How to Finance a Body20 Franchise: Muscle Stimulation Studios
By Chris Cornella
A Body20 franchise loan funds a technology-driven personal training studio where clients train in wearable electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suits under a coach’s supervision. Compared with a typical gym, the footprint is small and the equipment is specialized, so the financing conversation centers on the EMS technology, the build-out, the sales ramp and the owner’s cash reserves.
This article covers what the company says about its concept, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) items to confirm before you borrow, how the brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing and its three notes work, and the loan types that tend to fit a new or existing studio.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Body20; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Body20 Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: personal training that uses a full-body wearable EMS suit. The company says the technology condenses a much longer workout into a 20-minute session.
- Clients: the company says it serves busy people, older adults and anyone who wants an efficient workout with the accountability of a personal trainer.
- Investment, franchise fee and royalty: not confirmed from a current FDD or franchisor page for this article; see Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- Net worth and liquidity: ask the franchisor for its current minimums.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Body20 (code S3851), with notes on the lease rider, a real estate purchase option and lien position.
What Is Body20?
Body20 is a boutique fitness franchise built around EMS training. Clients wear a suit with electrodes placed over major muscle groups while a coach controls the stimulation and leads them through movements. The company describes the format as a short, efficient session paired with personal training to keep clients accountable.
Because sessions are short and coached, a studio can serve many clients a day in a modest space. Revenue usually comes from memberships or session packages, so the studio’s results depend on how many clients the team signs and keeps and how well coaches fill the schedule.
Why lenders look closely at EMS studios. Lenders like recurring membership revenue but will want to understand the technology, its cost and how long it lasts. A newer workout category also means the lender relies more on the owner’s experience, capital and sales plan. Our article on buying and financing a boutique fitness studio explains how lenders read class and session revenue.
Body20 Franchise Costs
We could not confirm current investment figures from an FDD or a franchisor page for this article, so treat the Item 7 table in the current FDD as your starting budget. Ask the franchisor for the latest version and compare each line with local quotes.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 lists the initial franchise fee and any fees for multiple studios or area development. Lenders typically expect the fee to come from your own cash or to be included in the loan request.
Lease and build-out
Studios lease retail space, usually in a neighborhood shopping center. The build-out tends to be lighter than a large gym, but it still includes private or semi-private training areas, a lobby and consultation space, laundry for suits and undergarments if required, restrooms, lighting, electrical work and signage.
EMS technology and equipment
The EMS suits, control units, charging and storage, and any connected software are the core of the investment. Front-desk hardware, booking systems and furniture round out the list.
Opening costs and working capital
Presale marketing, coach hiring and certification, rent before opening, deposits, insurance and payroll all hit before clients pay. Item 7 includes an additional funds line for an initial period; plan to have more.
Item 7 categories to review:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements
- EMS suits, control units and related technology
- Computer, booking and point-of-sale systems
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Presale and grand-opening marketing
- Training and travel
- Licenses, permits and insurance
- Additional funds for the opening period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 shows the royalty, any marketing or brand fund contribution, technology or software fees, and transfer and renewal fees. It may also describe equipment upgrade or replacement obligations, which matter for a technology-based concept.
Lenders subtract every fee from projected revenue before checking whether cash flow covers loan payments. If the FDD requires you to replace or upgrade EMS equipment on a schedule, build those costs into the budget so the lender sees them too.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not confirm current net worth or liquidity minimums from franchisor materials, so ask the franchisor directly. Expect a review of your finances, business background and plans for running the studio, followed by FDD delivery, discovery calls, territory selection and site approval.
Lenders will look at the same issues from their side: how much cash you will inject, what reserves remain and who will lead sales and coaching.
Ways to Own a Body20 Studio
A new studio. Most owners open a new location, and lenders underwrite projections. Our page on fitness studio start-up loans covers new openings.
An existing studio. Operating studios do change hands. A buyer needs franchisor approval of the transfer, and lenders can study client counts and billing history. Our page on financing a fitness business purchase explains acquisition loans.
Multiple studios. An owner who signs for several studios usually finances each one as it opens.
Financing Options for a Body20 Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. SBA 7(a) financing can combine the franchise fee, build-out, EMS equipment, marketing and working capital in one loan, subject to program rules. The 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the property where your studio operates, SBA 504 loans for real estate can fund the building and long-lived improvements.
Conventional loans. Experienced operators with collateral and cash flow may use conventional business financing.
Equipment financing. EMS suits and control units can be financed or leased separately. Our page on equipment financing for fitness studios explains the options. Any separate equipment debt counts in your overall debt service.
Working capital and lines of credit. A studio pays rent and coaches while it builds its client base, and demand can shift with the season. Our page on working capital for gyms and studios covers short-term options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the primary loan, and SBA rules may limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for Body20 Franchisees
SBA-backed loans come from participating lenders, with the SBA guaranteeing part of the loan. For franchises, the lender confirms the borrower is independent of the franchisor, and the SBA Franchise Directory supports that review. Our article on SBA loans for fitness businesses covers the basics.
