Flex your budget: Gym equipment finance for your dream setup
Your finance options include equipment rental, asset lease, chattel mortgage and rent/buy loans.
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When you run a gym or fitness centre, equipment costs will most likely be your largest expense. Not only are there myriad machines and pieces of equipment that are essential in any modern gym, but it's also important that you keep up with your competition and can provide access to the latest models.
To ensure that your gym always has the fitness equipment it needs to remain a successful enterprise, you'll need to understand the equipment finance options available.
What gym equipment finance options are available?
Looking to invest in new or updated gym equipment? There are several finance options to consider, as outlined in the table below:
| Finance option | What is it? | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment rental | An agreement between you and a financier where the financier buys the equipment on your behalf and rents it back to you over a fixed term. At the end of the agreement you can give the equipment back to the financier, start another agreement or buy the equipment outright. |
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| Asset lease | The financier purchases the equipment on your behalf and then leases it back to you in return for fixed monthly repayments. When the lease comes to an end you can:
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| Chattel mortgage | The financier lends you the money you need to buy gym equipment, with you taking ownership of that equipment straight away. The financier takes out a mortgage over the equipment as collateral for the loan. Once you've completed repayments, the mortgage is removed and you receive clear title to the equipment. |
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| Rent/buy option | You hire the gym equipment from the financier for a set period of time, for example 12 months. You then have the option to purchase the equipment at the end of the rental term or, if your business isn't growing as planned, you can simply walk away. |
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What are the benefits of a gym equipment business loan?
There are many reasons why gym equipment finance is well worth considering to help you build a better fitness centre:
- Help when starting from scratch. If you're starting a new fitness centre, you'll need a comprehensive range of modern equipment to attract new members. Gym equipment finance can help you stock up on everything you need to get your business off the ground.
- Start earning revenue straight away. If you're starting a new fitness centre, saving enough capital to buy the equipment you need outright could take years. But with all of the finance options in the table below, your gym gets the necessary equipment immediately and you can start earning revenue straight away.
- Upgrading to stay competitive. Exercise techniques and the equipment needed to perform them are constantly being updated. To stay ahead of the competition and attract and retain members, you'll need to invest in the best possible equipment.
- Easier to find finance. There are several finance options available for anyone looking to purchase gym equipment for their business. And because the finance options listed above are less risky than unsecured business loans, you will typically have less trouble finding a lender willing to provide the funds you need.
- Tax-deductible. Repayments towards a gym equipment loan can usually be claimed as tax deductions, providing a further boost to your bottom line.
- Improve cash flow. By upgrading your equipment through one of the finance options above, you could potentially improve cash flow for your business and help it reach a stronger financial position. This will give you greater flexibility to expand and update your business in the future.
How to compare gym equipment finance options
Keep the following factors in mind when weighing up your finance options:
- Loan term. Gym equipment finance options usually offer terms ranging from one to five years. Make sure you're aware of how long you'll need to continue making repayments before you apply for finance.
- Interest rate. Compare interest rates across finance options to see which one offers the best value for money. Even a minor variation in the rate can make a big difference to the total cost of finance, so remember to shop around for the best available rate.
- Repayment amounts. Calculate how much you will need to pay towards the equipment each month – is this something you can realistically afford? Are there ways you can lower your monthly repayment amount, for example by paying a deposit or adding a residual payment at the end of the contract?
- Fees. Are there any fees that apply to the finance agreement? If so, how do they affect the overall cost of finance?
- What happens at the end of the lease/agreement. Make sure you're aware of the options available when the lease, agreement or other arrangement you have with the financier comes to an end. For example, can you buy the equipment outright, return it to the financier or potentially start a new lease?
Things to avoid with gym equipment finance options
Just as with any other type of business loan, there are a few risks to be aware of when choosing gym equipment finance. The biggest risk is agreeing to a repayment schedule that you simply can't afford to meet, because if you fall behind on repayments then you will lose the equipment you are paying off.
It's also important to ensure that the value of any equipment you are offering as security for a loan does not exceed the value of the loan itself. And if you want to use outdated equipment as security for the loan – i.e. if you'll still be making loan repayments when the equipment is no longer classed as being economically useful to your business – this will hamper the chances of your application gaining approval.
How to apply for a loan
Once you've compared all the available options and decided on the best solution for your fitness centre, you'll need to apply for finance from the lender of your choice. The exact application process will vary depending on the lender and finance option you choose but you will generally need to provide the following:
- Your name and contact details
- Proof of ID
- Your business name, address and ABN
- Your income, assets and liabilities
- Business profit & loss statements and cash-flow projections
- Details of the equipment you wish to purchase, including price
You will also need to satisfy a few eligibility criteria, including:
- You must be at least 18 years of age
- You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You must earn a specified minimum income
There are several gym equipment finance options available to help you get all the items your fitness centre needs to flourish. Just make sure to compare all those options before deciding which one is the right solution for your business.
Need to manage cash flow?
If your gym or fitness centre has outstanding invoices, invoice financing could be an option to help manage your cash flow effectively. It's a type of business loan that comes with reduced risk, no asset requirements or interest payments.
Compare invoice financing products below.
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