BJJ Gym Business Plan Template UK: Complete Guide

Many gym owners are tempted to skip the business plan and dive straight into finding premises and buying mats. This is a costly mistake. A business plan forces you to think critically about every aspect of your business before you commit significant capital.

Business plans serve multiple essential purposes. First, they're required for raising funding—UK banks, Start Up Loans, and private investors all expect to see a detailed business plan before committing funds. Second, they provide a roadmap for your first 1-3 years, helping you set realistic milestones and track progress. Third, they help you spot problems before they happen, such as cash flow gaps in months 3-6 or unrealistic member acquisition projections.

Perhaps most importantly, a business plan keeps you accountable to your goals and milestones. When you've written down that you need 35 members by month six to break even, you'll work harder to achieve it. According to research, businesses with written plans are 16% more likely to achieve their goals than those without.

Even if you're self-funding your gym and don't need external capital, write the business plan for yourself. The process of researching your market, analysing competitors, and building financial projections will reveal insights that could save you tens of thousands of pounds in costly mistakes.

Your BJJ gym business plan must be tailored to the UK market, not adapted from US templates. The UK has distinct market conditions, legal requirements, and financial structures that fundamentally affect your planning.

UK Market Context: BJJ is experiencing rapid growth in the UK, with membership increasing from 10,000 practitioners in 2016 to over 40,000 in 2025 according to the UK Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association. The number of clubs has grown by more than 200% in under a decade, with over 300 clubs now operating nationwide. However, BJJ remains niche compared to traditional gyms and even other martial arts. Your business plan must acknowledge this smaller addressable market whilst highlighting the strong growth trajectory.

Regional Variations: London differs dramatically from regional cities, suburbs, and rural areas. In London, you'll face higher rents (£2,500-£4,000/month for 1,000-1,500 sq ft), premium pricing opportunities (£100-£140/month memberships), and fierce competition. Regional cities like Manchester, Bristol, and Birmingham offer a middle ground with rents of £1,000-£2,000/month and membership prices of £70-£100/month. Suburban and rural areas provide the lowest costs but require broader programming to serve smaller populations.

UK Legal Requirements: Your choice of legal structure—Limited Company or Sole Trader—affects your tax obligations and personal liability. Most UK gyms operate as Limited Companies due to liability protection and Corporation Tax advantages (19% on profits up to £50,000 versus 20-45% Income Tax as a Sole Trader). Include your Companies House registration number and registered address in your business plan.

UK Financial Projections: Unlike US models, UK projections must account for VAT (currently £90,000 threshold), Corporation Tax (19-25% depending on profits), and National Insurance contributions. UK gyms also benefit from different tax planning opportunities through salary-dividend optimisation if structured as a Limited Company.

UK Payment Processing: British members expect to pay via Direct Debit, not credit cards. Your business plan should budget for GoCardless or similar Direct Debit providers (typically 1% + 20p per transaction) rather than higher credit card processing fees. This affects your revenue projections and cash flow modelling.

Seasonality: UK gyms experience pronounced summer attendance dropoffs. Expect 15-25% lower attendance in July and August as members holiday abroad. This seasonal pattern affects cash flow and should be modelled in your monthly projections. Some gyms implement summer hold policies to manage this predictable decline.

The executive summary is paradoxically the most important section of your business plan, yet you should write it last. This one-page overview summarises your entire plan and may be the only section that busy bank managers or investors read in full.

Your executive summary should be written after completing all other sections, as it distils the key points from your market analysis, financial projections, competitive advantage, and operational plans. Target 300-400 words maximum—any longer and you've defeated the purpose of a summary.

