Opening a Gym in Australia 2026: Equipment Cost and Where to Buy

Figures as referenced in this guide.

What it really costs to open a gym in Australia

The honest answer is that costs vary widely. Industry sources put total startup costs at anywhere from A$100,000 to A$500,000 or more, depending on gym size, location, and equipment quality. A focused personal training studio can launch for under A$100,000, while a large, fully fitted club can exceed A$800,000.

The biggest single line items are usually rent, construction and equipment. A full commercial gym fitout in Australia usually falls between AUD $1,500 and $3,000 per square metre. Gyms tend to sit at the upper end of commercial ranges because of higher service density, reinforced flooring, and the electrical demand of large cardio fleets.

To translate that into project totals, a 150 m2 studio gym often requires $225,000 to $450,000, while a 300 m2 24/7 facility pushes into the $450,000 to $900,000 range. Larger 500 m2 clubs can climb toward A$1.5 million once all works, equipment and services are included.

Equipment cost: the part you can control

Equipment is the heart of your budget and where supplier choice matters most. Equipment typically accounts for 50 to 70 per cent of total fitout cost. Here is what to expect in 2026 Australian dollars.

• Cardio: the residential to commercial gap is widest here. A residential treadmill costs $800 to $2,000. A commercial treadmill, built for 8+ hours of continuous daily use, costs $4,000 to $12,000. Budget A$30,000 to A$80,000 for a full cardio zone.
• Strength machines: a single commercial pin-loaded machine costs $3,000 to $6,000, and a full machine circuit of 10 to 15 stations runs $40,000 to $80,000.
• Racks and free weights: a premium home or light-commercial power rack sits around $1,200 to $2,000 for 75x75x3mm steel with a lifetime frame warranty. Free weights are effectively priced by the kilogram.
• Barbells: a quality Olympic barbell runs $300 to $500, with 190k+ PSI and quality bushings or needle bearings.
• Flooring: a commercial gym of 200+ sqm needs $8,000 to $15,000+ for flooring alone, typically $40 to $70 per square metre for 15mm rubber or fire-rated tiles.
• Recovery: increasingly expected by members. An ice bath with chiller runs $2,500 to $10,000+ and an infrared sauna $3,000 to $7,000.

One useful rule: spend on what gets hammered daily. As one supplier guide bluntly puts it, never cheap out on treadmills, because they get the most use and break the fastest if low quality. The same logic applies to flooring, which is nearly impossible to replace once equipment is in place. Browse the strength training and strength and conditioning ranges to scope your floor.

Equipment checklist by gym type

What you buy depends entirely on your model. Use this as a starting checklist.

• Personal training or boutique studio (50 to 150 m2): a few racks or a functional trainer, adjustable dumbbells, benches, a barbell set, kettlebells and quality flooring. Essential equipment can be fitted out for $30,000 to $60,000. Space efficiency is everything here, so look at space saving equipment.
• CrossFit or functional box: rigs, multiple racks, barbells, bumper plates, kettlebells, rowers, plyo boxes, sled lanes and turf. Functional gyms should double the bumper plate budget for drop-heavy workouts. See strength and conditioning.
• Full commercial or 24/7 gym: a complete cardio fleet, a 10 to 15 station machine circuit, free weight area, racks and rigs, plus change rooms and reception. Expect $80,000 to $150,000+ in equipment if you buy new.
• Premium or recovery-led club: all of the above plus saunas, ice baths and member tech, with a higher per-square-metre finish.

For brand-led commercial floors, VERVE's Makoto commercial range and Australian made equipment are worth comparing on spec and warranty.

Lease versus buy your equipment

You do not need to own everything outright on day one. A common, cash-smart approach is to lease high-cost cardio fleets and premium signature pieces to preserve cash and allow upgrades, while buying durable free weights and flooring since they last longer and hold value. Equipment financing typically lets you spread equipment costs over 3 to 7 years while preserving working capital.

Refurbished gear is the other lever. Buying quality refurbished cardio from a reputable supplier can save 30 to 40 per cent versus new. The caveat is important: avoid second-hand cardio equipment, because wear on motors and belts is hard to assess and failure rates are higher. Second-hand plate-loaded machines and benches are a safer used buy.

Where to buy: comparing Australian suppliers

The Australian market includes everything from refurb specialists to premium importers and full-service fitout providers. Warranty terms vary a lot, especially for commercial use, so read them carefully. Many residential warranties do not cover use in a commercial environment at all.

VERVE's commercial racks and rigs share 75x75mm uprights with Westside hole spacing, meaning every attachment is cross-compatible across the entire range, which keeps future upgrades simple. When comparing quotes, remember a full order has room to move: a full gym fitout order often commands 10 to 20 per cent pricing negotiation room, and buying from one supplier usually unlocks better pricing and unified warranty support.

Don't forget delivery, install and lead times

Quotes are not always all-inclusive. For large fitouts, delivery and installation can add $3,000 to $10,000, so always confirm whether commissioning is included. Order long-lead specialist equipment well before your construction start date.

A realistic timeline

Construction is slower than most first-time owners expect. In a major market, gym fitout construction takes 8 to 16 weeks from start to opening, and approvals add another 4 to 10 weeks before construction can start. Watch the classic cash trap where a landlord gives you 4 weeks rent-free but the fitout takes 6 to 8 weeks, so you pay rent before you open.

Ventilation deserves special attention. It is the single most underestimated cost in a gym fitout, because a gym generates far more heat, humidity and CO2 per square metre than any other tenancy, and standard commercial HVAC is not adequate. Get it wrong and members do not renew.

Smart ways to keep the budget under control

• Phase your equipment. Open with about 70 per cent of planned equipment and use initial revenue to fund the remaining 30 per cent. Members do not need 15 treadmills on day one.
• Buy commercial, not luxury. For most mid-market gyms, the step-up from commercial grade to premium luxury grade rarely delivers ROI through membership revenue.
• Build in a buffer. Hidden costs always appear, so add 15 to 20 per cent on top of your estimate.
• Plan for replacement. Commercial equipment lasts typically 7 to 10 years with proper maintenance, so set aside a small percentage of revenue from day one.

Frequently asked questions