2023 Australia Annual Health & Fitness Centres Report

Australians spent up to AUD 3.5 Billion on Fitness Clubs and Gyms in 2023, based on GapMaps estimates powered by CommBank iQ.  This equates to approximately 1 in 5 Australians having a gym membership*.

Servicing this demand, the top fitness chains across Australia have over 3,000 locations, as outlined in this 2023 GapMaps Health and Fitness Centres annual report which tracks the largest 27 brands within the sector.

This report suggests that Sydney residents might be fitter than those in Melbourne, with 16% higher gym spending per capita and a 13% higher ratio of major gym locations per capita. However, there are major variations in both gym spending per capita and gym store provisions across each city as outlined in detail within the GapMaps platform.

Anytime Fitness remains the largest chain nationally with 561 locations, adding a net additional 11 locations over 2023. 61% of all Australians live within 3km of an Anytime Fitness including 89% of Sydneysiders.

Despite cost-of-living headwinds, the sector continued to grow, with the majority of operators increasing their network size in 2023.  Excluding F45, the tracked brands added a net 53 locations in 2023. Brands such as Fitstop and BFT continued major expansions, adding 39 and 27 locations respectively.

There has been some turbulence within the sector, with the much-publicised challenges at F45, who are now reporting 111 less locations on their company website versus 12 months prior. In addition, CrossFit now reports 39 less affiliated locations versus January 2023. For both of these brands, while they are reporting large declines on their websites, up to half of the locations appear still to be trading but their long-term affiliation with the brand is unclear.

GapMaps track the location of over 1,500 brands within Australia and this provides insights on where brands are clustering and the observable expansion and optimisation strategies of each brand. In addition, GapMaps has partnered with CommBank iQ to provide insight on the real spending habits of consumers at a local level, including on Fitness Clubs and Gym spending. This detailed analysis of supply and demand within the sector empowers GapMaps users to better understand, optimise and grow their store networks.

 *based on residents aged 18 and over and assuming an average gym membership cost of AUD 70 per month.