The directory listing. Body20 appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3851. A listing can make the lender’s document review easier, but it does not approve a borrower or guarantee a loan.
What the directory notes mean.
- Lease Rider. When the real estate where the business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Rider may not be executed. In plain English, if you or an affiliate own the building and pledge it, the franchisor’s lease rider is not used.
- Real estate purchase option. The franchisor may not enforce a purchase option on real estate owned by the franchisee or an affiliate and taken as collateral for the SBA loan. That protects the lender’s position in the property.
- Lien position. The lender or certified development company must obtain the correct lien position on all collateral under SOP 50 10. Expect liens on the EMS equipment and other business assets.
Most Body20 owners lease, so the first two notes matter mainly if you own the property. The lien position note applies to every SBA loan.
SBA application tips. Prepare the FDD, franchise agreement, lease or letter of intent, build-out bids, EMS equipment quotes, a presale plan and a sources and uses statement, plus personal financial statements, tax returns and résumés.
How Lenders Evaluate a Body20 Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and existing debts. Significant owners typically sign personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want your injection plus reserves that remain after opening.
Fitness, sales and management experience. Personal training studios run on consultations and client retention, so sales and team leadership experience carry real weight.
Business plan and projections. Show presale goals, session pricing, coach capacity per hour, client retention, payroll, rent and every franchise fee.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal, transfer and default provisions and want the franchise term to cover the loan.
Site and lease. A lease shorter than the loan term can limit the loan, and the site should be convenient for busy clients.
Resale financials. For an existing studio, lenders study client counts, billing reports, profit and loss statements and tax returns.
EMS Equipment and Technology
The EMS system is the heart of the studio and a large share of its equipment budget. Lenders look at what the equipment costs, how long it is expected to last, whether the franchisor requires upgrades and who services it. Suits wear out with heavy use, and control units or software may need updates over time.
Financing the technology with an equipment loan or lease matched to its useful life keeps payments in line with the asset. Set aside a reserve for replacement suits and repairs so that equipment downtime does not cancel sessions.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who plan several studios may sign a development agreement with an opening schedule. Lenders usually finance the first studio and then look at its results before funding the next. They review global cash flow, liquidity and management depth, and SBA program limits apply across all of a borrower’s SBA loans. Our article on financing more than one gym location covers expansion.
Real-World Scenarios
A personal trainer opens a studio. A certified trainer with a client following uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the build-out, EMS equipment and working capital.
An executive changes careers. A manager with sales experience hires an experienced head coach and presents a detailed presale plan to the lender.
A buyer takes over an operating studio. A buyer purchases a studio with an active client base, using an SBA 7(a) loan and a seller note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Borrowing before reviewing equipment upgrade rules in the FDD
- Overestimating how many clients each coach can handle
- Leaving no reserve for replacement suits and repairs
- Signing a lease before site approval and lender review
- Underfunding the presale and early months
Read about common fitness center loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Body20 Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Confirm requirements. Ask the franchisor for its net worth and liquidity minimums.
Step 3: Choose a site. Get a letter of intent and build-out estimates.
Step 4: Build the budget. Use Item 7, equipment quotes and a contingency. Our SBA loan calculator provides estimates only, not an offer or approval.
Step 5: Assemble documents. Gather financial statements, tax returns, résumés, the business plan and quotes.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate. Align franchisor approval, lease signing and loan approval.
Body20 Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Body20 franchise cost?
The full estimated investment is in Item 7 of the current FDD. Request the latest version from the franchisor.
What is the Body20 franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD lists it.
What royalty does Body20 charge?
Royalty and marketing fees are in Item 6 of the FDD.
How much liquid capital do I need?
Ask the franchisor for its current minimum. Lenders will also expect an injection and reserves.
Is Body20 eligible for SBA loans?
It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3851. Eligibility still depends on the borrower, the project, program rules and lender approval.
Can a Body20 franchise loan cover EMS equipment?
Yes. A Body20 franchise loan can often include the EMS suits and control units, or you can finance them separately.
Can I buy an existing Body20 studio?
Possibly, with franchisor approval of the transfer. Lenders will review client and financial records.
Can a first-time owner get financing?
Yes, though lenders weigh sales, fitness and management experience and liquidity heavily.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD.
How long is the franchise agreement?
Item 17 of the FDD covers the term, renewal and transfer.
Final Thoughts
A Body20 franchise loan finances a small studio with specialized technology at its core. Confirm every fee and equipment obligation in the FDD, plan conservative client numbers and keep reserves for equipment and the early months, and a lender can evaluate your studio with confidence.
US Professional Funding helps fitness owners finance franchise start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Explore our franchise loan options and fitness center financing.
