A lot of things have been canceled because of the coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean we should put our fitness routines on the backburner. And according to fitness industry statistics, we haven’t.
As fitness equipment is starting to sell like toilet paper and leading health clubs are offering on-demand workouts online, it seems that the fitness industry is turning digital in 2021, but still going strong.
Want to learn more fun facts about the latest trends and stats in the world of fitness? Then you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll find all the most fascinating and relevant information you’ll ever need to know about the health and fitness club industry.
Top Fitness Industry Trends That You Wouldn’t Believe
- The global fitness industry generated $94 billion in revenue in 2019.
- The USA makes up the largest share of the global fitness industry.
- The global fitness industry grew by 8.7%.
- The US fitness industry market size has been growing by 3 to 4% every year in the past decade.
- According to revenue, LA Fitness is the top-ranking US company in terms of revenue.
- Wearable technology is the number one trend for 2020.
- Boutique fitness is the biggest growth sector in the fitness industry.
- Boutique gyms typically charge two to four times more than other health clubs, as per boutique fitness industry statistics.
- One in five Americans is a member of at least one gym, but 20% of fitness facility members visit more than one facility.
- Men like to relax at the gym more than women.
Global Fitness Industry Statistics to Get You Started
We have to start from the basics and slowly work our way to more high-intensity statistics. What is the actual size of the industry, how does it work and who are the key players? Let’s find out!
1. The global fitness industry generated $94 billion in revenue in 2019.
(IHRSA; Wellness Creative.Co)
Surprised? Don’t be. According to fitness industry market research, there were more than 210,000 health clubs in the world in 2019, servicing 183 million members.
The real number could be even higher because this figure doesn’t include boutique fitness studios, sports rec facilities, or fitness centers located in hotels.
2. Just ten markets generate 71% of revenue from the global fitness industry.
(IHRSA)
These key markets, fitness industry analysis suggests, also account for over two out of three health club members across the globe.
3. The USA makes up the largest share of the global fitness industry.
(IHRSA)
The USA is the industry leader both in revenue (it generated $32.3 billion in 2018) and in the number of members (there were 62.4 million gym members in the US in 2018).
4. Germany ranks second.
(IHRSA)
Looking at fitness center industry statistics across the world, with 11.1 million members and $6.3 billion in revenue, Germany is in second place, closely followed by the UK, with 9.9 million members and $6.2 billion in revenue.
5. The US has the highest number of health and fitness clubs in the world.
(Wellness Creative.Co)
America stands at number one with a total of 38,477 health and fitness clubs nationwide. Brazil is a close second with 34,509 gyms across the country.
Fitness Industry Growth Statistics
The fitness industry keeps growing against all odds. Many claimed that the coronavirus pandemic will be the end of it, but the entire industry showed stunning agility and adapted to the new normal — here we will look into details about this growth.
6. The global fitness industry grew by 8.7%.
(Franchise)
And it shows no signs of slowing down. Forecasts put annual growth between 3 to 5% from 2019 to 2021.
7. The number of gym members is expected to reach 230 million by 2030.
(IHRSA)
Steady growth in key markets puts the industry on track towards making this projection come true, indicators for fitness industry growth in 2019 reveal.
8. In Europe, Russia, Poland, and Turkey are expected to see the biggest increase this year, predictions about health and fitness industry growth show.
(Wellness Creative.Co)
On a global level, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America are pointed out as regions with growth potential.
9. There is potential for growth in India and China, as well.
(IHRSA)
Currently, member penetration rates in China are 2.98% and 0.15% in India. However, judging by the number of facilities, revenue generated, and increasing economic power, there is room for growth in these two countries and the Asia-Pacific region as a whole.
10. The US fitness industry market size has been growing by 3 to 4% every year in the past decade.
(Franchise; IHRSA)
The US fitness market has been going up in the past decade: from the number of members (a staggering 37.1% rise from 2008 to 2018) to the number of gym visits (6.1 billion visits in 2018 up from 4.3 billion in 2008).
11. High-volume, low-price (HVLP) health clubs and boutique fitness studios drive the recent fitness industry growth (in terms of both members and number of facilities).
(Forbes; Statista)
In the third quarter of 2017 alone, there were 1,374 boutique and HVLP gyms in the US. HVLP gyms are bringing in members since they offer cheap fees and good value in terms of equipment, classes, and amenities, while boutique fitness studios appeal to gym users with their focus on smaller groups and specialized fitness routines.
Who Are the Biggest Players in the Fitness Industry?
