Forget the stereotype of the empty New Year's resolution gym, because Australia's fitness industry is flexing some serious economic muscle, having surged to a staggering $2.4 billion in revenue in 2023 as millions of Australians, from HIIT enthusiasts in Sydney to seniors in strength training, are investing in their health like never before.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Australian fitness industry revenue reached AUD 2.4 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2018 to 2023 driven by post-COVID recovery.
- Fitness centre revenue in Australia grew by 15.2% year-on-year in 2022-23 to exceed AUD 2.2 billion, fueled by increased health awareness.
- The gym and fitness sector contributed AUD 1.9 billion to GDP in 2021, representing 0.08% of national GDP with projections to AUD 2.5 billion by 2025.
- Australia's gym membership penetration rate reached 25.4% of the adult population in 2023.
- Total active gym members numbered 6.8 million in 2023, up 9% from 2022.
- AusPlay data shows 7.2 million Australians participated in gym activities weekly in 2023.
- Australia had 4,200 fitness centres operating in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
- Low-cost gym chains operated 1,850 locations nationwide in 2023.
- Boutique fitness studios numbered 1,100 in major cities in 2023.
- The most popular fitness activity among Australians was gym workouts at 28.1% participation rate in 2023.
- 62% of gym members cited weight loss as primary motivation in 2023 surveys.
- Hybrid fitness (in-person + virtual) preferred by 48% of consumers in 2023.
- The fitness industry employed 45,200 full-time workers in 2023, up 10% YoY.
- Personal trainers numbered 32,000 certified professionals in 2023.
- Gym managers and operators totalled 8,500 in 2023.
Australia's fitness industry is booming with strong revenue and record membership growth.
Employment and Economic Impact
- The fitness industry employed 45,200 full-time workers in 2023, up 10% YoY.
- Personal trainers numbered 32,000 certified professionals in 2023.
- Gym managers and operators totalled 8,500 in 2023.
- Fitness instructors (group classes) employed 12,400 FTE in 2023.
- Industry wages bill reached AUD 1.8 billion in 2023.
- Average personal trainer salary was AUD 85,000 annually in 2023.
- Part-time fitness staff comprised 55% of workforce, 24,900 people in 2023.
- NSW fitness jobs totalled 15,600 in 2023.
- Victoria employed 11,200 in fitness sector 2023.
- Queensland fitness employment was 8,900 FTE in 2023.
- Females held 48% of fitness jobs, 21,700 positions in 2023.
- New qualifications issued to 4,200 trainers in 2023 by Fitness Australia.
- Turnover rate for fitness staff dropped to 18% in 2023.
- Economic multiplier effect generated AUD 5.2 billion in broader economy from fitness in 2023.
- WA fitness jobs numbered 4,100 in 2023.
- SA employed 2,800 in fitness industry 2023.
- Tasmania fitness workforce was 900 strong in 2023.
- NT had 650 fitness sector employees in 2023.
- ACT fitness jobs totalled 1,450 per capita highest.
- Apprenticeships in fitness grew to 1,200 active in 2023.
- Online fitness coaches numbered 5,600 freelancers in 2023.
- Industry contributed AUD 120 million in taxes in 2023.
- Job vacancies in fitness peaked at 3,200 unfilled in mid-2023.
Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation
Australia's fitness industry, now flexing hard with a 10% employment spike and a booming $5.2 billion economic ripple effect, clearly has the nation on a gainz-fueled treadmill of job creation, though it's still sweating to fill those last 3,200 pesky vacancies.
Facilities and Operators
- Australia had 4,200 fitness centres operating in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
- Low-cost gym chains operated 1,850 locations nationwide in 2023.
- Boutique fitness studios numbered 1,100 in major cities in 2023.
- 24/7 unmanned gyms totalled 950 facilities in 2023.
- NSW hosted 1,450 fitness facilities in 2023, 34.5% of national total.
- Victoria had 1,120 gyms and studios operational in 2023.
- Queensland fitness centres reached 850 in 2023.
- Independent operators managed 2,100 facilities, 50% of market in 2023.
- Franchise gyms like Anytime Fitness had 550 sites in 2023.
- Fitness Australia accredited 3,800 facilities in 2023.
- New gym openings totalled 320 in 2023 across Australia.
- Closures reduced to 85 gyms in 2023 from 450 in 2020.
- Average gym size expanded to 1,250 sqm in 2023.
- WA facilities numbered 420 in 2023.
- SA had 280 fitness centres in operation 2023.
