Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian and Venezuelan parolees with gym revenue qualify
- Equipment financing for weights, cardio machines, and studio equipment
- Membership revenue is strong recurring bankability evidence
- Working capital for the first 6 months before break-even
- No green card required — EAD accepted
Ukraine has a deep fitness culture — Soviet-era Olympic athletics programs produced generations of coaches, trainers, and fitness professionals. Ukrainian parolee fitness entrepreneurs are opening CrossFit boxes, boxing gyms, martial arts studios, and wellness centers across the US, leveraging elite athletic backgrounds and professional training certifications. Venezuelan parolees — many from professional athletic backgrounds — are similarly building fitness businesses. Bankable funds the equipment and working capital that open these facilities.
Fitness Business Funding Products
- Equipment Financing: Cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes), free weights, racks, cables, and flooring — financed with equipment as collateral.
- Build-Out Capital: Leasehold improvements, locker rooms, HVAC for high-occupancy spaces, and ADA compliance.
- Membership Working Capital: New gyms take 6-12 months to reach break-even membership levels. Working capital bridges the ramp-up period.
- Class Studio Equipment: Yoga studios, Pilates reformers, boxing bags, and cycling bikes for boutique fitness concepts.
- POS and Membership Management: Finance MindBody, Glofox, or other gym management software and hardware systems.
Membership Revenue: The Bankability Advantage
Gym membership revenue is monthly recurring — arguably the most predictable revenue stream in any retail business. A gym with 200 members at $50/month generates $10,000/month in near-guaranteed revenue. Add personal training and class packages and total monthly revenue can reach $25,000-$50,000 for a mid-size studio. Bankable loves recurring membership revenue and prices funding accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ukrainian U4U parolees with US gym or studio revenue qualify for equipment financing and working capital. Valid EAD, business bank statements, and a qualified facility lease are the primary requirements.
Cardio machines (treadmills, bikes, ellipticals), free weights and plate-loaded equipment, squat racks and cable systems, rubber flooring, and specialized boutique equipment (Pilates reformers, rowing machines, boxing equipment). New and used commercial-grade equipment qualifies.
New gyms (under 6 months) can qualify for equipment financing based on their signed lease, pre-launch membership commitments, and owner personal credit. Working capital for operations typically requires 3+ months of operating history.
$15,000 per month in total revenue (memberships, personal training, classes, retail). Gyms generating $10,000-$15,000 may qualify for smaller advances with additional personal credit consideration.
Yes. Venezuelan CHNV parolees with personal training businesses, boutique studios, or gyms qualify. Venezuela has produced world-class athletes and fitness professionals. US certifications (NASM, ACE, CrossFit) strengthen applications.
Build-out capital is typically structured as a term loan with a 12-36 month repayment tied to your projected membership revenue ramp. We underwrite based on your lease terms, equipment quotes, and projected membership growth.
Yes. Franchise fitness concepts (CrossFit affiliates, Orangetheory, F45, etc.) qualify for franchise equipment financing and working capital. See our franchise funding guide for parolees.
Yes. Mobile personal trainers and studio-based trainers with verifiable session revenue qualify for working capital. Equipment financing for trainers (portable equipment kits) is also available.