NEW YORK · NAICS 713940

    SBA Fitness Centers Feasibility Study in New York

    New York fitness center projects, including boutique studios and franchised concepts, rank among the state's top SBA categories. Studies translate membership pricing, ancillary revenue, trade-area saturation, and franchise standards into defensible projections, and resolve real estate cost against the downstate or upstate rent structure.

    FEASIBILITY TRIGGER

    Membership-model projections, franchise terms, and trade-area saturation drive study requirements.

    SBA Lending Data: Fitness Centers in New York

    SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders funded 747 fitness center projects across New York between FY2010 and FY2026, moving $282.7 million in approved capital at an average ticket of $378,000. That volume places New York at #4 of 38 states measured for fitness center SBA activity, or 4.7% of national fitness center dollars. The 7(a) program carried 96.4% of the loan count, with 504 taking the balance, and 156 approvals have hit the pipeline since FY2024.

    Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026)747
    Approved volume$282.7 million
    Average loan size$378,000
    7(a) share96.4%
    Approvals since FY2024156
    State rank by loan count#4 of 38

    Among the 516 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 12.4% 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.

    What this means for your loan application

    A 12.4% adverse-resolution rate against the national fitness center benchmark of 10.9% tells credit committees to scrutinize revenue projections and coverage assumptions closely on New York 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 $378,000 across 747 loans.

    Work with SBA feasibility study consultants

    Every New York 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.

    Program fit

    New York 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.

    New York evidence

    Fitness and recreational sports centers rank among New York's top five SBA categories with 117 loans averaging $454,007 over the trailing year.

    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.

    Compare neighboring markets: New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas.

    Program evidence

    Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence

    Gold's Gym franchise

    $4M SBA 504 building purchase through TMC Financing with 10 percent down

    Franchise building purchase, 2020, national program evidence

    Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, California

    Frequently asked questions

    Related project types in New York

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