Platform
Solutions
Industries
Compare
Resources
Posted by on June 11, 2021 — Updated on September 24, 2025
The average number of gym members in a gym is 1,500 gym members. Of course, different gym business models, concepts, and locations play a big part in how many gym members your gym needs to be successful. From boutique studios to big-box gyms, see average gym membership numbers and scale with Exercise.com.
Every gym owner has wondered how their gym fares against the competition. So how many members does the average gym have? Among U.S. fitness centers, about 1,500 members is average, but that’s not the only factor at play.
Here is a table that compares the average number of members at various gyms, as well as profitability and regional differences:
| Gym Type | Average Members per Location |
|---|---|
| Planet Fitness | 6,500 |
| Anytime Fitness | 900 |
| LA Fitness | 4,000 |
| Gold’s Gym | 3,500 |
| CrossFit Box | 150 |
| Small Gym | 300-500 |
| Profitable Gym Threshold | 300-500 (small to mid-sized) |
| US Average Gym Membership | 1,500 |
| UK Average Gym Membership | 1,000 |
| India Average Gym Membership | 700 |
This table highlights the membership sizes of various gym chains and the average number of members required for profitability, as well as regional differences in gym membership averages. (Read more in our full reports on gym membership statistics, CrossFit statistics, yoga statistics, female fitness statistics, boutique fitness statistics, and fitness app statistics). Keep in mind that gym memberships are only half the story. Get the full picture so you can retain more gym members and build a fitness community with things like custom branded gym apps Exercise.com.
How many members does a gym need to be successful? Keep reading to learn, and then check out our guides on how to run a successful gym, how to make your gym stand out, how to increase gym revenue and profit, and more.
Whether your gym is just starting out or has been around for years, it’s natural to wonder how you stack up against the competition. How many members does the average gym have? If your gym has 100 members, or 300, or maybe even 1,000, how do you know when you’ve “made it”?
While it’s tempting to get caught up in the numbers, your gym’s membership count isn’t the only thing to consider. A fitness center’s profitability also hinges on other factors, such as the gym location, gym debt load, gym pricing strategy, and whether it maximizes the efficiency of its operations with the best online gym management software. Even so, at the end of the day, most people still want to know—how many members does a gym need to be successful?
Exercise.com can help boost your gym’s profitability with the best software for gyms, and the best software for personal trainers who want to grow their fitness business and learn how to make money from fitness.
And as our reviews from gym owners attest, we love gym owners and they love us. Read our gym owner guide and then see why our gym software has gym owners raving (get a free demo here).
Create workout plans with a workout plan creator.
Communicate with gym members, leads, and online followers via SMS, email, and in-app push notification.
And of course, view all of your gym business reports easily too.
All from your custom-branded fitness apps (Read More: Best Gym Mobile Fitness Apps Software)
You can grow your business by selling workout plans, using our white label fitness app builder software to offer a custom branded fitness app, learning how to run an online fitness challenge, and much more.
On average, 1,500 members per gym.
According to Statista, the U.S. has 41,000 membership-based fitness centers, and these combine for a total of 64.19 million members. That averages out to about 1,500 per fitness center. Reality doesn’t always line up with neat averages, however, and there is a lot of individual variation that contributes to that number. For example, Franchise Chatter states the average Planet Fitness has 6,000 members.
When gym owners ask how many members does the average gym have, the answer depends heavily on the model. Boutique studios may operate profitably with 150–300 members, while a mid-size commercial facility often requires 800–1,200 members to break even. Large franchise clubs like Planet Fitness report much higher numbers—how many members does Planet Fitness have globally? Over 18 million, with an average of several thousand per location. But the raw count isn’t the only number that matters. What matters most is ARPM (average revenue per member), member lifetime value, and churn rate. Without the right gym management software, these numbers are impossible to track with accuracy.
Read More:
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all number here. To estimate how many members your gym needs, divide your monthly overhead costs by the price of a membership. You may be surprised by the results.
