From home gyms buzzing with CAD 1.1 billion in equipment sales to boutique studios commanding CAD 850 million in revenue, the Canadian fitness industry has flexed its way to a powerful CAD 5.2 billion in 2023, showcasing a nation more invested in its health than ever before.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Canadian fitness and recreational sports centers industry generated total revenue of approximately CAD 5.2 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from 2022 driven by post-pandemic recovery
- Gym and fitness center revenues in Canada reached CAD 3.8 billion in 2022, with Ontario accounting for 42% of the national total at CAD 1.6 billion
- The overall fitness industry market size in Canada was valued at USD 4.1 billion in 2023, projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030
- In 2023, 18.7% of Canadians aged 15 and over participated in gym or fitness center activities at least once a week, totaling about 5.9 million regular participants
- GoodLife Fitness, Canada's largest gym chain, had 1.2 million active members across 200+ clubs as of 2023, representing 25% of national gym memberships
- National gym membership penetration rate in Canada stood at 22% of the adult population in 2023, with urban areas like Toronto at 32%
- Canada had approximately 7,200 fitness centers and gyms operating in 2023, a 12% increase from 2019 levels
- Ontario hosted 2,850 gyms and fitness facilities in 2023, accounting for 40% of the national total
- Average size of a Canadian fitness center was 8,500 square feet in 2023, with mega-clubs over 50,000 sq ft in major cities
- 55% of Canadians tried a new fitness activity in 2023, with HIIT and strength training leading at 28% adoption rate
- Hybrid fitness models combining in-person and virtual classes were used by 48% of participants in 2023, up 200% since 2020
- Wearable fitness tracker ownership reached 42% among Canadian adults in 2023, correlating with 25% higher activity levels
- The fitness industry in Canada employed 120,000 full-time workers in 2023, a 15% recovery from pandemic lows
- Personal trainers numbered 45,000 certified professionals in Canada in 2023, with average salary of CAD 55,000 annually
- Gym management roles grew 8% to 12,500 positions in 2023, concentrated in Ontario and BC provinces
Canada's fitness industry surged in 2023, driven by post-pandemic recovery and booming memberships.
Employment and Economic Impact
- The fitness industry in Canada employed 120,000 full-time workers in 2023, a 15% recovery from pandemic lows
- Personal trainers numbered 45,000 certified professionals in Canada in 2023, with average salary of CAD 55,000 annually
- Gym management roles grew 8% to 12,500 positions in 2023, concentrated in Ontario and BC provinces
- Fitness instructors and class leaders totaled 35,000 in 2023, with part-time roles comprising 60% of hires
- The industry contributed CAD 8.2 billion to GDP in 2023 through direct and indirect economic activity
- Front desk and sales staff in fitness centers numbered 28,000 in 2023, with turnover rates averaging 22%
- Maintenance and facility roles supported 10,500 jobs in 2023, boosted by expansions in boutique studios
- Economic multiplier effect of fitness spending generated 1.6 indirect jobs per direct position in 2023, totaling 72,000 ancillary employments
- Fitness instructors' average hourly wage was CAD 28 in 2023, highest in BC at CAD 32
- Sales and marketing roles in fitness grew to 15,000 jobs in 2023, commission-based avg CAD 60k
- Nutritionist positions allied to gyms reached 8,200 in 2023, CAD 70k average salary
- Supply chain jobs for fitness equipment supported 5,500 roles in 2023, import-focused
- Event coordinators for fitness expos totaled 2,100 employed in 2023, seasonal peaks
- Digital content creators for fitness brands numbered 4,500 freelancers in 2023, CAD 45/hr avg
- Physiotherapy integrations created 3,800 hybrid roles in gyms 2023
- Franchise development staff for gyms hit 1,200 in 2023, expansion-driven
- Diversity hiring in fitness reached 28% non-white staff in 2023, up from 18% in 2019
- Training academies certified 12,000 new fitness pros in 2023, fueling job pipeline
Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation
While Canada's fitness industry is pumping impressive economic iron—contributing billions and flexing a 120,000-strong workforce—it’s still straining under the weight of high turnover, part-time gigs, and a paycheck that many would consider light weight for the hustle required.
