TL;DR

A commercial gym fitout in Australia costs anywhere from $50,000 for a small PT studio to $500,000+ for a large full-service facility. Equipment makes up 40-60% of the total budget. Key cost drivers are gym size, equipment quality, flooring, and whether you need building works. VERVE Fitness offers a free 3D gym design service and has completed over 16,000 commercial fitouts — so the numbers in this guide come from real-world experience, not guesswork.

Why Fitout Costs Vary So Much

Two gyms of the same size can have wildly different fitout costs. A bare-bones CrossFit box with rubber flooring and rigs will cost a fraction of a boutique gym with pin-loaded machines, premium finishes, and full amenities. The variables that matter most:

• Gym type and concept — functional training spaces need less equipment per square metre than machine-heavy commercial gyms.
• Equipment quality — commercial-grade equipment with multi-year warranties costs more upfront but lasts 5-10x longer than budget gear.
• Building condition — a shell space needing plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and walls adds $200-$500/m² before you buy a single piece of equipment.
• Flooring — the second-biggest equipment cost after racks and machines. Budget $45-$65 per square metre for quality rubber or EPDM tiles.
• Amenities — showers, toilets, reception, and change rooms add $30,000-$100,000 depending on size and finish.

Fitout Cost by Gym Size

Small PT Studio or Micro Gym (80-150m²)

Equipment budget: $30,000-$80,000

Total fitout (including building works): $50,000-$150,000

A PT studio doesn't need 30 machines. The smart approach is versatile equipment that handles multiple exercises. A typical setup:

• 1-2 power racks or a wall-mounted folding rack — the VERVE Wall Mounted Folding Squat Rack folds to just 10cm off the wall when not in use, ideal for shared or compact spaces.
• 1-2 functional trainers — the Tori Functional Trainer Rack combines a rack and dual cable station in one unit.
• 2-3 adjustable benches
• Dumbbell set (2.5-30kg) and kettlebells (8-24kg)
• Flooring for the full area

Mid-Size Gym (200-400m²)

Equipment budget: $80,000-$200,000

Total fitout: $150,000-$350,000

This is the sweet spot for independent gym owners. Enough space for a proper free weights area, a machine section, some cardio, and a functional training zone. Typical equipment list:

• 4-6 power racks or a multi-bay rig system
• 8-12 pin-loaded or plate-loaded machines — the VERVE Makoto Series covers all major muscle groups with commercial-grade build quality.
• 1-2 functional trainers
• Full dumbbell run (2.5-50kg), kettlebell range, specialty bars
• 4-8 cardio pieces (mix of treadmills, bikes, rowers)
• Full rubber or EPDM flooring

Large Commercial Gym (400-800m²)

Equipment budget: $200,000-$500,000+

Total fitout: $350,000-$750,000+

Full-service facilities with extensive machine floors, dedicated cardio zones, group fitness spaces, and often recovery areas (saunas, ice baths). You're looking at:

• 6-10+ racks and/or a large rig system
• 15-25+ pin-loaded and plate-loaded machines
• Multiple functional trainers
• Full dumbbell run to 60kg, competition kettlebells, full barbell range
• 10-20+ cardio machines
• Specialty equipment: GHD, hip thruster, leg press, hack squat
• Recovery: saunas, ice baths (VERVE's Mysa Mirage saunas and Thrive ice baths are popular additions)

Equipment Cost Breakdown by Category

For a mid-size gym, here's roughly where your equipment dollars go:

• Racks and rigs: 15-20% of equipment budget
• Pin-loaded/plate-loaded machines: 25-35%
• Free weights (barbells, plates, dumbbells, kettlebells): 15-20%
• Cardio: 10-20%
• Benches: 5-8%
• Flooring: 8-12%
• Accessories and storage: 3-5%

How to Reduce Fitout Costs Without Cutting Corners

1. Use a Free Design Service

VERVE's complimentary 3D gym design service helps you optimise your floor plan before you commit to purchases. Proper planning prevents expensive mistakes — like buying equipment that doesn't fit, or creating dead zones that waste floor space.

2. Buy Quality the First Time

Budget equipment fails in commercial environments. A rack with 60x60x2mm steel will need replacing within 2-3 years under heavy use. VERVE's racks use 75x75x3mm steel — that's 86% more metal than competitors — with lifetime structural warranties. The upfront cost is higher, but the 10-year cost of ownership is dramatically lower.

3. Phase Your Equipment Purchases

You don't need every machine on day one. Start with the essentials (racks, barbells, plates, benches, dumbbells, flooring) and add machines and cardio as revenue grows.

