Gym Membership Statistics You Should Know [2024]

If you are in the fitness industry, either as a business owner or personal trainer, having some insights into gym membership statistics can help you put your right foot forward. 

Over the years, many gyms have grown, mostly due to a rise in motivation for exercise and a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, more fitness centers align their vision and mission to target members’ health goals, which also contributes to the growth.

But what percentage of the population goes to the gym? And how can you use these numbers to your advantage? In the continuation, we will discuss different metrics regarding gym memberships and how to leverage them the right way. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive in!

Gym Membership Statistics on Expenses

When discussing gym membership expenses, it’s important to mention that they can vary greatly depending on the services offered. Different rates come with various types of gyms and classes.

As for the members, there are usually different plans they can choose from. Memberships usually differ in services you can use or the number of monthly passes. Clients can choose the payment plan that best suits their needs. They can also choose to pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, depending on their preference.

It’s worth mentioning that longer memberships usually offer some sort of discount, so they may be very well worth it for frequent goers.

IHRSA reports that 23 of 100 fitness club members have other gym memberships. Ninety percent of boutique studio gym members use many facilities as well. The statistics are different for non-members. Approximately nine million people use the gym for only 24 days in a single year. As they rarely visit gym studios, they usually do not opt for a membership.

Membership costs for famous fitness centers

In order to help you get a better understanding of the membership prices, here are the average monthly fees for some of the most popular fitness centers:

• $15 for Planet Fitness
• $35 for LA Fitness
• $41 for Anytime Fitness
• $45 for Gold’s Gym
• $45 for Snap Fitness
• $47 for 24-Hour Fitness
• $120 for Lifetime Fitness

January Is Peak Gym Membership Month

Statistics show that gym memberships increased by 12% in January. This is the highest point for gym applications during the whole year. The effect can be greatly attributed to New Year’s and the usual health and exercise decisions that come with it. 

With this idea in mind, many people apply for gym memberships during the first month of the year. Search engines have also noted that fitness and health searches increase in number during this period. 

Still, not everyone can maintain a fitness mindset. Generally, many set fitness goals but fail to achieve them. Around 50% of new members quit within six months. A small fraction, around 14%, stop going to the gym even before the second month of the year.

Statistics on Gym Membership Longevity

Now it’s no secret that many gym members cancel their membership. But how many can you expect to stay, and for how long?

According to IHRSA, gym memberships last an average of 4.7 years. With all the new clients flooding in, it’s easy to see why so many gyms have at least some traffic.

Factors like location and equipment play a big factor here. If a gym member finds equipment that fits their needs, they are more likely to stay.

Gym Membership Statistics Considerations

Retaining members can maintain high profits. According to Gitnux, gym membership retention statistics is about 60% and a bit higher for a boutique fitness studio.

Here is the breakdown of what gym members consider the most in keeping their subscriptions:

• 50% think about the fitness center’s location (MSISE)
• 46% weighs the gym membership costs (IHRSA)
• 38% consider gym equipment preference (MSISE)

Using the Gym for More Chances of Dating

Using dating apps is helpful for finding dates, but many don’t like this approach. One way to increase your luck in love and finding a date is by going to the gym. This provides opportunities to socialize and meet people with similar interests.

For those over 50, exploring modern avenues like dating apps alongside traditional social environments such as the gym can be beneficial. A survey conducted by EllipticalReviews.com on 1,000 participants revealed that for 61% of people, a flirtatious conversation turned into a date. Therefore, this indicates the chances for connections beyond just fitness.

Data also shows that around thirty percent of gym-goers don’t even exercise at all, highlighting the social aspect of these spaces. Moreover, Nuffield Health’s 2019 annual report stated that around ten out of a hundred respondents lived under the same roof after meeting at a gym, emphasizing the potential for meaningful connections in unexpected places. However, if you’re part of the senior demographic and want to give dating apps a try, here’s a list of top senior dating sites to expand your possibilities.

Fifty Percent of Newbies Quit After Half a Year

We mentioned that according to the IHRSA 2019 report, 50% of newbies abandon their gym membership after half a year. This makes member retention a massive problem for gyms. As for the boutique fitness studios, the situation is a bit better. 

Many fitness centers try to compensate for this by ruining elaborate marketing campaigns in the second half of the year. As stated in the IHRSA 2018 report, offering different group classes is another great way to increase the chances of membership renewal. 

Do people skip the gym due to laziness?

