Fernwood Fitness franchise: costs, fees and what to check before you buy

Diana Williams opened the first Fernwood in Bendigo in 1989. The network now has more than 70 clubs, offering gym, group classes and services such as HYPOXI studios and premium Fernwood Fusion formats.

Fernwood’s positioning attracts members willing to pay for a staffed, women-only environment, which supports higher fees but requires more staff.

Fernwood Fitness franchise at a glance

Sector	Women-only health clubs
Founded	1989, Bendigo VIC; franchising since 1994
Network	70+ clubs
Franchise fee	$55,000 (listings)
Total investment	About $300,000 to $1 million depending on club and site
Add-ons	HYPOXI studios; Fernwood Fusion premium format

Figures come from the public sources listed at the end of this guide and can change. Treat them as a starting point and confirm current numbers in the franchise disclosure document.

How the Fernwood Fitness model works financially

Fernwood clubs earn membership fees plus extra services. Staffed hours, group fitness instructors and personal trainers add to wages, and larger clubs carry more rent.

Add-on services can lift revenue per member but often need their own equipment, staff and marketing. Look at the margin each service actually contributes.

The numbers to test before you buy a Fernwood Fitness franchise

• Members, average fee and churn.
• Staffing costs across opening hours and classes.
• Revenue and margin from add-on services such as HYPOXI.
• Rent, size of premises and lease term.
• Equipment finance and refurbishment cycles.
• Local competition from other gyms and studios.

Buying an existing Fernwood Fitness club

Fernwood resales are advertised by brokers and the franchisor, sometimes below set-up cost. Verify member income against bank statements, review staff entitlements and confirm what equipment and refurbishment obligations come with the club.

How Franchise Co. can help with a Fernwood Fitness purchase

We work with buyers and owners of franchise businesses across Australia. For a Fernwood Fitness club we can:

• Review the numbers before you sign. Our business due diligence starts from $2,000 + GST and tests membership, staffing, add-on revenue and lease against the disclosure document and the seller’s records.
• Set up the structure and the books. Entity choice, GST, payroll and a chart of accounts that separates membership and add-on service income. See accounting and tax and bookkeeping, BAS and payroll.
• Check your franchise fees. We reconcile franchise fees to the sales they’re calculated on. See royalties and franchise fees.
• Plan the next club. If a second site is on the cards, we model the cash flow and funding first. See multi-site reporting.

Talk to us about a Fernwood Fitness franchise

Fernwood Fitness franchise FAQs

Franchise Co. is an independent accounting practice. We aren’t affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Fernwood Fitness. Fernwood Fitness is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the brand this guide discusses.

Sources and further reading

• Hattch: Fernwood Fitness franchise
• Hattch: Fernwood Everton Park listing
• ACCC: Franchise disclosure document

Sources checked November 2026. Franchise costs and fees change. Confirm current figures with the franchisor before acting.

This guide is general information for people considering a franchise in Australia. It doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t personal tax, legal or financial advice.