For example, if Gym A is very expensive to run, it may lose money despite having a huge number of members. Conversely, Gym B may have very few members, but if its overhead is low, it will still be successful. Run the numbers on your own gym to get a rough idea of the membership numbers you need to reach in order for your business to be profitable.
Read More: How many members does a gym need to be successful?
If you’re wondering how many members does a typical gym have, industry averages point to roughly 500–1,000 active members in small-to-mid facilities. By comparison, how many members does LA Fitness have? Over 2 million across all locations, with the LA Fitness membership cost structured around volume pricing. Anytime Fitness membership cost varies by region, but with thousands of global locations and relatively low overhead, the chain thrives even with moderate anytime fitness cost per month fees. How many members does an average gym have UK? The range is similar, with regional gyms averaging 800–1,000 members depending on urban density. These gym statistics show why volume-only models don’t work for independent gyms—you must optimize retention and ARPM. With Exercise.com, you can do exactly that through integrated billing, hybrid offerings, and CRM for gyms.
It’s not enough to know how many members do gyms have. You also need to analyze how often do people go to the gym. Many members attend just 1–2 times per week, which is why gym attendance statistics and active gym capacity are critical. During 24 Hour Fitness peak hours chart windows, overcrowding hurts member experience and drives cancellations. Conversely, underutilized hours represent wasted potential. With Exercise.com’s custom branded gym apps, you can manage class scheduling, optimize facility usage, and even offer digital programs during off-peak hours—balancing active SG gym capacity and maximizing ROI.
The key question isn’t just how many members does a gym usually have—it’s whether those members generate sustainable profit. Operators often underestimate gym business cost and overestimate the impact of sheer volume. For example, 1,000 low-ARPM members may generate less profit than 400 engaged clients enrolled in hybrid services. With Exercise.com, you can layer personal training, small group training, online coaching, and upsells directly into your personal training software. That means you can stop worrying about whether you hit a generic membership benchmark and instead build a model tailored to your revenue goals.
| Gym Type | Average Members | ARPM (Average Revenue Per Member) | Key Profit Drivers | Pain Points Without Exercise.com | How Exercise.com Helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Boutique Studio | 150–300 | High (₹4,000–₹8,000 equivalent/month) | Personal training, small group classes, hybrid memberships | Hard to scale without automation; churn hurts fast | Automates billing, manages hybrid models, delivers online coaching via custom branded apps |
| Mid-Size Commercial Gym | 800–1,200 | Moderate (₹2,000–₹3,500/month) | Membership volume, PT upsells, secondary spend (retail, nutrition) | Tracking gym attendance statistics and retention is messy; missed upsells | Combines best gym management software with CRM, POS, and PT sales tools to maximize LTV |
| Large Chain Club (e.g., LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness) | 2,000–4,000+ | Low-to-Moderate (₹1,500–₹2,500/month) | High member count, franchise branding, ancillary services | High churn rates, inconsistent service, overcrowding at peak times | Centralizes data, supports 24 hour fitness membership models with gym software with door access control |
| Big-Box Discount Chain (e.g., Planet Fitness) | 6,000–10,000+ per location | Low (₹1,000–₹1,500/month) | Ultra-low pricing, massive volume, upsells like tanning or massage | Relies purely on volume; members rarely engaged (how many people go to Planet Fitness is less important than retention) | Helps independents compete by driving higher ARPM and better engagement through CRM for gyms |
This table illustrates that asking how many members does the average gym have is only part of the picture. Profitability depends on ARPM, retention, and the ability to manage operations effectively—which is exactly why Exercise.com is the best platform for gym owners.
Whether you’re asking how many memberships does a gym have on average or benchmarking against big chains like how many members does Planet Fitness have per location, the reality is that membership count alone doesn’t equal success. The most profitable gyms focus on retention, ARPM, and diversified revenue streams. With Exercise.com, you get the best gym software with door access control, integrated POS, CRM, and performance reporting. That means you can model your break-even point, track churn, and forecast member growth with confidence. For gym owners asking how to open a gym or how to start a fitness business, Exercise.com is the system that transforms membership data into long-term profitability.
