HFA data show gyms and studios delivering 19 consecutive quarters of foot traffic growth.

WASHINGTON, DC—January 15, 2026—US commercial fitness facilities closed out 2025 with record fourth-quarter foot traffic, extending the industry’s growth streak to 19 consecutive quarters, according to new data from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA).

Findings from HFA’s US Fitness Industry Traffic Tracker: Q4 and Full-Year 2025 show that foot traffic to US commercial fitness facilities averaged more than 184,000 visits per location in 2025, up 4.2% from 2024 and on par with the industry’s pre-pandemic peak in 2017. The data reflect anonymized visitation patterns across nearly 11,000 fitness facilities nationwide.

Growth in 2025 was broad-based across much of the industry, led by continued strength among high-volume, low-price (HVLP) gyms, with mid-priced and boutique facilities recording solid year-over-year gains. Together, the results point to sustained consumer demand for in-person fitness experiences across a range of business models.

Momentum extended through the end of the year, even as facilities entered what is traditionally the weakest seasonal period. In the fourth quarter, average visits per commercial fitness location rose 3.4% year-over-year, marking the industry’s 19th consecutive quarter of visitation growth. December also marked the 10th straight month of rising average visitation on an annual basis.

Beyond foot traffic totals, FIT Tracker also points to deepening engagement among fitness consumers. In 2025, the average number of monthly visits per visitor increased 1.1% from the prior year. All four analyzed facility segments—HVLP, mid-priced, luxury, and boutique—recorded annual increases in visit frequency, indicating a broad-based improvement in usage intensity.

“Nineteen consecutive quarters of growth and a strong finish to 2025 highlight how firmly fitness has established itself in Americans’ routines,” said HFA Vice President of Research Anton Severin. “Even in periods of economic uncertainty and seasonal softness, the industry continues to demonstrate steady momentum.”

The strong finish to 2025 is reinforced by forward-looking consumer sentiment heading into the new year. A recent HFA survey shows that Americans plan to spend an estimated $60 billion to support their health and fitness goals in 2026, with most consumers viewing fitness as a protected household expense even amid broader economic uncertainty. Taken together, the 2025 visitation gains and intentions heading into 2026 point to continued momentum for the fitness industry.

About the Health & Fitness Association

The Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA), a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health. Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.

Founded in 1981, the association publishes a monthly magazine, Health & Fitness Business, and operates The HFA Show, the HFA European Congress, and the Fly-In and Advocacy Summit. The association also partners on events around the world, including Fitness Brasil, ChinaFit, MEFIT Summit and Wellness & Fitness LATAM. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

About FIT Tracker

The FIT Tracker is based on anonymized foot-traffic data from nearly 11,000 US fitness facilities, analyzed in partnership with Sports Marketing Surveys USA (a Buffalo Groupe company) and powered by Placer.ai. 

The report covering Q4 and Full-Year 2025 provides detailed insights into visitation trends by facility segment, region, and consumer demographics and is available free to HFA members and for purchase by non-members at healthandfitness.org/research.