With each passing generation, fitness industry statistics drastically change as trends and methods shift.

This industry comes with many different and unique opinions, but looking at the stats will provide insight into the reality of the industry from multiple angles.

Whether you work out or not, the fitness industry is a part of both sides.

Aside from those who truly want to help people, the fitness industry is a business, and it profits from many demographics.

This article will highlight the most relevant statistics about the fitness industry over the last few years.

Key Statistics

  • Revenue for the fitness industry in the U.S. in 2021 was $33.25 billion
  • The online fitness industry is expected to grow 33.10% per year up to 2028
  • The industry grew by 7.4% in 2022
  • You’ll find roughly 200,000 health/fitness clubs throughout the world
  • 39% of people in the United States hold gym memberships
  • The market value of the fitness industry on a global scale is $87 billion
  • 86% of Gen Z exercise on a regular basis or are interested in getting started
  • Before the pandemic, the fitness industry was valued at $6 billion

Fitness Industry Statistics in 2024: The Most Important Stats

There are many different facets associated with the fitness industry, but statistics usually take a general approach to help summarize.

When it comes to the most relevant statistics, it’s best to look at the topic from a general standpoint.

A lot of the available data focuses on members and fitness consumers as a whole, as they’re a driving component behind the industry as a whole.

Once you take a look at the numbers below, it’ll start to make sense just how large this industry actually is.

1. How Many Americans are Members of Fitness or Health Clubs?

Fitness Industry Statistics

Interest in personal fitness has been on the rise for years, and it’s a good look for millions of people in the United States.

Recent data shows that 64.19 million Americans are members of either a gym or health club. 

Of course, some are putting them to use more than others, but it shows an interest nonetheless.

In the table below, you can get a look at how the number of gym memberships increased in recent years.

For this data set, we’re going to focus on the years between 2012 and 2019.

YearNumber of Gym Memberships (Millions)
201250.2
201352.9
201454.1
201555.3
201657.3
201760.9
201862,5
201964.2

Even if it’s incremental compared to the total population of the U.S., it shows a positive trend toward fitness.

Anyone can benefit from adding some fitness to their lives, and it looks like tides are slowly starting to change for the American public.

(Zippia)

2. People Love Group Fitness

Part of what keeps someone from pursuing their fitness journey is that they don’t want to go it alone.

Sometimes, a little support can go a long way, and many people find this in group classes, also known as boutique fitness studios.

42% of all gym memberships go to these types of small gyms, and they primarily focus on only a handful of niche fitness areas.

Although they serve a particular target market, it’s a business model that has proven to be successful.

It’s evident that people love the group aspect of this type of fitness, as the sense of camaraderie can act as a form of moral support.

Industry experts are confident that by 2025, this particular type of fitness will grow by 17%.

(Zippia)

3. The State of the Market

You can get a grasp of the fitness industry by taking a look at it from three different standpoints.

From the size of the industry and the number of clubs and club members worldwide, these numbers show just how large the industry actually is.

  • Industry Size: $81.5 billion
  • Health and Fitness Club Members: 200,000
  • Total Number of Club Members Worldwide: 184,000,000

The number of health clubs spans many countries worldwide, with some leaders including the United States, Brazil, and more.

You’ll also want to keep in mind this data is somewhat limited and doesn’t include community recreation facilities, hotels, and other less common fitness areas.

Overall, the industry is on an upward trajectory as more people put in effort for a healthier lifestyle.

Part of what is causing this uptick in interest over the years is the rise of virtual and online fitness solutions.

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to work from home, and many people like the idea of not having to deal with the public.

(WellnessCreatives)

4. Future Growth of the Industry

With the fitness industry’s current track record, experts are confident this trend will continue and improve with more time.

As it becomes more valuable, the industry will inherently bring in more interested club members.

On a global scale, the fitness industry will be on track to grow at a CAGR of 33.5% between 2020 and 2027.

This is a pretty healthy outlook for the fitness industry and could become even better over the next few years.

Although the industry is seeing positive growth, there are still many people who are reluctant to take the leap.

When you look at data from different countries, you can see that fitness is more popular in some areas than others.

If you’re wondering why someone may choose to avoid the gym, a few reasons are relatively common among most people.

(GlobeNewswire)

5. Primary Reasons People Skip the Gym

Primary Reasons People Skip the Gym

Before we dive into this, it’s important to highlight that this specific dataset focuses entirely on people in the U.K.

Nevertheless, the reasons people skip the gym tend to be pretty universal for the most part, no matter where you look.

In the list below, you can get a look at the main reasons people skip the gym in the United Kingdom.

  • Lack of time = 39.5%
  • Lack of confidence = 16.6%
  • The gym is too busy = 14.30%
  • Childcare conflict  = 10.1%
  • Fresh haircut = 7.1%

A few of these reasons may not seem valid to some people, but to others, they can feel rather crippling.