Book a demo with Exercise.com today and discover how our all-in-one platform helps you not just answer how many members does an average gym have, but how to turn every member into a long-term, high-value client.
When owners ask how many members does the average gym have, they’re really asking, “How many members do I need—at my price point and attendance pattern—to hit break-even and grow?” The right answer isn’t a single number, it’s a capacity-utilization model you can control. Here’s a practical way to think about how many gym members per gym by format, along with the software levers that make those numbers achievable.
Use this alongside the deep-dive guide on how to open a gym to plug your own rents, payroll, and prices into a working plan: how to open a gym. If you’re still firming up your business model, start with how to start a fitness business.
These ranges answer “how many members does a gym usually have” and “how many members does a typical gym have” in practical terms. Your target depends on price, utilization, and churn—not averages alone. Exercise.com helps you hit the high end of your format by automating billing, enforcing late-cancel/no-show rules, and lifting ARPM with upgrades and add-ons.
Read More: Gym Business Models
To turn “how many memberships does a gym have” into a number you can operate against, run this:
Active Member Capacity ≈ Peak Station Count × Rotations per Peak Hour × Peak Hours per Day × Peak Days Share ÷ Typical Member Weekly Visits
Want the software to enforce this math? Exercise.com’s best gym software with door access control caps capacity at check-in, auto-waitlists classes, and recovers revenue with late-cancel/no-show fees—so your active gym capacity matches your plan, not wishful thinking.
Two gyms can have 2,000 members and wildly different outcomes. Why? Utilization. If your peak looks like a 24 Hour Fitness peak hours chart, you need stronger fences:
Exercise.com handles the rules, fees, and access control while your custom-branded apps handle online programming and member communication: custom-branded apps.
Searches like how many members does planet fitness have, how many planet fitness members are there, how many members does planet fitness have per location, how many people go to planet fitness, or how many members does LA Fitness have can be interesting, but they don’t solve your local unit economics. Big-box national numbers don’t map to a 4,000 sq ft boutique—or a 1,200 sq ft semi-private studio. Instead, anchor on:
Break-Even Members = (Rent + Payroll + Utilities + Software + Insurance + Debt Service) ÷ ARPM
Then forecast gym ROI by reducing churn and increasing ARPM. Exercise.com lifts both with smart dunning, upgrade paths, and engagement programs run in online and in-person hybrids.
Your members will Google anytime fitness membership cost, anytime fitness cost per month, 24 Hour Fitness membership, 24 hour fitness membership cost, 24 hour fitness membership price, and how much is a membership at LA Fitness. Don’t race to the bottom. Instead:
Exercise.com enforces tiered access and makes upgrades automatic. See the platform fit here: best gym management software, best CRM software for gyms, and best personal training software.
If you operate in dense commuter belts or university towns, the curve shifts toward concentrated peaks and seasonal churn. The question how many members does the average gym have UK is less useful than, “What ARPM and churn can I maintain with my facility and staff pattern?” Exercise.com gives you the same levers—door access, fees, waitlists, online tracks—to stabilize UK-style peaks and term structuring.
Exercise.com rolls these into one dashboard so gym statistics and gym attendance statistics become decisions, not trivia.
When operators analyze how many gym members per gym they need to succeed, the answer varies widely by model and geography. A boutique studio might run profitably with only 150–200 active members, while a larger multipurpose facility often needs 1,000+ members to sustain overhead. In the UK, how many members does the average gym have UK usually falls between 500 and 800, depending on population density and competition.
Understanding how many members do gyms usually have is only one piece of the puzzle. Long-term success requires tracking ARPM (average revenue per member), churn rate, and member lifetime value. With best gym management software, owners can model different membership scenarios, forecast profitability, and maximize ROI with data-driven decisions.
