How to Finance an ISI Elite Training Franchise: Studio Costs
By Marc Cornella
An ISI Elite Training franchise loan funds a small-format, coach-led group fitness studio built around athletic-style workouts and a team atmosphere. Like most boutique studios, the deal comes down to a leased space, a build-out, a compact equipment package and enough cash to carry the studio while founding members turn into a steady membership base.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by ISI Elite Training; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
ISI Elite Training Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: coach-led, small-group sessions the brand calls Athletic Based Training, designed for all fitness levels
- Background: the company reports that founder Adam Rice opened the first facility in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2011 and launched franchising in 2019; the brand is based in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Revenue model: recurring memberships, often launched with a pre-opening founding membership campaign
- Franchise fee, royalty, brand fund and total investment: not verified for this article; see Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
- Net worth and liquidity requirements: not published in franchisor materials we could verify
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as ISI Elite Training under code S4270, with a note about the Collateral Assignment of Lease
What Is ISI Elite Training?
ISI stands for “Iron Sharpens Iron,” and the brand leans into that idea: members train together, push each other and hold each other accountable. Each session is led by a certified coach who gives individual attention inside a team setting, using functional movements aimed at building strength, endurance and confidence. The company describes the energy as closer to a sports team than a traditional gym.
The format is a studio rather than a big-box club. That means a smaller footprint, a schedule of coached classes instead of open gym time, and revenue driven by membership dues. Studios have opened in suburban markets across several states, typically in retail centers with convenient parking.
Why lenders view it the way they do. A coached studio depends on class attendance and member retention. Lenders reviewing an ISI Elite Training franchise loan will focus on the pre-sale plan, the local market, the lease and the owner’s reserves, along with the brand’s history of franchised openings.
ISI Elite Training Franchise Costs
We could not access the current ISI Elite Training FDD or a franchisor cost page, so this article does not quote fees or an investment range. Item 7 of the FDD is the official estimate.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee, when it is due and any multi-unit or development fees. The brand has advertised discounts for qualified veterans and for additional licenses; confirm current terms in the FDD.
Real estate and build-out. Studios generally lease retail space. Build-out can include turf and rubber flooring, lighting, sound systems, heating and cooling sized for intense classes, restrooms, a lobby and branded wall graphics. Landlord improvement allowances can reduce what you finance.
Equipment. A coached group studio uses functional training equipment such as free weights, benches, racks and conditioning gear, along with screens or timers that guide each class. Our page on fitness equipment financing and leasing explains how these packages are funded.
Opening costs and working capital. A pre-sale office or campaign, founding membership marketing, coach hiring and certification, insurance and cash to cover rent and payroll during the ramp-up all belong in the budget.
Total investment. Expect Item 7 lines such as these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements, flooring and signage
- Fitness equipment
- Audio, video and technology systems
- Pre-sale and grand-opening marketing
- Training-related travel and expenses
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Check each range against quotes for your actual space. Build-out costs can vary widely by market and by how much work the landlord provides.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists recurring fees such as a royalty, a brand or marketing fund, technology or software fees, and transfer and renewal fees. Some fitness brands charge flat monthly fees while others charge a percentage of revenue, so find out which applies and whether minimums exist.
How lenders factor fees in. Lenders start with projected membership revenue, then subtract coach payroll, rent, royalty, marketing and other fees before calculating debt service. Because a coached studio carries more payroll than an unstaffed gym, lenders look closely at class schedules and coach costs.
Refresh costs. Flooring and equipment take hard use. Budget for periodic replacement and any required updates.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth, liquid capital or experience requirements for ISI Elite Training. Ask the franchisor for its current criteria. The brand has marketed the opportunity both to people seeking a career change and to investors who plan to hire managers, so ask how it handles owner involvement.
Lenders will want to see that you, or a manager you hire, can recruit and retain coaches, sell memberships and run the pre-sale.
Ways to Own an ISI Elite Training Studio
Opening a new studio. Most buyers open a new location. Lenders underwrite it on projections, so the pre-sale plan and your reserves carry the request. See our page on fitness center start-up financing.
Buying an existing studio. Existing studios sometimes come up for sale. A buyer gets members, coaches and a lease in place, and lenders can review real membership and financial history. Read about buying a boutique fitness studio and our fitness center acquisition financing.
Multiple licenses. The brand has awarded multi-studio deals in some markets. Each studio needs its own lease and opening budget.
Financing Options for an ISI Elite Training Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because ISI Elite Training is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital, or the purchase of an existing studio.
SBA 504 loans. An SBA 504 loan fits only when the owner buys the building. Most studios lease.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong credit and collateral, or owners adding a studio, may use a conventional business loan.
