Pilates studio with memberships

Local members who want regular classes, including professionals, parents and older adults, paying weekly or monthly.

Recurring memberships and class packs, plus private sessions and intro offers. Profit depends on filling classes enough to cover rent and instructor costs.

• Pilates qualification and teaching experience
• Managing and rostering instructors
• Marketing and member retention
• Budgeting and cash flow

• Commercial lease terms, including length, rent reviews and personal guarantees, get advice before signing
• Council planning approval for fitness use of a premises, check with your local council
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff
• Whether instructors are employees or contractors, check Fair Work rules and award conditions
• Large upfront costs for equipment and fit-out, and a slow ramp-up in members
• Music licensing and membership contract terms, check consumer law requirements
• Register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. These are estimates. Upfront costs can be large and membership numbers usually take time to build, so plan for a slow ramp-up.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on member numbers, class timetable and pricing. These are estimates, and revenue is before rent, instructor pay and other costs.

Check commercial lease terms including length, rent reviews and personal guarantees, and get advice before signing. Also check council planning approval for fitness use, insurance, Fair Work rules on employees versus contractors, music licensing, consumer law on membership contracts, and GST registration.