Key Takeaways
- J-1 holders can own gyms, fitness studios, and wellness centers
- Recurring membership revenue pairs perfectly with revenue-based repayment
- Fund equipment, build-out, staffing, and marketing
- 48-hour decisions — 6 months operating history required
- No green card or citizenship required
Gym and Fitness Business Funding for J-1 Exchange Visitors
Fitness and wellness businesses — independent gyms, boutique studios (yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, cycling), martial arts schools, personal training studios — attract J-1 holders who are fitness professionals, sports science specialists, or wellness entrepreneurs. Recurring membership revenue creates a stable, predictable base that supports revenue-based funding well.
Fitness Business Funding Uses
- Commercial fitness equipment — cardio machines, free weights, squat racks, flooring
- Studio renovation and specialized facility build-out
- HVAC and ventilation improvements
- Gym management software (Mindbody, Gymdesk, Pike13)
- Personal trainer and coach hiring
- Marketing — social media, local SEO, referral programs
- Working capital for pre-opening setup costs
- Second studio location expansion
Equipment Financing
Finance cardio machines, weights, and specialized fitness equipment with asset-backed lending.
Explore →Working Capital
Operational capital for payroll, marketing, and membership ramp-up periods.
Apply Now →Second Location
Expand your proven fitness concept to a second location with Bankable's expansion funding.
Learn More →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. J-1 holders can own fitness businesses. No specific fitness industry licensing requires US citizenship. Certifications for personal trainers and group fitness instructors are managed by private organizations (NASM, ACE, ISSA) with no citizenship requirements.
Bankable connects to Mindbody, Pike13, Gymdesk, or similar software to verify membership and class revenue. We also accept bank statements showing recurring membership deposits and Stripe/Square payments.
$20,000/month in gross fitness business revenue — membership fees, class packages, personal training, and retail product sales combined.
No. Section 212(e) has no effect on gym or fitness studio ownership or Bankable funding eligibility.
Yes. J-2 EAD holders can own fitness studios and qualify for Bankable funding based on studio revenue.
Bankable funds fitness businesses from $25,000 to $3,000,000 based on monthly revenue.
Yes. Commercial treadmills, ellipticals, weight systems, and specialty studio equipment can be financed with equipment financing at lower rates than unsecured working capital.
Recurring memberships create predictable daily ACH deposits that pair perfectly with Bankable's percentage-of-revenue repayment. On a month with $40,000 in memberships and $8,000 in class revenue, repayment is calculated on $48,000 gross — typically 8–12% per day pro-rated.
Yes. Franchise fitness studios (Anytime Fitness, F45, etc.) owned by J-1 or J-2 EAD holders qualify for Bankable funding under the same revenue-based criteria as independent gyms.
4–6 months of business bank statements or gym software revenue reports, government-issued ID (passport accepted), business entity registration, and any franchise agreement if applicable.