If you're exploring franchise ownership but don’t want to go the traditional route—think fast food, dry cleaning, or convenience stores—you’re not alone.
Maybe you're looking for something different. Something more in line with your passion for health, fitness, and making a lasting impact in your community.
Enter: the fitness industry.
U.S. fitness facility membership grew 5.6% year-over-year from 2023 to 2024, according to the 2025 HFA Consumer Report. That puts more than 77 million Americans in gym memberships today.
And the momentum is shifting. Consumer habits are trending away from generic cardio equipment and toward strength-based, performance-driven training:
(Source: Track My Gym & Harrison Co., Data between 2010 - 2022)
This isn’t a passing trend. It’s a recalibration of what fitness looks like and what members are looking for. If you’re considering investing in a franchise, that shift should be front and center in your research.
Not all franchises are created equal. Some have high brand recognition but razor-thin margins. Others require minimal training but come with high employee churn. And some just don’t align with your personal values or goals.
But fitness—especially performance-based fitness—is a different kind of opportunity. When you invest in the right gym franchise, you're tapping into:
And it’s not just personally rewarding—it can be financially lucrative, too. The performance-based training industry hit $27.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to over $50 billion by 2035. That’s massive potential, especially for franchise owners who are ready to get in now and ride the wave of demand.
If you're going to open a gym, don’t settle for generic. Choose a franchise that reflects where the industry is going—not where it's been. Look for:
It’s also worth asking: will this franchise help you grow beyond your initial location? Is there long-term potential—not just as a job, but as a legacy?
Before you dive into any franchise opportunity, it’s important to understand the full picture of what you’re investing in—and what you’re getting in return.
Franchise ownership typically includes a few major categories of costs:
Franchise Fee – A one-time upfront payment to use the brand name, systems, and support.
Royalty Fees – Ongoing payments (usually a percentage of revenue) to the franchisor.
Startup Investment – The money required to open your doors. This can include real estate, equipment, staffing, marketing, buildout costs, and working capital.
Ongoing Overhead – Monthly costs like rent, payroll, utilities, insurance, software, and marketing. These impact your bottom line, so make sure any franchise you consider helps you forecast and manage them well.
Costs vary widely depending on the type of franchise, location, and support level offered. Be sure that when you’re comparing franchise opportunities, you’re taking all of the costs into consideration.
At the end of the day, franchise ownership is about more than a business model. It’s about how you spend your time, who you influence, and what kind of impact you want to have. That’s why more mission-minded investors are turning to fitness.
If you’ve ever thought, “I want to build something real. Something meaningful,” then this is your moment to explore what that could look like.
If you’re exploring fitness franchise opportunities, D1 Training deserves a spot on your list.
We’re not your average gym franchise. We’re a performance training brand built by athletes, for athletes, serving everyone from kids and adults to college and pro-level performers.
With 170+ facilities nationwide, our locations are backed by:
A 5-Star Training Program modeled after Division 1 collegiate strength & conditioning
100+ NFL Draft Picks trained
3,000+ college athletes developed
Over 2 million athletes served nationwide
But what sets us apart isn’t just our results—it’s our mission. We believe in building strength, discipline, and character. And we partner with franchise owners who want to do the same.
If you're looking to invest in a franchise that blends purpose, performance, and long-term growth potential, we’d love to start a conversation.
D1 Training is upfront about what it takes to get started—and what you get in return. You'll need a minimum of $250,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $500,000 to get started.
Initial Franchise Fee: $62,500
Total Startup Investment Range: $401,776 – $837,381*
This range reflects differences in market conditions, real estate, and buildout requirements. You can see the break down of startup costs here.
And if you're ready to grow beyond a single location, D1 offers reduced franchise fees for multi-unit ownership.
(*See Item 7 of the current FDD.)
A franchise is only worth the investment if it sets you up to succeed. With D1, that includes:
Site selection and lease negotiation support
Facility design and equipment planning
Done-for-you marketing campaigns and launch strategy
Coaching and training for you and your team
A national brand with 20+ years of performance training experience
Ongoing support, data insights, and access to a network of high-performing owners
So while the upfront investment may be significant, you’re not doing this alone—and you're stepping into a model with proven systems, growing demand, and long-term brand equity.
Request information about becoming a D1 Training franchise owner today.