The Health and Fitness Association (HFA) has released The 2025 Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report, which looks at operational and financial performance.

This is the HFA’s first detailed data survey and accompanying publication since 2019 and draws on confidential data from 175 companies, representing more than 17,000 fitness facilities. Sixty five per cent of the dataset came from US based operators; 7 per cent from Canada; 14 per cent from EMEA; 6 per cent Latin America and 8 per cent APAC.

The report highlights a sector that is both resilient and financially strong. Reporting operators posted median revenue growth of 9.9 per cent in 2024, alongside a median EBITDA margin of 23.6 per cent, signaling that most operators are growing while maintaining healthy profitability. On the operating side, facilities averaged net membership growth of 5.5 per cent and retained two-thirds of their members.

“The 2025 Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report confirms what we’ve long known: fitness is good business,” said HFA president and CEO, Liz Clark. “The benchmarks in this report highlight not only the industry’s profitability but also the investments operators are making in facilities, services and member experiences to ensure sustainable growth.”

The report provides key indicators including revenue per club location, profitability ratios, member retention and breakouts by club size and type, and dues level, offering a detailed insight into industry performance.

Anton Severin, HFA's vice president of research, added: “This report provides operators and other industry stakeholders with an unparalleled view into how the fitness sector is performing today.

“By benchmarking against peers of similar size and type, operators can identify where they are excelling and where there are opportunities to improve. The findings also demonstrate why fitness facilities are a vital and financially sustainable part of the global health economy.”

Premium and standard HFA members and industry partner members can access the report for free, it is available to non-members at a cost of US$699.

ENDNOTE

The HFA’s European Congress took place last week in Amsterdam. More than 10,000 health clubs and studios were represented from delegates from more than 35 countries and five continents.

Featured speakers included founder of Les Mills International, Phillip Mills; nature-inspired futurist, Christian Kromme; founder of Urban Gym Group, Marjolijn Meyer; Jims managing director, Pieterjan Nuitten and CEO of VivaGym, Juan Del Río.