Xtreme Fitness Gyms franchise: CZK 3 million in own capital

Around CZK 3 million in own capital, plus a further CZK 4.2–4.8 million through external financing or leasing. This is how Xtreme Fitness Gyms outlines the funding required for prospective club owners in the Czech Republic. Alongside the investment, the division of responsibilities is an important consideration: the brand offers support during setup and operation, but expects partners to take an active role in managing the business.

Own capital is not the full investment

The chain set out its franchise terms in an article published by Franchising.cz on 19 October 2026. The stated figure of around CZK 3 million represents the Czech franchisee’s own capital, rather than the total amount needed to open a gym. Depending on the project, a further CZK 4.2–4.8 million can be secured through external financing or leasing.

Together, the published figures add up to approximately CZK 7.2–7.8 million. However, this is an indicative range derived from those figures, not a fixed price for every future club. The company itself says the arrangements for securing additional funds will depend on the individual project.

Prospective franchisees therefore need to distinguish between the money they must contribute themselves and the obligations associated with financing the remainder. Assessing the offer requires more than looking at the own-capital requirement alone. A practical next step is to request a budget for the specific club and its financing terms before deciding whether to join the network.

Partners are expected to run their clubs

According to Xtreme Fitness Gyms, previous experience of running a fitness centre is not a requirement. The brand places greater emphasis on business acumen, local market knowledge and a willingness to take an active management role. The offer is therefore not presented as simply investing capital in a club that head office will then run entirely on the investor’s behalf.

The franchisee is expected to take responsibility for staff, service quality and the club’s financial performance. This is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs looking to add a gym to their existing business interests. As well as the funds available, they must consider their own time commitment and ability to lead an operational team.

Head office, in turn, says it will help identify and select suitable premises, plan the investment and provide a turnkey gym fit-out. Support is also intended to cover pre-opening membership sales, staff recruitment and training, and ongoing operational management. The published model thus combines the resources of the wider network with the local partner’s responsibility for the business.

This raises a specific question for franchise discussions: how will individual tasks be divided during the preparation phase and after opening? The list of support services is a useful starting point, but prospective partners should clarify what each item covers in practice.

Each location must be viable in its own right

The company bases site selection primarily on accessibility, competition, the catchment area and local economic conditions. It does not intend to focus solely on the largest cities. For prospective franchisees, this means preparation should include an assessment of the specific local market, rather than relying only on the brand’s general appeal.

“We are assessing several cities and regions, but every project must make commercial sense in its own right,” Ivana Watson, who is responsible for the brand’s development in the Czech Republic, told Franchising.cz. The company has not yet announced a specific target for the number of Czech clubs.

The first Czech club, at Retail Park Opava, is operated directly by the company. It is also intended to test how the Polish model works in the Czech market, with the chain planning to apply the lessons learnt to subsequent openings. In Přerov, it has already signed a lease and plans to open in the third quarter of 2027. That planned date should, however, be distinguished from an opening that has already taken place.

Polish experience, adapted to the Czech market

Xtreme Fitness Gyms is entering the Czech franchise market with experience gained from a network of 200 clubs in Poland. More than 150 of those clubs are franchised. Alongside them, the company retains its own clubs, where it can test procedures before introducing them across the network.

However, it does not intend to transfer the Polish model unchanged. Operating standards, technology and the training system may remain similar, while pricing, membership options and marketing will need to be adapted to Czech customers, according to the company. This distinction matters for partners: an established network provides experience and support, but the commercial offer must match local demand.

Practical takeaway: Before signing an agreement, prospective franchisees should consider three elements together: the budget for the specific club, the financing terms and the scope of their operational responsibilities. Meeting the own-capital requirement alone does not amount to a full assessment of the opportunity.