Fitness Centers NAICS 713940

Apr 20, 2026 - Fitness Operators Face Frontline Turnover Challenge

• HFA’s 2026 Compensation and Benefits Report, based on 88 companies and 1,400 facilities, underscores a widening talent gap across the US fitness industry. While executive compensation remains competitive (median CEO pay of $150,000; average $244,852), turnover tells a different story: just 2.8% at the executive level versus a steep 26.9% for hourly club staff. Recruiting also remains challenging, with senior roles taking 57 days to fill and 53% of hiring driven by online job boards. Wage pressure persists (trainers average $36.74/hour), while benefits are uneven and healthcare costs rose 9.7% in 2025. For operators, the takeaway is clear: stabilizing the frontline workforce is critical. Priorities could include enhancing hourly pay and benefits, building clearer career pathways, and leveraging both digital recruiting and employee referrals to improve retention and hiring efficiency.
• US consumer spending is holding up, but the picture is increasingly uneven, a development that fitness operators should monitor closely, according to the latest Consumer Checkpoint from the Bank of America Institute. Card spending rose 4.3% year over year (3.6% excluding gas), with discretionary services like dining and leisure contributing to growth. However, rising gas prices (+16.5% month over month) are putting pressure on lower-income consumers, whose spending grew just 2.2%, compared to 3.9% for higher-income households. Wage growth shows a similar divide (5.6% vs. 1.0%), reinforcing a “K-shaped” consumer environment. For the fitness industry, this likely means demand remains steady at the high end, while more price-sensitive members may pull back. Operators may need to lean into flexible pricing, promotions, and value-driven offerings to maintain engagement across income segments.

• New data shows the US fitness industry is gaining influence in retail real estate as service-based tenants take a larger share of leasing activity, according to a report in ClubSolutions using data from the Wall Street Journal and CoStar. Service tenants accounted for just over 50% of retail leasing in 2025, up from 40% 15 years ago, with fitness centers representing nearly 30% of service leases in 2024 (up from 20% in 2016). As e-commerce grew to 16.4% of retail sales from about 8% in 2016, landlords have increasingly turned to gyms to backfill vacant space and drive foot traffic. The industry is also supported by a $2.1 trillion US wellness market and demand tied to social media trends and GLP-1 use. With retail vacancy at 4.4% and continued expansion from chains like Planet Fitness, fitness operators are seeing improved positioning in lease negotiations and site selection.
• US fitness clubs are shifting from equipment-packed layouts to experience-driven design, reshaping member expectations and retention strategies, according to a report in Club Solutions. For example, leaders at VASA Fitness and Crunch Fitness emphasize open concepts, clear zoning, and visible amenities to boost engagement. VASA’s “mall of fitness” model and expanded turf zones encourage connection and ownership, while Crunch’s 3.0 model prioritizes flow, sightlines and shared warm-up areas to drive confidence and usage. Strength training now anchors larger, highly visible floors as members become more longevity-focused and results driven. Boutique-style studios offer specialized experiences at scale, improving accessibility and retention. Member lounges, recovery spaces near entrances, and flexible floor plans support community and adaptability. Sustainability investments such as LED lighting, Energy Star equipment, recycled flooring, and EV charging reflect rising consumer expectations. Collectively, these design shifts position experience, flexibility, and belonging as key competitive drivers in the evolving US fitness industry.