Free calculator
Equipment Build-Out Calculator
Build your equipment list, then compare buying outright against leasing over time.
Your inputs
Loads a typical starting equipment list you can edit below
Equipment line items
Your results
Total Equipment Cost
$56,800
Financing Method
Buy outright
Line items
| Item | Qty | Unit cost | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardio machines | 8 | $3,500 | $28,000 |
| Strength/racks | 6 | $2,800 | $16,800 |
| Free weights & accessories | 1 | $12,000 | $12,000 |
Cardio machines
- Qty
- 8
- Unit cost
- $3,500
- Line total
- $28,000
Strength/racks
- Qty
- 6
- Unit cost
- $2,800
- Line total
- $16,800
Free weights & accessories
- Qty
- 1
- Unit cost
- $12,000
- Line total
- $12,000
Email these results
A copy of your inputs and numbers, so you can compare scenarios later.
How this is calculated
This calculator totals your equipment line items and, if you're leasing, compares the cumulative lease cost against buying outright. Edit any line item's name, quantity, or unit cost — start from a concept preset or build your own list from scratch.
- Total equipment cost = sum of (quantity × unit cost) across every line item you enter.
- Monthly lease payment = the same standard amortization formula as the Loan Payment Calculator, applied to your total equipment cost, lease rate, and lease term.
- Lease cost premium = total of all lease payments over the term minus the outright purchase price — what leasing costs you above buying, in exchange for spreading the cash outlay over time.
- Break-even month = the point where cumulative lease payments would have exceeded the outright purchase price. If that point falls well before your lease term ends, most of the remaining term is pure financing cost rather than covering the equipment itself.
Worked example
A gym build with 8 cardio machines at $3,500, 6 strength racks at $2,800, and $12,000 in free weights runs $57,800 in equipment cost. Leased over 5 years at 9%, that's roughly $1,200/month — check your own numbers above.
All outputs are planning estimates, not guarantees. Consult the brand FDD and your advisors for decisions.
Equipment is often the second-largest opening cost after real estate, and how you finance it — buying outright versus leasing — changes both your up-front cash need and your ongoing expense. Buying conserves long-term cost but ties up capital; leasing preserves cash but costs more over the term.
This calculator totals your equipment line items and compares the lifetime cost of leasing against buying so you can decide what fits your capital position for a gym, med-spa, or other equipment-heavy concept.
The formula
Buy cost = Σ line-item prices. Lease cost = monthly lease × term + any buyout. Compare total cost of ownership and up-front cash required.
Related guide: Gym equipment: lease vs buy
Frequently asked questions
- Is it better to lease or buy gym equipment?
- Buying is usually cheaper over the equipment's life and builds an asset, while leasing preserves up-front cash and can bundle maintenance. Lease when capital is tight or the gear dates quickly; buy when you have the cash and plan to keep it.
- What should I include in an equipment build-out budget?
- Include all major equipment, delivery and installation, any required electrical or plumbing work, and a contingency. Small line items add up, so total them individually rather than guessing.
- Does leasing affect my financing?
- Lease obligations count toward your fixed costs and can affect debt service coverage, so factor them in when sizing any loan for the rest of the build.