Monthly Cost to Run a Gym: A 2026 Breakdown for Small Gyms

Last updated Oct 20, 2026

In short

A 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft gym costs about $9,000 to $20,000 a month to run in GGC's Southeast markets. Rent and payroll make up most of that. As a national reference, Gymdesk estimates $3,500 to $13,500 a month for small gyms and $13,500 to $32,000 for mid-size gyms.

• $3,500 to $13,500 [1]: monthly operating cost for a small gym.
• 44% [2]: maximum share of gross revenue for staff costs.
• $69/month [3]: average general liability premium for a gym.
• $75 to $200/month [4]: gym management software, by member count.
• $22.67/hour [5]: median fitness trainer wage, May 2025.
• 13.43¢/kWh [6]: average Tennessee commercial electricity rate, July 2026.

Monthly expenses

• Rent plus NNN: $3,000 to $4,400 at 1,500 sq ft and $5,000 to $7,300 at 2,500 sq ft, using $17.73 to $31.07/sq ft rent plus $2 to $4 NNN.
• Payroll (coaches, front desk): $3,000 to $6,000 at 1,500 sq ft and $5,000 to $10,000 at 2,500 sq ft.
• Utilities: $600 to $1,000 at 1,500 sq ft and $900 to $1,500 at 2,500 sq ft.
• Software and payments: $150 to $600, based on Gymdesk pricing.
• Insurance: $150 to $400, based on Insureon averages.
• Marketing: $1,000 to $3,000. See how much to spend on gym marketing.
• Maintenance, supplies and misc.: $400 to $1,200.

Rent per month in the Southeast

On 2,000 sq ft at 2026 asking rents, before NNN:

• Chattanooga: $2,955, at $17.73/sq ft
• Asheville: $4,157, at $24.94/sq ft in listing data
• Charlotte: $4,498, at $26.99/sq ft
• Nashville: $5,178, at $31.07/sq ft

Payroll

BLS puts median trainer pay at $47,160 a year, or $22.67 an hour, rising to $48,140 at fitness and recreational sports centers. Two-Brain Business suggests keeping staff costs at no more than 44% of gross revenue, with about 22% going to fixed costs. HFA's benchmarking report tracks payroll as a share of revenue, but that figure is only in the paid report.

Utilities

Average commercial electricity ran 13.43 cents per kWh in Tennessee and 10.73 cents in North Carolina in July 2026, so the same HVAC load costs more in Nashville and Chattanooga than in Charlotte and Asheville. Wet amenities add load: My Fitness Outlet estimates $120 to $150 a month to run a cold plunge chiller.

Insurance

Insureon's averages for gyms are $69 a month for general liability, $86 for a business owner's policy, $42 for professional liability, $102 for workers' comp and $129 for cyber.

Software

Gymdesk lists $75 to $200 a month by member count, with payment processing at 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction on Gymdesk Payments.

Debt service

If you financed the build, add loan payments. The bank prime rate stood at 7.00% in mid-October 2026, and SBA caps most 7(a) rates at prime plus 3.0% to 6.5%. See how to fund a gym.

See also: how much it costs to open a gym, small gym startup costs and gym profit margins.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest monthly cost for a gym? Rent or payroll, depending on how much coaching the owner does personally.

How much are utilities for a gym? They vary with HVAC load and amenities. Saunas and cold plunges add electricity, as covered in our sauna and cold plunge guide.

Sources

1. How Much Does It Cost to Open a Gym? The 2026 Guide. Gymdesk, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
2. If Your Gym Grosses This, Pay Yourself THIS. Two-Brain Business. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
3. Gym Insurance Costs. Insureon. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
4. Gym Software Cost Guide 2026. Gymdesk, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
5. Fitness Trainers and Instructors: Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
6. Electricity Rates by State. Choose Energy, using EIA data, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
7. Chattanooga, TN Retail Market Report Q1 2026. Matthews, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
8. Nashville Retail Market Report Q2 2026. Matthews, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
9. How Much Does Retail Space Cost in 2026?. TenantBase, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
10. Asheville, NC Retail Space for Lease. PropertyShark, September 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
11. Charlotte, NC Retail Market Report Q2 2026. Matthews, 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
12. 2025 Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report. Health & Fitness Association, 2025. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
13. Commercial Cold Plunge ROI Calculator. My Fitness Outlet. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
14. H.15 Selected Interest Rates. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, October 2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
15. SBA Lender Resources. U.S. Small Business Administration. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.