Just like in every industry, the fitness industry rests on the shoulders of multiple giants who report amazing revenues, dictate trends, and innovate the entire industry. And we’re here to show you who they are and teach you a bit more about the work they do.
12. Anytime Fitness is the biggest for-profit fitness chain with 2175 clubs in North America, and 718 worldwide, gym industry statistics show.
(Insider Monkey)
This company is only preceded by not-for-profit YMCA fitness, which has around 10,000 locations across the nation.
13. According to revenue, LA Fitness is the top-ranking US company.
(Club Industry)
Staying at the top of the most profitable fitness companies for the sixth year in a row, this California-based business is reported to have generated an incredible $2.09 billion in 2018.
14. 62% of respondents in a 2016 survey knew Gold’s Gym by name, fitness industry facts and stats reveal.
(Statista; Crunchbase)
The most recognizable and one of the most iconic fitness clubs in the world, Gold’s Gym has been operating since 1965 and currently has almost 2.5 million members around the globe.
15. Planet Fitness tops the list of best gyms for your wallet.
(SmartAsset; Club Industry)
From membership fees of $10 to $19.99 a month, Planet Fitness is one of the most cost-efficient gyms in the US. Even though it is number six among the most profitable fitness clubs, this company reports rapid growth – an increase of 33% in 2018 from the previous year.
Fitness Industry Trends and Statistics
After the disruption that happened last year, we can expect the unexpected when it comes to the 2021 fitness trends. With all social distancing rules and prevention measures, people are relying more and more on technology to keep themselves active — let’s see how they do it.
16. Wearable technology is the number one trend for 2021.
(ACSM; Pew Research Center; Statista)
Wearable tech has been the number one trend in fitness since 2016 (only dropping to number 3 in 2018).
Not surprising, as one in five Americans use a smartwatch or a fitness tracker, with women being more likely than men to regularly use these devices (25% as opposed to 18%), a 2019 survey shows.
Wearables are the largest segment in the industry in 2020, with a market volume of $15,3 million.
17. Coming in second place of the hottest fitness trends for 2021 – High-intensity interval training (HIIT).
(ACSM; US News)
High-intensity interval training, which combines 30 seconds of high-intensity activity and 30 seconds of rest, was favored as one of the top 3 trends in fitness this year mainly because it produces better results in weight loss and reducing the risk of hypertension than moderate-intensity workouts do.
18. Group training and training with free weights were ranked in third and fourth place among the 20 fitness industry trends for 2021.
(ACSM)
Other fitness industry trends for this year included: personal training, bodyweight training, EIM (exercise is medicine), and lifestyle medicine.
Trends that involve the youngest generations, such as exercise programs for children, as well as fitness programs adjusted to seniors like yoga, tai chi, low-impact aerobics, and functional fitness, are also ranked among the top 20.
19. Health/wellness coaching is gaining popularity.
(ACSM)
Wellness coaching has been listed among the best 20 fitness trends in the last ten years and has been steadily going up (from number 18 in 2018 to 9 for 2020).
This trend uses a one-on-one approach in which the coach provides encouragement and guidance by focusing on the clients’ needs and short-term and long-term goals.
The growing popularity of health and wellness coaching seems to reflect people’s desire to exercise for wellness rather than for weight loss.
20. Personal training was ranked highest in fitness industry trends in Europe.
(ACSM)
A comparison of fitness industry trends in 2019 reveals significant differences in terms of regional exercise trends. For example, exercising for weight loss was only popular in Asia and South America – in those regions, this trend came at number one, while it didn’t make it into the top ten trends for other regions.
Group training, on the other hand, was ranked 3rd in the US and 7th in Asia, while Europeans and South Americans preferred personal training in smaller groups (ranked 5th and 8th in these regions, respectively).
Boutique Fitness Industry Statistics
If your expectations are high, and you like being trendy no matter the cost, boutique fitness is the trend for you. This relatively new sector turned profitable very fast and keeps flourishing against all odds. Here are some facts to explain this phenomenon and it’s perpetual growth.
21. Boutique fitness is the biggest growth sector in the fitness industry.
(Nasdaq; Fitt Insider)
A boutique fitness studio is defined as a small gym taking up between 800 and 3500 square feet and focusing on community-like group fitness in one or two areas. In just four years (between 2013 and 2017) US boutique membership increased by an incredible 121%, while traditional gym membership only went up by 15% in the same period.
22. 40% of all members of health and fitness clubs belong to a boutique studio, stats on the boutique fitness industry tell us.
(Franchise)
There are several reasons behind the growing popularity of boutique studios, such as limited availability (and stricter attendance rules as a consequence), establishing a sense of community, and providing a specialized experience – all the features that millennials and younger generations look for.
