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
1,000+ Businesses have joined YourExitValue.com
Most Gym / Fitness Center Owners Have No Idea What Their Business is Actually Worth
Current Gym / Fitness Center Valuation Multiples (2026)
Gym / Fitness Center values are strong due to increased buyer demand from fitness franchises, independent operators, PE groups. Here's what companies sell for:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives Gym / Fitness Center Business Value
Revenue and earnings are the two most influential factors in your gym / fitness center business's valuation. But not all companies are valued equally. Here are the factors that move your number up—or down:
Member Retention
70%+ Annual
Member count and EFT revenue are primary drivers. Gyms are valued on recurring monthly revenue—high EFT membership count with strong retention is the core asset.
High churn = unsustainable
Secondary Revenue
30%+ Non-Dues
Attrition under 4% monthly shows sticky memberships. High attrition means you're constantly replacing members—low attrition indicates satisfied members and sustainable revenue.
Dues-only = limited potential
Revenue Per Member
$60+ Monthly
Personal training and ancillary revenue improve margins. PT, supplements, and merchandise can add 20-30% to revenue beyond memberships—diversified revenue streams are more valuable.
Low ARPM = commodity
Lease Terms
5+ Years Left
Multiple revenue streams beyond memberships reduce risk. Classes, training, childcare, and retail create multiple touchpoints and reduce dependence on base membership fees.
Short lease = major risk
Equipment Condition
Under 5 Years
Modern equipment without major near-term replacement needs is essential. Equipment condition directly impacts near-term capital requirements—recent equipment reduces buyer's investment needs.
Old equipment = hidden capital
Management Structure
GM + Staff
Owner not training or at front desk shows scalability. Operations running with managers and trainers demonstrates a real business—owner presence shouldn't be required for daily operations.
Owner-dependent = hard to sell
How to Value a Gym or Fitness Center
The U.S. fitness industry includes over 40,000 gyms and fitness centers generating approximately $35 billion in annual revenue. Gym valuations are unique because they blend membership recurring revenue with real estate, equipment, and brand considerations.
Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is the standard method for independent gyms. Fitness centers typically sell for 1.5x to 3.5x SDE. Gyms with strong membership retention, diversified revenue (personal training, group classes, retail), and lease terms with at least 5+ years remaining command the higher end.
Revenue multiples for gyms generally range from 0.30x to 0.60x annual revenue. Boutique fitness concepts (CrossFit, yoga studios, cycling studios) with passionate member communities sometimes achieve higher revenue multiples than traditional big-box gyms.
The defining valuation factor for gyms is the membership base and attrition rate. Buyers analyze average monthly membership revenue, member count trends, average tenure, and monthly cancellation rates. A gym with 2,000 members, 4% monthly attrition, and strong secondary revenue from personal training represents a fundamentally different asset than one with 500 members and 8% attrition. Equipment condition and remaining lease term are also critical — a buyer doesn't want to inherit a gym needing $200K in equipment replacement within 12 months.
The fitness industry recovered strongly from COVID-era disruptions, though the landscape has permanently shifted toward hybrid models. Gyms that integrated digital offerings, small group training, and wellness services have emerged stronger and more valuable. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do gym / fitness center businesses sell for?
Most gym / fitness center businesses sell for 1.5x – 2.5x SDE or 0.3x – 0.6x annual revenue. However, the range is wide. Companies with strong member retention can command significantly higher multiples. YourExitValue tracks exactly where you fall on each value driver.
How does member retention affect my company's value?
Member Retention is one of the biggest value drivers for gym / fitness center businesses. Fitness franchises, independent operators, pe groups specifically look for companies with strong performance here. Improving this metric can significantly increase your multiple.
How long before selling should I start tracking my gym / fitness center business value?
Ideally 1 to 5 years before your target exit. This gives you time to improve your member retention, reduce owner dependence, strengthen your team, and document growth trends buyers pay premium prices for.
Who buys gym / fitness center businesses?
Common buyers include fitness franchises, independent operators, PE groups, as well as individual buyers looking to own a business and strategic acquirers. Each buyer type values different aspects. YourExitValue helps you understand what each looks for.
What valuation method is used for gym / fitness center businesses?
Most gym / fitness center businesses are valued using SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) multiples for smaller companies under $1M in earnings, and EBITDA multiples for larger companies. Revenue multiples (0.3x – 0.6x) are sometimes used as quick reference.
What's the fastest way to increase my gym / fitness center business value?
The fastest improvements typically come from: 1) Improving your member retention to hit the target, 2) Reducing owner dependence, 3) Documenting your systems and processes, and 4) Cleaning up financials. Most owners add 20-40% in 12-24 months.