BOSTON, MA—September 16, 2024—The global fitness industry reached new milestones in 2023 as more people than ever embraced health and fitness across key regions. According to data collected by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and published in its 2024 HFA Global Report, several established markets reported record membership levels and fitness penetration, while many emerging markets displayed robust potential for further development.
In the U.S., a record 23.7% of the population belonged to a fitness facility in 2023—the highest penetration rate among 17 surveyed markets. The U.K. followed with an all-time high penetration rate of 15.9%, while Switzerland (14.9%), New Zealand (13.6%), and Germany (13.4%) rounded out the top five.
As fitness club memberships surged in 2023, consumers in many regions benefited from access to an expanded number of fitness facilities. Among operators, Rizap Group led global expansion, increasing its footprint from 240 facilities in Japan in 2022 to 1,225 locations by 2023. HOTWORX ranked second with a 43% growth rate, adding 176 new locations globally. Elsewhere, BestFit Group in Germany (41%), HILEFIT in China (40%), and FitActive in Italy (39.5%) also demonstrated strong growth.
“As demand for fitness services reaches record levels across key regions, our industry is playing an indispensable role in advancing global health and well-being,” said HFA President & CEO Liz Clark. “The 2024 HFA Global Report demonstrates how the industry continues to evolve and thrive, reaffirming that fitness is more essential than ever in both established and emerging markets.”
The 2024 HFA Global Report provides an in-depth analysis of the health and fitness industry, offering valuable insights from HFA members, industry federations, partners, and financial experts. It includes a detailed look at revenue, growth in units, and membership trends for some of the world’s largest fitness brands, along with data-driven insights on year-over-year performance.
The 2024 HFA Global Report is available for download in PDF format. Premium HFA members can access the report for free via their HFA profile, while other membership levels are eligible for discounted pricing. The report is available to non-members for $399.
Methodology
Data for the 2024 HFA Global Report was gathered from 132 HFA member clubs, gyms, and studios between April and July 2024. This data was cleaned and analyzed to compile company profiles and rankings of leading fitness brands. Additionally, internal audits and research provided supplemental data for selected countries.