Gym market statistics are useful for business planning, competitor analysis, expansion strategy, and startups. If you operate a fitness centre, health club, or personal training studio, industry insights can help you identify trends, growth segments, and new opportunities. For companies that want to sell to the gym industry, understanding the number of gyms by region or country allows you to assess the market size.
In this article – we share the latest gym market stats including revenue, size, growth, and memberships, plus insightful industry analysis.
- Gym Market Size, Growth & Trends
- Market Analysis
- Club Market Share – Global, USA & UK
- Gym Membership Statistics
- 2024 Gym Market Research Report
We’ve spent 15+ years working in the fitness industry, from leading gym chains to global equipment manufacturers, so know the market inside-out. We proactively study the ever-changing landscape, highlight new trends, and analyse the big players. For the last 5 years, we’ve shared this expertise with the wider industry through our articles and Research Reports which are available to purchase.
The most comprehensive & up-to-date report on the fitness industry available. Includes revenue, growth, future outlook plus much more.
You’ll find links to all the data sources at the bottom of this article. We check for updated statistics regularly but it’s always worth doing your own due diligence.
Gym Market Size, Growth & Trends
Here are the latest gym industry statistics that demonstrate its market size, growth, and trends…
- The gym market is estimated to be worth $88.5bn in 2024 [Wellness Creative Co. 2024].
- The gym and health club industry is growing at a rate of 7.5% per year [Wellness Creative Co. 2024].
- Boutique fitness studios and budget clubs (high volume low cost) are continuing to perform well, although some are predicting a resurgence of mid-market clubs [Wellness Creative Co. 2024].
- Gym trends predicted for 2024 include programs for older adults, exercise for mental health, and lifestyle medicine [ACSM 2024].
- The health club market was worth $96.7bn globally at its peak in 2019 and grew every year 2008-2019 [IHRSA 2023].
- The U.S. gym industry lost $20.4bn in 2020 and 25% of clubs closed as a result [IHRSA 2022].
- In the UK there are over 4880 gyms and the market value is just over £1.8bn [Leisure Database & Statista 2023].
- Boutique studios recovered faster than traditional health clubs from the global closures of 2020 [Wellness Creative Co. 2024].
Gym Market Analysis
These health club industry statistics are mixed news – they show a healthy (excuse the pun) demand which suggests growth in the future. But there’s no denying that the events of 2020 have had a lasting impact on the industry.
However, things are looking up for the gym sector. It’s now predicted to recover fully in 2024 and exceed its previous revenue peak in 2025. This is really exciting news and signals a new era for the fitness club industry.
At the macro level, interest in health and fitness is growing. Cardiovascular disease and obesity levels are increasing so demand for gym services and fitness training is rising too. An aging global population and interest in fitness trends like longevity are also creating opportunities for gyms to serve the active aging market.
But no gym market analysis would be complete without a worst-case scenario… The risk of a global recession continues to loom which could significantly impact health clubs and fitness centres. During the recession of 2008, the gym industry did not fare well. As people’s disposable income decreased, gym memberships were one of the first things to get cut from household budgets.
This led to an overall decrease in market revenue – contraction instead of growth. So, it’s important to identify how your business could withstand a recession given the potential of this occurring in 2024.
You might also like… Effective Marketing Strategies For Gyms & Health Clubs, or the Latest Gym Equipment Industry Insights.
Club Market Share – Global, USA & UK
The leading health club chains account for the majority of facilities globally. Here are some gym statistics on market share and the biggest operators in the industry…
- By revenue, the three largest gym chains globally are LA Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, and Life Time Fitness.
- Market share in the US is dominated by these three brands along with Invited (formerly Club Corp), Anytime Fitness, and Planet Fitness.
- In terms of franchise chains, Anytime Fitness ($1.5 billion) and Planet Fitness ($936 million) are the largest globally.
- According to Ibis World research, gym market share in the UK is lead by Pure Gym, Virgin, and David Lloyd.
You might also like… Our Fitness Insights & Data Hub or Top Fitness Industry Trends (& What They Mean For The Market).
Gym Membership Statistics
Here are some useful gym membership stats that can provide a benchmark for membership retention and help to inform your business planning…
- One gym member is worth an average of $517 to a facility each year [Wellness Creative Co. 2024].
- Over 1 in 5 Americans belong to at least one U.S. health club or studio [IHRSA 2019].
- There were 64.2 US million gym members in 2019, up 2.7% from 62.5 million in 2018 [IHRSA 2019].
- Gym attendance statistics show that these 62.5 million health club members use a club or studio for an average of 104 days a year [IHRSA 2019].
- There are also 9 million non-members who attend a club or studio for an average of 24 days a year [IHRSA 2019].
- Between 2008 and 2018, membership grew by 37.1%, while the total number of club-goers increased by 34% [IHRSA 2019].
- UK gym membership statistics reveal that there are more than 10 million gym members nationwide [Leisure Database 2023].
- The average price of a UK gym membership is £44.92 and US membership is $55 [Leisure Database 2023].
- The UK penetration rate is 15.1% which equates to 1 in every 7 people being a member of a gym [Leisure Database 2023].
These stats on gym membership show that there’s plenty of potential for further growth. Exercise statistics from the World Health Organisation show that 28% of the world’s adults (1.4 billion people) are insufficiently active. Gyms need to work on convincing more of the population to begin attending their facilities.
If the UK increased its gym attendees from 15% to 20% (in line with US penetration rates), then this would equate to 3.3 million more people exercising on a regular basis. The beneficial implications for public health, vast reductions in NHS costs, and increases in gym revenue are huge.
The chart below shows gym membership statistics by month and annual trends…
Typically, interest in gym memberships peaks during January (no surprise there!) but there are significant dips in May, July, and throughout the fourth quarter. These could be ideal times to run gym promotions that boost membership numbers or encourage loyalty.
2024 Gym Market Research Report
This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date gym market research report available. It covers the topic in much more depth and includes gym industry analysis for health clubs, fitness studios, and product manufacturers too.
Unlike other reports, you get extended access to the 2024 edition, including any updates that are made as new industry data becomes available. Ideal for business planning, the 90-page report includes;
- Gym industry revenue, growth & future outlook
- Number of gyms, members & retention statistics
- Broader fitness industry revenue & growth by market segment
- Online & virtual fitness market developments
- Financial information for the largest club operators globally
- Biggest & fastest growing fitness franchises
- Insights into the boutique fitness studio & personal training segments
- Latest industry trends & how to capitalise on them
- Growth markets, segments & audiences including Millennials
- Data on fitness tracker, app & equipment segments
- Outlook & evidence-based predictions for the future of the industry
- 14-day money-back guarantee, no questions or hassle.
The most comprehensive & up-to-date report on the fitness industry available. Includes revenue, growth, future outlook plus much more.
Note: Data is correct at the time of publishing, but it’s important to do your own local research when making business decisions. Sources include:
