GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gym Attendance Statistics

Most Americans rarely utilize gyms; engagement and retention remain challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 20 million Americans hold gym memberships

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About 49% of gym-goers are between 25-44 years old

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39% of Americans with gym memberships are women

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The average age of gym members is 42 years old

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25% of gym members are millennials

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35% of gym members are age 45-65

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Urban residents are 35% more likely to be gym members than rural residents

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Women are more likely to attend group fitness classes than men, with 65% of class participants being female

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The average age of first-time gym-membership seekers is 19 years old

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The number of women gym members increased by 12% over the past five years

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Gyms in urban areas see an average of 1,120 visits per week, whereas rural gyms see about 680 visits

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22% of gym members are under 25, indicating a significant youth presence

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The global gym industry revenue was valued at $87.23 billion in 2021

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The number of fitness clubs in the US increased by 6% in 2022

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The number of boutique fitness studios in the US reached over 8,600 in 2022

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Mobile app-based fitness programs have seen a 50% increase in subscriptions over the past five years

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The average monthly spend on gym memberships by US adults is around $58

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The gym industry employs over 300,000 people in the US

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The global fitness industry grows approximately 4.5% annually

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Fitness industry market share in the US is dominated by large chains with over 50 locations, holding 52% of the market

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The revenue per gym member annually is approximately $530 in the US

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On average, gym members visit their gyms about 1.9 times per week

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The average workout duration in gyms is approximately 45 minutes

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Nearly 70% of gym memberships are never used or are rarely used

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The retention rate for gym memberships after one year is approximately 50%

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Fitness centers with high-intensity group classes have a membership retention rate of about 76%

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60% of gym members prefer fitness classes over personal training

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52% of gym-goers say they prefer gyms that offer personal training

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About 25% of gym members use their gym facilities 3 or more times a week

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The most common reason for gym membership cancellation is lack of time, cited by 51% of respondents

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People who work out in gyms tend to exercise for about 4 hours per week

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85% of gym members pay for memberships monthly

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The average number of gym visits per year per US adult is approximately 40

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60% of Americans who attend gyms reported increased physical health

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45% of gym members say they are satisfied with their gym facilities

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30% of gym memberships are purchased during New Year's resolutions

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Approximately 15% of gym members attend personal training sessions weekly

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The average gym membership lasts about 1.5 years before cancellation

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40% of gym attenders report improved mental health

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The most popular time to visit gyms is between 5 pm and 8 pm, accounting for 42% of visits

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Gym attendance peaks in January, with a 20% increase in visits following New Year’s resolutions

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80% of gym-goers say social aspects motivate their visits

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90% of gym members prefer to work out alone over with a partner

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The most common reason for gym attendance is weight loss, cited by 62% of members

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Gym attenders who participate in group classes tend to work out 22% more often than those who don’t

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65% of gym members engage in strength training exercises

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Only 35% of gym members regularly track their progress with apps or devices

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The proportion of gym members who renew their memberships after the first year is around 65%

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45% of gym members have tried personal training at least once

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25% of gym attendees report exercising primarily for health reasons rather than appearance

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80% of young adults aged 18-34 who attend gyms are motivated by health concerns

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58% of gym members are satisfied with the cleanliness of their gyms

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The number of gym memberships in the UK is over 12 million

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Fitness app usage among gym members increased by 70% between 2018 and 2023

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55% of gym members use gym apps to track workouts

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The use of fitness wearable devices by gym members has increased by 60% over the last three years

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Key Highlights

Approximately 20 million Americans hold gym memberships
The global gym industry revenue was valued at $87.23 billion in 2021
On average, gym members visit their gyms about 1.9 times per week
The average workout duration in gyms is approximately 45 minutes
About 49% of gym-goers are between 25-44 years old
Nearly 70% of gym memberships are never used or are rarely used
The retention rate for gym memberships after one year is approximately 50%
Fitness centers with high-intensity group classes have a membership retention rate of about 76%
39% of Americans with gym memberships are women
The average age of gym members is 42 years old
60% of gym members prefer fitness classes over personal training
The number of fitness clubs in the US increased by 6% in 2022
52% of gym-goers say they prefer gyms that offer personal training

Despite millions of Americans holding gym memberships and a booming industry worth over $87 billion worldwide, nearly 70% of these memberships remain unused or rarely used—highlighting a persistent gap between gym sign-ups and consistent engagement.

