Surprising nearly 8.5 million Aussies are now gym members, Australia's fitness industry is flexing its economic muscles, fueling a massive $2.6 billion in revenue.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Australian fitness industry revenue reached AUD 2.6 billion, up 5.2% from 2022.
- Gym and fitness centre industry market size was AUD 2.4 billion in 2022.
- Fitness industry contributed 0.1% to Australia's GDP in 2023.
- In 2023, Australia had 8.5 million gym members aged 18+.
- Membership penetration rate reached 35% of adult population in 2023.
- Women comprised 52% of total gym memberships in 2023.
- Australia had 7,800 gym and fitness centres in 2023.
- Low-cost chains operated 45% of total gyms.
- Boutique studios numbered 1,200 nationwide.
- In 2023, 62% of Australians participated in home workouts weekly.
- HIIT classes popularity up 22% since 2022.
- Wearable usage among gym-goers 78%.
- Fitness industry employed 45,000 full-time in 2023.
- Personal trainers numbered 32,000 certified.
- Group instructors 18,500 active.
Australia's fitness industry thrives, growing robustly with widespread membership and rising revenue.
Employment and Workforce
- Fitness industry employed 45,000 full-time in 2023.
- Personal trainers numbered 32,000 certified.
- Group instructors 18,500 active.
- Average PT hourly rate AUD 85.
- Front desk staff 12,000 positions.
- Industry turnover rate 28% annually.
- Female workforce 55% in fitness roles.
- Casual employment 62% of total jobs.
- Management roles 3,200 filled.
- Certification rate 92% among trainers.
- Wage growth 4.1% in 2023 for PTs.
- Youth apprenticeships 1,200 in gyms.
- Indigenous employees 2.5% of workforce.
- Remote work trainers 4,500 online-only.
- Job vacancies 2,800 unfilled in 2023.
- Training spend per employee AUD 1,200 yearly.
- Part-time roles 25,000 strong.
- CEO salaries averaged AUD 180,000.
- Retention rate 72% for certified staff.
- NSW employed 14,500 in fitness.
- VIC workforce 12,000.
- QLD 9,800 jobs.
- Multi-skilling 65% of trainers.
- Union membership 8% in industry.
- Gig economy PTs 6,200.
- Age 25-34 dominated workforce at 42%.
- Disability-inclusive hiring 12% gyms.
- Overtime hours averaged 5 per week for managers.
- Bonus structures in 35% of gyms.
- International qualifications recognized 75%.
- Shift work preference 88% staff.
- Mental health leave taken by 22%.
- Promotion rate 15% yearly.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While the fitness industry flexes with 45,000 jobs and enviable PT rates, it’s clearly doing its reps in a high-turnover, largely casual gig economy where most trainers would rather work flexible shifts than chase a management promotion.
Gyms and Facilities
- Australia had 7,800 gym and fitness centres in 2023.
- Low-cost chains operated 45% of total gyms.
- Boutique studios numbered 1,200 nationwide.
- Average gym size 650 sqm in urban areas.
- 24/7 unmanned gyms reached 1,500 sites.
- NSW hosted 2,200 gyms in 2023.
- VIC had 1,900 fitness centres.
- QLD gym count 1,600.
- New gym openings 450 in 2023.
- Closures reduced to 120 post-2022.
- Average equipment value per gym AUD 250,000.
- Outdoor fitness parks totaled 850 nationwide.
- Hotel gym integrations 320 facilities.
- University campus gyms 120 active.
- Pool-integrated fitness centres 950.
- CrossFit boxes 450 in Australia.
- F45 studios 350 locations.
- Anytime Fitness franchises 540 sites.
- Fitness First clubs 70 premium venues.
- Average gym capacity utilization 72% in peak hours.
- Renovation spend per gym AUD 80,000 annually.
- Green-certified gyms 15% of total.
- Mobile fitness units 200 deployed in rural areas.
- Studio per capita highest in ACT at 1 per 4,500.
- SA gym density 1 per 12,000 residents.
- WA facilities grew 7% to 850.
- TAS 120 gyms serving 550,000.
- NT remote gyms 25 specialized.
- Tech-integrated gyms 40% with apps.
- Group fitness rooms in 65% of gyms.
Gyms and Facilities Interpretation
Australia's fitness landscape in 2023 paints a picture of a nation flexing its options, where nearly half of all gyms are budget-friendly chains, yet we still find room for over a thousand boutiques, proving that whether you crave a 24/7 unmanned iron temple or a curated group sweat session, there's a venue waiting—so really, the only acceptable excuse left is that you forgot your socks.
Market Size and Revenue
- In 2023, the Australian fitness industry revenue reached AUD 2.6 billion, up 5.2% from 2022.
- Gym and fitness centre industry market size was AUD 2.4 billion in 2022.
- Fitness industry contributed 0.1% to Australia's GDP in 2023.
- Annual revenue per gym averaged AUD 350,000 in 2023.
- Online fitness segment grew to AUD 180 million in revenue by 2023.
- Total industry expenditure on equipment hit AUD 450 million in 2022.
- Corporate wellness programs generated AUD 120 million in 2023.
