Gym and Studio Membership Hits 25% of Americans, New Report Finds
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
A record 77 million Americans belonged to a gym, studio, or other fitness facility in 2024, according to newly released data from the Health & Fitness Association. That’s one in four people aged six and older. When including non-member users—those who attend fitness facilities without a formal membership—the total number of individuals using such services climbed to nearly 96 million, or about 31% of the U.S. population. The findings point to continued growth in structured fitness, with membership numbers up 20% since 2019.
The uptick in participation underscores a cultural shift toward more intentional fitness habits, but experts say there’s still a long way to go. Despite record membership levels, most Americans remain inactive by public health standards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that only one in four Americans meets the recommended guidelines for physical activity.
Affordability remains one of the most cited barriers to gym and studio use, particularly among lower-income households. While budget-friendly chains have expanded in recent years, the cost of memberships, classes, and gear still presents a challenge for many.
To address this, industry leaders are pushing for passage of the Personal Health Investment Today Act. The proposed federal legislation would allow individuals to use pre-tax dollars from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts to pay for fitness-related expenses, such as gym memberships, youth sports fees, and fitness classes. The bill was recently reintroduced by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and has broad public support. According to HFA polling, nearly 90% of Americans are in favor.
“This report signals the impact our industry is already having—and how much more we could do with the right support,” said Liz Clark, president and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association. “Fitness centers are engines of well-being, connection, and community. But for millions of Americans, the cost of access remains a barrier.”
The HFA report also offers a closer look at how participation is shifting. Studio memberships led the pack with 23.1 million members in 2024, followed closely by fitness-only gyms with 22.2 million. However, average weekly attendance has declined compared to pre-pandemic levels. Members now visit their facilities about 1.5 times per week, down from 2.1 in 2019. Many are combining traditional gym workouts with at-home exercise, outdoor recreation, or organized sports.
Demographic trends have also shifted. The typical gym member today is younger, more ethnically diverse, more male, and generally less affluent than in past years, pointing to evolving patterns of engagement.
This latest report, titled the 2025 U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report: Headline Trends, is the first in a series that will provide a deeper look at consumer behavior in fitness. Future installments will explore membership fees, usage patterns, and other operational benchmarks, aimed at offering insights for business operators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals alike.