Key Elements to Include:

• Business Concept: State what type of BJJ gym you're opening and who you serve. Example: "London BJJ Academy is a beginner-focused Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Clapham serving working professionals aged 25-45."
• Market Opportunity: Quantify why your area needs your gym. Example: "The local area has a population of 85,000 with strong demographics (median age 32, median income £42,000), yet only two BJJ gyms within five miles, both operating at capacity."
• Competitive Advantage: Explain what makes you different. Example: "We differentiate through dedicated fundamentals classes for adults, women's only sessions, and superior facilities including changing rooms and parking."
• Financial Highlights: Provide specific numbers on startup costs, break-even timeline, and 3-year revenue projections. Example: "Total startup investment of £28,000, break-even projected in month 7, reaching 75 members and £60,000 annual revenue by year two."
• Funding Requirements: If seeking investment, state the exact amount needed and how it will be used.
• Your Credentials: Highlight your BJJ experience and any relevant business skills. Example: "Founder John Smith is a BJJ brown belt under Roger Gracie with 12 years training experience and five years managing a CrossFit gym."

Example Executive Summary Template:

"Manchester Grappling Academy is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy opening in Salford in March 2026. We will serve adults aged 25-50 and children aged 6-15 with structured BJJ programmes emphasising technical fundamentals and safe training environments. The local area has a population of 62,000 within a 15-minute drive, with median household income of £35,000 and strong family demographics. Only one existing BJJ gym operates within five miles, with no kids programme. We project 40 adult members and 25 kids members within 12 months, generating £52,000 in annual revenue. Total startup investment required is £25,000, with break-even expected in month eight. The founder, Sarah Johnson, brings eight years of BJJ experience as a purple belt under Team Kaobon plus six years as a primary school teacher, providing both technical credibility and children's coaching expertise."

This section establishes the legal and operational foundation of your gym. It transforms your concept into a concrete business entity with a clear mission, defined services, and specific location.

Business Name and Legal Structure:

• Registered business name (ensure it's available via Companies House search)
• Legal structure: Limited Company (Ltd), Sole Trader, or Partnership
• Companies House registration number (once registered)
• Registered address for official correspondence

Most UK BJJ gyms operate as Limited Companies due to liability protection. If a member is injured and sues, your personal assets are protected. Additionally, Corporation Tax at 19% on profits up to £50,000 is often more favourable than Income Tax rates. Read our detailed guide on choosing your legal structure.

Business Model:

Your BJJ gym operates on a membership-based model with three revenue streams:

• Primary revenue: Monthly memberships (typically 85-90% of total revenue). Members pay via Direct Debit for unlimited or restricted access (2x/week, 3x/week plans).
• Secondary revenue: Drop-in fees for visitors, private lessons for technical development, merchandise sales (gis, rash guards, academy apparel), and seminars with visiting instructors (10-15% of revenue).
• Tertiary revenue (optional): Corporate wellness partnerships, summer kids camps, competition team sponsorships (0-5% of revenue).

Mission and Vision:

Define why your gym exists beyond making money. Your mission should solve a specific problem:

• Mission example: "To make Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu accessible to complete beginners in North London through structured fundamentals programmes and a welcoming, ego-free training environment."
• Vision example: "To become the largest BJJ academy in the West Midlands within five years, with 200+ active members and a reputation for developing technical excellence from white to black belt."
• Values: Principles that guide your gym culture, such as respect, technique over strength, continuous improvement, inclusivity, or community.

Location and Facilities:

Provide specific details or target parameters if still searching for premises:

• Specific address or target area (e.g., "Industrial units within 2 miles of Bristol city centre")
• Space size: Total square footage and dedicated training area (e.g., "1,800 sq ft total with 1,400 sq ft mat space")
• Facilities description: Mat type and size, changing rooms (male/female), toilets, parking spaces, accessibility features
• Accessibility: Public transport links, parking availability, walking distance from residential areas

Location is critical to your success. Reference our complete location selection guide for demographic analysis and property evaluation frameworks.

Programs and Services:

Detail every class and service you'll offer:

• Adult BJJ: Gi classes (traditional), No-Gi classes (without kimono), Fundamentals vs All Levels distinctions, Open mats for free rolling
• Kids BJJ: Age group structure (e.g., Little Ninjas 4-7, Kids 8-12, Teens 13-17), separate curriculum focus
• Women's Only: If offering dedicated women's classes, specify schedule and focus (self-defence, sport BJJ, fitness)
• Additional Services: Private lessons (1-on-1 or small group), competition team training, wrestling or judo sessions, online technique libraries

More successful UK gyms offer structured programs for multiple demographics rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Choose 2-3 core programs and execute them excellently.