- Tasmania gyms totalled 75 facilities in 2023.
- NT fitness venues were 55 in 2023.
- ACT boasted 110 facilities per capita highest at 25 per 10,000 residents.
- Yoga studios operated 650 locations in 2023.
- CrossFit boxes numbered 220 in Australia 2023.
- HIIT-specific gyms totalled 380 in 2023.
- Pilates studios reached 520 nationwide in 2023.
- Boxing gyms had 290 facilities in 2023.
- Indoor cycling studios numbered 150 in 2023.
- Multi-sport fitness centres totalled 1,200 in 2023.
- University-affiliated gyms were 85 in 2023.
- Hotel resort gyms numbered 420 across Australia 2023.
- Community recreation centres with fitness: 650 in 2023.
Facilities and Operators Interpretation
Australia's 7% surge in fitness centres reveals a nation seriously flexing its options, from budget-friendly bulk to boutique specialization, with NSW stubbornly refusing to skip leg day in the national workout.
Market Size and Revenue
- In 2023, the Australian fitness industry revenue reached AUD 2.4 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2018 to 2023 driven by post-COVID recovery.
- Fitness centre revenue in Australia grew by 15.2% year-on-year in 2022-23 to exceed AUD 2.2 billion, fueled by increased health awareness.
- The gym and fitness sector contributed AUD 1.9 billion to GDP in 2021, representing 0.08% of national GDP with projections to AUD 2.5 billion by 2025.
- Online fitness services within Australia generated AUD 350 million in 2023, accounting for 14.6% of total industry revenue amid digital transformation.
- New South Wales fitness market size stood at AUD 850 million in 2023, the largest state contribution at 35% of national total.
- Victoria's fitness industry revenue hit AUD 650 million in 2022-23, growing 11% due to urban density and boutique studio boom.
- Queensland gyms generated AUD 450 million in revenue for FY2023, boosted by tourism-related fitness offerings.
- The low-cost gym segment in Australia amassed AUD 780 million in 2023, 32% of total revenue with 25% YoY growth.
- Premium fitness clubs revenue totalled AUD 560 million in 2023, driven by high-end wellness integrations.
- Fitness app subscriptions contributed AUD 180 million to industry revenue in 2023, with 2.1 million paid users.
- Corporate wellness programs in fitness generated AUD 220 million in 2023 across Australia.
- Western Australia's fitness revenue was AUD 280 million in 2023, up 18% from mining sector health initiatives.
- Boutique fitness studios revenue peaked at AUD 420 million nationally in 2023.
- The industry's export-related fitness services (tourist gyms) added AUD 95 million in 2023.
- Fitness equipment sales to gyms totalled AUD 320 million in FY2023.
- South Australia's fitness market revenue grew to AUD 150 million in 2023, CAGR 9.2% since 2019.
- Tasmania fitness revenue reached AUD 45 million in 2023, with strong per capita spending.
- Northern Territory gyms revenue was AUD 35 million in 2023, boosted by remote wellness programs.
- ACT fitness industry revenue hit AUD 75 million in 2023, highest per capita at AUD 165 per resident.
- Projected fitness industry revenue for 2024 is AUD 2.7 billion, assuming 12% growth continuation.
- Pre-COVID peak revenue in 2019 was AUD 2.1 billion, with 2023 surpassing by 14%.
- Functional fitness segment revenue grew to AUD 380 million in 2023.
- Yoga and pilates studios contributed AUD 290 million to 2023 revenue.
- CrossFit affiliates in Australia generated AUD 120 million in 2023.
- HIIT class revenues totalled AUD 210 million across the nation in 2023.
- Wearable tech integrations added AUD 75 million to fitness revenue in 2023.
- Group fitness programs revenue was AUD 450 million in 2023.
- Personal training services generated AUD 680 million, 28% of total industry revenue in 2023.
- Home fitness equipment market within industry hit AUD 250 million in 2023 post-pandemic.
- Virtual fitness classes revenue reached AUD 140 million in Australia for 2023.
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
Australia’s fitness industry, flexing hard after COVID, is now a $2.4 billion beast where online sweat sessions, low-cost gyms, and premium wellness temples prove that getting fit is no longer just a New Year's resolution but a serious, sprawling economic muscle.
Membership and Participation
- Australia's gym membership penetration rate reached 25.4% of the adult population in 2023.
- Total active gym members numbered 6.8 million in 2023, up 9% from 2022.
- AusPlay data shows 7.2 million Australians participated in gym activities weekly in 2023.
