Wellness studio business
Class break-even.
Enter what an average attendee pays, what the instructor earns and the rent share each class carries. See the number of students that covers the class and what a fuller room earns.
Break-even students = (instructor pay + overhead per class) / (price after card fee - variable cost per student). At $22 per student, a 3% card fee, $0.50 variable cost, $45 instructor pay and $30 rent share, each student contributes $20.84 against $75 fixed: 3.6, so 4 students.
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Worked example
A pilates class earns $22 per attendee on average. A 3% fee leaves $21.34, and $0.50 of laundry and supplies leaves a $20.84 contribution per student. The instructor is paid $45 and the class carries $30 of rent and overhead, so $75 is fixed. $75 / $20.84 = 3.6, so the class needs 4 students, which is 20% of a 20-spot room. At 12 students revenue is $264 and profit is 12 x $20.84 - $75 = $175.08; a full room earns $341.80.
How it works
Contribution per attendee = price x (1 - fee %) - variable cost. It is what each extra student adds after the fee on their payment and the small costs they cause.
Fixed cost per class = instructor pay + rent and overhead share. Get the rent share from the Studio Rent Per Class Calculator.
Break-even is rounded up because you cannot have part of a student. Use average revenue per attendee across drop-ins, packs and memberships; the Studio Revenue Per Attendee Calculator works that out.
Sources and basis (checked 2026-10-08): arithmetic on the numbers you enter. No outside data or published rate is used, so every default is a placeholder to replace with your own. This is a planning estimate, not accounting, legal or tax advice.
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FAQ
How many students does a yoga or pilates class need to break even?
Divide the class fixed cost (instructor pay plus rent and overhead share) by what each student contributes after the card fee and variable costs, then round up. With $75 fixed and $20.84 per student that is 4 students.
What should I include in overhead per class?
Rent, utilities, insurance, software, front-desk wages and marketing, divided by the number of classes you run in a month. Include everything that you pay whether or not the class runs.
Why is my break-even more than the room holds?
Each student contributes too little to cover the fixed cost even when the room is full. Raise the price, lower instructor pay or overhead, or run fewer low-demand classes.
Should I use drop-in price or average revenue per attendee?
Use the average. Members and pack holders usually pay less per class than a drop-in, so the drop-in price overstates revenue.