Market analysis is where you prove to investors (and yourself) that sufficient demand exists for your gym. Use data and research, not gut feelings and optimism.

Target Market Definition:

Primary Target Market (who you're building the gym for):

• Demographics: Age 25-45 (core market), median household income £30,000-£60,000, employed in professional or skilled occupations
• Psychographics: Fitness-conscious, goal-oriented, enjoys mental and physical challenges, values community and personal development
• Size Estimation: Use ONS Nomis to find population within your catchment area matching these demographics

Secondary Target Markets:

• Kids (ages 5-15): Parents seeking discipline, fitness, and confidence for children. Family areas with high school density are ideal
• Women seeking self-defence: Growing segment, often underserved. Women now comprise one of the fastest-growing groups in UK BJJ
• Former wrestlers/judokas: Transition athletes looking for grappling-focused training
• MMA enthusiasts: Seeking ground game training to complement striking

Local Area Demographics:

Research your specific catchment area using free UK tools:

• Total population within 15-minute drive (use Google Maps draw radius tool)
• Age breakdown focusing on 20-50 range
• Income levels (median household income via ONS data)
• Employment types (professional vs manual labour indicators)
• Education levels (university degree holders correlate with BJJ interest)
• Existing fitness culture (gym memberships, active lifestyle indicators)

Access this data through ONS Census data and the Nomis website, which provides free population and demographics data at local authority level.

Market Size Estimation:

Use conservative assumptions to calculate your addressable market:

• Catchment population: 50,000 (example)
• Fitness participation rate: 15-20% of UK population exercises regularly
• Martial arts interest within fitness demographic: 5-10%
• Realistic BJJ addressable market: 0.1-0.3% of total catchment (conservative industry standard)

Example calculation: 50,000 catchment × 0.2% = 100 potential BJJ members in your area. Your target for year one might be 30-40 members, representing 30-40% market capture—an achievable goal if you execute well.

Market Trends:

Support your market analysis with broader UK BJJ growth data:

• UK BJJ membership surged from 10,000 in 2016 to over 40,000 in 2025 (UKBJJA data)
• Number of UK clubs increased by more than 200% in under a decade, now exceeding 300 nationwide
• UFC and MMA popularity driving BJJ interest among younger demographics
• Fitness industry trends favour functional fitness, group training, and specialisation over generic globo gyms
• Post-pandemic shift: Community and in-person connection now highly valued after lockdowns

Competitor Analysis:

Map every competitor within your catchment area. Create a comprehensive competitor table:

Direct Competitors include BJJ gyms within 10 miles (urban), 15 miles (suburban). Note their location, estimated member count, pricing structure, instructor credentials, strengths, and exploitable weaknesses.

Indirect Competitors include MMA gyms (often include BJJ), traditional martial arts schools (karate, taekwondo—different market but competing for martial arts budget), judo clubs (similar grappling but typically cheaper, less flexible schedules), CrossFit and boutique fitness (competing for same fitness budget).

Competitive Advantage—how you'll differentiate:

• Better facilities: Newer, cleaner, better location, dedicated changing rooms, parking
• Better beginner experience: Structured fundamentals programme, welcoming culture, assigned training partners for new members
• Specialisation: Women's programmes, kids specialists, competition team development, hobbyist-friendly culture
• Instructor credentials: Lineage under respected instructors, competition achievements, teaching experience
• Pricing strategy: Value positioning (better value than competitors) or premium positioning (higher price justified by superior service)
• Schedule flexibility: More class times accommodating different work schedules

Never compete solely on price unless you have structural cost advantages. Differentiate on value, experience, or specialisation.

Your marketing strategy transforms market opportunity into actual members. Be specific about tactics, budgets, and expected outcomes.

