Sports and fitness business ideas you can start for up to $20,000
47 ideas
These 48 sports and fitness ideas suit people who love a sport or training style and want to turn it into a small business without a big outlay. Many keep costs down by hiring a hall or shared gym rather than leasing premises, such as kickboxing classes in a hired hall, fencing club in a hired hall or boxing fitness classes in a hired hall.
Family and junior ski club with coached weekends
Run a membership club for families and kids with organised snow days, coaching from accredited instructors and social events.
- A$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Fencing club in a hired hall
Run weekly fencing classes for kids and adults in a hired community or school hall.
- A$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile sports gear hire
Deliver and collect bikes, paddleboards or beach gear for holidaymakers, groups and events.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online archery gear store with home workshop
Sell archery accessories online and offer bow tuning from a home workshop, with no shopfront.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Outdoor rock climbing instructor
Teach beginners and improvers to climb on real rock, in small groups or one-on-one.
- A$5k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Outdoor climbing and mountain skills courses
Run small-group courses on real rock and alpine terrain, teaching safe climbing, rope and navigation skills.
- A$3k-9k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Private ski and snowboard lessons
Teach families and visitors one-to-one or in small groups on the snow each winter season.
- A$2k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Cross-country and snowshoe lessons
Run small-group cross-country ski lessons and guided snow days for beginners in quieter alpine areas.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small-group baby swim classes at your home pool
Teach tiny classes of parents and babies in your own heated, compliant backyard pool.
- A$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Pop-up archery sessions and coaching
Run beginner archery sessions in hired halls, school grounds or parks, with paid session fees and a small regular membership.
- A$3k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online tack and riding gear store
Sell bridles, rugs and riding gear to riders across Australia from a spare room or shed.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Independent dive instructor and trip organiser
Teach dive courses using hired pools and local dive sites, and run shore or boat dive trips for certified divers.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Community basketball club
Run junior and social basketball teams on hired courts, funded by member fees.
- A$1.5k-8k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Freelance scuba instructor
Teach dive courses and guide dives on a casual basis for dive shops and charter operators.
- A$3k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile horse starting and schooling trainer
Travel to owners' properties to start young horses and school riding horses on the ground and under saddle.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Weekend pay-to-fish farm dam
Open an existing dam or pond on your land to anglers and families on weekends, with simple gear hire.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Community baseball club
Start a local club with junior and senior teams, funded by member fees and sponsors.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekend kayak tours with hired gear
Run guided weekend paddles using hired kayaks, keeping startup costs low while you test demand.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Learn-to-skate group classes
Run your own group skating classes and school holiday clinics, with a few coaches helping.
- A$2k-9k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Community ice hockey club
Start a local ice hockey club that hires rink time and runs teams and training, paid for by member fees.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home pilates studio for small groups
Convert a spare room or garage into a small pilates studio for private and semi-private sessions.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Hired-hall kids' gymnastics classes
Run weekly gymnastics classes for kids in a hired school or community hall, with portable equipment.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local community hockey club
Start a small club with teams, coaching and match days for local players who pay yearly membership fees.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Part-time jiu-jitsu classes in a hired hall
Run evening and weekend jiu-jitsu classes for kids and adults in a community hall, with no long lease.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
If you prefer less coaching, mobile sports gear hire is another route. Before you choose, think about your qualifications and experience, who will pay to join, and when halls are available at a price that works. Check insurance, safety requirements and any coaching accreditation early, because they shape both your costs and your credibility.
More ideas
- Beach surf lessons for beginners
- Freestyle wrestling club in a hired hall
- Outdoor group fitness classes
- Full-time pickleball coach with club programs
- Mobile skate sharpening at rinks and events
- Private boat handling coach
- Fencing classes in a hired hall
- Fencing programs for schools
- Community junior football club
- Weekend water ski club (session fees)
- Home ski and snowboard tuning bench
- Online sports gear and club supplier
- Community judo club in a hired hall
- Wrestling classes in a hired hall
- Online B2B fitness equipment supplier
- Small-group swim school in hired pool lanes
- Online windsurf gear store
- Small horse agistment property
- Start a local community sports club
- Kickboxing classes in a hired hall
- Sambo classes in a hired hall or shared gym
- Learn-to-skate classes and holiday programs
- Boxing fitness classes in a hired hall
Questions
What should I check before running classes in a hired hall?
Check the hire rates, available times, cancellation terms and whether the venue's insurance covers your activity. Also ask about storage for equipment, noise limits and floor suitability. Your own public liability cover and any council or venue conditions are worth confirming too.
Do I need qualifications to coach a sport or fitness class in Australia?
It depends on the activity. Many sports have national or state bodies with coaching accreditation, and venues or insurers may expect it. Fitness instruction often involves recognised certificates. Check with the relevant sporting body and your insurer before you advertise classes.
How can I keep startup costs under $20,000 in sports and fitness?
Start small by hiring venues by the hour, buying only essential equipment and taking bookings before spending more. Compare used and new gear, and consider insurance, marketing and any accreditation costs. Keep some money aside for quiet periods while membership builds.