Contrary to popular belief, skipping or even quitting a gym is usually not due to laziness. There are a lot of factors that contribute to this decision, so let’s break down a few.

According to Better, these are some of the top reasons why people skip going to the gym:

• 39.5% of people skip due to lack of time 
• 16.6% due to lack of confidence
• 14.3% say the gym is too busy
• 10.1% report childcare conflict
• 7.1% just got their hair done
• 4.9% say they have a fear of lycra

Additionally, many members decide to quit due to the recession. More and more gym-goers are saving and prioritizing necessities for their expenses. Some members consider the high costs of having a regular membership, so they decide to cut back on this expense. 

Gym Membership: Men versus Women

Looking at gym membership statistics for 2024, we see that the trend of membership cancellation is higher for women. Interestingly, more than half of gym members are female. So, how can you ensure that this clientele renews their membership? Well, women are more likely to participate in group classes like yoga or pilates, so try to incorporate this into your services.

Willingness to Spend For the Perfect Gym Location

Did you know that many clients say the gym location is the most important factor for keeping their membership? This makes a lot of sense when you look at the fast-paced world we live in. People want convenience, and gyms close to home are a perfect solution. But you can’t be close to everyone, so what can you do?

Stagnant Gym Memberships

RunRepeats reports that about six percent of America’s total population doesn’t ever use gym membership, amounting to $1.8 billion. But there is no need to dwell on these numbers, as the trend of signing up for a gym has been on the rise since 2010.

Peak Gym Time

The peak time at the gym logically follows the structure of the usual workday. This means getting busier before people head to work, during the typical lunch break, and after work.

Interestingly, Tuesday is the most popular day to work out, and all weekdays see a peak around 5:30 PM. As for the weekends, the busiest time is around 10:00 AM. On the other hand, college students prefer to work out at night.

Gym Centers Statistics Across the U.S.

The world may know the U.S. for its unhealthy foods or high obesity rate, but did you know that it also has the most fitness centers in the world? 

According to Statista, the U.S. had ​​106,132 fitness businesses in 2022. Out of 52 states, California has the most health and fitness gyms, with an impressive number of 5,123. On the other hand, Wyoming has the least, with 81 facilities.

Reasons Behind Working Out

People go to the gym for different reasons. Statista reports that: 

• 44% of people go to the gym to stay in shape 
• 42% to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle 
• 34% to build up muscle
• 33% to lose weight.
• 31% to have fun
• 28% to relieve stress and improve mental well-being

Moreover, according to IHRSA, 12.5% have a personal trainer, 44% have a partner, and 40% enroll in group exercises. Walking is the most prominent activity, while strength training equipment and treadmills are the most popular.

Fitness and Gym Membership Trends Amidst the Coronavirus

There was a twenty-five percent increase in workouts in 2020. That is because more Americans are becoming more interested in staying fit. However, different kinds of workouts, such as online classes or fitness apps, have been gaining popularity since the lockdown. 

In RunRepeat’s analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on gyms, 74% of people said they tried at least one fitness app. With the right strategy, you can tap into this huge market.

Ending thoughts on gym membership statistics

Gym membership statistics are a fun way to gain a better insight into the market of frequent gym goers. But these statistics can also give you great intel if you are looking to optimize your services or attract new members.

With the rise of the “new normal,” gym owners must make necessary changes to keep up. However, there is a lot you can do as well, so if you need any help, here’s our guide for increasing gym memberships.

Lastly, don’t forget the pivotal role marketing plays in overall gym membership sales. Here are a few gym marketing strategies that can help.

Gym Membership Statistics FAQ

Do you have any more questions that we left unanswered? Here are some of the most common ones regarding gym memberships.

1. What percent of people with gym memberships actually go?

According to IHRSA, around 49% of people who have membership go to the gym more than 100 times a year. This means that the average gym member goes to the gym two times a week.

2. What percent of the U.S. population goes to the gym?

In 2019, about one in four Americans went to the gym or other fitness center regularly. Statista reported that in 2022,  21.2 percent of men in the United States participated in sports, exercise, and recreational activities daily, compared to 19.1 percent of women.

3. What percentage of the world has a gym membership?

Only around 2.36% of the world’s population are gym members, according to the 2020 report by IHRSA. Sweden and Norway have the biggest chunk of the population as active gym members, with about 22%. A close second is the U.S. with 21.2%

4. How many members does the average gym have?

RunRepeat reports that the average gym had 1,551 members in 2021. However, the fitness industry is growing, so this number is likely even higher now.