Brand Positioning:

Decide where you sit in the market:

• Budget option: Lowest price in area, basic facilities, minimal frills (£50-£70/month)
• Best value: Mid-range pricing with superior facilities or programming (£70-£100/month)
• Premium: Highest price justified by elite instruction, facilities, or location (£100-£140/month)

Most successful UK BJJ gyms position as "best value" rather than cheapest. Define your unique selling proposition (USP) clearly—what do you offer that competitors don't?

Pricing Strategy:

Based on our research of UK BJJ gyms in 2026:

• London unlimited: £100-£140/month (average £125)
• Regional cities unlimited: £70-£100/month (average £85)
• Suburban/rural unlimited: £60-£85/month (average £70)

Also offer:

• Restricted plans (2x/week, 3x/week): 60-80% of unlimited price
• Drop-in rate: £15-£25 per class
• Kids pricing: £40-£75/month depending on frequency
• Private lessons: £40-£80 per hour depending on instructor level

Price within 10-20% of competitor pricing unless you have clear differentiation. Reference our detailed pricing strategy guide for more frameworks.

Member Acquisition Tactics:

Month 1-3 (Launch Phase):

• Free trial offers: 1-2 week trial to remove barrier to entry
• Launch event / open day: Demo classes, food, raffle prizes
• Facebook/Instagram ads: £300-£500/month targeting local demographics (25-45, fitness interests)
• Local flyering: High streets, coffee shops, gyms, universities
• Target: 50-80 trial students, convert 30-40% (15-30 paying members)

Ongoing (Month 4+):

• Google Business Profile optimisation: Free but critical for local SEO. 60% of members find gyms via Google search
• Organic social media: 3-5 posts/week showcasing training, member spotlights, technique videos
• Referral programme: Free month for referrer + referee (most effective channel long-term—referrals represent 30-50% of new members for established gyms)
• Paid ads: Reduce to £200-£400/month once organic channels mature
• Community partnerships: Corporate wellness programmes, school workshops, local business cross-promotions
• Content marketing: Blog posts answering beginner questions, YouTube technique videos, local SEO

Our complete marketing guide provides detailed tactics and implementation frameworks.

Member Retention Strategies:

Retention is more valuable than acquisition. Martial arts gyms enjoy higher retention than traditional gyms (approximately 71-80% annually vs 50-60% for globo gyms), but you must actively manage it:

• Excellent first class experience: Assign experienced training partner, explain basics patiently, ensure they feel welcome
• Regular check-ins: Week 2 ("How was your second class?"), month 1 ("Any questions about techniques?"), month 3 ("Ready for your first stripe?")
• Clear progression pathway: Belt system, stripes, skill milestones, public recognition
• Community events: Social gatherings, competition team support, belt promotion ceremonies
• Flexible payment: Direct Debit for convenience, hold options for injury/travel, transparent billing

Target 80% annual retention initially, improving to 85-90% as your gym matures and culture strengthens.

Marketing Budget:

• Year 1: 10-15% of revenue (£3,000-£6,000 total if targeting £40,000 first-year revenue)
• Year 2-3: Reduce to 8-12% as organic channels and referrals strengthen
• Allocation: 60% paid ads (Facebook, Google), 20% events and content creation, 20% referral programme incentives

Operations planning demonstrates that you understand the practical realities of running a gym, not just the romantic vision of teaching BJJ.

Class Schedule:

Design your weekly schedule around your target market's availability:

Example Weekly Schedule (Adult-Focused Gym):

• Monday-Friday: 6:30pm Fundamentals (60 min), 7:45pm All Levels (75 min)
• Saturday: 10:00am All Levels (90 min), 11:45am Open Mat (90 min)
• Tuesday/Thursday: 12:00pm Lunchtime Class (60 min) for office workers
• Total teaching hours: 15-18 hours/week

Kids Schedule (if offering):

• Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 4:30pm Little Ninjas (4-7 years), 5:30pm Kids (8-12 years)
• Saturday: 9:00am Teens (13-17 years)

Start with fewer classes and add based on demand rather than over-committing initially. You can always expand; reducing a published schedule damages credibility.

