How to Start a Functional Fitness Gym: Essential Tips for Success

Last Updated on 6 August, 2025

If you’re a fitness entrepreneur ready to create a thriving community of like-minded individuals, you’ve likely been wondering how to open a functional fitness gym.

Why open a functional fitness gym? The industry shows no signs of slowing down. A 2021 report from Grand View Research projected the functional fitness gym equipment market would reach $901.6 million by 2028.

Additionally, with its unique and challenging workouts, functional fitness was the seventh most popular type of workout among Americans.

Functional fitness gym owners must be able to:

• Retain clients
• Attract new ones
• Maintain high class attendance

Launching a new business can be exciting, but overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to start a functional fitness gym. We’ll cover everything from gym equipment costs to becoming a functional fitness gym.

Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in this post:

• How to start a functional fitness gym: The importance of a solid business plan
• Find the right space for your functional fitness gym
• Boost your credibility and become a functional fitness gym
• Get business insurance for your functional fitness gym
• Acquire high-quality functional fitness equipment
• Find supportive instructors with functional fitness certifications
• Choose the right business management software

How to start a functional fitness gym: The importance of a solid business plan

The journey to opening a functional fitness gym requires more than just passion and high-quality equipment. You must create a solid business plan. Think of it as your roadmap, outlining the path from concept to reality for your fitness business.

To create a robust business plan, you must include the following:

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Market analysis
• Financial plan

In the earliest stages of your functional fitness, your business plan will inform important business decisions. Remember to revisit and potentially amend your business plan annually or whenever you launch new products or services.

A well-crafted business plan allows you to stay focused on your values, find new opportunities, and cultivate a sense of community as your functional fitness gym grows.

Find the right space for your functional fitness gym

The right venue creates a strong foundation for affiliate owners aiming to create a thriving community that fosters camaraderie and personal growth. Here’s what you should look for when choosing a functional fitness gym location:

• Accessibility: Ensure your gym is easy to get to and near public transportation if applicable so members will attend sessions more frequently. If you operate in an area where most of your members will drive to sessions, be sure your gym has free and easy parking nearby.
• Size: Start with a smaller space to keep overhead costs down, but ensure your functional fitness gym has ample room for classes, equipment, and potential expansion as your community grows. Functional fitness gyms are typically 3,000 to 5,000 square feet, allowing enough room for classes, safety zones, and equipment.
• Permits: Remember that you may need to get permits to alter the space to make it more suitable for functional fitness workouts.
• Competition: Check out other fitness businesses in the area to get an idea of the gaps your business can fill.

A prime, easily accessible location ensures your members can attend sessions without the hassle of long commutes, thus improving attendance rates. Visibility is key in attracting newcomers; an functional fitness gym hidden away is a gem undiscovered.

Equally, ample parking removes a significant barrier to entry, making it convenient for members to choose your facility over others. Every detail, from the layout to the ambiance, contributes to the overall experience, encouraging members to keep coming back.

Remember, the space you select will be the heart of your functional fitness community and a place that fuels your members’ transformations.

Boost your credibility and become a functional fitness gym

Becoming a functional fitness gym is a pivotal step for affiliate owners looking to provide the official functional fitness experience. This affiliation connects you to a global network of fitness business owners and resources, while increasing your credibility in the competitive fitness industry. This affiliation legitimizes your gym and gives you access to a wealth of resources to help grow your business.

The affiliate application process can be broken down into three steps:

Understand the requirements

Any instructors working at your gym must complete the Level 1 Certificate Course, an essential foundation for all aspiring functional fitness gym owners. This certification provides you with the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and effectively coach functional fitness to your future members. You’ll complete a weekend workshop consisting of about 15 seminars covering everything from safety to proper workout techniques. Affiliate costs include $1,000 for the workshop and $4,500 annual fees that cover marketing kits, functional fitness gym owner roundtables, programming guides, and much more.