Gyms and Facilities
- Canada had approximately 7,200 fitness centers and gyms operating in 2023, a 12% increase from 2019 levels
- Ontario hosted 2,850 gyms and fitness facilities in 2023, accounting for 40% of the national total
- Average size of a Canadian fitness center was 8,500 square feet in 2023, with mega-clubs over 50,000 sq ft in major cities
- 1,250 boutique studios specializing in yoga, barre, and cycling operated across Canada in 2023, concentrated in BC and Ontario
- 65% of Canadian gyms featured functional training zones in 2023, up from 45% in 2020, including CrossFit-inspired areas
- University and college campuses in Canada had 450 on-site fitness facilities in 2023, serving 1.2 million students
- Hotel-affiliated gyms numbered 1,100 in Canada in 2023, with 80% offering day passes averaging CAD 25
- Community recreation centers with fitness components totaled 2,800 nationwide in 2023, providing subsidized access to 10 million residents
- High-end luxury fitness clubs, 150 in total, operated in 2023 with amenities like pools and spas, primarily in Toronto and Vancouver
- 72% of Canadian gyms integrated smart tech like app-based check-ins and wearables in 2023, enhancing facility operations
- CrossFit affiliates in Canada numbered 450 in 2023, with average facility size of 12,000 sq ft
- 24/7 unmanned gyms proliferated to 850 locations in 2023, using keycard access tech
- Pool-equipped fitness centers totaled 1,800 in 2023, popular in Prairies for aquafit programs
- Climbing gym facilities reached 320 nationwide in 2023, bouldering walls in 85% of sites
- Corporate on-site gyms numbered 650 in 2023, mainly in tech and finance sectors Toronto/Vancouver
- Renovation investments in gyms totaled CAD 450 million in 2023 for updated cardio zones
- Wheelchair-accessible fitness equipment was in 92% of urban gyms in 2023, compliance up 15%
- E-sports and fitness hybrid gyms emerged with 50 facilities in 2023, targeting gamers
- Sauna and recovery lounges featured in 1,200 gyms in 2023, post-workout demand spike
- Micro-gyms under 3,000 sq ft totaled 950 in dense urban areas 2023, low-overhead model
Gyms and Facilities Interpretation
Canada appears to be working out its national identity, one rep at a time, with a sprawling and democratized landscape that stretches from 24/7 keycard gyms and university facilities for students to boutique studios, corporate wellness perks, and community centers, all while chasing a tech-integrated, functional, and accessible ideal that somehow accommodates both luxury spa recoveries and gaming hybrids.
Market Size and Revenue
- In 2023, the Canadian fitness and recreational sports centers industry generated total revenue of approximately CAD 5.2 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from 2022 driven by post-pandemic recovery
- Gym and fitness center revenues in Canada reached CAD 3.8 billion in 2022, with Ontario accounting for 42% of the national total at CAD 1.6 billion
- The overall fitness industry market size in Canada was valued at USD 4.1 billion in 2023, projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2024 to 2030
- Personal training services within the Canadian fitness sector contributed CAD 1.2 billion to industry revenue in 2023, representing 23% of total fitness market earnings
- Online fitness and virtual training platforms in Canada generated CAD 450 million in revenue in 2023, up 15% year-over-year due to hybrid workout adoption
- Fitness equipment sales in Canada totaled CAD 1.1 billion in 2022, with home gym setups surging 28% post-COVID
- Corporate wellness programs in the Canadian fitness industry were valued at CAD 650 million in 2023, serving over 2.5 million employees
- Boutique fitness studios in Canada reported combined revenues of CAD 850 million in 2023, with yoga and pilates segments leading at 35% share
- The Canadian gym franchise sector revenue hit CAD 2.4 billion in 2023, dominated by chains like GoodLife Fitness with 18% market share
- Health club membership fees accounted for 68% of total Canadian fitness industry revenue in 2023, equating to CAD 3.5 billion annually
- In 2022, fitness center revenue in Quebec reached CAD 850 million, supported by 950 facilities serving 1.8 million members
- British Columbia's fitness market was valued at CAD 950 million in 2023, with wellness retreats adding CAD 200 million
- Alberta gyms generated CAD 650 million in 2023, driven by oil worker wellness programs post-recovery
- Manitoba and Saskatchewan combined for CAD 350 million in fitness revenues in 2023, with rural gym growth at 10%
- Atlantic provinces' fitness sector hit CAD 420 million in 2023, boosted by tourism-linked facilities
- Toronto alone had 1,200 fitness centers in 2023, generating CAD 1.1 billion in local revenue
- Vancouver's boutique fitness scene contributed CAD 250 million in 2023, with 450 studios operational
- Calgary fitness revenues were CAD 320 million in 2023, with corporate gyms leading at 30% share
- Montreal gyms reported CAD 550 million revenue in 2023, emphasizing French-language programs
- Fitness app subscriptions in Canada reached 2.8 million paid users in 2023, averaging CAD 120/year per user
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
While Canadians collectively grumble about their gym memberships, the industry’s robust CAD 5.2 billion revenue in 2023—propelled by everything from virtual sweat sessions to corporate wellness and Ontario’s disproportionate love for dumbbells—proves our commitment to fitness is far more than just a New Year's resolution we quietly cancel by February.