Facility Management:

• Opening hours: Define member access hours, whether keys/fob access provided for off-peak training
• Cleaning schedule: Daily mat cleaning after each session (essential for hygiene), weekly deep clean, monthly equipment inspection
• Maintenance: Mat rotation to even wear, equipment checks, facility repairs
• Health and safety: First aid kit maintained, accident book kept, emergency procedures posted

Systems and Software:

• Gym management software: Glofox, TeamUp, or Zen Planner (£50-£150/month). Features needed: membership management, Direct Debit collection, class booking, attendance tracking
• Payment processing: GoCardless for Direct Debit (UK standard, 1% + 20p per transaction). Avoid credit card processing where possible due to higher fees (1.5-3%)
• Website: Simple Squarespace or WordPress site (£10-£30/month) with class schedule, pricing, online joining
• Communication: Email for formal communication, WhatsApp groups for class updates and community building, SMS for payment failures

See our UK gym software comparison for detailed feature analysis and pricing.

Staffing Plan:

Year 1: Owner-operated, you teach all classes. Budget £0 for instructor costs but recognise your time investment.

Year 2: Add assistant instructor (£15-£25/hour depending on experience and location) for 5-10 hours/week to cover extra classes or provide relief. Annual cost: £4,000-£13,000.

Year 3: Add part-time receptionist/administrator (10 hours/week at National Living Wage £12.71/hour from April 2026). Annual cost: £6,600.

All staff require Enhanced DBS checks (£49.50-£75 per person depending on provider). Factor this into onboarding costs. See our hiring instructors guide for recruitment frameworks.

Suppliers and Partners:

• Mat supplier: Tatami Fightwear, Martial Arts Mart, Gymwarehouse, or Grapplestore
• Equipment supplier: Same as mat suppliers for grappling dummies, pads, training equipment
• Merchandise supplier: Wholesale gi and rashguard suppliers or print-on-demand for branded apparel
• Accountant: £500-£1,300/year for business structure advice, annual accounts, tax filing (essential—don't DIY your taxes)
• Insurance provider: BMABA, Everywhen, or Simply Business. Budget £800-£1,500/year for comprehensive cover. Read our insurance guide for coverage requirements.

Financial projections are the heart of your business plan. Investors and lenders scrutinise these numbers carefully, and you should too. Be conservative—it's better to exceed low projections than miss optimistic ones.

Startup Costs Summary:

Based on extensive UK market research, here are realistic startup cost ranges:

Use our interactive startup costs calculator to generate personalised estimates based on your location and approach.

Monthly Expense Forecast:

Model your fixed and variable monthly expenses carefully. Example for a 1,500 sq ft regional city gym:

Revenue Projections:

Model conservative, realistic, and optimistic scenarios. Here's a realistic Year 1 projection for a suburban gym (£80 average monthly membership):

Additional revenue (drop-ins, privates, merchandise): +10-15% of membership revenue. Year 1 total revenue: £32,000-£38,000.

Year 2 Revenue Projection:

• Members grow from 55 → 85
• Monthly revenue: £4,400 → £6,800
• Annual revenue: £60,000-£68,000

Year 3 Revenue Projection:

• Members grow from 85 → 110
• Monthly revenue: £6,800 → £8,800
• Annual revenue: £82,000-£95,000

Break-Even Analysis:

Calculate when you'll break even:

• Monthly fixed expenses: £2,117 (from example above)
• Average revenue per member: £80
• Break-even member count: £2,117 ÷ £80 = 27 members
• Expected break-even timeline: Month 6-8 (based on above growth projections)

Use our break-even calculator for your specific numbers.

Cash Flow Projection:

Cash flow projection is crucial—more gyms fail from cash flow problems than lack of members. Model month-by-month cash in vs cash out for your first 12 months. This reveals cash crunches (typically months 3-6) when expenses exceed revenue and working capital keeps you afloat.

