99+ Gym membership statistics you need to know

Ever wondered what separates a successful gym from one struggling to keep its door open? 

It’s not just about quality equipment or spotless mirrors. It’s understanding the why behind your member’s choices. That’s where gym membership statistics come in. 

Think of these statistics as a backstage pass to your member’s minds. They reveal trends, behaviors and preferences that can shape the way you run your gym. Are people craving HIIT fitness experiences? Is online booking a deal-breaker? What drives them to stay or, worse, leave? 

For gym owners like you, these numbers are not just interesting. They are essential. They help you stay ahead of the curve, refine your strategy and connect with members in ways that matter. Because, in the end, understanding what motivates them keeps your gym standing out in the ever-evolving fitness industry. 

Let’s dive into the 99+ gym membership statistics that could redefine your gym success. 

General fitness industry insights 

If you want to offer unforgettable experiences for your members, it is important to understand their motivation. These fitness industry statistics can help you to make data-driven decisions that resonate with your members. Here’s what the number says: 

• The global fitness industry valuation was $216 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $435 billion by 2028. (Fortune Business Insights) 
• The global valuation of fitness equipment is expected to grow with a 5.1% CAGR between 2023 and 2030 and reach $20.54 billion in 2030. (Fortune Business Insights)
• Approximately 9 million people use gym membership only for 24 days in a year. (IHSRA)
• There is around a 12% increase in annual gym memberships in January. (health and fitness association) 
• An average gym membership lasts around 4.7 years. (IHSRA)
• 50% of the members quit memberships within the first 6 months. (health and fitness association) 
• 14% of the members stop going to the gym within the second month of the membership. (IHSRA)

Why do members join a gym? 

According to Statista’s  survey: 

• 44% of the members say that they join a gym to stay fit. 
• 42% aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 
• 34% of the members want to gain muscle strength. 
• 33% of the members join the gym to shed some pounds. 
• 28% of the members join to reduce stress or meet new people. 
• 25% of the members join the gym to have a thrilling experience. 
• 31% of the members start their fitness journey to make exercise fun. 

Who’s hitting the gym? Membership demographics 

Knowing who your members are is as important as knowing why they join. Here’s a breakdown by age, gender, race and ethnicity. 

Gym member’s statistics by age

• Most gym members lie in the age bracket of 25–36. (Les Mills report) 

• Gen Z ( 1994–2002) dominates the gym with 35%. (Les Mills report) 
• Millennials (1979–1993) have a 45% share of all gym-goers. ( Les Mills report)
• Gen X (1964–1978) has a 14% share in the fitness industry. (Les Mills report)
• Baby boomers (1949–1963) contribute 6% of the gym members. 

Gym statistics based on gender 

• Women slightly edge out men in gym participation at 50.5%, while men’s share is 49.5%. ( IHSRA,2020) 
• 40% of the men say that negative body image motivates them to join a gym. (RunRepeat)
• Around 46% of the men and 43% of the women use mobile phones during exercise. (RunRepeat)
• 14% of men and 8% of women quit memberships after one year. 

Gym-goers by ethnicity 

As per RunRepeat research, here is the breakdown of memberships based on ethnicity: 

• The majority of gym members belong to the white race, making up 66.34% of the fitness industry. 
• Hispanics’ contribution to the fitness industry is 12.78%.  
• African American’s share of the gym memberships is around 12.3%. 
• Asian gym-goers made up around 7.19%. 

Membership usage statistics

• Since 2010, gym memberships in the United States of America have grown by 27%, reaching 73.6 million people. (IHSRA)
• About 49.9% of Americans go to the gym twice a week. (IHSRA) 
• 6.3% of Americans use their gym memberships occasionally. (RunRepeat)
• 50% of the members think gym location is very important when renewing their membership. (IHSRA) 
• 38% of gym-goers say they stop because the membership is too expensive. (RunRepeat) 
• 23% of the members quit because they don’t use their memberships enough. (RunRepeat)

 Popular fitness classes statistics

• The Pilates and yoga studio market is expected to grow by 10% annually from 2021 to 2028. (ResearchDive) 
• Yoga, HIIT, and Pilates are the most popular virtual fitness classes. (Statista) 
• Yoga leads the virtual fitness market with a 32% share, followed by HIIT at 15.6% and pilates at 8.3% (Statista) 

• In 2020, 76% of women joined group fitness classes like yoga, cycling, and aerobics. (Statista) 
• By 2022, male participation in group classes increased by 4%, while women’s participation dropped by 6%. (Emduk. org)

Global gym membership statistics 

• There are approximately 210,000 gyms operating globally, with the United States leading in revenue and membership numbers. (IHSRA)
• There are around 183 million active gym members worldwide. (Gitnux) 

Here are some of the countries that have the most numbers of members per gym as per Expert Fitness: 