4. Consider Versatile Equipment

A functional trainer rack like the Tori replaces a standalone rack, cable crossover, and lat pulldown. The VERVE Ozeki Rack combines a power rack with built-in lat pulldown and low row — dual 105kg weight stacks that combine for 210kg on the lat pulldown and low row.

5. Finance Options

VERVE offers Afterpay, ZIP, and Humm — spreading costs across instalments without impacting your cash flow on opening day. For larger orders, speak with the commercial team about tailored payment plans.

Hidden Costs Most People Miss

• Delivery and installation — heavy machines need pallet jacks or forklifts. Budget accordingly.
• Electrical upgrades — treadmills and saunas may require dedicated circuits. The Mysa Mirage 3-person and 4-person saunas need a 15A dedicated circuit.
• Sound insulation — especially if you're in a shared commercial building.
• Signage and branding — $2,000-$10,000 for external and internal signage.
• Technology — access control, music system, booking software, security cameras.
• Working capital — you need 3-6 months of operating expenses (rent, staff, utilities) before the gym generates enough revenue to cover costs.

VERVE's Commercial Fitout Process

1. Consultation — discuss your concept, budget, and floor plan with the VERVE commercial team.
2. 3D Design — receive a full 3D render of your gym layout with equipment placement, traffic flow, and spacing (free, no obligation).
3. Quotation — itemised quote for all equipment with transparent pricing.
4. Delivery and support — same-day dispatch on in-stock items (before 12pm AEST). Made-to-order items: 8-16 weeks.

VERVE has completed over 16,000 commercial fitouts across Australia and supplies equipment to professional sports teams including the Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles, and more. Rated 4.9 stars on Trustpilot with 3,000+ reviews.

FAQ

Regional Considerations

Fitout costs can vary significantly depending on where in Australia you're setting up:

• Metro areas (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane): Higher rent offsets slightly with better access to trades, shorter delivery times, and more competitive builder quotes. Most VERVE equipment ships same-day from the Gold Coast warehouse — metro delivery times are typically 2-5 business days.
• Regional and rural areas: Lower rent is offset by higher delivery costs (particularly for heavy machines), fewer qualified tradespeople for building works, and potentially longer lead times for specialised services like HVAC and electrical. Budget an extra 10-20% on delivery for remote locations.
• North Queensland, NT, and WA regional: Significantly higher freight costs for heavy equipment. VERVE ships Australia-wide, but transport for multiple pallets of machines to remote areas adds meaningful cost. Factor this into your total fitout budget.

Timeline for a Typical Fitout

Understanding the timeline helps with cash flow planning:

• Weeks 1-2: Space planning, 3D design, and equipment selection. VERVE's free 3D design service typically turns around designs within a week.
• Weeks 2-6: Building works if required — plumbing, electrical, HVAC, walls, painting. This varies enormously depending on the condition of your space.
• Weeks 6-10: Equipment installation, flooring, signage, technology setup.
• Weeks 8-12: Final inspections, staff training, soft launch, marketing ramp-up.

Total timeline for a straightforward mid-size fitout: 8-12 weeks. Complex projects with significant building works: 16-24 weeks. The key is ordering long-lead-time items immediately and running building works in parallel.

FAQ

How much should I budget for gym equipment per square metre?

As a rough guide, $300-$700 per square metre for equipment depending on gym type. Machine-heavy facilities sit at the higher end; functional training spaces sit lower. This is equipment only — building works, amenities, and finishes are additional.

Is it cheaper to buy new or second-hand gym equipment?

Second-hand can save 30-50% upfront, but you get no warranty, unknown wear history, and no support if something fails. For commercial use where equipment is under constant load, new commercial-grade equipment with proper warranties is the smarter long-term investment.

Does VERVE charge for gym design?

No. VERVE's 3D gym design service is completely free with no obligation to purchase. Send your floor plan and concept, and the team will produce a professional layout.

Can I finance a full gym fitout?

Yes. VERVE offers Afterpay, ZIP, and Humm for equipment purchases. For large commercial orders, the VERVE commercial team can discuss tailored payment options. Check current pricing and finance availability at vervefitness.com.au.

How long does delivery take?

What about ongoing costs after the fitout?

Equipment maintenance is an ongoing expense. Budget approximately 2-5% of your equipment's value annually for maintenance, servicing, and minor repairs. Commercial treadmills need annual belt and motor servicing. Cable machines need cable and pulley inspections. Even racks should be checked for loose bolts quarterly. VERVE provides maintenance guidelines with all equipment, and the warranty structure covers manufacturing defects — but wear-and-tear maintenance is the gym owner's responsibility. Having a preventive maintenance schedule extends equipment life dramatically and avoids costly emergency repairs or replacements. Equipment consumables — cable handles, collars, resistance bands — should be budgeted separately at approximately $500-$1,500 annually depending on gym size.