U.S. gym membership reached a record 81 million in 2025, up 5.2% from 2024, according to the Health & Fitness Association (HFA), the industry’s trade group. Fitness operators in HFA’s global survey reported 10.7% median revenue growth and a 22.1% median profit margin, and nearly all expect revenue to rise again in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- 81 million Americans belonged to a gym, studio or fitness facility in 2025, which is 26.1% of the population ages six and older.
- Americans made nearly 7 billion visits to fitness facilities in 2025, and more than 100 million people used them as members or non-member visitors.
- Among 244 operators surveyed globally, median revenue rose 10.7% in 2025 and median net membership grew 6.1%.
- The median EBITDA margin among surveyed operators reached 22.1%.
- 92.3% of surveyed operators expect revenue to increase in 2026, including 70.9% who expect growth above 5%.
Fitness Industry Growth Reaches a Fourth Straight Year
The 2025 total marks the fourth consecutive year of U.S. membership growth since the pandemic, according to HFA’s 2026 U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, released April 9. Membership penetration reached 26.1% of Americans ages six and older. Total facility users, including people who pay per visit or come as guests, topped 100 million.
The data comes from an annual online survey of about 18,000 U.S. residents ages six and older, conducted throughout 2025 by Sports Marketing Surveys USA as part of the Physical Activity Council study. For business owners, the size and consistency of that demand matter. Nearly 7 billion visits a year means steady foot traffic for gyms and for the retailers, cafes and service businesses around them.
Fitness Operators Report 10.7% Median Revenue Growth in 2025
The growth of the fitness industry shows up in operator results as well as member counts. HFA’s 2026 Global Report, released September 14, surveyed 244 operators representing nearly 27,000 fitness facilities, and the report covers 33 countries. Among those operators, median revenue grew 10.7% in 2025 and median net membership grew 6.1%.
Those are medians, the midpoint of the operators who responded, so they describe a typical surveyed business rather than a guaranteed result. Still, double-digit revenue growth stands out at a time when higher prices and borrowing costs are weighing on consumer spending in many other categories.
Profit Margin in the Gym Business Reached a 22.1% Median
Surveyed operators reported a median EBITDA margin of 22.1% in 2025. EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It measures how much operating profit a business generates before financing costs and the wear on its equipment and facilities.
For franchise buyers and small studio owners, that figure offers a benchmark, not a promise. Gyms carry heavy fixed costs in rent, equipment and staffing, and results vary widely by location, format and competition. A healthy industry median does not guarantee that any single facility will reach it.
Wellness Fitness Industry Trends 2026 Point to Pickleball and Yoga
Activity trends show where member demand is moving. Pickleball participation among gym members rose 21.3% from 2024 to 7.6 million, according to HFA, with nearly two-thirds of those players on court weekly. Yoga remained the most widely practiced activity among members, at 17.7 million.
Those fitness industry trends for 2026 have practical implications. Operators adding pickleball courts or expanding class offerings are responding to measurable demand. Equipment suppliers, instructors and facility designers are watching the same numbers. For entrepreneurs in the wider wellness economy, the trend extends beyond gyms into categories such as health drinks becoming a growth category for entrepreneurs.
Fitness Industry Growth in the U.S. Supports 600,000 Jobs
HFA estimates the U.S. industry operates more than 55,000 commercial fitness facilities and supports about 600,000 jobs. It puts the industry’s annual economic activity at $59.62 billion and its contribution to federal, state and local taxes at $10.65 billion.
That footprint makes fitness a meaningful tenant category for commercial real estate. As retail space changes, gyms and studios have become regular occupants of shopping centers and mixed-use developments, bringing repeat visitors that neighboring businesses can benefit from.
What Fitness Operators Expect for 2026
Operators remain confident. In HFA’s Global Survey, 92.3% expect revenue to increase in 2026, and 70.9% expect growth above 5%. More than 85% expect membership to rise, and 83.4% expect EBITDA to increase, with 57.7% anticipating EBITDA growth above 5%.
Expectations are not results, and full-year 2026 data will not be available until HFA’s next reports. For business owners planning for 2027, the current numbers show an industry with steady demand, healthy median margins and operators who expect growth to continue.
FAQs
How Many Gym Members Are There in the USA?
About 81 million Americans belonged to a gym, studio or other fitness facility in 2025, according to the Health & Fitness Association. That is 26.1% of Americans ages six and older and a record high.
Is Gym Membership Declining?
No. U.S. gym membership grew 5.2% in 2025 to a record 81 million, the fourth consecutive year of growth since the pandemic, according to the Health & Fitness Association.
Are Gym Memberships Down in 2026?
Full-year 2026 membership data has not been published yet. In the Health & Fitness Association’s latest global survey, more than 85% of fitness operators said they expect membership to rise in 2026.
What Is the Profit Margin of a Gym Business?
Fitness operators surveyed by the Health & Fitness Association reported a median EBITDA margin of 22.1% in 2025. Individual results vary widely depending on location, format, rent and competition.
