Why SBA Funding May Not Be the Right Option for Your Gym

22/08/2025 6 min

Listen "Why SBA Funding May Not Be the Right Option for Your Gym"

Episode Synopsis

This white paper by Jim Thomas, a gym business expert, explores the advantages of non-bank, unsecured funding for gym operators compared to traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Thomas argues that SBA funding often presents significant drawbacks for the fast-paced fitness industry, including lengthy approval processes, high qualification barriers, collateral requirements, personal guarantees, and restricted use of funds. He highlights unsecured funding as a more flexible and faster alternative, requiring no collateral and offering quick turnaround times for a wider range of uses, such as payroll, renovations, or expansion. The paper details the qualification paths for unsecured funding, including credit score and income requirements or bank statement history, and emphasizes its utility for various critical business scenarios in the gym industry. Ultimately, Thomas encourages gym owners to explore these alternative funding options to fuel growth and solve immediate operational needs.www.fmconsulting.netwww.linkedin.com/in/jimthomasconsulting