Opening a martial arts gym? Here’s an ultimate startup guide for 2025 & beyond
Photo by Samuel Castro on Unsplash
If you’ve ever walked into a martial arts gym and thought to yourself, “I could build something like this, but better,” this article is for you. The truth is, if you’ve got the skills, credentials, and passion, opening your own martial arts gym might be the smartest move you can make right now.
Martial arts have evolved into a booming industry with revenues in the USA hitting $9 billion in recent years, according to data from euronews. And the good news? There’s plenty of room for new, well-run martial arts gyms.
But before you glue down mats and hang up decorative felt wall panels to give your space vibe, there are a few important things to get right first.
We’ll discuss them in this article.
Read on.
Determine your martial arts style
The first thing you need to do before jumping into the logistics of starting and running a martial arts gym is to determine the style of martial arts you’ll be doing in your studio. Of course, you know there are lots and lots of them.
Will you be focusing on karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or mixed martial arts? Will your classes cater to kids, adults, or anyone eager to learn? These choices will shape everything, from your teaching approach to your marketing strategy.
Your answers will likely depend on your own training, the people you’ll be working with, and the community you hope to build. Still, it’s important you work out these little details ahead of time, as it will give you direction once your business kicks off.
Pick the perfect location
Location, location, location. This is one factor that can make or mar any business, and a martial arts gym is no exception. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, lack of demand for a product or service is one of the reasons businesses fail in the USA. Translation: you opened your martial arts gym where your potential students aren’t.
Ideally, you want a location that’s easy to find, with good visibility, easy parking, and affordable rent. You don’t want to get stuck in a place where nobody sees your sign or, worse, where you’re paying way more rent than your membership brings in.
If you’re running a program for kids, aim for a space near schools or community centers. For adult classes, look for somewhere with plenty of after-work traffic, where commuters can stop by on their way home.
The easier you make it for people to walk through your doors, the faster your gym fills up.
Purchase equipment and set up your space
Once you’ve got your location all squared up, you’re ready to get equipment and set up your space.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need millions of dollars to get equipment for your gym. In fact, a lot of items have gotten expensive in recent months, thanks to the ongoing tariff war, so it’s best you just focus on the essentials. You can start with a minimalist approach and get more stuff as your business grows.
Here’s what you actually need to start immediately:
- Quality floor mats
- Punching bags and striking pads
- Mirrors for technique drills
- Safety gear
- Storage racks
Once the essentials are in place and you’ve got spare cash, think of giving your space some character. The decorative wall panels we mentioned earlier would do just fine.
Felt panels, in particular, are great for fitness studios. According to Felt Right, they dampen sounds in addition to beautifying your walls. You can have peace of mind knowing that your next-door neighbor will not be overly disturbed by the kiai from your sparring sessions.
Hire qualified instructors
No matter how versatile you are, you’ll definitely need help, especially as your martial arts gym’s membership grows. You cannot handle every class by yourself.
It’s imperative that you hire qualified instructors, and that they share your vision, values, and teaching style. Translation: don’t hire for skill alone, but also for character. A good instructor will teach techniques in addition to discipline, humility, and patience. A poor one will end up chasing your members away, no matter how good your marketing.
Start marketing and promotion
You’ve got the ideal location and space. You’ve got the equipment you need. And you’ve got instructors to help out. Now, we’ve come to the most important part: getting people in through the door.
Social media is your best friend for this. It’s one of the best ways to market a business, and a martial arts gym is no exception. So, start by building a strong online presence on the platform where your potential members are. This can be Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. TikTok, for example, has about 135 million active users in the USA, and so is a good spot if you’re targeting Gen Z and younger audiences.
Make sure to post short video clips of sparring classes and behind-the-scenes videos of your setup to engage your audience more.
You should also think about creating a website that will carry key information about your studio, including opening hours, membership perks, testimonials, and of course, clear contact details. Make it easy for visitors to sign up or book a trial session right there.
And while the internet is powerful, don’t underestimate the tested and trusted method of sharing flyers and word-of-mouth advertising. This can do wonders for your new business.
Wrapping up
Starting your own business can be exciting, and yes, somewhat scary too. Opening a martial arts gym is no different. In fact, plenty of times, you’ll even wonder what you’re getting yourself into. But the good thing is that you’ll learn more as you go on.
Hopefully, the points we’ve covered in this article will give you a firm ground to start on and the confidence to take the first step towards your dream martial arts studio.