With revenue surging past 188 billion RMB as millions of Chinese citizens embrace a new era of wellness, the fitness industry has exploded from a niche market into a cornerstone of modern urban life, reshaping everything from how we work out to how businesses grow.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the China fitness market reached a value of approximately 188.4 billion RMB, marking a 12.5% year-on-year growth.
- The fitness industry's revenue in China grew from 108 billion RMB in 2019 to 188 billion RMB in 2023.
- Gym membership fees accounted for 45% of total fitness industry revenue in China in 2022.
- In 2023, China had 85,000 fitness clubs serving 120 million members.
- Membership penetration rate in urban China reached 25% in 2023.
- Average annual membership fee was 2,800 RMB in tier-1 cities in 2023.
- China had over 120,000 fitness clubs by end of 2023.
- Pure Fitness operated 50 clubs in China in 2023.
- Super Monkey gym chain expanded to 1,200 locations in 2023.
- 35% of consumers aged 18-35 prioritized fitness in daily routines in 2023.
- 52% of urban Chinese exercised 150+ minutes weekly in 2023.
- Home workouts preferred by 65% post-pandemic in 2023 survey.
- China fitness market projected to reach 300 billion RMB by 2027.
- CAGR of 15% expected for fitness apps to 2028.
- Gym numbers to hit 150,000 by 2025.
China's fitness industry is booming with rapid growth and diverse new trends.
Consumer Trends
- 35% of consumers aged 18-35 prioritized fitness in daily routines in 2023.
- 52% of urban Chinese exercised 150+ minutes weekly in 2023.
- Home workouts preferred by 65% post-pandemic in 2023 survey.
- 78% sought personalized training plans in 2023.
- Group classes chosen by 62% over solo workouts in 2023.
- 45% used wearables for tracking in 2023.
- Nutrition coaching bundled with 55% of memberships in 2023.
- 70% motivated by health over aesthetics in 2023 poll.
- Evening workouts (6-9pm) peak for 68% in 2023.
- 40% tried new fitness trends yearly in 2023.
- Social media influenced 75% gym choices in 2023.
- 58% preferred gyms within 2km home/work in 2023.
- Mental health benefits cited by 82% participants 2023.
- 50% increased spending on fitness by 20% in 2023.
- Women over 30 grew fastest segment at 33% in 2023.
- 65% used Douyin for fitness inspiration in 2023.
- Recovery tools like foam rollers used by 55% in 2023.
- 42% participated in fitness challenges monthly 2023.
- Eco-friendly gyms preferred by 38% millennials 2023.
- 60% valued trainer certifications highly in 2023.
- Plant-based supplements used by 35% athletes 2023.
- 72% followed KOLs for workout routines in 2023.
- Morning workouts rising to 28% preference in 2023.
- 48% integrated fitness with work-from-home in 2023.
- Gamified apps retained 70% users longer in 2023.
Consumer Trends Interpretation
The post-pandemic fitness scene in China reveals a population that is highly disciplined yet deeply social, prioritizing holistic health with the sophisticated zeal of a competitive sport, as seen in the 82% who cite mental benefits, the 68% packing evening gyms, and the 70% more motivated by wellness than washboard abs, all while being expertly guided by social media influencers and demanding personalized, convenient, and tech-integrated experiences.
Future Projections & Trends
- China fitness market projected to reach 300 billion RMB by 2027.
- CAGR of 15% expected for fitness apps to 2028.
- Gym numbers to hit 150,000 by 2025.
- Women's fitness segment to grow 20% annually to 2026.
- Smart gym tech market to 50 billion RMB by 2027.
- Membership penetration to reach 35% urban by 2027.
- Online fitness revenue to double to 30 billion by 2026.
- Tier-3 city growth at 25% CAGR to 2028.
- AI personal trainers in 40% gyms by 2027.
- Senior fitness market to 25 billion RMB by 2026.
- VR/AR fitness adoption to 20 million users by 2027.
- Sustainable fitness equipment demand up 30% to 2028.
- Metaverse fitness platforms to 15 billion RMB by 2027.
- Corporate wellness spend to 20 billion by 2026.
- Youth e-sports fitness crossover to 10 billion by 2027.
- Home gym setups to grow 22% annually to 2026.
- Boutique studio boom: 50,000 by 2028.
- Wearable integration revenue 40 billion by 2027.
- Functional training facilities to double by 2026.
- Live streaming fitness to 20 billion RMB by 2027.
Future Projections & Trends Interpretation
China’s fitness market is flexing hard, as its 300 billion RMB future is being built not just on more gyms, but on the growing, tech-powered obsession of everyone from women and seniors to corporate employees and gamers, proving that getting fit is no longer a chore but a digitized, personalized, and highly social national pastime.
Gym Chains & Facilities
- China had over 120,000 fitness clubs by end of 2023.
- Pure Fitness operated 50 clubs in China in 2023.
- Super Monkey gym chain expanded to 1,200 locations in 2023.
- Average gym size was 1,500 sqm in tier-1 cities in 2023.
- 25% of gyms were boutique studios under 500 sqm in 2023.
- Fitness city parks numbered 15,000 with equipment in 2023.
- Hotel gym integrations reached 8,000 facilities in 2023.
- Community fitness centers totaled 50,000 in urban areas 2023.
- One Power Fitness had 450 clubs nationwide in 2023.
- Average gym occupancy rate was 75% post-peak hours 2023.
- 40% of new gyms opened in tier-2/3 cities in 2023.
- Women's only gyms numbered 3,500 in 2023.
- Cross-training facilities grew to 2,800 in 2023.
