fit20 Franchise

Build a Scalable, Purpose-Led Fitness Business with fit20

fit20 offers a very different kind of fitness franchise.

Our members train for just 20 minutes once a week, always by appointment and always with the personal guidance of a fit20 trainer. For people who are short on time, aren’t a fan of traditional gyms or simply want an effective way to stay strong and healthy as they get older, it provides a compelling alternative.

For Franchise Owners, that distinctive member experience translates into a focused, lean studio model with recurring membership income, a relatively low initial investment and the backing of an established international franchise network.

A proven concept with growing momentum

fit20 was founded in the Netherlands in 2009 and has grown to more than 170 studios worldwide, supporting over 23,000 members.

The UK network is growing too, with 20 studios now open and further locations already secured.

Several UK Franchise Owners have gone on to open second and third studios, demonstrating how the model can develop beyond a single location for those who want to build a larger business.

fit20 UK is also a member of the British Franchise Association and, for the second consecutive year, was recognised as the UK’s largest and fastest-growing micro boutique fitness brand in Deloitte’s European Health & Fitness Market Report 2026 by EuropeActive.

Why the fit20 business model is different

Traditional fitness businesses can require large premises, significant equipment investment, extensive staffing and costly facilities.

fit20 has been designed differently.

A typical studio requires just 60–70 sq m and there are no changing rooms or shower facilities. Members attend at pre-arranged times rather than arriving whenever they choose, creating a controlled studio environment and allowing Franchise Owners to plan staffing and capacity effectively.

The model is built around:

• A relatively low initial investment compared with many traditional fitness concepts
• Compact studio premises of approximately 60–70 sq m
• No showers or changing facilities, helping to reduce fit-out and ongoing operating requirements
• Appointment-based training, creating a structured and predictable studio schedule
• Recurring membership income
• A highly personal member experience that helps build strong, long-term relationships
• The potential to expand into multiple studios as your business develops

A fit20 studio typically reaches operational break-even at approximately 60–80 members, commonly within six to seven months when the business is developed in line with the fit20 model.

A fitness concept people can believe in

A strong franchise needs more than good business systems. It needs a product that customers value.

fit20 is built around a simple proposition: significant strength training results from one personal 20-minute session each week.

Training is slow, controlled and tailored to the individual, making fit20 accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.

The method has also been independently studied by researchers at Solent University using training data from nearly 15,000 fit20 members, providing further evidence behind the effectiveness of the concept.

This gives Franchise Owners something particularly important: a service they can genuinely believe in and feel confident introducing to their local community.

What does a fit20 Franchise Owner actually do?

You do not need a background in fitness to become a fit20 Franchise Owner.

Our UK network includes people who previously worked in education, law, hospitality, retail, healthcare, corporate management and many other sectors.

What matters more is your ability and willingness to build a business.

Particularly during the early stages, you will be actively involved in developing your studio. This includes building relationships within your community, generating local awareness, following up enquiries, looking after members and creating an excellent experience that keeps people coming back.

As membership grows, you can build your team of fit20 Personal Trainers and increasingly focus on leadership, business development and the continued growth of your studio.

For some Franchise Owners, that eventually means opening additional locations.

Who are we looking for?

There isn’t one typical fit20 Franchise Owner.

You may be looking for a career change, want to build a business of your own or already have business experience and be interested in developing multiple locations.

You do not need previous fitness industry experience, but you should:

• Enjoy working with and building relationships with people
• Be willing to become known within your local community
• Have the drive to proactively create opportunities for your business
• Be commercially minded and prepared to work towards clear targets
• Care about delivering an excellent member experience
• Be open to coaching, learning and following a proven system
• Want to build a business that makes a meaningful difference to people’s lives

fit20 is not a passive investment. The strongest studios are built by Franchise Owners who actively develop their businesses, particularly during the important early stages.

Support from enquiry to opening – and beyond

You are building your own business, but you are not building it alone.

The fit20 UK team supports Franchise Owners throughout the process, including:

• Territory selection and evaluation
• Finding and assessing a suitable studio location
• Studio planning and fit-out guidance
• Structured onboarding before opening
• Comprehensive fit20 Academy training and certification
• Marketing planning and launch support
• Business systems and operational guidance
• Ongoing marketing and business support
• Regular coaching, masterclasses and network learning
• Continued Personal Trainer training and development through the fit20 Academy
• Access to the experience and knowledge of the wider UK and international fit20 network

The relationship continues long after your studio opens, with ongoing support focused on helping you develop your membership, your team and ultimately your business.

Your investment

The total cost of establishing a fit20 studio is typically between £30,000 and £50,000, depending on factors including the premises and required fit-out.

This includes an initial franchise fee of £15,000 + VAT for a single studio.

We recommend Franchise Owners have a minimum personal investment of £20,000.

One of the advantages of the fit20 model is that a comparatively small studio and streamlined operating structure can make business ownership accessible without the investment associated with opening a conventional gym or larger fitness facility.

More than owning a fitness studio

For many of our Franchise Owners, fit20 isn’t simply about moving into the fitness industry.

It’s about building something of their own.

Something with the potential to grow. Something rooted in their local community. And something where commercial success goes hand in hand with helping people become stronger, healthier and better able to enjoy their lives.

As our UK network continues to expand, there are still significant opportunities to bring fit20 to new towns and communities across the country.

Could fit20 be the right business for you?

The next step is to find out more about the model, the investment and the opportunities available in your area.