Cost of a BJJ Gym

[the Lich Samurai]

Just thinking about future.
How much does it cost to open a bjj only gym with sterile and cool tatamis,showers,change rooms etc....

[Chris Ludington]

There are many varying factors. Location and size being the biggest. You would really just need to start looking at real estate in your area to find out what the average price per sq ft is. You'll need to decide how much mat space you want. Mats can be made or you can buy zebra, tatami, etc. Each has its own cost/advantage/disadvantage. If you plan on having showering facilities you'll need to plan on your utility bills being higher than normal. The more you offer, the more it will cost you. Just start doing your research and before long you'll have a good idea of what it's going to cost to open, operate, etc.
I suggest you do a full business plan (like any business should) before even considering spending money. It will help you figure out your goals, needs, etc. Good luck to you.

https://www.sba.gov/tools/business-plan/1

[jaywatkins67]

Chris is right on point. A business plan will help give you a good perspective. Assuming you are going to rent. (Building your own facility is a whole other ball game.) Plan on first and last month's rent upon signing the lease. Try to get at least a 6-12month abatement on your rent which will give you some time to build your business before the huge expense of rent kicks in. Showers are great but hard to find. I lucked into finding our current facility with showers but it does add an additional expense. We have about 150 members and the water bill alone is $200/month in Indianapolis but it will help draw students in. Location is huge. It's worth the extra money to get a good location. Mats are expensive as hell, but, if you can afford them from the get go, get the high end mats. They will last you a long time and they look very professional. That's my next big purchase myself. Are you going to Affiliate? Affiliations bring credibility but it is an additional expense but worth the draw. Not sure how others work, but Eddie is very picky about who becomes an affiliate and for good reason. People know when 10th Planet shows up at a tourney, it's go time! Again, credibility will draw students. Lastly, don't forget liability insurance with a sound waiver to protect your ass. Google martial arts insurance and several will pop up that are affordable. As you grow, how are you going to track students? Zenplanner, Mindbody, or your own notepad with pen and paper? If you have a succesful facility of any type, you will need some type of software to assist in tracking payments, etc... As you grow, other things you will want to consider are: an accountant. Business taxes are a different ball game and if you screw it up it could go south real quick which is why i have an accountant. How are you going to market? Signage, banners, social media, paid Facebook ads, etc...? Some are free some aren't. There's a service called Legal review that charges a modest monthly fee that will review your contracts, waivers, etc.. plus send letters to individuals that try and skip out on contracts with the firms letterhead and will also provide a certain amount of hours of legal representation if needed. Lastly, patience. The old movie saying, "if you build it they will come" is not true. Businesses fail everyday. However, if you have a good product, good location, a budget, and a good plan, with some patience your odds are much better for success. Hope this helps.

[Eddie Bravo]

20 to 60 thousand dollars depending on where you open and how much construction needs to be done

[the Lich Samurai]

20 to 60 thousand dollars depending on where you open and how much construction needs to be done

Is that when you rent or when you buy the place sir?

[Dawna]

It applies to either. Everything will be dependent on your location and what you particular circumstances are. The same size space in Florida, Texas and Souther California will go for vastly different prices to both rent or buy, so it’s impossible to give a ball park price to anyone. That’s why Eddie gave such a wide range.

[Danny Arroyo]

Great insight, thank you. Basically start saving.

[Pat Campagnola]

I found it impossible to figure out costs involved until I started putting everything on paper in at least an outline of a business plan and then doing my local market research. My startup costs were much lower than the range that Eddie gave, but I also have a small place in a lower rent area that I was able to put a lot of sweat equity into.

[Tim Gillette]

I'd say Eddie is spot on.

I just opened a gym 5 weeks ago in Denver, CO and have $25,000 into it already with minimal build out (basically paint and moving some electrical). We found a space with low rent for the area. We haven't broken even yet so the investment will continue to rise.

The last gym that I was involved with we invested almost $100k but that was a large space with boxing and muay thai equipment and rings too.

You can always find an investor.

[the Lich Samurai]

Thanks everyone