Demographics and Membership Trends

Approximately 20 million Americans hold gym memberships
About 49% of gym-goers are between 25-44 years old
39% of Americans with gym memberships are women
The average age of gym members is 42 years old
25% of gym members are millennials
35% of gym members are age 45-65
Urban residents are 35% more likely to be gym members than rural residents
Women are more likely to attend group fitness classes than men, with 65% of class participants being female
The average age of first-time gym-membership seekers is 19 years old
The number of women gym members increased by 12% over the past five years
Gyms in urban areas see an average of 1,120 visits per week, whereas rural gyms see about 680 visits
22% of gym members are under 25, indicating a significant youth presence

Demographics and Membership Trends Interpretation

With nearly 20 million Americans flexing their muscles, gym memberships reveal a diverse and dynamic demographic—urban women and men over 25, especially millennials and millennials-in-the-making, embracing fitness across age and gender lines, yet urban gyms still outpace rural ones in both participation and weekly visits, proving that when it comes to liftoffs and lunges, location and gender matter, but age and enthusiasm rule the weight room.

Industry Revenue and Market Dynamics

The global gym industry revenue was valued at $87.23 billion in 2021
The number of fitness clubs in the US increased by 6% in 2022
The number of boutique fitness studios in the US reached over 8,600 in 2022
Mobile app-based fitness programs have seen a 50% increase in subscriptions over the past five years
The average monthly spend on gym memberships by US adults is around $58
The gym industry employs over 300,000 people in the US
The global fitness industry grows approximately 4.5% annually
Fitness industry market share in the US is dominated by large chains with over 50 locations, holding 52% of the market
The revenue per gym member annually is approximately $530 in the US

Industry Revenue and Market Dynamics Interpretation

While the gym industry’s $87.23 billion global revenue and steady 4.5% annual growth highlight its booming status, the rising number of boutique studios and app-based programs—up 50% in subscriptions—suggest that fitness consumers prefer personalized, tech-savvy workouts over traditional gyms, all while large chains hold the lion’s share and Americans spend about $58 a month to stay fit amidst a vibrant industry employing over 300,000 people.

Member Behavior and Preferences

On average, gym members visit their gyms about 1.9 times per week
The average workout duration in gyms is approximately 45 minutes
Nearly 70% of gym memberships are never used or are rarely used
The retention rate for gym memberships after one year is approximately 50%
Fitness centers with high-intensity group classes have a membership retention rate of about 76%
60% of gym members prefer fitness classes over personal training
52% of gym-goers say they prefer gyms that offer personal training
About 25% of gym members use their gym facilities 3 or more times a week
The most common reason for gym membership cancellation is lack of time, cited by 51% of respondents
People who work out in gyms tend to exercise for about 4 hours per week
85% of gym members pay for memberships monthly
The average number of gym visits per year per US adult is approximately 40
60% of Americans who attend gyms reported increased physical health
45% of gym members say they are satisfied with their gym facilities
30% of gym memberships are purchased during New Year's resolutions
Approximately 15% of gym members attend personal training sessions weekly
The average gym membership lasts about 1.5 years before cancellation
40% of gym attenders report improved mental health
The most popular time to visit gyms is between 5 pm and 8 pm, accounting for 42% of visits
Gym attendance peaks in January, with a 20% increase in visits following New Year’s resolutions
80% of gym-goers say social aspects motivate their visits
90% of gym members prefer to work out alone over with a partner
The most common reason for gym attendance is weight loss, cited by 62% of members
Gym attenders who participate in group classes tend to work out 22% more often than those who don’t
65% of gym members engage in strength training exercises
Only 35% of gym members regularly track their progress with apps or devices
The proportion of gym members who renew their memberships after the first year is around 65%
45% of gym members have tried personal training at least once
25% of gym attendees report exercising primarily for health reasons rather than appearance
80% of young adults aged 18-34 who attend gyms are motivated by health concerns
58% of gym members are satisfied with the cleanliness of their gyms

Member Behavior and Preferences Interpretation

Despite nearly 70% of gym memberships remaining largely dormant, those who embrace high-intensity classes or social workouts see membership retention rates soaring past 75%, proving that a sprinkle of engagement and community spirit turns fleeting visits into faithful routines—and perhaps justifies those New Year’s resolutions.

Membership Trends

The number of gym memberships in the UK is over 12 million

Membership Trends Interpretation

With over 12 million gym memberships, the UK’s fitness obsession is clear—either we’re committed to health or just really committed to avoiding the treadmill at home.

Technology Adoption and Digital Fitness

Fitness app usage among gym members increased by 70% between 2018 and 2023
55% of gym members use gym apps to track workouts
The use of fitness wearable devices by gym members has increased by 60% over the last three years

Technology Adoption and Digital Fitness Interpretation

As gym members increasingly embrace digital tools—boosting app usage by 55%, wearable device adoption by 60%, and overall attendance by 70%—it seems the path to fitness is now paved with pixels as much as perspiration.