Complete the application

Visit the website and fill out the affiliate application. You’ll have the opportunity to share your vision, experience, and the unique aspects of the community you plan to build. Turn to your business plan, as the application asks you to share your vision for your functional fitness gym. Be ready to share details about your proposed location, your coaching team, and how you envision your functional fitness gym impacting your local community.

Submit your affiliate fee

Along with your application, you’ll need to submit the $1,000 affiliate application fee. Consider it an investment in your gym’s future and your way into the global functional fitness family and all its resources. The affiliate team will review your application to ensure alignment with their standards and values. Once approved, you’ll have the right to use the name in your gym’s branding and marketing efforts.

Get business insurance for your functional fitness Gym

Safeguarding your functional fitness gym against unforeseen incidents is non-negotiable. That’s where business insurance comes into the picture. For functional fitness gym owners, instructors, and members alike, business insurance isn’t just a safety net. It’s a cornerstone of trust.

From property damage to liability claims, business insurance is there to ensure that these hurdles don’t damage your business. Here are some of the types of insurance you should consider:

• General liability covers a range of costs and damages, including property damage to your rented space, medical expenses for anyone injured at your gym, and legal expenses for personal or advertising injuries.
• Professional liability covers medical expenses and legal fees for anyone who is injured while under your gym’s watch. This is important to have if you offer at-home coaching.
• Excess liability kicks in when your general liability isn’t enough to cover an accident or incident so you’re less likely to pay out-of-pocket.
• Worker’s compensation protection for employees who are injured at work. This protection covers missed wages, medical bills, and more while reducing your gym’s liability.

Acquire high-quality functional fitness equipment

High-quality functional fitness equipment is all about helping your members build strength, challenge themselves, and achieve their fitness goals.

Your inventory should include:

• Barbells
• Bumper plates
• Kettlebells
• Medicine balls
• Rowing machines
• Pull-up bars

Gym equipment costs can be a significant investment, often ranging from $30,000 to $75,000. The quality and variety of your equipment speaks volumes about your commitment to the client experience and your members’ individual progress.

When calculating these costs in your business plan, be sure to factor in any changes you might need to make to your space to accommodate the equipment. For example, you’ll likely need to change the flooring and install rigging systems.

Find supportive instructors with functional fitness certifications

Qualified and inspirational instructors are the beating heart of any successful functional fitness gym. Start by scouting for candidates with functional fitness certifications, ensuring they bring both knowledge and passion to the table.

Instructors with experience in coaching people of varying fitness levels can give your gym a competitive edge.

During the interview stage be sure to assess candidates for the following:

• Technical skills
• Ability to motivate and connect with members
• Passion to make each class a transformative experience

You should also audit at least one of their classes to evaluate their leadership and people skills. Taking all this into consideration will help you find instructors that will boost client loyalty and help your business grow.

Choose the right business management software

Functional fitness gym management software is command central for successful functional fitness gyms. The right solution enables you to build a strong sense of community and deliver unparalleled fitness experiences.

WellnessLiving’s FitBUILDER is an all-in-one solution for studios that use structured group fitness models, including functional fitness gyms.

Here’s how FitBUILDER transforms the way your gym operates:

• Building community and engagement: Features such as likes, comments, and leaderboards encourage and help members stay motivated while building a sense of community.
• Workout planning: This feature includes a range of exercises and timers to ensure clients meet their goals.
• Supporting progress with whiteboard visualizations: As a WellnessLiving customer, you can track and visualize client progress on your gym’s whiteboard screen and use that data to enhance the individual training experience.
• Streamlining gym operations: A centralized scheduling and workout management system enhances gym efficiency for you, your staff, and your members.
• Enhancing client engagement: Use instant notifications to drum up excitement about participation and new workouts of the day (WODs).

FitBUILDER caters to the dynamic needs of a functional fitness gym. Integrated seamlessly into WellnessLiving, FitBUILDER makes it easier to attract, engage, and retain clients.

Discover how WellnessLiving and FitBUILDER can streamline your administrative tasks and transform your functional fitness gym.

Book your free demo today.