• Singapore: 1,600 members per gym 
• South Africa: 2,072 members per gym 
• Taiwan: 2,366 members per gym 
• HongKong: 2,389 members per gym 
• China: 2,558 members per gym

Top gym chains worldwide 

• With 4,800 locations in 32 countries, Anytime Fitness is the largest gym chain in the world by members and locations. (VF franchise consulting) 
• The second-largest chain, Planet Fitness, has 2,324 locations worldwide (Planet Fitness) 
• Known as the fastest-growing boot camp globally, Fit Body Boot Camp has 800 locations and over 600 franchises in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. (American Spa) 

As per IHSRA, the following countries have the most gym facilities: 

• USA: 41,370 
• Brazil: 29,525

Gym membership in the US 

• The US fitness industry generated $30.8 billion in 2023. (Statista) 
• There are about 64.19 million gym members in the US. (Gitnux)
• In 2021, the average gym membership cost $37.71 per month. (RunRepeat) 
• In 2023 this average was increased to $40-$70 monthly. (Good RX health) 

Here are some of the top revenue-generating gyms in the US as per Statista in 2021: 

• 24 Hour Fitness: $14.7 billion 
• Life Time: $1.9 billion
• LA Fitness: $2.15 billion

Gym membership statistics in the UK 

• The UK has about 4,880 gym facilities, marking a 9.6% increase from 2022 to 2023. (IBIS World) 
• The UK fitness industry grew at a CAGR of 4.2%, generating $2.92 billion in revenue. (IBIS World) 
• 16% of the UK population, around 11 million people, are active gym members. (IBIS World)
• There are around 1,425 members per gym. (RunRepeat) 
• Gym owners earn $593.65 per member annually. (RunRepeat) 
• The average UK citizen spends about $57.20 per month on a gym membership in 2023. (HCM)

Gym membership statistics in Asia 

• The fitness industry in Asia generated $1.74 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $2.51 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.23%. (Statista) 
• Asia has around 22 million health club members, with an average penetration rate of 4.28%. (IHSRA) 
• 80% of Asian gym members pay less than $20 per month. (DSG Consumer)
• Saudi Arabia was reported to have 2193 gyms in January 2024. (Statista) 
• Kuwait has the highest gym penetration rate, with 9% of members having a gym membership. (DWTC)
• China has the highest number of gyms in Asia reported to have 2558 gyms. (IHSRA) 
• 84% of gym members in Asia visit once a week. (DSG Consumer) 
• 47% of Indonesians cite pricing as the only reason they don’t have a gym membership. (DSG consumer) 
• 31% of the UAE population will consider to have a gym membership in 2024. (Statista) 

Gym membership cost stats

As per Expert Fitness, the following countries have highest highest-paying members: 

• Saudi Arabia: $86.99 
• Switzerland: $91.83 
• Singapore: $105.10 
• Kuwait: $107.74 
• Qatar: $110.08 

Gym membership cancellation stats 

• Around 8% of men quit after one year, while 16% of women cancel within the first year. (IHSRA) 
• 38% of members leave because of high membership costs. (Finances Online) 
• Members who don’t participate in group fitness classes are 63% more likely to quit. (Finances Online) 
• Just two monthly staff interactions reduce the chances of cancellation by 33%. (IHSRA)  
• In Europe, 27% of gym members quit within the first six months. (Gitnux)

Gym membership retention statistics 

• A 5% increase in retention rates can increase gym revenue by up to 95%. (Invespo) 
• The average gym member stays loyal for 3.3 years. (Gitnux) 
• Boutique fitness studios have higher loyalty, with retention rates reaching 70%. (Gitnux) 
• Using gym membership software can increase retention by 14%. (Gitnux) 
• Personal trainers have retention rates between 60% and 85%. (Gitnux) 
• A positive gym experience increases the chance of a member referring someone by 80%. (Gitnux) 
• Women tend to stay longer, with 63% remaining after one year. (Gitnux) 
• Offering free guest passes can improve retention by 20%. (Gitnux) 

The future of fitness

• The online fitness industry is expected to grow 33.1% annually, reaching $59 billion by 2027. (Zippia.com) 
• Live-streaming fitness classes are growing by 35% yearly, projected to expand until 2026. (Zippia.com) 
• In 2022, online exercise classes ranked 9th in the top 10 fitness trends. (Wellness Creative Co)

Popular virtual classes worldwide include: 

• Yoga: 32% 
• HIIT: 15.6% 
• Pilates: 8.3% 

Final thoughts

Gym membership stats aren’t just numbers. They are your blueprint for success. They reveal what members want, where trends are headed, and how you stay ahead. 

Use these insights to build loyalty, boost sales, and shape a community. Success starts with understanding. So, are you ready to turn data into action?