Gym Market: Growth Forecast and Industry Analysis

This article was written by our expert who is surveying the gym industry and constantly updating the business plan for a gym.

Who wrote this content?

The Dojo Business Team

A team of financial experts, consultants, and writers

We're a team of finance experts, consultants, market analysts, and specialized writers dedicated to helping new gym entrepreneurs launch successfully. We help you avoid costly mistakes by providing detailed business plans, accurate market studies, and reliable financial forecasts to maximize your chances of success from day one—especially in the gym and fitness market.

What is the current global market size of the gym industry (revenue and facilities)?

The gym industry is generating about $102.2 billion in 2025 across roughly 200,000 facilities worldwide.

In country terms, the United States leads with about 55,000 gyms, Brazil has roughly 29,525, and the United Kingdom has more than 7,000 facilities. These counts signal a broad, accessible market where scale and segmentation both matter for a new gym. In mature markets, penetration is high but churn is constant, which keeps openings viable if differentiation is strong.

In emerging regions, facility density is lower and growth runway is longer, which favors first movers with proven playbooks and disciplined site selection.

You’ll find detailed market insights in our gym business plan, updated every quarter.

What is the projected annual growth rate over the next 5–10 years (global and by region)?

Global gym revenue is expected to grow roughly 7–12% CAGR through 2030–2035 depending on segment and geography.

Asia–Pacific leads the outlook, with Southeast Asia around ~12.7% CAGR, while China (~6.3%) and India (~5.9%) expand on urbanization and rising disposable income. Mature markets (USA, UK, Germany) grow steadily on product innovation, hybridization, and corporate wellness penetration.

These rates imply operators should plan for capacity additions, disciplined cash management, and stronger pre-sales to stay ahead of demand.

Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our gym business plan.

Which regions will grow fastest, and why?

Asia–Pacific—especially Southeast Asia—is set to grow the fastest, followed by well-positioned markets in China and India.

Population age structure, urbanization, and middle-class expansion drive gym adoption in these regions. Franchise systems, HVLP offerings, and mixed-use real estate also accelerate rollouts by lowering startup risk and increasing site options.

Supply chains for equipment and staffing are catching up, so early entrants can secure prime leases and corporate partnerships before saturation.

This is one of the strategies explained in our gym business plan.

How has demand shifted across formats (HVLP, premium clubs, boutique, hybrid)?

HVLP adoption has surged while boutique studios scale in dense urban areas and hybrid (physical + digital) has become standard.

Members increasingly mix value memberships with add-on experiences—premium classes, small-group training, and digital programs. Premium clubs retain share by investing in recovery, wellness, and concierge-level service, while HVLP wins on price and 24/7 access.

Hybrid offerings extend reach and improve retention by keeping members engaged between visits through apps, programming, and challenges.

We cover this exact topic in the gym business plan.

Which demographic segments fuel membership growth, and how do preferences differ?

Three cohorts drive growth: 18–34, 35–50, and 50+ members, each with distinct needs and buying triggers.

Young adults (18–34) value 24/7 access, community, and digital integration; 35–50 balance convenience with results and often buy PT; 50+ value accessibility, recovery, and supervision. In Asia, a rising middle class is expanding first-time memberships in Tier-2/3 cities.

Tailoring offers by cohort—pricing, class schedules, and onboarding—improves conversion and lifetime value.

It’s a key part of what we outline in the gym business plan.

How is digitalization (apps, connected equipment) changing share and revenue models for gyms?

Digitalization extends gym reach and adds new revenue streams without heavy floor-space expansion.

With fitness app downloads surpassing 5B globally, members expect programming, tracking, and challenges on mobile, while connected equipment and wearables personalize training. This raises engagement, supports tiered pricing, and opens PT-online and remote coaching as margin accretive lines.

Gyms that integrate digital onboarding and progress tracking see higher retention and upsell success compared with “access-only” models.

This is one of the many elements we break down in the gym business plan.

What is the level of consolidation, and who are the major players expanding?

The market is still fragmented, but consolidation is accelerating through franchising, roll-ups, and cross-border expansion.

Large franchisors and chains—such as Self Esteem Brands, Pure International, and groups linked to Virgin—are expanding via acquisitions and master franchise deals. In the U.S. and Europe, leading platforms are increasing share by scaling HVLP concepts, acquiring boutiques, and building digital ecosystems.

For a new gym, local positioning and operational excellence remain decisive—even in markets with national chains—because proximity, uptime, and service quality are hyperlocal.

Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our gym business plan.

How are economic conditions (inflation, disposable income) influencing memberships and pricing?

Inflation has pushed consumers to value formats, flexible contracts, and transparent pricing.

Clubs are responding with HVLP tiers, freeze options, off-peak pricing, and bundling (PT, recovery, classes). Pricing tests show that small, clearly communicated increases tied to added value (e.g., recovery zones) retain more members than across-the-board hikes.

Strong pre-sale pipelines and corporate partnerships help offset softer consumer periods during inflation spikes.

This is one of the strategies explained in our gym business plan.

What role does corporate wellness and employer-sponsored access play?

Corporate wellness is a durable demand driver that stabilizes occupancy and lowers churn.

Employers fund or subsidize memberships to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity, shifting part of the payer mix from households to companies. This channel boosts daytime usage, improves class fill, and opens satellite-site opportunities near office hubs.

Winning operators craft B2B packages with usage reporting, onboarding sessions, and on-site activations to increase uptake.

Get expert guidance and actionable steps inside our gym business plan.

What innovations in equipment, training, or member experience are shaping differentiation?

Leading innovations pair connected hardware with AI-guided programming and recovery-centric experiences.

• Connected strength/cardio with auto-tracking that feeds progress dashboards and coach feedback.
• AI periodization and habit coaching integrated into mobile apps and PT workflows.
• Recovery suites (sauna, cold plunge, compression) that increase perceived value and ARPU.
• Immersive group experiences (lighting, sound, big-screen metrics) that drive community.
• Data-driven floor layouts optimizing throughput, uptime, and supervision.

Which regulations or health policies could affect expansion or operating costs?

Building codes, safety standards, employment rules, and health guidelines drive fit-out and opex decisions for gyms.

Post-pandemic ventilation and sanitation expectations persist, increasing HVAC and cleaning costs, while accessibility standards influence layout and equipment choices. Corporate wellness and health-promotion policies in some markets support demand for preventive fitness services.

Operators that design to exceed local code (especially ventilation and accessibility) reduce retrofits and insurance costs over time.

We cover this exact topic in the gym business plan.

What are the primary risks or barriers to growth, and how are leaders addressing them?

The main risks are digital substitutes, cost inflation, regulatory shifts, and residual post-pandemic volatility.

• Competition from at-home/digital fitness—countered by community, coaching, and hybrid plans.
• Fit-out and wage inflation—managed with phased capex, vendor bidding, and flexible staffing models.
• Lease and location risk—reduced via break clauses, data-led site selection, and co-tenancy.
• Churn—addressed with onboarding pathways, habit tracking, and tiered value.
• Regulatory/health changes—mitigated by exceeding standards and formal SOPs.

Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

1. Fortune Business Insights – Health & Fitness Club Market
2. Wellness Creatives – Gym Market Statistics
3. WOD Guru – Fitness Industry Statistics
4. Health & Fitness Association – 2025 Foot Traffic Trends
5. Lincoln International – State of the Fitness Market (2025)
6. Future Market Insights – Online Fitness Market
7. Core H&F – 2025 Global Fitness Trends
8. Statista – Health & Fitness Clubs
9. Health & Fitness Association – 2025 Industry Report
10. Cognitive Market Research – APAC Gym & Health Club