The fitness industry in the UK is moving fast, and if you’re looking to grow, it’s important to keep pace. With Elevate 2025 just around the corner, it’s the ideal time to start thinking about how you’ll fund your next stage of growth. At the show, you’ll have the chance to meet suppliers face-to-face, compare the latest equipment, and discover essential services – from gym insurance to gym finance (that’s us!). Whether you’re planning an upgrade, expansion, or a brand-new venture, Elevate is the perfect place to get inspired and start making confident decisions.
At Johnson Reed, we support fitness businesses of all shapes and sizes, from boutique studios and PT-led spaces to multi-site gyms and franchises. Leasing and asset finance help you move quickly on your growth plans, whether that means expanding your floor space, upgrading your equipment, or adding new services – all without tying up valuable capital.
Here’s how UK fitness operators are using finance to take their businesses to the next level:
1. Expansion Made Possible
Opening a new site? Adding a reformer studio? Growing your class timetable? Finance lets you spread the cost of the equipment, fit-out, and facilities you need to make it happen. From flooring and mirrors to lockers, lighting, and signage, many gym owners are surprised by what’s financeable. Instead of delaying plans or compromising on quality, you can break costs down into manageable monthly payments that fit your cash flow.
2. Upgrading Equipment Without Delay
Outdated or unreliable kit can seriously damage your member experience. But upgrading isn’t always easy when you’re balancing other costs. Leasing allows you to get the latest cardio, strength, or specialist gear now, without large upfront payments. We’re seeing more operators finance high-spec equipment to stand out from competitors and justify premium pricing. Keep your cash where it belongs: in your business.
3. Diversifying Services and Revenue Streams
Whether it’s recovery zones, diagnostics, or smart fitness tracking, consumers are demanding more from their fitness experience. Finance helps you introduce new services with lower risk. We’ve financed everything from infrared saunas and ice baths to cutting-edge strength equipment and body composition analysers, turning ambitious ideas into real, revenue-generating features.
4. Keeping Cash Flow Healthy
Let’s face it, growing your fitness facility comes with a significant price tag, and preserving working capital is crucial – especially for businesses with seasonal highs and lows. By spreading costs through tailored finance, you keep cash in the business for wages, marketing, and day-to-day operations. This also means you have spare cash for unexpected expenses, acting as a vital safety buffer. You also avoid long delays while saving up, meaning you can act quickly when opportunity strikes.
5. Staying Ahead with Smart Tech
Fitness technology is moving at an incredible pace. To stay competitive and attract new members, you need to invest in the future. More and more, successful gym owners are leveraging financing solutions to acquire cutting-edge innovations. This includes everything from AI-powered workout programs that adapt to individual progress, to advanced tracking systems that monitor member engagement in real-time, and even immersive virtual reality experiences that add a new dimension to training. Adopting these tools helps you keep members longer, justify premium service offerings, and firmly position your business as a modern leader in a crowded market.
Ready to Elevate Your Business?
Don’t let capital constraints hold you back from achieving your growth ambitions. At Johnson Reed, we understand the unique needs of the fitness industry and specialise in flexible finance solutions designed to help you thrive. Whether you’re looking to expand, upgrade, or innovate, we can help you make it happen without compromising your cash flow.
