Gyms hit a historic membership milestone in 2023, reflecting a growing national emphasis on health and wellness, with fitness centers seeing significant increases in both membership and attendance
Membership at U.S. fitness facilities reached an all-time high in 2023, with 72.9 million Americans—equivalent to 23.7% of the population aged six and older—holding memberships, according to the latest data from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA). The findings, published in the 2024 U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, highlight a 5.8% year-over-year membership growth, marking the fastest increase since 2017.
The report, which tracks trends in consumer engagement with fitness facilities, also noted a 9.7% rise in total facility and studio users, reaching 90.7 million, including both members and non-members. Growth was consistent across various types of fitness facilities, including fitness-only gyms, multipurpose centers, and boutique studios.
“Last year’s robust growth underscores the increasing demand for fitness services nationwide,” said HFA President and CEO Liz Clark. “As more Americans recognize the benefits of fitness for both physical and mental health, our industry continues to play a vital role in promoting healthier lifestyles across the country.”
Fitness facility attendance also saw gains for the third consecutive year. The average member visited their facility 81 times in 2023, up from 78 visits in 2022 and 72 visits in 2021….
