Fitness Centers NAICS 713940

Oct 16, 2025 - Fitness Industry Posts Strong Gains Despite Economic Headwinds

• The Health & Fitness Association’s 2025 Benchmarking Report, the first comprehensive benchmarking study released since 2019, shows the sector maintaining profitable growth post-pandemic. Based on data from 175 companies and over 17,000 facilities, the industry posted 9.9% median revenue growth in 2024 and a robust 23.6% median EBITDA margin. Facilities saw 5.5% net membership growth and retained two-thirds of members, signaling strong consumer engagement. For fitness club operators, the report offers a detailed look at performance metrics, from revenue mix and retention to reinvestment and amenities, allowing businesses to compare performance against peers and identify growth opportunities.
• Consumers are signaling sustained economic unease, an outlook that may challenge discretionary sectors like fitness centers, as both confidence and sentiment indexes remain at multi-year lows, with inflation and job concerns top of mind. In September 2025, the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board fell to 94.2, with job optimism down (only 26.9% said jobs were “plentiful”) and inflation expectations high. Buying intentions dropped for cars and travel, while interest in homes and smartphones rose. Confidence declined across most age and income groups, especially among households earning $25,000–$35,000 and over $200,000. The consumer sentiment index held at 55 in October 2025 from the previous month, and was down 22% year-over-year, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Overall, the data signals cautious consumer sentiment, which could dampen spending heading into the holiday season.

• According to SGB Media, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) released its inaugural mid-year participation report, highlighting pickleball as the fastest-growing sport and Winter Sports as the leading category, driven by cross-country skiing. Despite these gains, overall activity declined, with U.S. inactivity rates rising to 22.9% amid economic uncertainty and post-Olympic disengagement. Tariff ambiguity and cost concerns, cited by 40.9% of parents, are key barriers to youth sports enrollment. While racquet and fitness activities showed marginal growth, water, outdoor, and team sports saw slight declines. Notably, pickleball’s growth slowed to 14.7%, signaling potential market stabilization. Age-based trends reveal younger demographics favor wellness-oriented activities like running, while older groups lean toward fitness equipment use. The data can be used by fitness centers to identify shifting consumer behaviors, emerging growth segments, and economic headwinds impacting demand.
• According to data from a new Health & Fitness Association Fitness Industry Tracker (FIT), gym visits rose 3.5% in the first half of 2025 year over year, with budget-focused gyms leading growth. Monthly visits per user climbed 1.4% year over year. The growth in both total visits and monthly visits per user points to a trend of more Americans incorporating facility-based workouts regularly into their routines. The best performing categories were High Value, Low Price (HVLP) facilities, which saw a 3.8% increase in total visits as consumers choose affordability amid economic pressures, and mid-priced gyms, with a 3.7% increase in total visits. Meanwhile, luxury gyms saw a 0.9% decline in average visits during the period year over year, while boutique studios posted an increase of 0.8% in total visits. The FIT Tracker reports foot traffic at nearly 11,000 fitness facilities nationwide, representing about a fifth of all commercial fitness locations.