Profit & Loss Forecast (3 Years):

Tax Implications (UK-Specific):

As a Sole Trader:

• Pay Income Tax on profits: 0% up to £12,570, 20% on £12,571-£50,270, 40% on £50,271-£125,140
• Pay Class 2 National Insurance: £3.50/week if profits above £6,845
• Pay Class 4 National Insurance: 6% on profits £12,570-£50,270, 2% above £50,270
• Example: £30,000 profit = £3,486 Income Tax + £182 Class 2 NI + £1,046 Class 4 NI = £4,714 total tax (15.7% effective rate)

As a Limited Company:

• Pay Corporation Tax on company profits: 19% up to £50,000, 25% above £250,000
• Pay yourself salary + dividends: Salary up to £12,570 (tax-free personal allowance), remaining profits as dividends
• Dividend tax: 0% on first £500, then 8.75% basic rate, 33.75% higher rate
• Example: £30,000 profit = £5,700 Corporation Tax + £1,530 dividend tax (if taking £24,300 as dividends) = £7,230 total tax (24.1% effective rate)

In this example, Sole Trader is more tax-efficient below £30,000 profit, but Limited Company provides liability protection worth the tax cost. Consult an accountant for your specific situation.

VAT Considerations:

The UK VAT threshold is £90,000 turnover (as of 2025/26 tax year). Once your revenue exceeds £90,000, you must register for VAT and charge 20% on top of membership prices. Most UK gyms operate below this threshold initially, but factor it into Year 2-3 projections if you expect to exceed it.

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis forces objective self-reflection. Be honest—investors can spot inflated strengths and ignored weaknesses.

Strengths (Internal Positives):

• Your BJJ experience and belt rank (higher rank = more credibility)
• Relevant business skills or experience (previous gym ownership, management, sales, marketing)
• Unique instructor lineage or credentials (training under famous instructors, competition achievements)
• Location advantages (low rent, high visibility, excellent parking)
• Funding already secured (reduces risk)
• Existing student base you're bringing from current training location

Weaknesses (Internal Challenges):

• Limited business experience (first-time entrepreneur)
• Lower belt rank if applicable (purple belt vs black belt instructor credibility gap)
• Limited working capital (can't survive extended ramp-up period)
• No existing students (starting from zero)
• Time constraints if keeping day job initially (part-time operation limits growth)

Opportunities (External Positives):

• BJJ growth trajectory in UK (40,000 practitioners in 2025, up from 10,000 in 2016)
• Underserved local market (few competitors, growing population)
• Gaps in competitor offerings (no women's programmes, no kids classes, poor beginner experience)
• Partnership opportunities with corporates for wellness programmes, schools for after-school clubs
• Fitness industry trend toward functional fitness and specialisation vs generic globo gyms

Threats (External Challenges):

• Economic downturn reducing discretionary spending (BJJ memberships are non-essential)
• New competitors opening in your area (market saturation risk)
• Established gyms have loyal members who won't switch easily
• Seasonality challenges (summer attendance dropoff 15-25% in July-August)
• Rising commercial rents and operating costs eroding margins
• Injury risk and liability exposure despite insurance

Present your SWOT analysis in a simple four-quadrant table for clarity. More importantly, explain how you'll leverage strengths, address weaknesses, capitalise on opportunities, and mitigate threats. The analysis is worthless without actionable responses.

Milestones transform your business plan from a static document into an accountability tool. Set specific, measurable targets with dates attached.