- Women comprised 52.3% of fitness memberships in 2023, totaling 3.56 million.
- 18-34 year olds held 42% of all memberships, equating to 2.86 million in 2023.
- Low-cost gyms had 3.9 million members in 2023, 57% market share.
- Boutique studios boasted 1.2 million members attending classes weekly in 2023.
- Corporate gym memberships grew to 850,000 in 2023 across Australia.
- Online fitness platform users reached 2.4 million monthly actives in 2023.
- Participation in organised fitness activities increased to 28.6% of adults in 2023 per AusPlay.
- NSW had 2.1 million gym members in 2023, 31% of national total.
- Victoria fitness participation rate was 32.1% among adults in 2023.
- Queensland saw 1.4 million regular gym goers in 2023.
- Seniors (65+) gym membership doubled to 450,000 in 2023 from 2019.
- Men's fitness participation rate hit 29.8% in 2023, up from 24% pre-pandemic.
- Average membership tenure increased to 18.2 months in 2023.
- Churn rate for gyms dropped to 22.4% annually in 2023.
- Hybrid membership models (gym + app) adopted by 1.8 million in 2023.
- Youth (14-17) fitness memberships grew 15% to 650,000 in 2023.
- WA fitness members totalled 550,000 in 2023.
- SA participation rate reached 26.5% of population in 2023.
- Tasmania had 95,000 gym members, highest per capita rate nationally.
- NT fitness participants numbered 45,000 regularly in 2023.
- ACT gym membership penetration was 35.2% in 2023.
- Personal training client numbers hit 2.1 million sessions weekly in 2023.
- Group class attendance averaged 4.2 million weekly in 2023.
- Yoga participants totalled 1.9 million in 2023.
- CrossFit members in Australia were 280,000 active in 2023.
- HIIT class participants reached 1.1 million weekly in 2023.
- Functional fitness enthusiasts numbered 950,000 in 2023.
- Pilates practitioners totalled 1.4 million across Australia in 2023.
- Boxing fitness gyms had 420,000 members in 2023.
- Cycling studio memberships grew to 320,000 in 2023.
- Dance fitness classes drew 750,000 participants weekly in 2023.
Membership and Participation Interpretation
With over a quarter of adults now officially gym-goers, Australia appears to be collectively working out its great post-pandemic guilt, chasing endorphins everywhere from bargain-basement big boxes to bespoke boutiques, with even seniors and teens increasingly keen to join the sweat-drenched party.
Trends and Consumer Behavior
- The most popular fitness activity among Australians was gym workouts at 28.1% participation rate in 2023.
- 62% of gym members cited weight loss as primary motivation in 2023 surveys.
- Hybrid fitness (in-person + virtual) preferred by 48% of consumers in 2023.
- Wearable device usage among gym goers reached 71% in 2023.
- Mental health improvement ranked second motivator for 55% in 2023.
- Group classes attendance surged 22% post-2022 in 2023.
- Personalisation via apps sought by 65% of members in 2023.
- Sustainable/eco-friendly gyms chosen by 34% in 2023 polls.
- Females aged 25-34 showed 41% growth in HIIT participation 2023.
- Post-COVID, 52% prioritised facilities with hygiene protocols in 2023.
- Functional training popularity rose to 38% of class bookings in 2023.
- Gamification in fitness apps boosted engagement by 29% in 2023.
- Older adults (55+) increased strength training by 18% in 2023.
- Vegan/plant-based recovery products used by 27% of serious trainees 2023.
- Outdoor fitness events participation hit 1.5 million attendees in 2023.
- AI-coached workouts adopted by 19% of app users in 2023.
- Community-focused gyms saw 25% higher retention in 2023.
- Recovery services like cryotherapy used by 22% elite gym users 2023.
- Social media influence drove 37% of new memberships in 2023.
- Flexible month-to-month contracts chosen by 61% in 2023.
- Mindfulness/yoga hybrid classes grew 31% in bookings 2023.
- Men's wellness focus increased 24% in self-care spending 2023.
- E-sports fitness crossovers emerged with 8% trial rate 2023.
- Nutrition tracking integrated in 44% of gym apps 2023.
- Women over 40 boosted barre/pilates by 16% participation 2023.
- Corporate wellness challenges engaged 1.2 million employees 2023.
Trends and Consumer Behavior Interpretation
Australians have clearly decided that getting fit is now a high-tech, personalised, and socially-conscious endeavor where the goal is not just to lose weight, but to gamify your progress in a clean, flexible gym while being coached by an AI and recovering with a plant-based shake.
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