Equipment financing. Strength and conditioning equipment and audio-video systems can be financed or leased separately to preserve cash.
Working capital and lines of credit. Founding memberships help, but most studios need time to reach a stable member count. Reserves or a line of credit cover rent and coach payroll during that period. Learn about fitness center working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price on an existing studio. Any seller note must be acceptable to the senior lender, is typically subordinate to it, and may face limits under SBA rules.
SBA Loans for ISI Elite Training Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to be listed on the SBA Franchise Directory before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisees. A listing means the franchise agreement has been reviewed for eligibility; it does not approve any borrower.
The directory listing. ISI Elite Training appears under code S4270 with one note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed. In plain English, the Collateral Assignment of Lease is the franchisor’s document for studios in leased space. If the owner instead owns the property and pledges it to the lender, that document should not be signed. For the typical leased studio, the note has no practical effect.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. To run planning numbers, try our SBA loan calculator; results are estimates, not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate an ISI Elite Training Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders review your cash injection and the reserves left after closing.
Industry and management experience. Fitness, coaching, sales or management experience strengthens the request. Semi-absentee owners should show who will run the studio.
Business plan and projections. Show founding membership targets, monthly growth, cancellation assumptions, class capacity and coach payroll. Our article on gym membership revenue explains how lenders read these numbers.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal and transfer rules, Item 6 fees and Item 10 for any franchisor financing. Item 19 shows whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
Site and lease. Lenders compare the lease term with the loan term and look at rent, parking and nearby households.
Historical financials for resales. Provide several years of statements, membership reports and coach payroll records.
The Pre-Sale and Coaching Team
Two things set a coached studio apart from an open gym. First, the pre-sale: studios typically sell founding memberships before opening, often with perks such as discounted dues, and those early members give lenders evidence of local demand. Second, the coaching team: every class needs a qualified coach, so payroll and coach retention directly affect cash flow.
A strong financing request shows both. Document pre-sale results as they come in, and present a hiring plan with coach schedules and pay assumptions.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Ask whether the brand offers multi-unit or area development agreements, and review the schedule, fees and territory rights in Items 5 and 12. Lenders generally finance one studio at a time and want the first to stabilize before funding the next. Read more about multi-unit franchise financing.
Real-World Scenarios
A career changer opening a first studio. A former athlete uses an ISI Elite Training franchise loan for a suburban retail site, combining an SBA 7(a) loan with personal savings and running a founding membership campaign before opening.
An investor with a general manager. A buyer who keeps a full-time job hires an experienced manager. The lender reviews the manager’s background and asks for larger reserves.
A buyer acquiring an existing studio. A buyer purchases a studio from an owner who is relocating. The lender underwrites membership history, and the franchisor approves the transfer.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Opening without a measurable founding membership plan
- Underestimating coach payroll and turnover
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Ignoring flat or minimum fees in Item 6
- Leaving too little working capital for the ramp-up
See our article on fitness center loan mistakes for more.
Next Steps to Finance Your ISI Elite Training Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Ask the franchisor about open territories and get the current FDD.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Find a site. Shortlist spaces and request lease terms and improvement allowances.
Step 4: Price the project. Get build-out and equipment quotes.
Step 5: Build your plan. Prepare pre-sale targets, membership projections and a coach staffing plan.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Compare SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment options and align the timeline with your lease.
ISI Elite Training Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an ISI Elite Training franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current FDD gives the official estimate. Your total depends on space, build-out, equipment and working capital.
What is the ISI Elite Training franchise fee?
Item 5 discloses it, along with any veteran or multi-license discounts.
What royalty does ISI Elite Training charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, brand fund and technology fees.
How much liquid capital do I need?
Ask the franchisor for current requirements; lenders will also expect an equity injection and reserves.
Can I get an SBA loan for an ISI Elite Training studio?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S4270, so qualified borrowers can apply for SBA-guaranteed financing, subject to approval.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Often, yes, through equipment financing or leasing.
Can I own a studio semi-absentee?
The brand has marketed to investors as well as owner-operators. Lenders will want a qualified manager in place.
Can a first-time owner qualify?
Yes, with franchisor approval, solid reserves and a credible plan.
Does ISI Elite Training offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the current FDD. Most owners use outside financing.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 of the FDD covers the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Final Thoughts
ISI Elite Training sells community and coaching as much as workouts. A well-built ISI Elite Training franchise loan pairs a sensible lease and build-out with a strong founding membership campaign, a dependable coaching team and enough working capital for the first year.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and fitness center financing solutions.
