Best SBA Lenders For Gyms & Fitness Centers (2027)
Gyms & Fitness Centers closed 1,382 SBA 7(a) loans worth $672M in FY2026 through 292 lenders. 12% of the dollars financed business acquisitions.
Key Takeaways
- The Huntington National Bank was the top SBA lender for Gyms & Fitness Centers, with $57.9M across 186 loans.
- 98 buyers used an SBA loan to buy a business in this industry, averaging $826K per loan.
- Florida led all states with $65.9M in SBA loans for this industry.
- The median loan was $300K; 67% went to startups and newer businesses.
Top SBA Lenders For Gyms & Fitness Centers
Ranked by SBA 7(a) dollar volume approved nationwide in FY2026.
| # | Lender | SBA Loans | Total Volume | Avg Loan | Avg Rate | Acquisition Loans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National BankColumbus, OH | 186 | $57.9M | $311K | 9.21% | 16 |
| 2 | Live Oak Banking CompanyWilmington, NC | 49 | $30.6M | $625K | 9.45% | 14 |
| 3 | First Bank of the LakeOsage Beach, MO | 41 | $30.2M | $736K | 9.18% | 0 |
| 4 | Newtek BankMiami, FL | 107 | $26.4M | $246K | 10.84% | 3 |
| 5 | Citizens BankElizabethton, TN | 45 | $25.7M | $571K | 9.51% | 2 |
| 6 | Byline BankChicago, IL | 16 | $17.9M | $1.1M | 9.59% | 3 |
| 7 | Readycap LendingBerkeley Heights, NJ | 25 | $15.2M | $606K | 10.15% | 2 |
| 8 | Wells Fargo BankSioux Falls, SD | 23 | $14.3M | $622K | 8.05% | 0 |
| 9 | Fulton BankLancaster, PA | 13 | $13.6M | $1.0M | 9.17% | 1 |
| 10 | Climate First BankSt. Petersburg, FL | 16 | $13.2M | $828K | 9.51% | 0 |
| 11 | FWBankChicago, IL | 12 | $12.5M | $1.0M | 8.75% | 0 |
| 12 | U.S. BankCincinnati, OH | 34 | $12.1M | $356K | 8.95% | 1 |
| 13 | Zions BancorporationSalt Lake City, UT | 38 | $11.2M | $293K | 8.51% | 3 |
| 14 | First Merchants BankIndianapolis, IN | 7 | $11.1M | $1.6M | 9.43% | 0 |
| 15 | Fifth Third BankCincinnati, OH | 8 | $11.0M | $1.4M | 8.78% | 1 |
Best SBA Lenders For Buying A Business
Business acquisition loans are SBA loans used to buy an existing company. They are larger than average and need more experience from the lender.
Most Active Acquisition Lenders
- The Huntington National Bank16 acquisition loans
- Live Oak Banking Company14 acquisition loans
- Newtek Bank3 acquisition loans
- Byline Bank3 acquisition loans
- Zions Bancorporation3 acquisition loans
- Citizens Bank2 acquisition loans
Among this area's top 15 lenders by volume.
Buying A Business?
We take your deal to the SBA lenders that close the most acquisitions, so they compete for it. It is free to you.
What Lenders Look For In Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Membership or attendance trends and retention
- Revenue mix between memberships, events and add ons
- Lease terms and space condition
- Equipment age and replacement costs
What To Check Before You Buy
- Review member counts, cancellations and billing records
- Check the lease term and renewal options
- Get an equipment list and replacement schedule
- Look at seasonality by month
The average SBA loan for gyms & fitness centers was $486K, below the national average of $578K. Loans ran 10.4 years on average.
Acquisitions made up 12% of the dollars, compared with 27% nationally. Most SBA lending here goes to existing owners and startups, so pick a lender with acquisition experience in this industry.
This page covers NAICS code 713940.
46% of loans went to franchises, led by Hotworx, JETSET Pilates, Anytime Fitness.
Top States For Gyms & Fitness Centers
Loan Sizes
How SBA dollars split by loan size.
SBA Lending For Gyms & Fitness Centers Since 2020
FY2026 dollar volume was up 1.8% from FY2025, and the loan count was down 14.0%. Part of that drop is the calendar: SBA approved no 7(a) loans in October 2025 during the federal government shutdown (October 1 to November 12, 2025), so FY2026 covers about 11 months of lending.
How Much You Need Down
For a business acquisition, SBA sets the minimum Down Payment. Lenders can ask for more.
- 10% minimum. SBA requires a Down Payment of at least 10% of the project for an initial business acquisition (SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 15).
- A seller note can cover up to half. When the seller finances part of the price on full standby, with no payments for the life of the SBA loan, it can count for up to half of the required Down Payment. That can bring your cash to 5%.
- Investors can help. Minority investors can fund part of the Down Payment. Anyone who owns 20% or more personally guarantees the loan.
- Ten year term for most acquisitions. Business acquisition loans without real estate run up to 10 years. Real estate in the deal can stretch the term.
Example
The average business acquisition loan was $826K. At 10% down, that is a project of about $918K:
Illustration only. Your lender sets the final structure.
Questions About SBA Loans For Gyms & Fitness Centers
Who is the best SBA lender for gyms & fitness centers?
The Huntington National Bank made the most SBA 7(a) dollars for gyms & fitness centers in FY2026 ($57.9M across 186 loans). The best fit for you depends on loan size, location and whether you are buying or starting a business.
How big are SBA loans for gyms & fitness centers?
The average was $486K and the median $300K across 1,382 loans in FY2026. Acquisition loans averaged $826K.
What rate do SBA lenders charge gyms & fitness centers?
The average initial rate was 9.34% (8.93% weighted by loan size), and 89% of loans were variable. Your rate depends on loan size, term and the lender.
Can I buy a business in this industry with an SBA loan?
Yes. 98 buyers did in FY2026. SBA 7(a) loans can finance up to $5 million with at least 10% down, and a seller note on full standby can cover up to half of the Down Payment.
Does GoSBA Loans charge borrowers?
No. GoSBA Loans is 100% free to borrowers. We package your deal and take it to the SBA lenders that fit it.
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About this data. Rankings use SBA 7(a) loan approvals from the SBA FOIA data set, fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026), as published by SBA through September 30, 2026. Lenders are ranked by approved dollar volume. Rates are the initial rate at approval, a simple average across loans; most SBA 7(a) loans are variable and move with the Prime Rate. Business acquisition loans are those SBA marks as a change of ownership. GoSBA Loans is an SBA loan broker, not a lender, and is not affiliated with SBA.
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