Even though this data is taken from residents in the U.K., they’re pretty common in other countries as well. 

Outside of gym memberships alone, it’s also interesting to look at the varying demographics that have an active fitness routine.

This is bound to span all age groups for the most part, but it also highlights trends and interest levels among certain communities. 

(LiveStrong)

The Demographics Behind Fitness

You can assume that essentially every age group and ethnicity can be found in the gym, but some are guaranteed to be more common than others.

Reviewing the most recent data, it seems millennials are the most active demographic in the gym, but this also has to do with the age range we’re talking about.

Although demographics are bound to shift, they won’t vary too much as younger age groups tend to be more active in the gym.

Nevertheless, this section will focus on a variety of statistics related to demographics in the gym and fitness industry as a whole.

6. Gym Memberships by Generation

Humans need exercise for the majority of their lives, and it should be taken with a unique approach depending on your age at the time.

It isn’t an easy topic to navigate, as the human body is extremely complex.

Nevertheless, gym memberships are increasing across almost every generation.

You can break down gym memberships across the following generations:

  • Baby Boomers (1949 -1963) = 6%
  • Gen X (1964 – 1979) = 14%
  • Millennials (1979 – 1993) = 45%
  • Gen Z (1994 – 2022) = 35%

For obvious reasons, a majority of gym memberships go to the younger crowd, but that doesn’t mean older individuals aren’t putting in the effort.

As we get older, exercise tends to pose more of a challenge.

Another aspect of why memberships are on the rise is because of accessibility.

Unique and customized workout routines are available for individuals within their own homes.

These remote and private features are big selling points for people who aren’t interested in traveling to a gym.

(Zippia)

7. Gym Memberships by Ethnicity

This particular demographic will vary greatly based on location, but there’s more than enough data to support a general point of view.

It’s no secret that essentially every ethnicity can be found in this pool of gym memberships, as the rising interest in health and fitness knows no bounds.

The chart below offers a look at the percentage that various ethnicities make up the entire gym membership pool in the United States.

Points scored

Remember, this is from a bird’s eye view, but numbers would likely change quite a bit when broken down between states and cities.

Regardless of which ethnicity is more present in the gym, it’s clear that there are plenty of fitness enthusiasts within every community.

(Zippia)

8. Why Does Gen Z Go to the Gym?

You can assume that anyone who goes to the gym is simply trying to be healthier.

Although this is an understandable assumption, it isn’t always the case.

You can take a look at the youngest relevant generation on this topic, Gen Z, as they provide insight into why they sign up for a membership and go to the gym.

  • Get in shape or to lose weight = 54%
  • Improve their appearance = 50%
  • Build muscle = 37%
  • Have fun = 27%
  • Feel empowered = 26%

All of these are valid reasons to go to the gym, as it’s all about bettering yourself.

However, this exact same sentiment can lead to disagreements in a public setting.

Many people don’t like sharing machines or having to wait on others for their turn.

Even if a membership comes with added benefits, many people would rather stay at home.

Between different generations or ethnicities, you can also look at behavior patterns in regard to gender.

It isn’t uncommon to find men and women together in the gym, but it’s clear that they don’t approach working out in the same ways.

(LiveStrong)

9. Fitness Industry Statistics Based on Gender

Fitness Industry Statistics Based on Gender

You’ll find plenty of dedicated men and women hard at work in the gym.

A recent statistic that came to light shows that more than half of all U.S. gymgoers are female.

On the flip side, new female gym goers are more likely to quit a year after they get started.

Here are a few other interesting statistics that focus on gender in the fitness industry:

  • Female members have increased by 32.2% since 2010
  • Male members have increased by 23.2% since 2010
  • 20% to 40% of males say poor body image is their primary motivating factor
  • 8% of male members quit their membership after a year
  • 14% of female members quit their membership after a year
  • 43% of men and 46% of women use smartphones while at the gym

Not everyone is successful in their workout goals, but there are many others who are on the opposite side of the spectrum.

When you look at the fitness industry across different countries, you’ll find various trends that are popular in other parts of the world.

(LiveStrong)

10. Global Gym Membership Statistics

Most of the statistics in this article focus on what’s happening in the United States.

The reality is that market growth and a positive outlook for the industry can be found in most developed nations throughout the world.

You can get a brief look at membership statistics in different countries in the list below.

  • 32.08% of gym goers in the U.K. make the effort to lose weight
  • In 2021, Canada had 6.18 million gym members in total
  • For every gym in Canada, there are 938 members on average
  • Australia has 3,715 gyms available
  • In total, Australia boasts roughly 4 million gym members throughout the country
  • China has the highest average number of members per gym at 2,558

A growing interest in the fitness industry is found all over the world, and it’s a good look for future generations.

A newfound understanding of our health has been unfolding for years, and younger generations see the importance of making a difference.

