Have you ever wondered how a grant program can help your gym? Or maybe you are afraid that the grant application process is difficult and carries a high risk of errors resulting in financial losses?
Creating the application can be entrusted to a professional application writer. You, as one of the fitness small business owners, should definitely use the resources that come your way.
Thanks to them you may develop your fitness facilities, introduce modern solutions that make life easier, such as gym management software, and respond to the needs of your customers as best as possible.
Let’s take a look at available grants for fitness in 2025!
Key Takeaways
- A grant program can help fitness facilities grow, be more effectively managed, be more modern and inclusive.
- Grant application processes can be complex, but they provide essential financial support to drive growth and innovation in the fitness market.
- Grants for fitness branches aim to support small businesses and developing companies.
- Grants for fitness in previous years focused on innovations, promoting physical activity among young people and post-pandemic recovery.
- Grant opportunities in 2025 will be connected with technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and improving accessibility in the fitness industry.
Areas of Typical Financing for Fitness Business
Below we are going to provide you with information about typical grants for the fitness industry, based on the 2020-2024 outcomes. It is suspected that those of the grants for gym financing in 2025, which we don’t know about yet, will appear in similar areas of the gym and fitness business.
1. Small Business Support & Recovery
- Purpose: Many grants were aimed at helping gyms, fitness centers, and personal training businesses recover from the financial strains of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those with falling gym membership statistics, a decline in revenue, or closures.
- Examples of Funding:
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
- Local Small Business Recovery Grants
2. Health and Wellness Initiatives
- Purpose: Grants were given to fitness organizations focused on improving community health through physical activity. This includes programs that promote fitness for underserved populations, elderly communities, or those facing chronic conditions like obesity to encourage them to become gym people.
- Examples of Funding:
- Public Health Department Grants for programs.
- Community Wellness Fund from local or federal government agencies.
3. Technological Innovations and Virtual Fitness Programs
- Purpose: Many fitness businesses that pivoted to online or hybrid services (streaming classes, virtual personal training, apps for personal trainers, etc.) received support to innovate and improve their digital offerings.
- Examples of Funding:
- Technology grants for small businesses to implement digital platforms.
- Grants supporting innovation in the virtual fitness space.
4. Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
- Purpose: Fitness businesses with a focus on sustainability (e.g., energy-efficient, better than basic gym equipment, eco-friendly buildings, reducing waste) were eligible for funding aimed at making operations more environmentally friendly.
- Examples of Funding:
- Green Business Grants (e.g., for renewable energy, waste reduction in gyms).
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants for sustainable business practices.
5. Physical Education Programs
- Purpose: Grants aimed at increasing physical activity among children, teenagers, and young adults through organized sports, fitness programs, gym events, and educational initiatives in schools or local community centers.
- Examples of Funding:
- Grants for implementing physical education programs in schools.
- Support for after-school fitness programs.
6. Employee Training and Development
- Purpose: Grants were sometimes offered for training staff in new fitness techniques, certifications, or educational programs that could help improve service offerings.
- Examples of Funding:
- Workforce development grants.
- Certifications for fitness instructors or professionalizing gym manager responsibilities.
7. Public Health & Accessibility Grants
- Purpose: To make fitness more inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities or those in low-income areas.
- Examples of Funding:
- Programs promoting accessibility in gyms for people with disabilities.
- Grants for fitness centers in underserved areas to make programs more inclusive.
8. Infrastructure and Facility Upgrades
- Purpose: Fitness businesses that needed to renovate or upgrade their facilities, including improving safety, purchasing new fitness equipment, or maintaining a clean and safe environment, could access certain funding. Read also about: gym health and safety checklists.
- Examples of Funding:
- Facilities improvement grants from local governments or private foundations.
- Grants for purchasing health-focused fitness equipment.
9. Mental Health and Well-being Programs
- Purpose: Some fitness-related grants were offered to gyms that incorporated mental health and well-being initiatives, such as stress-relief programs, mindfulness, and emotional health services within fitness settings.
- Examples of Funding:
- Grants for creating mental wellness programs or classes within gyms.
- Funding from mental health organizations for partnerships with fitness centers.
10. Diversity and Inclusion in Fitness
- Purpose: Grants aimed at making the fitness and gym industry more inclusive, by creating programs or spaces that welcome people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, or socioeconomic status.
- Examples of Funding:
- Diversity and inclusion-focused grants from nonprofit organizations.
- Corporate social responsibility programs funding diverse fitness initiatives.
Current Grants for the Fitness Industry
Below we present numerous examples of organizations that assure grants for the fitness business. Feel free to browse and choose!
1. Small Business Administration (SBA) Grants
- What the grant can be used for: These grants can be used for opening or expanding fitness centers, purchasing equipment, and improving accessibility.
- Maximum grant amount: The SBA doesn’t usually offer direct grants for starting businesses (except for certain specific programs), but they do provide loan guarantees and support, which can be used for various business needs, including fitness equipment and property. Read also about: buying or leasing gym equipment.
- Conditions: Small business eligibility criteria; the business must be for-profit; a solid business plan and sound financial management are typically required.
- Institution: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Contact:
- Website: www.sba.gov
- Phone: 1-800-827-5722
- Application dates: Ongoing, with specific deadlines for particular programs.
2. Local and State Economic Development Agencies
- What the grant can be used for: These agencies often fund community-based businesses, including gyms and fitness centers, to stimulate local economic growth. Funds can be used for construction, renovation, equipment, or marketing (read also about: gym marketing software).
- Maximum grant amount: Varies greatly by state and locality; could range from $5,000 to over $100,000.
