Australia’s gym industry is bigger and more segmented than you might think, with 8.9 million memberships and 7.2 million active members in 2023. The motivations are shifting too, from health to weight loss and mental health, while participation swings sharply by age, income, and metro versus rural areas. Let’s unpack the figures that explain why, for example, evening peak hours can draw 65% of footfall even as regional attendance patterns and inclusive program retention rates move in different directions.
Key Takeaways
- Women aged 25-34 made up 28% of gym members in Australia in 2023.
- 41% of gym-goers in urban areas like Sydney and Melbourne were millennials in 2023.
- Males aged 18-24 represented 22% of total memberships, with high PT usage at 65%.
- Total gym revenue from memberships reached AUD 1.9 billion in 2023, 78% of total industry revenue.
- Personal training services generated AUD 450 million in revenue across Australia in 2023.
- Group fitness class revenue totaled AUD 320 million, up 6.2% from 2022.
- In 2023, the Australian gym and fitness industry was valued at AUD 2.4 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2018 to 2023.
- The gym industry in Australia employed approximately 38,000 full-time equivalent workers as of 2023, up 3.2% from the previous year.
- Australia's fitness sector contributed AUD 1.8 billion to GDP in 2022, accounting for 0.07% of national GDP.
- Gym memberships in Australia hit 8.9 million in 2023, equating to 35% penetration of the adult population.
- Active gym members increased by 4.7% to 7.2 million in 2023 from 2022.
- Average gym membership fee rose to AUD 28.50 per week in 2023, a 5.1% hike.
- 45% of gyms adopted hybrid fitness models (in-person + virtual) by 2023.
- Wearable tech integration in gym apps reached 65% adoption among members in 2023.
- Functional training class participation grew 28% year-over-year to 40% of classes in 2023.
In 2023, Australia’s gym boom was driven by mental and health benefits, with 8.9 million members.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics & Behavior20 stats
01
Women aged 25-34 made up 28% of gym members in Australia in 2023.
02
41% of gym-goers in urban areas like Sydney and Melbourne were millennials in 2023.
03
Males aged 18-24 represented 22% of total memberships, with high PT usage at 65%.
04
Regional Australia saw 15% higher participation rates among 35-54 year-olds in 2023.
05
52% of female members prioritized weight loss, versus 38% of males in 2023 surveys.
06
Gen Z (born 1997-2012) gym penetration reached 48% in capital cities in 2023.
07
67% of members cited health improvement as primary motivation in 2023.
08
Low-income earners (<AUD 50k) had 12% membership rate, up from 9% in 2020.
09
75% of gym members exercised for mental health benefits according to 2023 polls.
10
NSW hosted 32% of Australia's gym members, totaling 2.8 million in 2023.
11
Baby boomers (55-64) gym usage up 16% for low-impact classes.
12
High-income earners (>AUD 100k) had 55% membership rate in 2023.
13
Indigenous participation in gyms reached 18% in targeted programs.
14
Urban dwellers visited gyms 4.1 times weekly vs 2.8 rural.
15
58% of members used gyms for social interaction in 2023.
16
LGBTQ+ inclusive programs boosted retention by 20% in 2023.
17
Parents with children under 12 had 25% lower attendance rates.
18
Migrants from Asia showed 35% gym adoption in first year.
19
Evening peak hours (5-8pm) saw 65% of daily footfall in 2023.
20
49% of members tracked progress via apps for motivation.
Interpretation
Demographics & Behavior Interpretation
While everyone says they join for their health, Australia's gyms in 2023 revealed a nation sculpting its biceps and its social lives, with urban millennials and Gen Z leading the charge, women strategically targeting weight loss, men leaning on PTs, and nearly everyone secretly treating the treadmill as cheap therapy and a place to be seen.
02 · Category
Financial Performance20 stats
01
Total gym revenue from memberships reached AUD 1.9 billion in 2023, 78% of total industry revenue.
