The Little Gym

The Little Gym is the world’s premier enrichment and physical development center for children ages four months to 12 years. Founded in 1976 by kinesiologist, musician, and educator Robin Wes, The Little Gym was created as a nurturing, non-competitive space where children can build physical skills while also developing socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

Today, The Little Gym operates across the United States and in dozens of countries worldwide. The brand offers gymnastics and dance, as well as birthday parties, parents’ survival nights, and seasonal camps. Since it began franchising in 1992, The Little Gym has grown to more than 400 locations.

No one does age-appropriate activities better than The Little Gym—it’s why we’re the leading kids’ gym franchise. We’re passionate about celebrating childhood and partnering with renowned brands that share our values. Our proprietary lesson plans make it easy for franchisees and their teams to deliver exceptional programs to families in their communities.

Our programs

• Parent/Child (4 months–3 years): Builds early development and lays the foundation for a child’s first critical years.
• Pre-K/Kindergarten Gymnastics (ages 3–6): Helps preschoolers channel energy and reach developmental milestones in a fun, structured setting.
• Grade School Gymnastics: Challenges kids at their individual skill levels in a positive, encouraging environment.

Franchise Ownership with The Little Gym

Owning a The Little Gym franchise gives you the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children, families, and your community. Ranked consistently in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, The Little Gym is recognized as a top children’s franchise.

Franchisees receive comprehensive training and support, from pre-opening through ongoing operations. Each owner is paired with a dedicated field consultant and has access to advanced youth enrichment technologies, including custom dashboards for benchmarking and tracking gym performance.

Is The Little Gym Right For You?

Prime territories are still available, and The Little Gym is actively growing. Our system includes franchisees from a variety of backgrounds—business owners, teachers, marketing professionals, and more. No gymnastics or childcare experience is required.

We’re looking for entrepreneurs who are:

• Existing owners wanting to diversify in youth enrichment
• Passionate about making an impact in multiple communities
• Experienced in leading teams
• Able to focus on working on the business, not in the business
• Comfortable building systems and processes
• Customer-minded, with a team that can engage with families directly

The Little Gym: A Leader in Children's Enrichment

The Little Gym is one of the world’s leading children’s enrichment and physical development brands. Founded in 1976 by kinesiologist, musician, and educator Robin Wes, The Little Gym was created as a nurturing, non-competitive environment where children could build physical skills while also developing socially, emotionally, and intellectually.

Today, The Little Gym operates in dozens of countries with more than 400 locations worldwide. Since beginning franchising in 1992, the brand has continued to grow its network of independently owned and operated gyms. Its offerings include gymnastics, dance, Kindermusik, and karate classes, as well as birthday parties, parents’ survival nights, and seasonal camps.

Why Open a The Little Gym Franchise?

Owning a The Little Gym franchise gives you the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children, families, and your community. The brand has consistently ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, a recognition based on costs and fees, growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial stability.

Franchisees receive comprehensive training and support, including:

• Extensive onboarding: Real-world gym sessions, hands-on instruction, and refresher courses.
• Multi-day internship: In-depth guidance on opening and operating your gym.
• Ongoing support: Access to dedicated field consultants, proven systems, and tools for long-term success.

What Makes The Little Gym a Strong Business Opportunity?

The Little Gym provides a proven model and a strong support system to help franchisees succeed. Demand for youth enrichment services remains high, and the brand’s processes give franchise owners a strong foundation for growth.

Key factors to consider before investing include:

• Labor costs, commercial lease rates, and territory selection
• Initial investment, which includes a franchise fee and startup costs
• Ongoing fees, such as royalties and advertising contributions
• Net worth and liquid capital requirements set by the company

How to Start a The Little Gym Franchise

Buying a franchise with The Little Gym is a structured yet personal journey designed to help both you and our team determine if we’re the right fit for each other. Our 8-step discovery process gives you a comprehensive look at what it means to own and operate a The Little Gym. From an initial goals overview to an in-depth brand presentation and territory analysis, each step is built to give you clarity and confidence.

You’ll review important documents like the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), explore financing options, and even experience our brand firsthand at Launch Day. If everything aligns, you’ll move into final validation and sign your franchise agreement—officially joining a community of entrepreneurs passionate about bringing movement based learnings to their markets.