Gym (fitness centre) feasibility study
Latest regulatory change: 2026 · reviewed 2026-11-05
A fitness gym with weights, cardio equipment and group classes on monthly memberships.
- 4,228licences for private sports facilities in 2025[5]
- 59.1%of adults do the recommended physical activity[5]
- 2,423licensed gyms and sports centres in 2024[3]
Latest regulatory and market changes
- 2018Municipal requirements set a minimum area of 50 m² for a gym and 450 m² for a sports centre, with rules for women's gyms.[1]
- 2023The Ministry of Municipalities amended the requirements for sports buildings to allow physiotherapy inside them with Ministry of Health approval.[2]
- 2025The Ministry of Sport issued 4,228 licences for private sports facilities in 2025, exceeding the target of 4,000.[5]
- 2026The Ministry of Sport published draft regulations for sports centres: an annual licence, membership contracts in Arabic, refund of the remaining balance on breach, and compensation for closure days.[4]
Why now
- The share of adults doing the recommended level of physical activity reached 59.1% in 2025, above the 55% target.[5]
- Easier licensing raised the number of facilities to 2,423 licensed gyms and sports centres in 2024, so competition is increasing.[3]
- The draft regulations set out member rights that affect membership and refund policies.[4]
4,228Licences issued by the Ministry of Sport to private sports facilities in 2025, against a target of 4,000.[5]
The idea and business model
A licensed fitness centre or gym offering free training, group classes and personal training. Revenue comes from monthly and annual memberships, personal training and add-on activities such as equipment sales and a café.
Model: Subscriptions
Project economics
Revenue formula
Sales channels
- Monthly and annual memberships
- Personal training
- Add-on activities and equipment
Largest cost items
- Equipment and fit-out
- Site rent
- Trainer salaries
- Electricity, air conditioning and maintenance
Decisive indicators we measure
- Active members
- Monthly renewal rate
- Revenue per square metre
- Personal training share of revenue
Relevant authorities
- Ministry of Sport: operating licence for the sports centre and trainers
- Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMAH) via Balady: municipal licence and sports building requirements
- Civil Defence: safety approval before licensing
- Ministry of Health: approval for physiotherapy if added
What needs your attention
- The draft regulations require compensation for closure days and refund of the remaining membership balance.
- Parking required for sports buildings raises the cost of the site.
- Price competition following growth in the number of licensed centres.
What a Gym (fitness centre) study calculates for you
- Capacity by floor area and equipment
- Members needed to break even
- Churn rate and its effect on revenue
- Cost of equipment and its replacement
- Effect of the proposed refund and compensation rules
Every one of these figures appears in your study with its source and date, built on your location and capital, with a clear line between documented facts and assumptions.
Sources
Most sources are Saudi government and press pages in Arabic; titles are kept in their original language so you can find them.
- اشتراطات بلدية لترخيص الصالات والمراكز الرياضيةعكاظ (عن واس) · 2018-02
- اشتراطات المباني الرياضيةوزارة البلديات والإسكان · 2023-05
- Record licensing and new infrastructure drives unprecedented growth in Saudi sports sectorArab News · 2025-04
- مشروع لائحة جديدة للمراكز الرياضيةعكاظ · 2026-06
- Sports Sector Boosts Physical Activity Under Quality of Life Program in 2025Riyadh Daily · 2026-08
Last reviewed: 4 November 2026. This page introduces the activity; detailed figures belong in the study.