Membership and Participation Rates
- In 2023, 18.7% of Canadians aged 15 and over participated in gym or fitness center activities at least once a week, totaling about 5.9 million regular participants
- GoodLife Fitness, Canada's largest gym chain, had 1.2 million active members across 200+ clubs as of 2023, representing 25% of national gym memberships
- National gym membership penetration rate in Canada stood at 22% of the adult population in 2023, with urban areas like Toronto at 32%
- Women accounted for 58% of fitness club memberships in Canada in 2023, up from 52% in 2019, reflecting rising female participation
- Youth aged 15-24 held 28% of all Canadian fitness memberships in 2023, with 1.8 million young adults enrolled in gyms or studios
- Average annual gym membership fee in Canada was CAD 650 in 2023, with premium clubs charging up to CAD 1,200 per year
- 42% of Canadian gym members attended classes 3+ times per week in 2023, primarily group fitness sessions like HIIT and cycling
- Virtual fitness memberships grew to 1.5 million users in Canada by 2023, comprising 15% of total fitness participants
- Seniors over 65 represented 12% of fitness center memberships in 2023, a 40% increase since 2018 due to longevity programs
- Multi-club membership usage reached 35% among Canadian gym-goers in 2023, facilitated by apps from chains like Planet Fitness Canada
- National gym membership for ages 25-44 peaked at 3.2 million in 2023, 45% of total memberships held
- Couples and family memberships grew to 850,000 in 2023, offering 20% discounts on average
- Corporate gym memberships covered 1.1 million employees in 2023, subsidized at 60% by employers
- Student discounts led to 750,000 youth memberships in 2023, priced at CAD 25/month average
- Churn rate for Canadian gym memberships averaged 28% in 2023, lowest in premium clubs at 18%
- Weekend warrior participation (gym 2-3x/week) was 52% of members in 2023, up from 40% pre-pandemic
- Trial passes converted to full memberships at 22% rate in 2023 across 5,000+ drop-in sessions tracked
- Immigrant communities showed 35% gym participation rate in 2023, highest in urban multicultural hubs
- Pet-inclusive fitness classes drew 150,000 members in 2023, niche trend in suburban areas
- Rural Canada gym penetration was 12% in 2023, with mobile fitness units serving 500,000 residents
Membership and Participation Rates Interpretation
Despite the common stereotype, Canada's fitness industry reveals itself as a surprisingly diverse and dedicated ecosystem where over a fifth of adults are members, women and youth are leading the charge, and from virtual workouts to pet-inclusive classes, we’re finding increasingly creative ways to chase—and sometimes even catch—our collective well-being.
Trends and Consumer Behavior
- 55% of Canadians tried a new fitness activity in 2023, with HIIT and strength training leading at 28% adoption rate
- Hybrid fitness models combining in-person and virtual classes were used by 48% of participants in 2023, up 200% since 2020
- Wearable fitness tracker ownership reached 42% among Canadian adults in 2023, correlating with 25% higher activity levels
- Mental health-focused fitness programs grew 35% in popularity in 2023, with yoga and mindfulness classes up 50%
- Sustainable fitness practices, like eco-friendly equipment, were prioritized by 31% of consumers in 2023 surveys
- Group outdoor fitness events attracted 2.1 million participants in summer 2023, a 22% rise from 2022
- Personalized AI coaching apps saw 650,000 Canadian users in 2023, with retention rates 18% higher than traditional apps
- Functional fitness and bodyweight training overtook cardio machines in preference, with 39% favorability in 2023 polls
- Gamified fitness apps influenced 28% of workout choices in 2023 consumer surveys
- Vegan nutrition coaching bundled with fitness rose 40% in demand 2023
- Cryotherapy chambers in gyms increased to 250 units in 2023, recovery trend leader
- Women-only fitness hours utilized by 22% of female members in 2023 for comfort
- Postpartum fitness programs enrolled 180,000 mothers in 2023, specialized studios boom
- Running club memberships hit 450,000 in 2023, virtual races adding 100,000 more
- Sleep-optimized fitness routines adopted by 19% of high-performers in 2023 polls
- AR/VR workout experiences trialed by 120,000 users in 2023 beta programs
- Anti-aging fitness regimens grew 25% in 2023 among 40+ demographic
- Community challenge events saw 3.2 million sign-ups in 2023 via apps like Strava Canada
Trends and Consumer Behavior Interpretation
While Canadians have clearly embraced a gadget-laden buffet of fitness trends—from AI coaches to cryotherapy chambers—the true north of our collective sweat seems to point toward a more connected, mindful, and personalized pursuit of health, proving we’re not just chasing metrics, but meaning.
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