About to sign a lease on a 3,000 square foot space for my first fitness studio and could really use some wisdom from people who've been through this process. I've been researching gym design consultants but want to hear real experiences before making that investment.

My concept is functional fitness focused - think kettlebells, TRX, battle ropes, but also space for yoga and small group training. The space is a former retail store with high ceilings and good natural light, but it's basically a blank rectangle right now.

Should I hire professional gym design consultants or can I handle the layout planning myself? I've got a decent eye for design and have been a trainer for eight years, so I understand equipment needs and flow patterns. But I'm worried about missing something important that could affect functionality or safety.

Budget is definitely a consideration - quotes I've gotten for design services range from $5,000 to $15,000 just for planning and layouts. That doesn't include construction management or equipment procurement help. For a startup, that's significant money that could go toward marketing or better equipment.

On the other hand, I only get one shot at the initial layout. Moving walls or major equipment later would be expensive and disruptive to members. I've heard horror stories about studios that had to completely reconfigure spaces because of poor initial planning.

What would you do? Are there specific aspects where professional help is worth it, even if I handle other parts myself? Any resources for DIY gym planning that you'd recommend?