10 Best Gym Memberships for All Fitness Levels [2025]
9 min read
50+ Surprising Gym Membership Statistics [2024]
Learn the ins and outs of fitness memberships with new data from our survey of over 1,000 Americans and recent statistical data.
Flex Editorial Team
January 10, 2025
6 min read
Imagine stepping into a bustling gym surrounded by motivated individuals all striving for their fitness goals. This scene has become increasingly common as more people recognize the importance of exercise for their overall well-being. But with so many gyms and workout plans, deciding where to start can feel overwhelming.
To help remedy this, we've delved deep into existing gym membership statistics. We also ran our own study of 1,000 adults aged 18 and up to uncover fitness membership trends. Our goal is to equip you with the latest trends, insights, and facts to make an informed decision and confidently embark on your fitness journey.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 35% of Gen Z and Millennials work out for 30-45 minutes.
- Over 72% of men work out for 30-60 minutes, whereas 71.13% of women work out for 30-60 minutes.
- One in four people aged 30 to 44 go to the gym three to four times a week.
- Only 5% of men and women work out for 90 minutes or longer.
- Over 1 in 10 Americans prefer group classes as their gym workout.
- One-third of Americans would spend a maximum of $20 or less per month on their gym membership.
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Recent Gym Membership Statistics
In recent years, gym memberships have surged as more people prioritize their health and fitness. This section digs into recent gym membership statistics to uncover evolving trends.
As of 2024, half of male Americans joined the gym to increase their strength and fitness.
Flex Fitness
In 2024, nearly 65% of female Americans joined the gym for weight loss.
Flex Fitness
Data from 2024 revealed nearly 35% of Gen Z and Millennials work out for 30-45 minutes.
Flex Fitness
A quarter of Gen Z and Millennials have never canceled a gym membership.
Flex Fitness
As of 2024, nearly a quarter of male Americans have been with their gym for less than 6 months.
Flex Fitness
Millennials comprise 45% of gym memberships, driving the industry's focus on convenience and personalization.
IHRSA
Gyms that offer personalized workout plans and community events have seen a 15% increase in member retention, according to a 2023 study.
IHRSA
Nearly 40% of people state building muscle is their number one fitness goal for 2024.
Life Time
Experts expect the health and fitness industry to increase by almost 8% each year from 2020 to 2024. By 2024, the industry could be worth nearly $97 billion.
Statista
Gym Membership Demographics
Understanding the demographic makeup of gym members is crucial for fitness centers and subscription services to tailor their products to meet the specific needs of their clientele. This section will explore the age distribution of gym-goers and the gender breakdown of gym memberships to shed light on any shifts in participation rates.
Over 72% of men work out for 30-60 minutes, whereas 71.13% of women work out for 30-60 minutes.
Flex Fitness
Forty percent of people aged 18 to 29 have had their gym memberships for less than six months.
Flex Fitness
The most common age groups at the gym are young adults (18-34 years old) and adults (35-54 years old), making up about 31% of gym-goers.
Statista
1 in 4 people aged 30 to 44 go to the gym three to four times a week.
Flex Fitness
Only 10% of people aged 55 to 64 and 12% of those 65 and older are gym members, making these age groups the least likely to have gym memberships.
IHRSA
As of 2024, only 66% of Gen Z are active compared to 80% of Boomers.
ABC Fitness
According to 2024 data, over 70% of Millennials use a gym, studio, or health club.
ABC Fitness
According to recent data, nearly 40% of Millennials participate in group exercise classes.
ABC Fitness
Gym Attendance and Usage Statistics
When examining gym membership statistics, you must also examine the frequency of attendance and the types of facilities and equipment members utilize. Let’s look at the average number of weekly gym visits and what time gymgoers work out to find trends across different age groups and demographics.
Almost one-third of Americans visit the gym 1-2 times a week.
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Only 5% of men and women work out for 90 minutes or longer.
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Over a quarter of people visit the gym 3-4 times a week.
Flex Fitness
Over 1 in 10 Americans prefer group classes as their gym workout.
Flex Fitness
Nearly 1 in 4 Americans deem cardio as their preferred type of workout at the gym.
Flex Fitness
Men are significantly more likely to strength train than women, with nearly 40% of men choosing this activity compared to 24% of women.