Large franchise chains skew the averages. For example, how many members does Planet Fitness have per location often exceeds 7,000, and how many members does LA Fitness have typically runs 5,000–6,000 per gym. Independent operators rarely need those volumes. By leveraging custom-branded apps and hybrid memberships, smaller gyms can achieve equal or greater profitability with a fraction of the members.
The gap between how many members does a gym have and how many show up regularly is one of the industry’s biggest pain points. In many facilities, only 30–40% of members attend consistently. That means a gym with 500 contracts may only see 200 active users. Without retention tools, churn quickly erodes profitability.
With best CRM software for gyms, owners can:
These insights shift the focus from “memberships sold” to “members engaged,” which drives higher profitability over time.
Consider a facility with annual overhead of $250,000. At an ARPM of $100, the break-even point is 2,500 active member-months per year, or about 210 members maintained consistently. If churn pushes that number down to 150 active members, the gym falls short of break-even by $60,000 annually.
With Exercise.com, operators can forecast this math in advance, track ARPM in real time, and automate retention efforts that keep active membership above break-even. Instead of relying on averages, owners gain the tools to align membership volume with financial outcomes.
Active capacity matters more than vanity member counts. Use this framework to translate your square footage, equipment mix, and peak-hour utilization into a realistic target for how many members a gym usually has while still delivering a great experience.
Key definitions
Baseline formulas
Inputs: 8,000 ft² total, 2,500 ft² functional area, 28 strength stations, 24 cardio stations, peak check-ins = 95, average member visits/week = 2.5.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Open-Area Slots | 2,500 ÷ 50 | 50 |
| Simultaneous User Capacity (SUC) | 28 + 24 + 50 | 102 |
| Peak Utilization | 95 ÷ 102 | 93% |
| Active Membership Capacity (AMC) | (95 × 10) ÷ 2.5 | 380 members |
Interpretation: at ~93% peak utilization, member experience is near the congestion threshold. Either raise capacity (more stations or extended hours) or lift ARPM with semi-private training so you can stay profitable without adding more members.
Use these scenarios to plan staffing, floor layout, and membership targets. Adjust weekly visits based on your model.
| Model | SUC | Peak Check-Ins | Weekly Visits per Member | AMC | Operator Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boutique Studio (3,500 ft²) | 34 | 28 | 3.5 | (28×10)÷3.5 = 80 | Priced on value, not volume; maximize ARPM with small-group training |
| Training Studio (5,000 ft²) | 56 | 40 | 3.0 | (40×10)÷3.0 = 133 | Stagger sessions, upsell assessments and PT packages |
| 24/7 General Gym (10,000 ft²) | 125 | 85 | 2.2 | (85×10)÷2.2 = 386 | Stretch demand across dayparts with access control and promos |
Capacity issues aren’t solved by selling fewer memberships, they are solved by distributing usage.
With best CRM software for gyms, configure alerts for threshold breaches, automate reactivation sequences, and tie attendance to revenue so you can see the real impact on churn and LTV.
Capacity math is only valuable if it improves gym profitability. Use Exercise.com to connect the dots from headcount to revenue:
Book a demo with Exercise.com to see your capacity, pricing, and membership strategy come together in one platform.
Competitive context also matters. Anytime Fitness membership cost is typically $40–$60 per month in the US, while how much is a membership at LA Fitness averages $40–$50. Internationally, anytime fitness cost per month in India is usually ₹3,000–₹4,000. Independent gyms cannot always compete on price alone, but they can compete on value.
Using best gym software with door access control, small gyms can replicate 24/7 convenience while offering superior community, personal training, and digital coaching—value propositions big-box competitors cannot easily match.
Chains like Planet Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness rely on massive member volumes, often thousands per location. Independent gyms, boutique studios, and training facilities can succeed with far fewer members if they maximize ARPM, manage churn, and create hybrid revenue streams.
