ILLINOIS · NAICS 713940
Illinois fitness center projects, including boutique studios and franchised concepts, run on dense urban and suburban demand. Studies translate membership pricing, ancillary revenue, trade-area saturation, and franchise standards into defensible projections, and resolve real estate cost against Chicago-area and downstate rent structures.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Membership-model projections, franchise terms, and trade-area saturation drive study requirements.
From FY2010 through FY2026, Illinois recorded 511 SBA-disbursed fitness center loans across the 7(a) and 504 programs, representing $258.0 million in approved financing at an average loan size of $505,000. The state sits at rank #6 of 38 for fitness center SBA lending volume and holds 4.3% of the national fitness center dollar pool. 7(a) accounts for 88.1% of the count, 504 for the rest, with 88 fresh approvals dated FY2024 or later.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 511 |
| Approved volume | $258.0 million |
| Average loan size | $505,000 |
| 7(a) share | 88.1% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 88 |
| State rank by loan count | #6 of 38 |
Among the 355 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 13.5% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for fitness center is 10.9%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs above the national benchmark for this asset class, which is a factor lenders weigh in their credit decision.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 13.5% adverse-resolution rate against the national fitness center benchmark of 10.9% tells credit committees to scrutinize revenue projections and coverage assumptions closely on Illinois deals in this class. A rigorous third-party feasibility study — built on documented demand, defensible pricing, and stressed coverage — carries meaningful weight in that underwriting conversation, particularly at an average loan size of $505,000 across 511 loans.
Every Illinois fitness centers project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Illinois projects often fit SBA 504 where owner-occupied real estate anchors the deal, with the 50/40/10 structure delivering up to 90 percent financing at a fixed debenture rate, while SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment. From July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Chicagoland boutique studios and franchised concepts anchor the state's fitness SBA pipeline, with trade-area saturation analysis decisive in urban submarkets.
For a national view of this asset class, see our fitness center SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the fitness center lending research on our blog.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
$4M SBA 504 building purchase through TMC Financing with 10 percent down
Franchise building purchase, 2020, national program evidence
Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
Book a MeetingOur SBA feasibility study consultants prepare gym, boutique fitness and recreation studies for lenders, CDCs and sponsors. See pricing, methodology or request a fixed fee quote.
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