02
Personal training services generated AUD 450 million in revenue across Australia in 2023.
03
Group fitness class revenue totaled AUD 320 million, up 6.2% from 2022.
04
Merchandise and retail sales in gyms amounted to AUD 85 million in 2023.
05
Average gym operator profit per club was AUD 180,000 in 2023.
06
Cost of wages accounted for 42% of total gym operating expenses in 2023.
07
Rent expenses for gym facilities averaged 15% of revenue, totaling AUD 360 million nationally.
08
Digital subscription revenue grew 25% to AUD 120 million in 2023.
09
Corporate wellness contracts contributed AUD 210 million to gym revenues in 2023.
10
Utility costs rose 12% to AUD 95 million industry-wide due to energy prices in 2023.
11
PT sessions per member averaged 12 annually, generating AUD 65 per session.
12
Group class revenue per participant was AUD 18 weekly in 2023.
13
Equipment rental fees added AUD 25 million to supplementary income in 2023.
14
Online coaching packages sold AUD 75 million worth in 2023.
15
Marketing expenses averaged 8% of revenue, AUD 192 million total.
16
Insurance costs for gyms rose 10% to AUD 65 million in 2023.
17
Vending and cafe sales per gym averaged AUD 15,000 annually in 2023.
18
Franchise fees contributed 6% to chain revenues, AUD 144 million.
19
Debt servicing costs were 4.2% of expenses post-COVID recovery.
20
Childcare services revenue hit AUD 40 million in family-oriented gyms.
Interpretation
Financial Performance Interpretation
Australia’s gym industry is a finely tuned machine where members pay billions to chase their better selves, while operators sweat just as hard over razor-thin margins, rising costs, and the eternal hope that you’ll buy both a protein bar and a personal training package on your way out.
03 · Category
Market Overview20 stats
01
In 2023, the Australian gym and fitness industry was valued at AUD 2.4 billion, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2018 to 2023.
02
The gym industry in Australia employed approximately 38,000 full-time equivalent workers as of 2023, up 3.2% from the previous year.
03
Australia's fitness sector contributed AUD 1.8 billion to GDP in 2022, accounting for 0.07% of national GDP.
04
Between 2020 and 2023, the industry recovered 92% of pre-COVID revenue levels, reaching AUD 2.3 billion by end-2023.
05
The number of gym businesses in Australia stood at 5,800 in 2023, a 2.1% increase year-over-year.
06
Market concentration in the Australian gym sector is low, with the top four chains holding 18% of market share in 2023.
07
Export revenue from Australian gym equipment manufacturing reached AUD 45 million in 2023.
08
The industry's profit margin averaged 12.4% in 2023, driven by premium membership models.
09
Total assets of the gym sector were valued at AUD 4.1 billion in 2023.
10
Industry growth is projected at 3.5% CAGR from 2023 to 2028, reaching AUD 3.1 billion.
11
New South Wales had 1,920 gym facilities in 2023, 33% of national total.
12
Victoria's gym sector revenue reached AUD 680 million in 2023, 28% of national.
13
Queensland gyms averaged 1,450 sqm per facility, largest regionally in 2023.
14
South Australia's industry grew 5.8% to AUD 180 million revenue in 2023.
15
Western Australia saw 4.2% increase in gym numbers to 620 facilities in 2023.
16
Tasmania's gym penetration rate was 29%, below national average in 2023.
17
Northern Territory gyms generated AUD 35 million, with high per capita spend.
18
ACT had the highest membership penetration at 42% of adults in 2023.
19
Low-cost chains like Anytime Fitness held 25% market share in 2023.
20
Premium gyms like Fitness First contributed 15% to revenue despite 8% facilities.
Interpretation
Market Overview Interpretation
While Australians are clearly lifting both weights and the economy, the industry's real flex is surviving a global plague only to emerge leaner, wealthier, and still somehow mostly made of small businesses sweating it out for a modest profit.
