I built a gym for people who don't like gyms and now it runs itself.

Real Estate

A few years ago I built something a bit different in the UK. Instead of one big open-plan floor, it's private gym rooms so anyone who feels anxious, self-conscious or just wants their own space can train without an audience. You can go in on your own or with a mate (about 40% of members come in twos). There are six fully-equipped rooms ,squat rack, dumbbells, cable pulley, the lot, plus loads of extra kit around the building that members just grab and put back. Every room has a projector, so people can throw a YouTube class up on a huge screen and follow along, about half of them train that way. There's also a cardio zone with 3 treadmills, cross trainer, rower, stepper and Bike. It has a golf simulator room and an automated massage room too.

The genuinely lovely surprise: when you build a place for people who just want a bit of privacy, you end up attracting really lovely people, 300 members, some of the best reviews in the area.

The software I built runs almost everything, bookings, waitlist, door access, memberships, issue reporting so it's about as close to passive as a real business gets. Day to day you'd just need a cleaner twice a week or a local PT, and the PT runs/supports it in exchange for free use of the rooms.

I'm considering selling but really torn.

Where it's at: £7k/month revenue, £3.8k/month net. I'll be honest , I lost steam on the social media side and haven't advertised since January, and it's sitting at £7k. It's comfortably capable of £10k with someone fresh on the marketing; I just don't have that energy in me right now. There are other things I want to go and do, and selling this would be how I fund them but I genuinely love the place, so I'm torn really torn, sell and start something new or keep going.

In terms of hiring marketing company I just wont do it now, been stung too many times with over promises and under deliveries, nothing beats the owner or manager being enthusiastic in front of the camera.

Included would be ~£40k of equipment (incl. the golf sim and massage chair), the software, the brand and the member base, and I can sort a 3-year break in a new 10 year lease so a buyer isn't locked in.

I spent around £80k setting up business and the rooms and initial equipment but I have added over the last few years, I built it myself.

So honestly does something like this interest anyone, and what would you realistically pay for it? Not committing to anything, just want to know if the interest is there before I make my mind up.

PS. its now been open 4 years, 1st 2 were very tough I was there alot, the 2nd 2 have been the complete opposite, I pop in and out when I want and its as close to a passive business I think you could get.

Posted Jun 10, 2026, 4:23 PM UTC

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