New Year's resolutions, health goals, and the pursuit of fitness drive millions of Americans to join gyms each year. But how many people actually maintain their memberships? What does the average gym cost? And what percentage of gym members actually show up?
These gym membership statistics reveal everything from record-breaking membership numbers to the surprising truth about how many people actually use their gym memberships in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- 25% of Americans (77 million) have gym memberships — a record high
- $58/month is the average gym membership cost in the US
- 50% of new members quit within 6 months of joining
- 67% of gym memberships go completely unused
- The average member visits 1.5 times per week (down from 2.1 in 2019)
- Planet Fitness is the largest gym chain with 19.7 million members
- The global fitness industry is worth $257 billion
What Percentage of Americans Go to the Gym?
1. 25% of Americans (77 million) have gym memberships in 2024
According to the Health & Fitness Association, a record 77 million Americans aged six and older were members of a gym, studio, or fitness facility in 2024. This represents one in four Americans.
2. 31% of Americans (96 million) use fitness facilities
When including both members and non-member users (day passes, trial memberships), nearly one in three Americans used a fitness facility in 2024.
3. Gym memberships have grown 20% since 2019
The fitness industry has seen remarkable growth post-pandemic. Memberships increased from 64.2 million in 2019 to 77 million in 2024, with over 5% annual growth for two consecutive years.
| Year | Total Members | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 64.2 million | — |
| 2022 | 68.9 million | +4.8% |
| 2023 | 72.9 million | +5.8% |
| 2024 | 77.0 million | +5.6% |
How Often Does the Average Person Go to the Gym?
4. The average gym member visits 1.5 times per week
Average attendance has declined from 2.1 weekly visits in 2019 to just 1.5 in 2024. This translates to about 78.5 gym visits per year, down from 109.5 days in 2019.
5. 49.9% of members visit at least twice per week
Nearly half of gym members are classified as "regular" gym-goers who attend two or more times weekly. The other half visits less frequently or not at all.
6. 67% of gym memberships go completely unused
A staggering two-thirds of gym members never actually use their membership. Americans waste approximately $1.3 billion annually on fees for memberships they don't utilize.
The Unused Membership Problem: If you pay $58/month but never go, that's $696/year wasted. At the national level, unused gym memberships cost Americans $1.3 billion annually.
What Is the Average Cost of a Gym Membership?
7. The average gym membership costs $58 per month in the US
American gym-goers pay an average of $58 monthly, or about $696 per year. However, costs range dramatically from $10 at budget gyms to $355+ at luxury facilities.
8. The median gym membership is $38 per month
While the average is $58, the median (middle point) is just $38 — meaning half of all gym members pay less than $38 monthly. Budget gyms like Planet Fitness pull this number down.
| Gym Type | Monthly Cost | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Gyms | $10-$30 | Planet Fitness, Crunch |
| Mid-Range Gyms | $30-$60 | LA Fitness, YMCA |
| Premium Gyms | $60-$150 | Lifetime, 24 Hour Fitness |
| Luxury Gyms | $230-$355+ | Equinox |
9. 40% of gym-goers pay less than $25 per month
Budget-friendly options have captured a significant market share. Nearly half of all gym members choose low-cost options, driven by chains like Planet Fitness that start at $15/month.
10. Gym initiation fees average $69-$74
Beyond monthly dues, most gyms charge one-time enrollment fees. Fitness-only clubs average $69, while big-box chains charge around $74 in enrollment fees.
Gym Membership Costs by Country
11. Austria has the world's most expensive gyms at $107/month average
European countries dominate the list of most expensive gym markets. The UAE and Qatar also exceed $100/month average membership costs.
12. Canada has the cheapest gym memberships at $15.91/month
Among developed nations, Canada offers the most affordable gym access. The US average of $28.58 (using different methodology) places it in the mid-range globally.
| Country | Average Monthly Cost | % of Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | $107.38 | 2.8% |
| UAE | $100+ | 2.0% |
| New York, US | $134.50 | 2.1% |
| US (National) | $58 | 1.2% |
| UK | $45 | 1.5% |
| Canada | $15.91 | 0.4% |
13. New York has the highest US gym costs at $134.50/month
Within the US, costs vary dramatically by region. New York, San Francisco, and Miami average $80-$134/month, while rural and Southern areas often offer options under $40.
Largest Gym Chains Statistics
14. Planet Fitness is the world's largest gym with 19.7 million members
As of December 2024, Planet Fitness operates 2,722 clubs across 50 states and multiple countries. The chain generated $4.8 billion in systemwide sales in 2024.
15. Planet Fitness captures 59.3% of major gym chain visits
In January 2024, Planet Fitness received nearly 60% of all visits among the top five gym chains (Crunch, 24 Hour Fitness, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Planet Fitness).
