Small 24/7 access neighbourhood gym

Shift workers, commuters and local residents who want a cheap, flexible place to train without classes.

Monthly memberships, with extras like a joining fee, personal training sessions you or a trainer deliver, and vending or merchandise.

• Managing equipment and facility upkeep
• Running membership software and billing
• Local marketing
• Customer service and resolving member issues

• Commercial lease terms and landlord approval for 24-hour use, plus zoning and any noise limits
• Commercial general liability insurance, waivers and a clear incident procedure
• Safety for unstaffed hours, such as CCTV, emergency buttons, an AED and rules posted on site (check local fire and building codes)
• Provincial consumer protection rules on membership contracts and cancellations, which differ by province and may be strict in Quebec
• Equipment breakdowns and cleaning, so plan for repairs and a contract cleaner
• Municipal business licence and occupancy rules for your unit
• Seasonality, as sign-ups tend to peak in winter and dip in summer

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on the unit, the equipment you buy, and the access and safety systems you install. Get local quotes before you commit to a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on membership numbers and fees. Sign-ups tend to peak in winter and dip in summer, so plan for that. Time on site can be around 15 hours a week or more.

Check commercial lease terms and landlord approval for 24-hour use, plus zoning and noise limits. Also check insurance and waivers, safety for unstaffed hours under local fire and building codes, provincial consumer protection rules on memberships, and municipal licence and occupancy rules.