2026 Fitness Industry Data Survey

One submission. Two flagship reports. Practical value for participating companies and the wider fitness industry.

Each year, the Health & Fitness Association collects financial and operational data from operators across the industry to produce two cornerstone research publications: the 2026 Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report (FIBR) and the 2026 HFA Global Report.

In 2026, the process has been streamlined. Rather than separate data requests, HFA has consolidated reporting into a single effort: the 2026 Fitness Industry Data Survey.

One survey supports both reports and delivers meaningful benchmarking insight in return.

Why Participate?

Participation provides direct value to companies while strengthening the industry’s most credible dataset.

Participating companies receive:

• A confidential Company Performance Report (CPR) benchmarking results against relevant peer groups
• Instant results upon submission
• Access to interactive benchmarking tools through the HFA Research Portal
• The opportunity to contribute to data-driven research that informs advocacy and public representation

One Survey. Two Distinct Reports.

Although data collection is consolidated, the outputs remain separate and serve distinct purposes.

Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report (FIBR)

FIBR delivers detailed financial and operational benchmarks for operators, executives, and investors seeking insight into cost structures, staffing ratios, revenue mix, and performance metrics.

All detailed operational and financial data collected for FIBR is fully anonymized and reported only in aggregate. Individual company results are never published.

HFA Global Report & Global 25 Rankings

The HFA Global Report provides a high-level snapshot of the global fitness industry, highlighting scale, structure, and leading companies.

A limited set of company datapoints collected through the survey may be used in identifiable form, subject to approval from the submitting company. These typically include corporate locations, total revenue, and total members.

No detailed financial ratios or operational metrics are published at the company level.

What Participants Receive

Participation delivers structured, decision-ready outputs.

Confidential Company Performance Report (CPR)

Each participating company receives a customized report presenting key metrics alongside relevant industry comparatives.

• Ratios are pre-calculated for consistency
• Benchmarks reflect appropriate peer groups
• Designed for internal planning, lender discussions, and board-level reporting

Instant Results

Upon submission, participating companies receive:

• Calculated performance metrics
• Side-by-side comparisons with prior-year company data
• Prior-year industry benchmarks

Value is delivered immediately.

Interactive Report Card

Through the HFA Research Portal, participating companies can discover how their company “grades” on several key financial metrics. In addition to comparing themselves against all responding companies, respondents are also able to grade themselves against all of the data aggregates included in the report.

Data Protection and Anonymization

The survey is conducted on HFA’s behalf by Industry Insights, an independent research firm specializing in association benchmarking.

• Individual responses are held in strict confidence by Industry Insights
• HFA staff and members do not have access to company-level survey data
• Detailed operational and financial data is anonymized and reported only in aggregate
• If approved by the submitting company, limited high-level datapoints may be used in identifiable form solely for the Global Report and Global 25 rankings

Broad Participation Matters

The more representative the dataset, the more credible the benchmarks and the stronger the industry’s collective voice.

Aggregated findings inform not only benchmarking publications, but also how HFA represents the industry in discussions with policymakers, regulators, media, and other stakeholders.

Robust participation ensures that the industry’s diversity across size, segment, and geography is accurately reflected.

Early Completion Incentive

Operators that complete the survey by April 15, 2026, will be entered into a raffle to win free all-access admission to one of two future HFA events:

• The The HFA Show 2027, or
• The 2026 HFA European Congress

The selected winner may choose which event to attend.

Questions? Contact Anton Severin, vice president of research, at aseverin@healthandfitness.org.