For every successful studio, there comes a time when you feel as if you've outgrown your first space and are ready to offer more for your customers, whether it's additional parking or showers or a larger class space. But once you know you're ready to expand and you have your budget and funding in place, then what? Below, we share our advice and timeline for finding the perfect studio space to fit your needs.

The situation: You're looking to rent a new studio space. Along with all of the other must-haves on your list, you're looking for a space with a certain square footage. Your real estate broker tells you that he or she has a promising new location to show you. You walk in, excited to view the new space, only to find that it's significantly smaller than the square footage advertised—but with the same price tag as that larger space. The reason? The building you're renting from has "loss factor."

Whether it’s your first lease or your tenth, taking on a new space for your studio is just as exciting as moving into a new home, and it’s worth celebrating the milestone. But before you pop the Champagne, it’s imperative that you first read your commercial lease from start to finish, and then make sure you understand every word in there. Unlike residential rentals, commercial leases can be hundreds of pages long and contain many hidden clauses that behoove the landlord—not you, the renter. The key thing to remember when looking over your lease is that landlords are always aiming to push any risk off themselves and onto the renter. We recommend hiring a real estate lawyer to help you through the negotiation process, and to ensure your business is protected.

Are you looking for a new studio space? Listen in as Winick Realty shares their best practices for how to navigate the studio real estate market.

Finding an apartment or a home to live in is hard enough—but a fitness studio, a space where you aim to grow a business from scratch and make clients feel at home, is a completely different beast.

For most studio owners, rent is one of their largest expenses. The average rent-to-revenue ratio can reach as high as 15% in some cities. While it’s largely a fixed expense, you may be able to renegotiate your lease to save money.