Aqua-Tots Swim Schools vs The Exercise Coach
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools vs The Exercise Coach: Aqua-Tots Swim Schools costs $1.6M to $2.6M to open; The Exercise Coach costs $150K to $250K. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has 30 units, The Exercise Coach has 73. SBA loan history: Aqua-Tots Swim Schools = 32 loans (0.0% default); The Exercise Coach = 101 loans (4.0% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools vs The Exercise Coach: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
The Exercise Coach requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($150K vs $1.6M for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools), a 979% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools versus $25K for The Exercise Coach, The Exercise Coach has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools and 6% for The Exercise Coach, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Exercise Coach operates 73 units to Aqua-Tots Swim Schools's 30, roughly 2× the system size. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has been operating 35 years (founded 1991) versus 26 for The Exercise Coach (founded 2000), a 9-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Exercise Coach has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 101 7(a) approvals compared with 32 for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools's peak SBA year was 2018 (7 loans); The Exercise Coach's peak was 2023 (22 loans). The Exercise Coach's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in CA. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Aqua-Tots Swim Schools deals is $1.2M vs $181K for The Exercise Coach, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools and 4.0% for The Exercise Coach, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has the cleaner SBA loss record by 4.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 64 (Moderate) for Aqua-Tots Swim Schools and 65 (Strong) for The Exercise Coach, giving The Exercise Coach the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 64/100 | 65/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 32 | 101 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 4.0% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $1.6M to $2.6M | $150K to $250K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $25K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $500K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 30 | 73 |
Franchised Units | 30 | 73 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1991 | 2000 |
Franchising Since | 2007 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 19 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Mesa, CA | CA |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools or The Exercise Coach?
Lower upfront capital required
The Exercise Coach
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: $1.6M starting · The Exercise Coach: $150K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Exercise Coach
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: 32 SBA loans · The Exercise Coach: 101 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: 0.0% · The Exercise Coach: 4.0%
Larger system & brand presence
The Exercise Coach
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: 30 units · The Exercise Coach: 73 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: 6% · The Exercise Coach: 6%
More lender financing options
The Exercise Coach
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools: 16 unique lenders · The Exercise Coach: 35 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools vs The Exercise Coach: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Aqua-Tots Swim Schools and The Exercise Coach is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $150K to $2.6M.
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has 32 SBA loans on record and The Exercise Coach has 101. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools vs The Exercise Coach, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools or The Exercise Coach?
How much does a Aqua-Tots Swim Schools franchise cost compared to The Exercise Coach?
Can I finance Aqua-Tots Swim Schools or The Exercise Coach with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools or The Exercise Coach?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman