How to Open a PT Studio in Australia (2026)
The Short Answer
A PT studio in Australia typically opens in 80 to 150 sqm and runs on revenue per delivered hour rather than membership headcount, which makes it the lowest-risk way to get into the gym business. One or two trainers can run a full week of one-on-one and semi-private sessions from a fraction of the equipment a full gym needs, and the studio becomes the proof of concept and cash flow that funds a move into a bigger group training or open-access site later.
A PT studio is the smallest, simplest version of the gym business, and that's exactly why it's worth taking seriously as a first step rather than a lesser option. Where a group training gym or a 24/7 facility needs a defined member volume before the numbers work, a PT studio can be viable with a handful of clients on the books from week one, because you're selling delivered hours, not a membership base. This guide covers the one-on-one and semi-private model, sizing, equipment, and the growth path from a studio into something bigger.
The One-on-One and Semi-Private Model
PT studios sell time with a trainer, either one-on-one or in small semi-private groups of two to four, rather than open access to a floor. That changes the entire shape of the business. Instead of chasing member sign-ups and worrying about churn across a large base, a PT studio's revenue is a direct function of how many hours a trainer can deliver in a week and how well those hours are booked. A studio with two trainers running back-to-back sessions five or six days a week can be a genuinely profitable business without ever carrying more than a few dozen active clients.
Revenue Per Delivered Hour vs Memberships
It's worth comparing the PT studio model side by side with the group training and open-access models covered elsewhere in this series, because the growth lever is completely different in each one.
| Business model | Revenue driver | What sets the capacity ceiling | What limits growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-access 24/7 gym | Membership volume | Floor space and equipment count | Member acquisition and churn |
| Group functional training | Class spots sold | Members per class multiplied by classes a week | Timetable capacity and coach hours |
| PT studio | Delivered hours | Trainer hours available across the days you're open | Number of trainers and how full their books are |
Because a PT studio's ceiling is trainer hours, not floor space, the fastest way to grow revenue is adding a second or third trainer once the first is consistently booked out, not adding more equipment or expanding the room. Session pricing itself varies a lot by trainer experience, suburb and format, so it's worth checking what comparable studios in your area are actually charging rather than setting a rate in isolation.
Sizing the Studio: 80 to 150 sqm
Most PT studios work comfortably in 80 to 150 sqm, enough for two to three training bays, a small turf strip, storage for plates and accessories, and a compact reception. There's no need for a bank of cardio machines or a large open floor, since sessions are trainer-led and don't rely on members self-selecting equipment the way an open gym does. Keeping the footprint tight also keeps rent and fit-out costs down, which is a big part of why a PT studio is the lowest-risk entry point into the industry.
Design the room around back-to-back sessions rather than a single client at a time. If you're running semi-private groups of two to four, that means enough clear floor for the whole group to move at once without bumping the next bay, plus a waiting area so an early arrival isn't standing in the middle of someone else's session. A simple sound and privacy buffer between the training floor and reception also goes a long way when you're running one-on-one sessions back to back all day.
Equipment: Buy Less, Buy Right
A PT studio doesn't need a large equipment list, it needs a well-chosen one that covers strength, conditioning and mobility work without wasted floor space. A VERVE Commercial FID Bench V2, a rack such as the VERVE Zen Power Rack, and a set of VERVE Elite Olympic Barbells cover the core of most one-on-one and semi-private programming. Buying fewer, higher-utilisation pieces in stock, rather than a long list of made-to-order gear, keeps both your budget and your opening timeline under control.
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Request Your Free DesignWhy a PT Studio Is the Lowest-Risk Entry
Smaller lease, smaller equipment spend, and a revenue model that can work with a small client base from day one all combine to make a PT studio the easiest place to test whether you can actually run a fitness business, before committing to the bigger lease and equipment spend a group training or 24/7 facility requires. Our detailed walkthrough, how to fit out a PT studio for under $30,000, covers exactly what that smaller budget looks like in practice.
- Lease exposure is smaller, since 80 to 150 sqm costs far less to commit to than a 300 to 400 sqm facility, and a shorter lease term is often easier to negotiate on a first site.
- Equipment spend is a fraction of a full gym build, which means less capital tied up before you've proven the location works.
- Cash flow can start from a handful of clients rather than needing a critical mass of members before the business is viable.
- Mistakes are cheaper to fix. Getting a site, a price point or a niche wrong in an 80 sqm studio costs far less to correct than the same mistake made in a full facility.
The Growth Path to a Bigger Site
A common pattern among Australian founders is starting in a PT studio, proving out demand and building a client base and cash flow, then using that as the foundation to move into a larger group training or open-access facility. The studio de-risks the bigger decision: by the time you're signing a lease on a 200 to 400 sqm site, you already know your market, your pricing, and whether you can actually run the business day to day. If that's the path you're weighing, our guides to franchise vs independent gym and when to open a second location cover the decisions that come next.
Budget and Timeline for a PT Studio Fit-Out
Many PT studios open for well under $30,000 in equipment and fit-out combined, a fraction of what a full gym requires, and our PT studio under $30,000 guide breaks that budget down line by line. Timeline is generally shorter than a full gym build too, since there's less to fit out and fewer compliance items to work through. You can model your own numbers for free with the financial planner tool, sign up with your email.
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Request Your Free DesignFrequently asked questions
How much space do I need for a PT studio?
Most PT studios work well in 80 to 150 sqm, enough for two to three training bays, a small turf strip and storage, without the large open floor an access-based gym needs.
How much does it cost to open a PT studio in Australia?
Many founders open a PT studio for well under $30,000 in combined equipment and fit-out, far less than a full gym, since the footprint and equipment list are both smaller.
Is a PT studio a lower-risk way to enter the gym business?
Generally yes. A PT studio's revenue is driven by delivered hours rather than a large membership base, so it can be viable with a small client list from the start, and the smaller lease and equipment spend limit downside if the business needs adjusting.
How is a PT studio different from a group training gym?
A PT studio sells one-on-one or semi-private trainer hours, with the ceiling set by trainer availability. A group training gym sells class spots, with the ceiling set by members per class multiplied by classes on the timetable, and typically needs more space and equipment to run.
What equipment does a PT studio actually need?
A small, well-chosen set covering strength, conditioning and mobility, such as a rack, an adjustable bench, barbells and plates, plus turf for movement work, is usually enough. A long equipment list isn't necessary when sessions are trainer-led.
Can a PT studio grow into a bigger gym later?
Yes, this is a common growth path. Founders often use a PT studio to prove demand and build cash flow, then move into a larger group training or open-access facility once the numbers and the operating experience support it.
How do I price PT sessions in Australia?
Session pricing varies by trainer experience, format and location, so it's worth checking what comparable studios in your suburb charge rather than setting a rate in isolation. Your accountant can also help model what rate covers your costs given your expected bookings.