Flex Fitness
In 2022, the United States saw a record high of nearly 69 million fitness center and health club members.
Statista
Sixty-five percent of Americans prefer to work out in the morning, with 33% of men and 21% of women favoring the 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. window.
Flex Fitness
According to 35% of Americans, cardio is the exercise most impacted by workout time.
Flex Fitness
Over 4 in 10 people who feel a major impact from the timing of their workouts feel they perform better in the a.m.
Flex Fitness
Nearly one in five gym members attend the gym daily.
Statista
Half of Americans include an equal mix of cardio and strength training in their workout routines.
Life Time
Over 60% of people said they spend one to two hours at their health club during their visits.
Life Time
A majority of Americans choose to work out between 30 and 60 minutes.
Flex Fitness
Cost of Gym Membership Statistics
The cost of gym memberships can vary significantly depending on location, amenities offered, and the specific fitness chain. Let’s dive into the average cost of gym memberships and the factors influencing membership prices, including additional fees.
The most common price range for gym memberships is $30-$39 per month.
Flex Fitness
One-third of Americans would spend a maximum of $20 or less per month on their gym membership.
Flex Fitness
Less than 6% of people would spend over $100 on a monthly gym membership.
Flex Fitness
Over 20% of people would spend between $20-$29 per month (or $240-$348 per year) on a fitness membership.
Flex Fitness
Gym membership costs have risen 5% on average in the past year (2023), outpacing inflation.
IHRSA
Thirteen percent of people wouldn’t spend more than $10 on a gym membership.
Flex Fitness
In 2021, New York State had the highest average monthly gym membership cost in the United States at $75.32.
Statista
In the United States, the average monthly cost of a gym membership is $57.
Statista
Gym Membership Cancelation Statistics
The six-month mark appears to be a critical point in gym membership retention. Understanding the reasons behind gym membership cancelations is essential for fitness centers to improve retention rates and enhance customer satisfaction. Check out these gym membership cancelation facts that uncover these habits.
Almost half of Americans have canceled their membership once in the past.
Flex Fitness
Almost a quarter of Americans are loyal to their gyms, having never canceled a membership.
Flex Fitness
82% of people canceled their gym membership due to cost and lack of time.
Flex Fitness
Over 40% of people canceled their gym membership because it was too expensive.
YouGov
Despite the pandemic, gym membership cancelation rates have only increased by 2% in the past year.
IHRSA
Over 40% of people cancel their gym memberships because they lack the time.
IHRSA
One in four people cancel their membership due to high fees.
IHRSA
Nearly 1 in 4 people said they canceled their membership because they no longer had time to attend.
YouGov
Home Gym Statistics
There has been a growing trend toward home workouts and the popularity of home gyms. We’ll explore the factors driving the rise of home gyms, including the convenience, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility they offer. Additionally, this section will examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the home gym market.
Over 60% of people would switch from a traditional gym to a home workout routine or online fitness program because of cost.
Flex Fitness
Over half of Americans stated their preferred workout location is at home.
Flex Fitness
Nearly 30% of gym members now have digital memberships, allowing for flexible workouts and virtual classes.
ClassPass
Over half of Americans would switch from a traditional gym to a home workout routine or online fitness program because of convenience.
Statista
40% of Americans own a home gym or exercise equipment.
Statista
By 2029, the exercise equipment market in the United States could exceed 7 billion dollars.
Statista
Get fit with Flex
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Our survey and gym membership statistics reveal the importance of finding the right gym membership for your individual needs. Considering location, amenities, and cost can help you select a gym and program that aligns with your fitness goals and lifestyle.
Flex Fitness offers a reliable solution that combines the benefits of a traditional gym with the convenience of home workouts. With our personalized workout routine, supportive community, and instructional guides (try our compound ab workouts), Flex Fitness can help you maximize your gym membership and achieve your fitness goals. So, why wait? Download Flex Fitness today and start making the most of your gym experience!
Methodology
The survey of over 1,000 adults aged 18+ was conducted via SurveyMonkey Audience for Flex Fitness on September 26. 2024. Data is unweighted and the margin of error is approximately +/-3% for the overall sample with a 95% confidence level.
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