With how to open a gym and how to start a fitness business resources from Exercise.com, owners gain the playbook to model costs, launch effectively, and grow membership without relying on unrealistic averages.
Book a demo with Exercise.com today to see how our all-in-one platform helps gyms of every size optimize membership, maximize profitability, and scale sustainably.
The real answer to how many members does a gym have is: enough to fill your planned capacity at your target ARPM with acceptable churn—every month. That outcome requires software that protects peak, automates billing and upgrades, and turns online programming into real revenue. Exercise.com isn’t just “membership software”—it’s the operating system that makes your capacity math work in the real world.
Ready to see how Exercise.com grows member counts, ARPM, and retention in one platform? Book a demo with Exercise.com and turn your numbers into a predictable, profitable gym.
If your gym hasn’t quite reached that magic profitability threshold yet, there are many ways to increase memberships at your gym. Some are simple, others are more outside the box, but all are worth trying.
The average number of members in a typical gym is around 1,500. However, this number can vary significantly based on factors such as the gym’s business model, concept, and location. Understanding the dynamics of gym membership, such as the average members per gym or the average gym membership numbers, is crucial for gym owners to gauge their business’s performance and potential growth.
Membership numbers can vary widely in different types of gyms. For instance, a small, boutique gym might have fewer members, with an average number of gym memberships per gym being lower than larger facilities. On the other hand, big fitness centers in urban areas might have a higher average gym membership, reflecting their capacity and the population density of the area. The average gym memberships and how many members does a small gym have are important metrics for understanding market positioning and operational needs.
Opening a gym can be a good investment, but it largely depends on understanding the market and managing the gym effectively. Knowing the average gym membership and how many members can a gym have helps in creating a realistic business plan. The percentage of the population with a gym membership in your area can also indicate the potential market size. Using a comprehensive platform like Exercise.com can aid in managing memberships, tracking performance metrics, and optimizing business strategies for better profitability.
Effectively managing varying membership numbers requires a flexible and data-driven approach. Understanding the average amount of members at a gym and how many memberships does the average gym have can help in setting realistic targets and strategies. Gym owners should focus on member retention strategies and personalized services to maintain a steady membership base. Utilizing platforms like Exercise.com can provide valuable insights into membership trends and help in tailoring services to meet members’ needs effectively.
The average members at a gym like Planet Fitness can be quite high due to its affordability and widespread appeal. On average, a single Planet Fitness location has around 6,500 members. The Planet Fitness average members vary slightly by location, but this figure provides a good benchmark.
Anytime Fitness locations generally have fewer members compared to Planet Fitness. The average number of members at Anytime Fitness is typically around 900 per location. This smaller number allows for a more personalized and less crowded environment.
LA Fitness locations are larger and offer more amenities, which attracts a higher number of members. On average, an LA Fitness gym has about 4,000 members. This makes LA Fitness one of the larger chains in terms of membership size.
Gold’s Gym is known for its comprehensive facilities and strong brand presence. The average members per Gold’s Gym location is around 3,500. This number reflects the brand’s ability to attract a dedicated fitness community.
CrossFit boxes are typically smaller and more community-focused. The average number of members per gym in a CrossFit box is around 150. This smaller size fosters a close-knit community and personalized coaching.
The average membership of a gym that is considered small can vary, but typically these gyms have around 300-500 members. This size allows for a more intimate and personalized fitness experience.
Read More:
The number of members needed for a gym to be profitable depends on various factors, including location, operating costs, and pricing strategy. However, a typical small to mid-sized gym needs around 300-500 members to break even and start turning a profit. Larger gyms might need upwards of 1,000 members to cover their higher operational costs.
The average gym capacity varies based on the size and type of gym. For mid-sized gyms, the capacity is typically around 100-200 people at any one time, while larger commercial gyms can accommodate up to 300-400 people simultaneously.
