New HFA FIT Tracker: US Fitness Industry Surges to Record Highs

Data from the third quarter of 2025 shows sustained momentum.

Visits to commercial fitness facilities reached record levels in the third quarter of 2025, according to results published in HFA’s most recent Fitness Industry Traffic (FIT) Tracker. The gains were driven primarily by the high-volume low-price (HVLP) and mid-priced segments, signaling that affordability and accessibility continue to fuel America’s fitness boom.

These results reinforce what we’re seeing across multiple HFA research initiatives: Americans are making fitness a consistent part of their lives.

This data continues the upward trend seen in the first half of 2025. Here are some highlights from the third quarter.

The FIT Tracker’s data are derived from anonymized foot-traffic across nearly 11,000 US facilities, in partnership with Sports Marketing Surveys USA and powered by Placer.ai.

The quarterly FIT Tracker report is available for free to HFA premium, standard, and industry partner members and for purchase by non-members

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Average visits per US fitness facility climbed

year-over-year, reaching nearly

visits per location.

HVLP gyms recorded a

increase to an average of

visits per facility

above pre-pandemic levels and the most attended third quarter on record.

Mid-priced facility also achieved a new third-quarter record with average visits rising to

HVLP and mid-priced gyms reported year-over-year gains, including robust growth of

both in July and in September.

Geographic data showed that fitness activity surged across much of the country.

Pacific:

Mid-Atlantic:

New England:

Luxury facilities, though still registering the highest engagement of all segments, saw slower momentum.

visits per quarter, but that represented a

year-over-year decline, keeping the segment below pre-pandemic traffic norms.

Still, engagement among luxury members remains strong, with monthly visit frequency up

and an average dwell time of

minutes.

These metrics suggest that although high-end clubs are attracting fewer visitors, their existing members are highly committed.

Growing Diversity and Higher Income Levels

Demographic data from the FIT Tracker showed slight gains in both diversity and household income across the fitness population. These shifts underscore a broadening appeal of fitness across demographic and income groups, with value-oriented segments attracting diverse members while high-end clubs continue to appeal to affluent consumers seeking premium experiences.

The data from the Q3 FIT Tracker tell a clear story: Fitness in America isn’t just recovering—it’s expanding, diversifying, and becoming a permanent part of people’s lives.

POINTER Study and Other Research Prove the Stakes

The FIT Tracker’s release coincided with new national research showing slight progress in obesity trends. According to a recent report from Trust for America’s Health, the number of states with adult obesity rates at or above 35% declined for the first time, from 23 states in 2023 to 19 in 2024.

Additionally, results from the US POINTER study, a major two-year clinical trial, confirmed that lifestyle behaviors including regular exercise and cognitive engagement significantly improve brain health outcomes.

This is the first time we have had rigorous data from a representative US population to support this connection, and the implications are profound. Together, these findings reinforce the societal benefits of increased fitness participation—a trend HFA’s data suggest will continue as we head into 2026.

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*HFA Reports are available for free to HFA club/studio and industry partner members and for purchase by individual members and non-members. Become an HFA member to access all HFA research FREE.

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Health & Fitness Business (HFB) is the leading health and fitness industry publication. Published monthly by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and distributed free to the industry, HFB offers analysis of the opportunities, challenges, issues and news that impact the industry.

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