Fitness Centers NAICS 713940

Jun 21, 2026 - Fitness Growth Slows Amid Competitive Pressures

• Planet Fitness's weaker-than-expected member growth despite strong revenue gains in Q1 2026 highlights a key trend in the fitness industry: demand remains healthy, but attracting new members is becoming more challenging. The company lowered its 2026 outlook after adding more than 700,000 net new members in Q1, citing increased competition, consumer economic pressures, and softer response from first-time and casual gym-goers. These results suggest that while industry participation continues to expand, growth is becoming more dependent on effective marketing, value-oriented pricing, and member retention. Planet Fitness's decision to pause planned price increases also reflects growing sensitivity among lower-income consumers. Looking ahead, industry growth is expected to continue, supported by long-term health and wellness trends, but operators may face greater pressure to differentiate their offerings and maintain affordability.
• SoulCycle's latest California studio closures highlight the ongoing challenges facing boutique fitness operators as consumers gravitate toward either low-cost gyms or premium full-service fitness offerings, according to a San Francisco Gate report. The company closed three California studios in June—Walnut Creek, La Jolla, and Manhattan Beach—following a broader wave of closures that began in 2022. Once a leader in group cycling, SoulCycle has struggled to regain momentum since the pandemic, when at-home fitness options such as Peloton gained popularity. The closures suggest that specialty fitness concepts with higher prices and narrower offerings continue to face pressure from changing consumer preferences and increased competition. For the broader fitness industry, the trend reinforces the importance of value, convenience, and differentiation. While overall gym participation remains strong, operators that cannot clearly distinguish their offerings or adapt to evolving consumer habits may face consolidation, downsizing, or market exits.

• A new Journal of the American Medical Association perspective suggests GLP-1 weight-loss medications could create both opportunities and challenges for the US fitness center industry as exercise remains critical for long-term weight management and muscle preservation, according to a News Medical report. The report notes that while GLP-1 therapies can reduce caloric intake by up to 39%, exercise continues to play an essential role in maintaining muscle mass, improving insulin sensitivity, and limiting weight regain after medication discontinuation. With up to 60% of patients stopping GLP-1 treatments within a year, fitness centers may see growing demand for structured exercise programs focused on strength training, weight maintenance, and overall wellness support. However, the study also highlights ongoing barriers to consistent exercise participation, including time constraints, physical limitations, and limited facility access. For fitness operators, the trend may create opportunities to position gyms as long-term health and behavior support partners alongside medical weight-loss treatments.
• According to the 2026 US Health & Fitness Consumer Report, the US fitness center industry reached record participation levels in 2025, with memberships surpassing 81 million Americans and total facility users exceeding 100 million for the first time. Consumers generated a record 7 billion gym and studio visits during the year, while membership penetration climbed to an all-time high of 26.1%. The growth was driven by broader participation across nearly all demographic groups, particularly Gen Z adults, older consumers, and higher-income households, as well as rising interest in strength training, pickleball, Pilates, and coach-led fitness programs. The report also showed stronger customer engagement, with industry churn falling to its lowest level in a decade and membership tenure reaching a five-year high. For fitness operators, the trends point to more stable recurring revenue and expanding opportunities for premium services and specialized programming.