101 Gym Membership Statistics To Know
Going to the gym is a staple part of many Americans’ weekly routines. Given exercise’s many benefits, it’s no surprise. Staying active can help decrease risk of disease, improve mood, boost energy and promote better sleep, to name a few. But just exactly how many people in the world are enjoying these benefits?
Whether you’re a gym owner looking to implement data-based marketing ideas or you’re just curious about the world’s fitness, keep reading to learn 101 important gym membership statistics.
Key Takeaways
- There are an estimated 205,180 health and fitness clubs worldwide (Statista, 2019).
- Globally, there are an estimated 184.59 million gym memberships (Statista, 2019).
- The global health and fitness market is expected to grow 7.7% annually between 2020 and 2024, with 2024 seeing a projected $96.6 billion in revenue (Statista, 2021).
- Nearly half of gym-goers (about 40%) pay below $25 per month (IHRSA, 2021).
- Chief executives at fitness and sports centers average $127,000 in annual wages (BLS, 2022).
Table of contents:
- Global Gym Statistics
- U.S. Gym Statistics
- European Gym Statistics
- Typical Gym Demographics
- Gym Attendance Statistics
- Gym Usage Statistics
- Membership Cost Statistics
- Membership Cancellation Statistics
- Gym Retention Statistics
- Gym Cost and Revenue Statistics
- Gym Statistics FAQ
Global Gym Statistics
Going to the gym is a worldwide experience, with people attending in every continent apart from Antarctica. Not only is the global gym market expansive, but it’s also lucrative. Health clubs around the world pulled in just under $100 billion in revenue, with numbers increasing each year on average.
Wondering what else there is to know about the global gym market? Take a bird’s-eye look at worldwide fitness with these statistics.
U.S. Gym Statistics
Despite being known for its unhealthful food, the United States still holds several impressive fitness bests. Not only does the United States have the most fitness clubs and memberships out of any other country, but it also shows a continually growing market. The number of fitness gyms in the United States increases each year on average, a great sign if you are hoping to open your own gym.
Want to know more about the U.S. gym market like how many Americans go to the gym? These statistics can help you see the big picture.
European Gym Statistics
The United States isn’t the only place where the health and fitness industry is booming. Europe has the largest number of health and fitness clubs by region, a total of 63,633 as of 2019. This represents over 39 million memberships in total, broken down as follows:
Typical Gym Demographics
Now that we know how many memberships exist around the world, who exactly is a typical gym-goer? Gym memberships are largely held by white or non-Hispanic men and women from upper-middle class households. Despite men spending more time exercising on average, women are about as likely as men to hold a gym membership.
When it comes to age, gyms typically attract young adults and the middle aged. Seniors 55 and up are the least likely to go to the gym.
Gym Attendance Statistics
Just because someone holds a gym membership doesn’t mean they will use it. In fact, nearly 1 in 5 people with gym memberships never attend. This is far from the rule, though. Most people with gym memberships attend at least multiple times per week.
As for when people go to the gym, early mornings before work hours are the most popular. So if you own a gym, opening your doors early is a sure way to keep many of your patrons happy.
Want to know more about how people typically attend the gym? Here’s when (or if) you can expect to see people working out.
Gym Usage Statistics
If you’re starting a gym, you may be wondering what equipment and amenities to invest in. The data shows your money is likely best spent on weight and cardio machines, as nearly half of gym-goers use them. People value more than just equipment at the gym, though. If you want to set your gym apart, stocking convenience items like towels and snacks can help give you an edge.
Here is how most gym-goers utilize their gyms.
Membership Cost Statistics
How much does staying fit cost? The answer is it depends. Almost half of people pay below $25 monthly for their gym memberships, but about one-third pay $50 or above monthly. For gym owners looking to make the best profit, it’s probably a good idea to offer tiers at increasing prices to cater to the widest audience. Or take a look at how to price your gym programs.
Membership Cancellation Statistics
Most memberships won’t last a lifetime. Turnover is a normal part of operating a gym. But just how much turnover is to be expected? The statistics show if you’re retaining about half of your new members, you’re on par with the average.
Gym Retention Statistics
Retention is the goal of every gym owner. Improving sales is always helpful, but they won’t matter if you can’t retain your members. Take a look at average retention rates across the industry and find a few tips to possibly increase yours.
Why Do People Join Gyms?
If you’re seeking to improve your gym’s retention rate, it can help to know why people go to the gym in the first place. Here are the reasons cited by gym-goers in the United States.
What Are the Most Important Aspects of a Gym?
Understanding why someone chooses to go to the gym is just one part of the retention puzzle. It’s also important to consider what they want out of their gyms. If your gym sales have dropped, it could be because of one of these aspects.
Here are some of the most important things people value when looking for a gym.
Gym Cost and Revenue Statistics
If you’re considering opening your own gym, it’s important to know the average costs and what you may expect to make in revenue. In general, the costs associated with opening and running a gym vary widely depending on location, niche, brand and more. In the United States, the average cost to start a gym is around $50,000. With the average U.S. gym expending $23,771 in Q3, a yearly cost estimate is around $100,000.
Revenue also changes depending on several factors including your location and size. When estimating how much revenue your gym may stand to make, a good rule of thumb is using your projected membership. On average, gym members are worth $517 annually. This means the average U.S. gym must attract about 193 members annually to break even.
So what’s the bottom line? Owning a gym is likely to make you six figures, with fitness center executives making about $127,000 in annual wages.
Gym Statistics FAQ
Have additional questions? Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions for gym stats.
What Percentage of Gym Memberships Go Completely Unused?
According to a survey run by Statista in 2021, about 18% of U.S. gym members never attend.
How Many People Go to the Gym in the U.S.?
About 52.6 million people go to the gym in the United States. This is based on 64.19 million U.S. gym memberships minus the 18% of memberships that go unused.
What Percentage of the World Goes to the Gym?
Only about 2.4% of the world’s population attends the gym. This number represents a calculated estimation using 184.59 million worldwide memberships in 2019 and a global population of about 7.7 billion.
What Does the Average Gym Membership Cost?
According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the average gym membership costs $51 per month. Boutique gym memberships come in a bit pricer, averaging $90 per month.
Despite these averages, nearly half of gym-goers (about 40%) pay less than $25 for their gym memberships.
Overall, the gym and fitness club industry shows continued growth, both in memberships and revenue. If you’re a gym owner, keep your eye out for these upcoming industry trends so you can stay ahead of the curve and manage your finances like a pro.
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