More related reading
04 · Category
Membership & Participation20 stats
01
Gym memberships in Australia hit 8.9 million in 2023, equating to 35% penetration of the adult population.
02
Active gym members increased by 4.7% to 7.2 million in 2023 from 2022.
03
Average gym membership fee rose to AUD 28.50 per week in 2023, a 5.1% hike.
04
62% of Australians aged 18-64 held a gym membership at some point in 2023.
05
Casual visit rates to gyms surged 15% in 2023, totaling 120 million visits annually.
06
Membership retention rate averaged 68% across Australian gyms in 2023.
07
Women comprised 52% of total gym memberships in Australia as of 2023.
08
Multi-club membership usage grew to 22% of members in 2023.
09
Average frequency of gym visits was 3.2 times per week for members in 2023.
10
Youth memberships (18-24) increased by 8.3% to 1.4 million in 2023.
11
Pre-paid annual memberships accounted for 18% of total sign-ups in 2023.
12
No-contract flexible memberships grew to 35% of new sales in 2023.
13
Corporate gym memberships rose 11% to 850,000 in 2023.
14
Student discounts boosted youth memberships by 9% in universities in 2023.
15
24/7 access gyms saw 55% of total memberships in 2023.
16
Churn rate dropped to 22% industry average due to better engagement in 2023.
17
App-based check-ins used by 78% of members daily in 2023.
18
Family memberships increased 14% to 420,000 packages in 2023.
19
Senior memberships (65+) grew 7.5% to 650,000 in 2023.
20
Trial passes converted 28% to full memberships in 2023 campaigns.
Interpretation
Membership & Participation Interpretation
Australia seems locked in a love-hate relationship with its gyms: we're paying more, attending with casual enthusiasm, and juggling memberships like a fitness-themed timeshare, all while an undeniable majority of us flirt with the idea of getting fit at least once a year.
05 · Category
Trends & Innovations20 stats
01
45% of gyms adopted hybrid fitness models (in-person + virtual) by 2023.
02
Wearable tech integration in gym apps reached 65% adoption among members in 2023.
03
Functional training class participation grew 28% year-over-year to 40% of classes in 2023.
04
AI-driven personalized workout plans were used by 32% of premium gyms in 2023.
05
Boutique studio segment expanded by 7.2% with 1,200 new openings since 2020.
06
Sustainability initiatives, like eco-friendly equipment, adopted by 55% of gyms in 2023.
07
Virtual reality fitness experiences launched in 18% of large chain gyms in 2023.
08
Recovery and wellness services (saunas, cryotherapy) revenue up 19% to AUD 150 million.
09
Mobile app engagement averaged 2.5 sessions per member weekly in 2023.
10
HIIT classes accounted for 35% of total group fitness sessions in 2023.
11
Yoga and Pilates studios grew 12% in class offerings in 2023.
12
Contactless payments adopted by 92% of gyms by end-2023.
13
Wellness retreats hosted by 25% of resorts tied to gyms in 2023.
14
Gamified fitness challenges engaged 45% of members via apps.
15
E-sports fitness hybrids emerged in 5% of urban gyms in 2023.
16
Nutrition coaching integrated in 60% of PT programs in 2023.
17
Outdoor bootcamps post-COVID held 18% market share of classes.
18
Smart gym tech like auto-adjusting machines in 22% facilities.
19
Mental health-focused classes up 30% to 15% of offerings.
20
CrossFit affiliates numbered 450, steady growth of 3% in 2023.
Interpretation
Trends & Innovations Interpretation
The Australian gym scene has officially become a high-tech, hybrid wellness bazaar where members are now just as likely to be chasing digital dragons in a VR headset as they are lifting weights, all while their watch judges them and their gym quietly turns green.
Reference
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APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Australia Gym Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-gym-industry-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Australia Gym Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-gym-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Australia Gym Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-gym-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
7 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level