Opening a studio is exciting and overwhelming in equal measure. This checklist covers what most first-time owners either miss or discover too late. ✅
🏢 Business and legal foundations
- Register your business name with ASIC
- Get an ABN (free via the ATO website)
- Register for GST if revenue expected above $75,000/year
- Open a dedicated business bank account
- Get public liability insurance (minimum $10M cover recommended)
- Check lease for permitted use — fitness/retail classification matters
- Review state fitness industry regulations and required instructor certifications
🛋️ Space and equipment
- Confirm studio dimensions match your class format
- Plan capacity: how many clients per class, safely and comfortably
- Source equipment (check for warranty and safety certification)
- Install appropriate flooring, mirrors, and ventilation
- Set up a reception or check-in area
💻 Tech and systems
Before launch day, your tech stack should be ready. For a full cost breakdown, read what a boutique studio tech stack really costs.
- Choose your booking platform and connect Stripe
- Build your class schedule and set capacity per class
- Set up membership tiers and class pack pricing
- Configure automated booking confirmations and reminders
- Set up your website or booking landing page — start here: The First-Time Studio Owner's Playbook
🖼️ MID ARTICLE IMAGE: Studio owner at laptop completing their Slotbookt Fitness setup before opening day
📣 Pre-launch marketing
- Claim and complete your Google Business Profile
- Set up Instagram and Facebook business pages
- Make sure you're discoverable beyond Google — read Is Your Studio Invisible to AI?
- Run a pre-launch offer to build your founding-member list
- Email/SMS your personal network with a direct booking link
🚀 Launch week
- Test every booking flow end-to-end
- Do a trial run with a friend as the "client" — find every friction point
- Have your cancellation and refund policy clearly published
- Plan your first month's class schedule — consistency builds habits
👉 Get the booking system sorted today
Slotbookt Fitness sets up in under an hour and is free to trial. Most first-time studio owners are live and taking bookings before the paint dries.