Athletic Republic vs The Exercise Coach
Athletic Republic vs The Exercise Coach: Athletic Republic costs $300K–$674K to open; The Exercise Coach costs $150K–$250K. Athletic Republic has 56 units, The Exercise Coach has 73. SBA loan history: Athletic Republic = 16 loans (0.0% default); The Exercise Coach = 101 loans (4.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet — see the comparison below.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 62/100 | 65/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 16 | 101 |
SBA Volume | — | — |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 4.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $300K – $674K | $150K – $250K |
Franchise Fee | $55K | $25K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $500K | $500K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 56 | 73 |
Franchised Units | 41 | 73 |
Company-Owned | — | — |
Term Length | 11 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1990 | 2000 |
Franchising Since | 2005 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 21 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Park City, UT | CA |
Category | Sports | Sports |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better — Athletic Republic or The Exercise Coach?
Lower upfront capital required
The Exercise Coach
Athletic Republic: $300K starting · The Exercise Coach: $150K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Exercise Coach
Athletic Republic: 16 SBA loans · The Exercise Coach: 101 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Athletic Republic
Athletic Republic: 0.0% · The Exercise Coach: 4.0%
Larger system & brand presence
The Exercise Coach
Athletic Republic: 56 units · The Exercise Coach: 73 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Athletic Republic: 6% · The Exercise Coach: 6%
More lender financing options
The Exercise Coach
Athletic Republic: 9 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
Athletic Republic vs The Exercise Coach: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Athletic Republic 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 $674K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories — Athletic Republic with 16 SBA loans and The Exercise Coach with 101. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.