Thanks to easy access to information, people are becoming more aware of their options when it comes to working out.

Going to the gym isn’t the only solution, as there are many home workout solutions that have proven to be equally, if not more, effective in some cases.

(LiveStrong)

How the Pandemic Affected Fitness Industry Statistics

It can’t be ignored that many of the trends and changes we’re currently seeing in the fitness industry stem from some aspect of Covid-19.

Due to what is happening to people’s health all over the world, more and more people are starting to see the importance of maintaining their health.

Covid was an unexpected turn of events, and those who weren’t the healthiest had a hard time recovering from the virus.

There are many individuals who used the pandemic as fuel to push themselves in the gym.

Inevitably, the influx that came from this affected the fitness industry in more ways than one.

11. Live Streaming and On-Demand Workouts

A quick solution to the lockdowns that came from the virus, many people resorted to live streaming and on-demand workout solutions.

Although this already existed before the pandemic, it wasn’t the option of choice for many people.

What happened was that many of these individuals saw the benefit of at-home workouts, which caused a boom in this side of the business.

Now, more people are participating in at-home workouts than ever, which has been profitable for those creating at-home workout plans.

During the height of the pandemic, 75% of active adults were utilizing live-streamed workouts.

On the other hand, 70% of active adults were using on-demand workouts in 2020.

Between March and August of that year, fitness and health content skyrocketed by roughly 1,300%.

(Zippia)

12. Global Industry Revenue Rebounded by 2021

It didn’t take long for the industry to bounce back after taking some losses throughout the beginning of Covid.

Many businesses in the industry readjusted their focus to cater to people staying at home.

This turned into a profitable investment for many businesses, products, and services.

Revenue in the fitness industry took a substantial hit in 2020, as it dropped by 32.45%.

For 2020, revenue capped off at $107.48 billion.

That’s a massive number by itself, but it isn’t close to what the industry could have pulled off without Covid getting in the way.

Nowadays, the industry is full steam ahead on all fronts, from gym memberships to at-home workouts and everything in between.

The industry is lucky it’s built to withstand such catastrophic events.

No matter how bad life gets, people will always find a way to exercise.

With the help of technology, brands are able to connect with fitness enthusiasts no matter where they are.

(Zippia)

13. Home Fitness Equipment Found Increasing Success

Considering how many people pursued at-home workouts due to the pandemic, there was a massive rush for workout equipment.

Between 2019 and 2020, home fitness equipment saw a jump in growth of 40.4%.

The market also experienced a jump in value from $6.76 billion to $9.49 billion and continues to increase as we speak.

However, for the current year of 2023, the market is expecting a decrease of 3.16%.

This is primarily due to gyms being much more open nowadays.

People are returning to the gym, but there’s still a substantial interest in having workout equipment at home.

The convenience alone sells itself, and it only makes the fitness industry more valuable as a whole.

(Zippia)

14. People Want the Data

Many gymgoers appreciate having access to quantifiable data about their workouts and overall health.

The increasing interest in this space bleeds into wearable tech, and many companies are catering to it in the products, apps, and services they develop.

This interest is primarily found in 46% of millennials, and 54% of this demographic are more inclined to buy devices that can analyze their health in different ways.

Gen Z is already proving themselves to be an active market for the fitness industry, as 86% are already exercising regularly or would like to start.

Aside from that, 72% of Gen Z gymgoers utilize both at-home and in-gym workouts, making the best of both worlds.

People like to have options, which is why the at-home workout market has been booming.

With their current age range, one of the best demographics to market to is millennials.

They’re currently the most active in the gym, but Gen Z is right behind them.

(WellnessCreatives)

15. North America Continues to Dominate the Market

North America Continues to Dominate the Market

Among all of the changes going on in the industry across the world, North America is leading the way.

This is for numerous reasons, such as the rise of chronic diseases like asthma, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and many more.

People suffering from these health issues are bound to look for different ways to become healthier, such as working out.

Many of the important corporations leading innovating in the fitness market also come from North America.

From product development, mergers, acquisitions, and new collaborations, companies are hard at work to reshape the landscape of fitness.

Some prominent companies include:

  • Fitbit
  • Wellbeats
  • ClassPass
  • Peloton
  • And many others

It’s an industry that’s begging for innovation as the preferences of the people are rapidly changing.

Many of these shifts are for the better, as adoption rates are increasing for many different types of wellness routines and workouts. 

(GlobeNewswire)

Final Thoughts

As the fitness industry continues to grow, we’re likely to see more people adopt workouts and routines that work best for them.

There’s a lot of flexibility and access to education nowadays, and many people are taking full advantage.

It’s all headed in a pretty positive direction, and the statistics support a healthier future for many individuals.

This article highlights some of the most important fitness industry statistics, which provide a clear look at what we can expect moving forward.

Sources

ZippiaWellness Creative CoGlobeNewswireLIVESTRONG