Pre-Launch Milestones:

• Month -6: Business plan completed, legal structure decided and registered with Companies House
• Month -5: Funding secured (bank loan approved or personal capital committed)
• Month -4: Premises identified, lease negotiations commenced
• Month -3: Lease signed, mats and equipment ordered, insurance obtained
• Month -2: Fit-out completed, all equipment installed, DBS checks received, governing body affiliation secured
• Month -1: Soft launch testing with friends/family, website live, social media pages active, first marketing campaigns launched

Year 1 Milestones:

• Month 1: Soft launch with 10 founding members
• Month 2: Grand opening event, 20 members enrolled
• Month 3: First belt promotions (stripes for early members to celebrate progress)
• Month 6: Break-even reached (35-40 members depending on your numbers)
• Month 9: First kids belt ceremony (if offering kids programme)
• Month 12: 50-60 members, £4,000-£5,000 monthly revenue, profitability achieved

Year 2-3 Milestones:

• Year 2 Q2: 80 members, first assistant instructor hired
• Year 2 Q4: £15,000-£20,000 annual profit, first member promoted to blue belt
• Year 3 Q2: 100+ members, considering second location or facility expansion
• Year 3 Q4: Competition team established with first tournament medals, £30,000+ annual profit

Review milestones quarterly. If you're behind, analyse why and adjust your strategy. If you're ahead, congratulate yourself then set more ambitious stretch goals.

We provide a comprehensive, editable business plan template designed specifically for UK BJJ gyms. The template includes all sections outlined in this guide with detailed instructions and examples.

What's Included:

• Editable Word document: All sections pre-structured with guidance notes and placeholder text you can customise
• Excel financial projection spreadsheet: Automated formulas for revenue, expenses, cash flow, break-even analysis. Input your numbers and watch projections update automatically
• SWOT analysis template: Four-quadrant worksheet with prompts
• Competitor analysis spreadsheet: Structured template for researching and comparing competitors
• PDF instruction guide: Step-by-step walkthrough of completing each section

How to Use the Template:

1. Download the complete template package (Word + Excel + PDF)
2. Read the instruction guide first to understand what information you'll need to gather
3. Work through each section of the Word document, replacing [PLACEHOLDERS] with your gym-specific information
4. Complete the Excel financial projection spreadsheet with your estimated costs, pricing, and growth assumptions (formulas calculate automatically)
5. Review the complete draft and get feedback from an accountant, business advisor, or experienced gym owner
6. Update your business plan quarterly as your actual results differ from projections—treat it as a living document, not a one-time exercise

The template saves you 20-30 hours of formatting and structure work, letting you focus on the strategic content and research that will make your business plan compelling and accurate.

This anonymised case study demonstrates how a real UK BJJ gym used a comprehensive business plan to guide their launch and first two years.

North London BJJ Academy (Anonymised):

• Location: North London, Zone 3, population 80,000 within catchment area
• Demographics: Median age 34, median household income £48,000, high proportion of young professionals
• Startup capital: £32,000 (£20,000 personal savings, £12,000 Start Up Loan)
• Space: 1,600 sq ft industrial unit, £1,800/month rent
• Competitors: Two BJJ gyms within 5 miles, both established with 70-100 members

Launch Results:

• Month 1: 12 members (projected 10) —exceeded target through strong launch marketing
• Month 6: 38 members (projected 35) —reached break-even on schedule
• Month 12: 58 members (projected 50) —exceeded first-year target
• Year 1 revenue: £55,680 (projected £48,000) —16% above plan

Year 2 Results:

• Members: 85 (projected 75)
• Revenue: £81,600 (projected £72,000)
• Net profit: £24,000 (projected £18,000)

Key Lessons Learned:

• Marketing spend was underprojected: Spent 20% more than budgeted in months 1-3 to generate trial volume, but investment paid off with better conversion
• Summer dropoff worse than expected: July-August attendance fell 30% vs projected 20%. Implemented summer hold policy in Year 2 to manage this better
• Referral programme most effective channel: By month 9, referrals generated 50% of new members at near-zero acquisition cost. Wish they'd implemented it from month 1 instead of month 4
• Break-even took 2 months longer than projected: Hit break-even in month 8 vs projected month 6, but strong Year 2 performance compensated
• Importance of working capital validated: Months 4-7 were cash-negative. Without £10,000 working capital buffer, gym would have failed despite ultimately being viable

This case study demonstrates that even with solid planning, actual results vary from projections. The business plan's value was providing a framework to measure performance, identify problems early (summer dropoff, cash flow crunch), and make informed adjustments.