10 Gym Models Explained: A Blueprint for Future Gym Owners

Last Updated on 29 September, 2025

Thinking of opening a gym but not sure what shape your business should take? The fitness industry has more variety than ever before, from boutique studios to mega clubs, each with its own strengths, revenue streams, and operational quirks. 

In fact, this 2025 fitness industry report shows global club memberships grew 6% year-over-year while revenue rose an average of 8%, a strong signal for future owners.

Choosing the right gym model sets the tone for your brand, member experience, and long-term profitability.

This guide walks you through 10 of the most common gym models. Along the way, we’ll highlight real-world examples and show you how to match your business vision with the model that best supports it.

Key Takeaways: Gym Models Explained

• There are 10 main gym models, from boutique studios to multi-service clubs, each with unique audiences and revenue streams.
• Use the Owner blueprint in each section to match your goals, resources, and target members.
• Profitability often comes from diverse revenue streams beyond memberships, including classes, retail, and add-ons like nutrition or beverage sales.
• The right gym management software (like WellnessLiving) helps streamline operations and scale across any model.

1. Boutique Fitness Studio

Boutique gyms are small, specialized studios built around one discipline (think cycling, barre, or yoga). They thrive on atmosphere, community, and premium pricing. 

Members aren’t just buying access to rows of equipment. They’re also paying for an experience that feels personal, stylish, and motivating.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Urban professionals, niche fitness fans, members willing to pay more for exclusivity
• Startup needs: Smaller space, strong branding, highly trained instructors
• Revenue streams: Premium memberships, specialty workshops, branded merchandise, light food & drink options (like grab-and-go snacks)

2. Personal Training Studio

Personal training studios usually run on a semi-private or one-on-one model. With fewer members at higher price points, revenue depends on building strong, loyal client relationships. 

These gyms often double as lifestyle coaching hubs, integrating nutrition and accountability alongside workouts.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Clients seeking individualized attention and faster results
• Startup needs: Experienced trainers, appointment-based scheduling, limited but versatile equipment
• Revenue streams: Personal training packages, lifestyle coaching, nutrition counseling

3. Women-Only Gym

Women-only gyms offer a safe, supportive space away from the intimidation of traditional co-ed gyms. They can range from budget franchises to boutique studios, but all share a focus on community and empowerment. 

A women-only model also allows for specialized programming, like pre/post-natal classes or female-focused strength training.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Women seeking comfort, empowerment, and a sense of belonging
• Startup needs: Smaller space, trainers with expertise in women’s health, community-driven marketing
• Revenue streams: Memberships, specialty classes, wellness workshops, branded apparel

4. 24/7 Access Gym

The 24/7 model prioritizes convenience. Members pay a relatively low monthly fee for round-the-clock access, often with minimal staffing. Volume is the name of the game and profitability hinges on attracting hundreds of members while keeping overhead lean. 

Key risks: High equipment costs and limited engagement, which can make churn harder to manage.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Budget-conscious, independent exercisers who value flexibility
• Startup needs: Secure access system, robust equipment, minimal staffing requirements
• Revenue streams: Low-cost memberships, personal training upsells, vending/retail sales

5. Functional Fitness / CrossFit Box

Functional training gyms and CrossFit boxes build strong communities through high-intensity group classes. They earn through memberships, drop-ins, and merchandise. 

Success here often depends on cultivating a culture where every member feels part of the tribe.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Fitness enthusiasts craving intensity and camaraderie
• Startup needs: Open training space, certified coaches, insurance tailored to high-intensity programs
• Revenue streams: Membership tiers, class packs, competitions/events, branded retail

For more ideas on programming, check out these workouts gym owners should offer to keep members engaged.

6. Community Recreation Center

A rec center gym doesn’t just offer a space for workouts. It’s a gathering place offering pools, courts, group fitness, and sometimes even childcare. 

Revenue comes from memberships, rentals, and community programs. These centers usually appeal to families and multi-generational users.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Families, community groups, older adults
• Startup needs: Larger facility, multi-purpose amenities, diverse staff (from lifeguards to trainers)
• Revenue streams: Memberships, rentals, childcare, community classes

7. Strength & Conditioning Center

Strength and conditioning gyms serve athletes, firefighters, and serious lifters who want structured programming. They thrive by offering coaching expertise rather than sheer equipment variety.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Competitive lifters, athletes, and tactical professionals
• Startup needs: Strength-focused equipment, certified strength coaches, performance tracking tools
• Revenue streams: Coaching packages, small-group training, workshops, apparel

8. Athletic Performance Facility

Performance gyms specialize in sport-specific training, often serving youth athletes, college prospects, or professionals. They may partner with schools and leagues, running seasonal camps and off-season training.

A great example is the Athletic Performance Complex in Bolton, Ontario, which grew its client base by over 80% in just five months after switching to WellnessLiving’s gym management platform. Their ability to manage scheduling, memberships, and athlete tracking under one roof freed up time to focus on coaching and growth. It’s proof that when a gym model is tightly aligned with its audience, results follow.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Competitive athletes, youth sports teams, parents of aspiring athletes
• Startup needs: Large training space, sport-specific equipment, qualified performance coaches
• Revenue streams: Seasonal camps, team training contracts, private coaching, ancillary sales (e.g., nutrition products, on-site beverages)

9. Combat Sports & Martial Arts Gym

Martial arts gyms blend sport and lifestyle. Revenue comes from classes, belt testing, merchandise, and sometimes kids’ programs. They benefit from long-term member loyalty, as progression through belts keeps students engaged for years.

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Adults and children seeking structured progression and discipline
• Startup needs: Trained martial arts instructors, safety equipment, open mat space
• Revenue streams: Memberships, testing fees, kids’ programs, uniforms/gear sales

10. Mid-Priced Multi-Service Club

These clubs sit between budget chains and luxury super-clubs. They often combine weight training, group classes, and extras like childcare or nutrition coaching. For many first-time gym owners, this middle ground feels most realistic (i.e., broad appeal without mega-club overhead).

One standout example is Farm Girl Fitness in Ontario, a hybrid facility blending outdoor bootcamps with strength and mobility programs. After adopting WellnessLiving, they nearly doubled revenue and increased membership upgrades. 

Co-founder Jessie Thomas says: “Instead of forcing members to fit into the limited options a software solution provides, WellnessLiving makes it so we can curate memberships that work really well for their needs.”

Owner blueprint:

• Target audience: Families, working professionals, community members wanting variety
• Startup needs: Moderate capital, scheduling software, childcare/licensing if offered
• Revenue streams: Memberships, childcare add-ons, nutrition coaching, retail, in-club food and beverage sales

How WellnessLiving Helps Manage Your Gym Business

WellnessLiving’s all-in-one gym management platform powers scheduling, memberships, branded app, POS, and marketing automations. It’s tailored to every gym model from boutique studios to big box clubs. 

With tools for retention, revenue growth, and member engagement, it’s the backbone future gym owners can trust. Book a free demo today and turn your vision into a thriving, member-centric business.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gym Models