- 24/7 unmanned gyms reached 10,000 outlets in 2023.
- University campus gyms totaled 2,500 in 2023.
- Corporate on-site gyms numbered 4,200 in 2023.
- Pool-integrated fitness centers: 6,500 in 2023.
- Climbing walls in gyms: 1,200 facilities in 2023.
- Sauna-equipped gyms: 65% of total in 2023.
- Outdoor bootcamp sites: 8,000 registered in 2023.
- VR fitness rooms in 1,500 gyms in 2023.
- Echelon Fitness chain: 320 studios in 2023.
- Pilates-specific studios: 4,200 in 2023.
- Boxing gyms: 5,800 outlets in 2023.
- Dance studios with fitness focus: 12,000 in 2023.
Gym Chains & Facilities Interpretation
While China's fitness industry boasts a staggering 120,000 clubs, from mega-chains to hotel treadmills, the real story is a nation sculpting its body politic into a meticulously segmented, data-driven mosaic of sweat, where for every three people in a post-peak spin class there’s someone climbing a wall, boxing a VR avatar, or doing Pilates in a boutique studio half the size of their apartment.
Market Size & Revenue
- In 2023, the China fitness market reached a value of approximately 188.4 billion RMB, marking a 12.5% year-on-year growth.
- The fitness industry's revenue in China grew from 108 billion RMB in 2019 to 188 billion RMB in 2023.
- Gym membership fees accounted for 45% of total fitness industry revenue in China in 2022.
- Online fitness services contributed 15 billion RMB to the market in 2023, up 25% from 2022.
- The post-COVID fitness market recovery saw a 18% CAGR from 2021-2023 in China.
- Tier-1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing generated 60% of China's fitness revenue in 2023.
- Fitness apparel and equipment sales hit 35 billion RMB in 2023 within the industry.
- The smart fitness equipment segment grew to 12 billion RMB in market value in 2023.
- Total fitness club revenue per square meter averaged 5,200 RMB in 2022.
- Corporate wellness programs added 8 billion RMB to fitness revenue in 2023.
- Fitness franchise models generated 22 billion RMB in 2023.
- The women's fitness segment revenue reached 45 billion RMB in 2023.
- Live streaming fitness classes earned 6.5 billion RMB in 2023.
- Boutique studios contributed 28 billion RMB to the market in 2023.
- Fitness tourism packages generated 4.2 billion RMB revenue in 2023.
- E-sports fitness crossovers added 1.8 billion RMB in 2023.
- Senior fitness programs revenue hit 9 billion RMB in 2023.
- Youth fitness training market valued at 15 billion RMB in 2023.
- Functional training revenue grew to 32 billion RMB in 2023.
- Pilates studios revenue reached 11 billion RMB in 2023.
- Yoga market within fitness hit 25 billion RMB in 2023.
- CrossFit affiliates revenue totaled 7.5 billion RMB in 2023.
- HIIT classes generated 18 billion RMB in 2023.
- Zumba licensing fees contributed 2.1 billion RMB in 2023.
- Spinning bike sales revenue was 14 billion RMB in 2023.
- TRX suspension training market 5.8 billion RMB in 2023.
- Boxing fitness gyms revenue 19 billion RMB in 2023.
- Dance fitness studios 13 billion RMB revenue in 2023.
- Calisthenics parks generated 3.4 billion RMB in 2023.
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
China’s fitness industry isn’t just flexing anymore—it’s undergone a full-scale metamorphosis, with traditional gyms still holding the heavyweight title at 45% of revenue, while online services, boutique studios, and a kaleidoscope of niche trends from e-sports crossovers to senior programs are now sprinting alongside to create a nearly 200-billion-RMB ecosystem of collective self-improvement.
Membership & Participation
- In 2023, China had 85,000 fitness clubs serving 120 million members.
- Membership penetration rate in urban China reached 25% in 2023.
- Average annual membership fee was 2,800 RMB in tier-1 cities in 2023.
- 68% of members visited gyms 3-5 times per week in 2023 survey.
- Churn rate for fitness memberships averaged 35% annually in 2023.
- Multi-club memberships held by 42% of users in 2023.
- Female membership growth was 28% YoY in 2023.
- Gen Z (18-24) comprised 35% of new members in 2023.
- Corporate memberships increased by 40% to 15 million in 2023.
- App-based fitness subscriptions reached 50 million users in 2023.
- Trial memberships converted at 55% rate in 2023.
- Average member lifetime value was 8,500 RMB in 2023.
- 72% of members used fitness apps alongside gym visits in 2023.
- Weekend warrior members (only weekends) were 22% in 2023.
- Family memberships grew 32% to 10 million in 2023.
- Student discounts boosted memberships by 25% in 2023.
- Silver surfer (50+) memberships up 45% to 18 million in 2023.
- Drop-in visits totaled 300 million instances in 2023.
- Loyalty program retention improved to 68% in 2023.
- Prepaid annual plans held 60% market share in 2023.
- Virtual membership hybrids grew to 12 million users in 2023.
- Referral programs drove 28% of new memberships in 2023.
- No-contract memberships rose to 35% preference in 2023.
- Group class attendance averaged 4.2 sessions per member weekly in 2023.
- Personal training add-ons used by 48% of members in 2023.
- In 2023, Keep app had 300 million monthly active fitness users.
Membership & Participation Interpretation
China's fitness industry is a fascinating paradox where urbanites, with a newfound 25% membership rate, are fervently buying gym memberships—often multiple ones—while the high churn rate proves their commitment often evaporates faster than their post-workout sweat, even as apps and Gen Z lead a tech-savvy, weekend-warrior revolution.
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