Most gyms oversell their memberships by about 300-500%. This means that while a gym might only comfortably accommodate 300 people at once, it might have 1,500-2,000 members. This strategy is based on the fact that not all members use the gym at the same time.
The what’s the average gym membership cost varies widely. In the US, the average monthly cost is about $50, though budget gyms like Planet Fitness offer memberships for as low as $10 per month. Premium gyms can charge upwards of $100 monthly.
The average number of people at a gym at any one time is usually about 10-15% of the total membership. For a gym with 1,500 members, this means around 150-225 people might be present during peak times.
The busiest times for gyms are typically early morning (5-8 AM) and evening (5-8 PM) on weekdays. Weekends can also see higher attendance, especially in the mid-morning.
On average, about 50-60% of gym members use their membership regularly, attending at least once a week. However, only around 20-25% of members attend frequently enough (3-4 times per week) to be considered regular gym-goers.
A “good gym” can vary greatly, but typically a successful gym will have at least 500-1,000 members, ensuring enough revenue to cover costs and make a profit while maintaining quality service and facilities.
The how big is the average gym question can be answered by noting that the average gym size is typically between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet. Larger commercial gyms can exceed 10,000 square feet.
The most successful gyms in America include brands like Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness, and Gold’s Gym. These gyms have large memberships and strong brand recognition, contributing to their success.
Read More: Most Successful Gyms in America
Cheap gyms like Planet Fitness make money through high membership volumes and low operational costs. They focus on maintaining high member counts and offer limited amenities to keep expenses low, relying on a high volume of low-cost memberships.
Read More: How do gyms make money?
Yes, gyms can be highly profitable if managed correctly. Key factors include location, membership pricing, operational efficiency, and effective marketing strategies. While initial setup costs can be high, a well-run gym can generate substantial revenue over time.
About 50% of new gym members quit within the first six months. This high attrition rate is why many gyms focus on continuous engagement and retention strategies to keep members active and reduce turnover.
The success rate of gyms can vary, but approximately 80% of gyms survive their first year, with about 50% remaining open after five years. Success depends on factors such as location, management, marketing, and customer service.
Studies show that gym attendance is fairly balanced, with a slight lean towards males. On average, about 55% of gym-goers are male and 45% are female. However, this can vary depending on the gym type and location.
On average, about 20% of the population holds a gym membership, though this can vary by region. The percentage of population with gym membership is higher in urban areas and developed countries.
The average age of a gym goer is between 25 and 45 years old. However, many gyms cater to a wide age range, offering specialized programs for younger and older members.
January is typically the busiest month for gyms, driven by New Year’s resolutions. Other peaks include the start of summer and the back-to-school season in September.
To calculate the capacity of a gym, you can use the formula:
[ \text{Capacity} = \frac{\text{Total Usable Area (sq ft)}}{\text{Space per Person (sq ft)}} ]
For example, a gym with 3,000 square feet and allocating 10 square feet per person can handle 300 members at once.
Read More: Gym Design Guide
Many people give up going to the gym due to lack of motivation, time constraints, or unmet expectations. Gyms can combat this by creating engaging environments and offering varied, motivating programs.
To attract more members, gyms should employ digital marketing strategies for fitness industry, such as SEO, PPC, social media campaigns, and content marketing. How to promote a gym online effectively involves a mix of these tactics, tailored to the target audience.
Read More: Gym Digital Marketing
For managing gym operations, the best gym management software from Exercise.com includes features like scheduling, membership management, billing, and communication tools.
By understanding these factors, gym owners and fitness professionals can better plan and manage their facilities, ensuring they meet the needs of their members and remain profitable.
Gym membership statistics may show that 1,500 members are average for a fitness center in the U.S., but if your gym is working with smaller numbers, that doesn’t mean profitability is out of reach. Focus on improving your unique fitness business, and the income will follow.
And if you’d like to spend less time managing your gym operations and more time with your members, Exercise.com can help.
References:
Tyler Spraul