Discover Strength
Health & Fitness
Discover Strength delivers evidence-based, 30-minute strength training led by degreed exercise physiologists. Built over 20 years, it's now 41 studios across 15 states, with a 93 NPS and 80% member retention. You don't need a fitness background: we provide the brand, systems, site selection and training so you can lead the team and grow the business. Bring the strength and longevity movement to your market.
Availability
Discover Strength is currently accepting inquiries from the following states:
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
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Requirements
Financial requirements for this franchise: Minimum Cash Required $150,000 Net Worth $750,000 Franchise Fee $58,000 Royalty Fee 6% Total Investment $472,000 - $838,500 -
Options
Options available to franchisees: Home Based No Mobile Franchise No Military Discount Not Available Financing Available Training Available -
Franchisor Details
Facts about this franchise: Headquarters St Louis Park, MN Total Units 42 Year Founded 2006 Franchising Since 2020
What does a Discover Strength Franchise Cost?
To open a Discover Strength franchise, prospective owners need a minimum of $150,000 in cash available (liquid capital) upfront. This amount is part of the estimated total initial investment required to start the franchise, which ranges from approximately $472,000 to $838,500. *
Discover Strength: Lead the Strength and Longevity Movement
Our History
Exercise physiologist Luke Carlson founded Discover Strength in Minneapolis in 2006. He built it around one idea: strength training backed by research and delivered by real experts can change people's lives. Twenty years later there are 41 studios in 15 states, and new markets like Greater Boston are opening.
The Industry Opportunity
The fitness market is moving away from high-churn cardio boutiques and toward strength training for long-term health. Members are more and more likely to be adults over 40 with money to spend, who treat their workouts as an essential health routine rather than a luxury. That shift supports recurring membership revenue that holds up when discretionary spending tightens.
Why Discover Strength
- Evidence-based, time-efficient workouts led by exercise physiologists with four-year degrees, not general trainers
- Proven member loyalty: a 93 NPS and 80% member retention (company-owned studios, 2025)
- Compact 1,500–2,000 sq ft footprint, which keeps buildout, equipment and rent costs well below a traditional gym's
- Built to scale: a simple operating model and centralized support make it practical to own more than one studio
Training and Support
You won't build this alone. Our support starts before you sign a lease and continues after you open:
- Site selection using PiinPoint demographic mapping, plus help negotiating your lease and a streamlined buildout process
- Two 5-day training blocks at our Minneapolis home office
- Optional staff onboarding to help you hire and develop your exercise physiologists
- Marketing support with a national brand and website, ready-to-use content, pre-sale launch systems and ongoing marketing coaching
- Operating systems that include our programming, sales process and KPI dashboards
Our Ideal Candidate
You don't need a fitness background. Exercise physiologists deliver the workouts. Your job is to lead the team, build relationships in your community and grow the business. We look for owners who:
- Have leadership or business management experience
- Care about health and community impact
- Want to grow over time, including owning several studios
- Meet our financial requirements of $150,000 liquid capital and $750,000 net worth
The Investment
The total estimated initial investment is $472,000–$838,500, including a $58,000 initial franchise fee.