16. LA Fitness has the highest revenue at $2.1 billion
Despite having fewer members (under 800,000), LA Fitness generates the highest revenue among gym chains due to its premium pricing and full-service model.
| Gym Chain | Members | US Locations | Avg. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planet Fitness | 19.7 million | 2,463 | $15-$25 |
| Anytime Fitness | 5 million | 2,328 | $41-$56 |
| LA Fitness | ~800,000 | 546 | $35-$50 |
| Orangetheory | N/A | 1,354 | $59-$159 |
| 24 Hour Fitness | ~3 million | 280+ | $40-$54 |
17. Anytime Fitness has the most global locations (5,200+)
While Planet Fitness leads in members, Anytime Fitness operates the most locations worldwide with 5,200+ gyms across 50 countries on seven continents.
Gym Membership Retention & Cancellation Statistics
18. 50% of new gym members quit within 6 months
Half of all people who join a gym will cancel their membership before the six-month mark. This is the fitness industry's biggest challenge.
19. 80% of January joiners quit within 5 months
New Year's resolution members have particularly poor retention. Those who join during January sales events have a 45% higher churn rate than members who join at other times.
20. The average gym loses 50% of its members every year
Annual member retention hovers around 60%, meaning gyms must constantly acquire new members just to maintain their membership base.
21. 41% cancel due to cost — the #1 reason
Price is the leading factor in gym cancellations. Other top reasons include lack of time (23%), moving away (19%), and changing personal circumstances (25%).
Gym Membership by Month
22. 12% of gym memberships are purchased in January
January is the peak month for new gym sign-ups, driven by New Year's resolutions. Gym attendance grows 6% between January 1st and February 8th annually.
23. 4% of January members quit by month's end
The resolution rush fades quickly. By the end of January, 4% have already quit. By February's end, 14% are gone. By June, half have canceled.
| Timeline | Quit Rate (Jan Joiners) |
|---|---|
| End of January | 4% |
| End of February | 14% |
| Within 5 Months | 80% |
| Within 6 Months | 50%+ (all joiners) |
The 30-Day Rule: Members who attend less than once per week in their first month have an 80% chance of canceling within six months. The first 30 days are critical for building lasting gym habits.
Gym Membership Demographics
24. 40% of adults aged 18-34 have gym memberships
Young adults are the most likely age group to hold gym memberships. This drops to 35% for ages 35-54 and just 20% for those 55 and older.
25. 51.5% of gym members are male (up from 49.6% in 2019)
Men have been steadily increasing their share of gym memberships since 2021. This marks the widest gender gap in at least a decade.
26. Under-25 members grew 69.81% over 15 years
The 6-17 age group saw the highest membership growth of any demographic. In 2024, those under 25 account for 30.8% of all fitness members, up from 22.9% in 2015.
27. 65% of males and 52% of females do strength training
Strength training is the most popular gym activity. Men are more likely to focus on weights, while women more frequently attend group fitness classes like yoga, Pilates, and spin.
Why People Join (and Leave) the Gym
28. 50% of men join to increase strength and fitness
Half of male gym-goers cite building strength as their primary motivation for joining. Building muscle and improving athletic performance are top male priorities.
29. 65% of women join for weight loss
Nearly two-thirds of female gym members cite weight loss as their main goal, significantly higher than the percentage of men who join for this reason.
| Reason for Canceling | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Cost/Too expensive | 41% |
| Changing circumstances | 25% |
| Lack of time | 23% |
| Moving away | 19% |
30. Group exercisers are 56% less likely to cancel
Members who participate in group fitness classes have significantly better retention than gym-only members. The social aspect creates accountability and community.
Global Fitness Industry Statistics
31. The global fitness industry is worth $257 billion
The worldwide fitness market continues to grow at 5.6% annually. Gyms, health clubs, and fitness studios represent the largest segment at $102.2 billion.
32. There are 200,000 fitness facilities serving 184 million members worldwide
Global gym membership is projected to reach 230 million by 2030. The industry has fully recovered from pandemic losses and reached historic highs.
33. The US fitness industry is worth $40.6 billion
North America leads global fitness spending. The US gym market alone is valued at $10.7 billion, with 91% of operators expecting revenue gains in 2025.
34. Studios are the largest segment with 23.1 million members
Boutique fitness studios (spinning, yoga, CrossFit) lead in membership. Fitness-only gyms follow with 22.2 million members, while multipurpose clubs have 15.2 million.
Fitness Apps & Digital Fitness Statistics
35. The fitness app market is worth $22 billion
Digital fitness continues to grow at 14.3% annually. In 2024, 9.76% of people globally use fitness apps, expected to reach 12.2% by 2027.
36. The online fitness market will reach $59 billion by 2027
Pre-pandemic, online fitness was just a $6 billion market. It's now growing at 33.1% CAGR as consumers supplement gym visits with at-home workouts.
The Bottom Line
Gym membership in America has reached record levels, with 25% of the population (77 million people) holding fitness facility memberships in 2024. The industry has fully recovered from pandemic losses and continues growing at over 5% annually.
However, the statistics reveal a challenging truth: 67% of memberships go unused, 50% of new members quit within six months, and January resolution-makers have an 80% dropout rate within five months. The average member now visits just 1.5 times per week, down from 2.1 in 2019.
For consumers, the key is choosing a gym that matches both your budget and realistic usage patterns. With costs ranging from $10/month at Planet Fitness to $355+ at Equinox, there's an option for every budget. But remember: the best gym is the one you'll actually use.