Fitness equipment shop with showroom

Home users, small gyms, sports clubs, schools and personal trainers.

Mark-up on equipment and accessories, plus delivery, assembly and sometimes servicing. Orders from gyms and clubs can be larger than single home sales.

• Product knowledge and honest advice
• Sales and customer service
• Stock control and buying
• Handling heavy equipment safely

• Rent, business rates and a lease commitment, get advice before signing
• Check planning use class and any permissions for the unit with your council
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance
• Manual handling risks with heavy equipment, plan for safe lifting and delivery
• Consumer rights and product safety duties for what you sell
• Money tied up in stock, start with a tight range

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, the stock range and the fit-out. These are estimates. Rent, business rates and money tied up in stock are the main factors, so a tight starting range helps.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on location, product range and whether you also supply local gyms, clubs and studios. This is an estimate of takings, not profit, so allow for rent, stock and running costs.

Check the planning use class for the unit with your council, and get advice before signing a lease. Also check insurance, manual handling for heavy equipment, and the consumer rights and product safety duties that apply to what you sell.