23. Boutique gyms typically charge two to four times more than other health clubs, as per boutique fitness industry statistics.
(Wellness Creative.Co; Verywell Fit)
This might not be true for new studios that charge somewhere between $15 to $25, but well-established and more popular boutique studios might cost from $25 to $40 for one class, according to fitness industry stats and membership fees.
24. SoulCycle and Peloton are two of the biggest names in the boutique studio fitness industry.
(Nasdaq; Bicycling)
Recently, SoulCycle started to market its at-home bike with Peloton as the main competition. Still, with people being quarantined as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, both companies might get a nice share of the market.
Fitness Club Membership Statistics
Either you are working out regularly or you pay a yearly subscription so you can visit a gym once or twice, if ever. There’s no judging, we are all built differently and have different priorities. Statistics below go to show the general, average gym spendings, and routines of gym members.
25. One in five American adults is a member of at least one gym, but 20% of fitness club members visit more than one facility.
(Franchise; IHRSA)
Interestingly enough, fitness industry statistics inform that the number of facilities members visit depends on the kind of gym they belong to. For instance, 75% of fitness-only gym members are loyal to their primary facility, whereas 44% of boutique fitness members use a second facility in addition to their primary club.
26. Americans spend an average of $33.89 a month on gym membership alone.
(Myprotein)
They spend an additional $34.34 on gym clothing and accessories, $13.83 on personal trainers and workout plans, and $16.92 on nutrition and meal plans.
27. Millennials make up the largest share of health club members, a 2019 fitness industry report indicates.
(IHRSA)
At 33%, millennials lead the pack in the number of gym memberships, followed by Gen X at 24%, boomers at 22%, and Gen Z at 14%. The silent generation represents 7% of all health club members.
28. 49.90% hit the gym at least twice a week.
(Finder)
Even though the percentage of Americans who have a gym membership but don’t use it is small (only 6.3%), it still costs them $1.8 billion a year in unused membership fees.
29. Americans spend more time working out than hanging out with friends.
(Myprotein)
A health and fitness industry survey of 1,170 Americans aged 18 to 65 shows that people spend 7.6 hours a week working out as opposed to 4.5 hours socializing with friends.
Stats and Facts on Gender Differences
Discrimination is not our cup of tea, but the numbers don’t lie. Different fitness stats show that there are some variations in work out habits and preferences. Our research revealed that, just like in real life, we are similar and different at the same time, and here is why.
30. Benches and squat racks are in the top five favorites for both men and women.
(Myprotein)
Men use free weights more than women (90% of male respondents said they frequently use dumbbells, just like 83% of female respondents). Women, on the other hand, said they are twice as likely to use the stepper and jump boxes/platforms than men and are more interested in HIIT and suspension training, gender trends in the fitness industry indicate.
31. Men and women have the same levels of participation in fitness-only and small-group training studios.
(HowStuffWorks)
Although men tend to be more equipment-oriented, while women focus more on group activities, the dynamic could be changing as the participation of men and women in CrossFit or kickboxing classes is more or less on the same level.
32. Men like to relax at the gym more than women.
(Myprotein)
According to the survey, 7% of male respondents stated that they use the Jacuzzi or watch TV when they visit the gym, compared to 4% of women who use these facilities at fitness clubs.
33. According to fitness industry statistics, women are more likely to quit the gym than men.
(CreditDonkey)
Although, when it comes to membership, the gender split is 50-50, quitting the gym is a different story. From the number of people who joined a gym and bailed in the first year, 14% were women, and 8% were men.
FAQ
What is the market size of the fitness industry?
(Statista)
Revenue in the fitness segment amounted to $17,937 million in 2020.
How fast is the fitness industry growing?
(Statista)
The market volume is expected to grow at a rate of 4% by 2024, reaching $20,973 million.
Is the fitness industry dying?
(Forbes)
The fitness industry recorded a growth of 3 to 4% in the past ten years, while this growth is likely to continue in the future.
Is the fitness industry growing?
(BLS)
Another reliable indicator of growth in the fitness industry is job outlook. The number of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to go up by 13% from 2018 to 2028, i.e. from 356,900 to 402,500.
Final Thoughts
People have been predicting the death of health clubs and gyms for years, but fitness industry statistics paint a different picture. Even in 2021, despite the coronavirus giving a serious blow to gyms around the world, the industry keeps growing.
Innovation in wearable tech, the introduction of new health club experiences, and age-specific fitness programs, as well as increased emphasis on the link between physical activity and health, are all signs that the fitness industry isn’t going anywhere but up.
