The fitness industry has been booming in recent years, as more and more consumers are investing in their health. Here are the key fitness industry and gym statistics globally and in the U.S.:
- The market value of the global fitness industry is over $87 billion
- The US fitness industry revenue in 2021 was $33.25 billion
- In the United States, 39% of Americans hold gym memberships
- Between now and 2028, the fitness industry is expected to grow 171.75% to $434.74 billion
- From now until 2028, the online fitness industry is expected to see a growth of 33.10% per year
- 39% of American adults have gym memberships
FITNESS INDUSTRY TRENDS AND PROJECTIONS
- Fitness industries have been growing at a rate of 8.7% per year for the past few years.
- Prices for gym memberships and exercise programs are not necessarily getting higher; rather, more and more people are choosing to prioritize their physical health.
- So many people realize that the benefits of physical fitness go beyond the obvious of weight loss and more energy; it can improve mental health as well.
- Between 2011-2019, the revenue for gyms and health centers in the United States consistently rose each year.
- In 2020, revenue dropped drastically due to the pandemic, social distancing, and the rise in online fitness programs. We saw in 2021 that the revenue for gym memberships rebounded and was on the rise again.
- The fitness industry revenue declined by 32.45% in 2020 but rebounded to 0.55% pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2021.
- The health industry that was hit the hardest during 2020-2021 were gyms and health centers. Even at the end of 2021, they were still down 22.5% from their revenue levels in 2019.
- However, the online fitness industry was up 66.32% by the end of 2021 when compared to their pre-pandemic levels.
- By the end of 2028, the expected revenue for the fitness industry in the United States is expected to be $434.74 billion.
- This projected trend shows annual growth of 33.10% from 2021-2028. By 2028, the fitness industry will have grown 171.75%. The fastest-growing segment in the fitness industry is the online/digital fitness industry. It is expected to grow 640.1% from 2021-2018.
- By 2030, there are predictions that the fitness industry will have 230 million members.
- Currently, the United States has the highest gym industry revenue in the world. If the US wants to retain its leadership in the fitness industry, it would need to increase by 15.6 million members by 2030, or 1.33 million new gym members each year.
FITNESS INDUSTRY STATISTICS BY GYM MEMBERS AND FITNESS CONSUMERS
- There are 64.19 million Americans who are members of a gym or health club.
- This equates to about 19% of the population in the US having a gym membership. About 49.9% of Americans go to the gym at least twice a week.
- The average American spends less than $30 per month on a gym membership in the United States.
- The price can vary depending on the location, types of equipment and classes, and the facility. Budget gyms can cost as low as $10 per month, whereas elite fitness clubs often go as much as $100 per month. Aside from the monthly fee, you can also expect to pay other fees, such as initiation fees and annual fees.
- Boutique fitness studios account for 42% of all gym memberships.
- A boutique fitness studio is a small gym that focuses on group classes and specializes in one or two fitness areas. These studios typically cost two-four times more than other health clubs. This area of the fitness industry is expected to continue rising and is projected to grow by nearly 17% by 2025.
FITNESS INDUSTRY STATISTICS BY GYM MEMBER DEMOGRAPHICS
The generational breakdown of the average gym’s membership is as follows:
Gen Z (born 1994-2022): 35%
Millennials (born 1979-1993): 45%
Gen X (born 1964-1979): 14%
Baby Boomers (born 1949-1963): 6%
U.S. Gym Membership By Generation
FITNESS INDUSTRY STATISTICS BY HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS
- There are 32,270 health and fitness clubs in the United States.
- Due to the pandemic, the number of health and fitness clubs declined, and $29.2 billion was lost in revenue between March 2020 and June 2021.
- There are over 200,000 health and fitness clubs worldwide.
- The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom hold the highest number of fitness club memberships.
- The United States has the most gym members, the most amount of gyms, and creates the most revenue when compared to all other countries in the world.
The US has 64.19 million gym members – the next closest is Germany, at 11.66 members. The US is home to 41,190 gyms – next is Brazil, with 29,525 gyms. The US recorded revenue of $35.03 billion USD – with Germany next in line at $6.17 billion USD.
NUMBER OF HEALTH CLUBS BY COUNTRY
Country Total Number of Health Clubs
United States 41,190
Brazil 29,525
Mexico 12,871
Germany 9,669
Argentina 7,910
Italy 7,760
United Kingdom 7,239
South Korea 6,590
Canada 6,587
Japan 4,950
FITNESS INDUSTRY STATISTICS FAQ
How much is the U.S. fitness industry worth?
The U.S. fitness industry is worth $33.25 billion. It experienced a significant dip due to the pandemic, but we have since seen how adaptable this market is with the rise of online and virtual fitness options.
The United States is the world’s largest fitness market; it leads in both revenue and in the number of members (there are currently 64.19 million gym members).
Is the fitness industry growing?
Yes, the fitness industry is growing. The fitness industry experienced a growth of 3-4% per year over the past decade, and all estimations are pointing towards the same amount of growth in the future. The job outlook is a reliable indicator of growth in this industry. The number of trainers and fitness instructors is estimated to grow 13% by 2028.
Is the fitness industry profitable?
Yes, the fitness industry is very profitable. Globally, it is worth over $96.7 billion, and all trends point to consistent growth of 3-4% per year. Here are a few reasons why the fitness industry is a profitable place to invest:
The fitness industry is extremely competitive right now. Large, all-inclusive clubs are competing against smaller boutique studios. Boutique studios currently take up 42% of all gym memberships. However, the most competition these clubs and studios have is from the online and digital fitness platforms.
That industry is experiencing the most growth at a rate of 33.10 per year, while the gym industry is only predicted to have a growth rate of 7.21% per year.
Is the online fitness industry saturated?
Yes, the online fitness industry is extremely saturated. Social media has made it incredibly easy for anyone to become a trainer or health coach. The extreme and sudden growth has garnered a lot of attention from companies trying to make a splash in the fitness industry. Despite the saturation, the online fitness industry is expected to continue rising.
CONCLUSION
The fitness industry has changed immensely over the last few years. People all throughout the world are prioritizing health and fitness more than ever before. The market size of the fitness industry has grown exponentially, and the number of gyms, health clubs, and online fitness options is on the rise.
The biggest change has been in the virtual and online fitness industry. People are flocking to the convenience of being able to exercise on-demand from their own homes. The ability to cater to specific demographics or interests has driven many to use online fitness as well.