- Boutique studios accounted for 15% of total revenue at AUD 390 million in 2023.
- Projected industry growth rate of 4.8% CAGR from 2023-2028.
- NSW gyms contributed 32% of national revenue, AUD 832 million in 2023.
- VIC fitness market size AUD 650 million in 2023.
- QLD revenue share 22%, AUD 572 million in 2023.
- Pre-COVID peak revenue was AUD 2.8 billion in 2019.
- Recovery post-COVID saw 12% revenue growth in 2022.
- Wearable tech sales in fitness context AUD 250 million in 2023.
- Functional fitness niche revenue AUD 200 million in 2023.
- Industry profit margin averaged 8.5% in 2023.
- Total assets in industry valued at AUD 4.1 billion in 2022.
- Merchandise sales from gyms AUD 95 million annually.
- Virtual fitness platforms revenue up 25% to AUD 220 million in 2023.
- SA fitness revenue AUD 150 million in 2023.
- WA market size AUD 280 million, growing 6% YoY.
- TAS gyms revenue AUD 45 million in 2023.
- ACT fitness industry AUD 60 million revenue.
- NT smallest market at AUD 25 million in 2023.
- CrossFit affiliates revenue share AUD 110 million.
- HIIT studios AUD 160 million in 2023.
- Yoga/Pilates segment AUD 300 million revenue.
- Strength training equipment sales AUD 320 million.
- Industry taxes paid AUD 180 million in 2023.
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
Australians are pumping a remarkable $2.6 billion into looking good and feeling alive, proving that while our collective gym selfies may be fleeting, the financial gains for the industry are impressively solid.
Membership and Participation
- In 2023, Australia had 8.5 million gym members aged 18+.
- Membership penetration rate reached 35% of adult population in 2023.
- Women comprised 52% of total gym memberships in 2023.
- Average membership tenure 18 months in 2023.
- 24/7 gym users made up 28% of members, 2.4 million.
- Corporate memberships totaled 450,000 in 2023.
- Youth memberships (14-17) increased 15% to 320,000.
- Seniors (65+) memberships 850,000, up 8%.
- Multi-club memberships held by 22% of gym-goers.
- Churn rate averaged 32% annually in 2023.
- Monthly membership fee average AUD 25.50.
- Casual visit rate 12% of total participation.
- Digital-only members 1.2 million in 2023.
- NSW had 2.8 million members in 2023.
- VIC membership base 2.1 million adults.
- QLD 1.9 million gym members.
- Average weekly visits per member 2.8 times.
- Post-COVID membership surge 18% in 2022.
- Group class participants 4.2 million weekly.
- Personal training clients 1.8 million.
- Low-income earners membership rate 22%.
- Urban vs rural membership gap 45% higher in cities.
- App-based check-ins 65% of total logins.
- Family memberships 15% of total, 1.3 million users.
- Student discounts boosted memberships by 10%.
- Indigenous participation rate 18% in fitness programs.
- LGBTQ+ membership segment 8% of total.
- Prepaid annual memberships 25% share.
- Referral programs drove 14% new memberships.
- Total active gym members recovered to 95% of 2019 levels.
Membership and Participation Interpretation
While the nation's love for a good sweat saw record numbers signing up, the industry's real workout is clearly keeping them from walking out the revolving door after 18 months.
Trends and Consumer Behavior
- In 2023, 62% of Australians participated in home workouts weekly.
- HIIT classes popularity up 22% since 2022.
- Wearable usage among gym-goers 78%.
- Mental health focus drove 35% class sign-ups.
- Plant-based nutrition adoption 45% in fitness community.
- Virtual reality fitness trials in 12% of gyms.
- Women-led classes demand up 18%.
- Recovery tools like cryotherapy used by 25%.
- Functional training sessions 40% of class time.
- Sustainability apps downloaded 500,000 times.
- Post-workout social events attended by 30%.
- Gamified fitness challenges 55% participation.
- Early morning classes 28% of bookings.
- Personalized AI coaching used by 19%.
- Outdoor group sessions up 30% post-COVID.
- Keto diet followers in gyms 22%.
- Sleep tracking integration 65% wearables.
- Community challenges retention boost 25%.
- Hybrid workout preference 48% consumers.
- Mindfulness yoga up 16% enrollment.
- E-sports fitness crossovers 8% interest.
- Vegan protein supplement sales 35% growth.
- Night owl workouts 15% rise.
- Influencer-led programs 42% followership.
- Biohacking tools adoption 12%.
- Family fitness classes 20% demand.
- Metaverse fitness events 5% trial rate.
- Anti-aging workouts popular with 55+ at 28%.
- Cycle classes spin 1.2 million sessions yearly.
- Fitness podcasts listeners 2.1 million.
- Zero-gravity training up 10%.
Trends and Consumer Behavior Interpretation
The modern Australian fitness scene is a fascinating beast: we're practically biohacking from home in our activewear, chasing mental peace and plant-based gains with our wearables, all while being lured by gamified community challenges and the faint, futuristic glow of VR workouts we'll probably try next year.
Sources & References
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