“Before you sign a lease, the negotiation has already started.”

“Whoever has the most options wins.”

Ken Jorgenson, National Director of CARR, explains why commercial real estate can make or break a gym business. Anthony, Natalia, and Ken break down lease mistakes, buildout timelines, tenant improvements, free rent, CPI increases, renewals, lease vs. buy decisions, and why gym owners should not negotiate commercial space alone.

In this episode of The Gym Owner’s Podcast, Anthony Pasquale and Natalia Schulte sit down with Ken Jorgenson, National Director of CARR, for one of the most important conversations any current or future gym owner can hear before signing a commercial lease.

Opening a gym is exciting, but the real estate decision behind that gym can quietly become one of the most expensive parts of the entire business. Ken explains why gym owners need to understand lease terms, landlord representation, tenant improvement allowances, free rent periods, buildout timelines, annual escalations, CPI clauses, assignment language, parking, signage, renewal options, and the hidden costs that can turn a promising gym location into a financial nightmare.

This episode is especially valuable for first-time gym owners, expanding fitness businesses, studio owners, personal training facilities, and anyone trying to decide whether to lease, buy, renew, relocate, or open an additional location.

Ken also explains why simply browsing LoopNet, calling the number on a building, or negotiating directly with a landlord’s agent can put gym owners at a disadvantage before the real negotiation even begins. The conversation covers how professional tenant and buyer representation can help gym owners create leverage, compare multiple properties, understand market data, and negotiate from a stronger position.

CARR specializes in commercial real estate services for healthcare and fitness tenants and buyers, with services that include start-ups, lease renewals, expansions, relocations, purchases, due diligence, and more. CARR’s website also includes articles, FAQs, glossaries, videos, and other resources for business owners trying to better understand commercial real estate.

In this episode

• Why gym owners should not treat commercial real estate like residential real estate
• Why calling the number on a building can weaken your negotiating position
• How landlord agents use early conversations as leverage
• Why LoopNet is not enough when searching for gym space
• What gym owners should negotiate beyond monthly rent
• The difference between buildout time and free rent after opening
• Why tenant improvement allowance can save gym owners serious money
• How permitting delays can wreck an opening timeline
• Why assignment language matters if you ever want to sell your gym
• How CPI increases and annual escalations can quietly raise your rent
• Why lease renewals should start about a year before the lease expires
• When buying real estate makes sense — and when it can hurt the business
• Why location, parking, signage, visibility, and traffic patterns matter
• How data-driven decisions can help gym owners choose smarter locations
• Why CARR focuses on educating tenants and buyers before they sign

Visit CARR.us to connect with CARR and learn more about commercial real estate services for fitness tenants and buyers.

Visit GymInsight.com or call 855-367-4967 to learn how Gym Insight helps independent gym owners manage and grow their business.