- Conditions: The business must create jobs or support economic development in the local community; some grants might be specific to certain demographics (e.g., minority-owned or veteran-owned businesses).
- Institution: Various state-level economic development offices or local government entities.
- Contact: Check the economic development office of your state or local city government for more details.
- Application dates: Varies by state and program; typically, there are annual application periods.
3. Fitness and Sports Program Grants from Nonprofits
- What the grant can be used for: These are often for community outreach programs, programs for underprivileged groups, or programs that aim to improve public health through fitness. Some grants are specifically for gym owners who offer specialized programs (read more about different types of gyms).
- Maximum grant amount: Typically ranges from $2,000 to $50,000, depending on the organization and program.
- Conditions: The grant may be restricted to nonprofit organizations or businesses that provide public services, such as programs for at-risk youth or seniors.
- Institution: Nonprofit organizations like the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) or Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
- Contact:
- NRPA: www.nrpa.org
- Phone: (800) 626-6772
- Application dates: Varies by organization; typically annual cycles with set deadlines.
4. Workforce Development Grants (Health and Fitness)
- What the grant can be used for: Workforce development grants can fund fitness training programs, job creation in the fitness industry, and programs designed to train and certify fitness professionals.
- Maximum grant amount: Typically between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on the program’s scope and location.
- Conditions: Business must provide evidence of a qualified workforce development program. The grants may require a focus on workforce inclusion (e.g., training individuals from underserved communities).
- Institution: U.S. Department of Labor, local community colleges, or specific workforce development boards.
- Contact:
- Department of Labor: www.dol.gov
- Phone: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)
- Application dates: Varies by year and program.
5. Health and Wellness Innovation Grants
- What the grant can be used for: These grants are for businesses that offer innovative health and fitness products or services. They may also support gyms that incorporate health technology or unique programs (read also about dedicated yoga software).
- Maximum grant amount: $50,000 to $1 million, depending on the level of innovation and impact.
- Conditions: Businesses must demonstrate an innovative approach to fitness or health; evidence of potential societal impact, especially for underserved populations.
- Institution: National Institutes of Health (NIH) or private foundations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
- Contact:
- NIH: www.nih.gov
- Phone: 301-496-4000
- Application dates: Varies, often by specific call or program cycle (check foundation or NIH website for details).
6. Veterans’ Business Grant Programs
- What the grant can be used for: If you’re a veteran, grants can be used to start or expand a fitness center, including equipment purchases, lease payments, and operational costs.
- Maximum grant amount: Ranges widely from $5,000 to $50,000 or more.
- Conditions: Must be a veteran-owned business, and often must be in the early stages of development. Additional priority may be given to veterans who serve specific underserved communities.
- Institution: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or nonprofit organizations like The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF).
- Contact:
- VA: www.va.gov
- Phone: 1-800-827-1000
- Application dates: Varies by program.
7. Community Fitness Grants
- What the grant can be used for: These grants focus on providing programs in low-income or underserved communities, and can cover gym facility upgrades or fitness equipment.
- Maximum grant amount: Typically between $5,000 and $25,000.
- Conditions: The program must serve an underserved community and aim to improve public health outcomes. Often, a match funding requirement is involved.
- Institution: The Aspen Institute or local government/community development programs.
- Contact:
- Aspen Institute: www.aspeninstitute.org
- Phone: 202-736-5800
- Application dates: Typically open yearly with specific deadlines.
8. National Fitness Campaign Grants
- What the grant can be used for: This is often to build or improve fitness courts in public spaces, schools, or communities.
- Maximum grant amount: Up to $30,000, depending on the project.
- Conditions: Grants are typically for public fitness spaces and may require matching funding or collaborative efforts with local government bodies.
- Institution: National Fitness Campaign (NFC).
- Contact: www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com
- Phone: (415) 409-5979
- Application dates: Varies; typically announced at the beginning of each calendar year.
What You Should Use the Fitness Industry Grants for?
Due to the development of the fitness industry and the increasingly successful use of technology for training and management, numerous grants for innovation are emerging. Take advantage of the funds and enjoy your increasingly modern gym!
Fitness industry grants should be utilized to support innovation and enhance member experience through advanced technologies:
1. Introduce Gym Management Software
- Streamline operations by automating scheduling, billing, and member management.
- Enhance member engagement with features like easy gym booking system and quick communication.
- Increase efficiency, allowing gym staff to focus on customer service rather than administrative tasks.
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2. Expand the Offer to Include Virtual Reality Fitness
- Provide an immersive workout experience, attracting a tech-savvy and adventurous audience.
- Introduce innovative fitness options, such as VR gaming and virtual workouts, keeping members engaged and excited.
- Enhance overall user experience, encouraging longer gym member retention and more frequent visits.
3. Expand the Offer to Include Virtual Tracking
- Allow members to monitor their fitness progress in real time, increasing motivation.
- Personalize training by providing data on performance, helping to set goals and track improvement.
- Improve member satisfaction with tailored workout plans based on detailed metrics and using technological fitness equipment.
FAQ
Yes, there are government grants available for fitness equipment, particularly for community organizations, non-profits, or public fitness initiatives. These grants often focus on promoting health and wellness, and eligibility varies by country and program.
Grants for gyms in 2025 may include funding for fitness facility upgrades, programs targeting underserved communities, or health-related projects. Local and federal programs, as well as private organizations, may offer grants for gym development or innovation.
To open a gym with no money, consider seeking investors or partners, applying for business loans, or exploring crowdfunding. Another option is to start with a small, low-cost facility, offering membership-based models or online fitness services to reduce initial expenses.
