55 Gym and Fitness Statistics for Australia (2026)

Quick note on scope: This article aggregates publicly available data from Australian and international research bodies. Some figures span different survey periods (2022-2025). Where data currency is relevant, the collection date is noted inline. Individual figures should be verified against primary sources before republication.

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Key Statistics at a Glance

• Approximately 4.9 million Australians hold a gym or fitness centre membership, representing roughly 19% of the adult population.
• The Australian fitness industry generates an estimated $2.5 billion AUD in annual revenue.
• Only 1 in 2 Australians meets the national physical activity guidelines for their age group.
• The average gym membership in Australia costs between $50 and $80 AUD per month, depending on facility type and location.
• Women make up the slight majority of gym members in Australia, accounting for approximately 53% of memberships.
• Gym participation among 18-34 year olds is the highest of any age cohort, at roughly 30% of that group.
• The home fitness equipment market in Australia has grown sharply since 2020, with online sales of equipment rising over 40% during the pandemic period and remaining elevated.
• Obesity affects 31.3% of Australian adults, reinforcing preventive fitness as a significant public health priority.

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Introduction

The Australian fitness industry sits at an interesting intersection of public health policy, consumer spending, and cultural change. Whether you are a gym operator benchmarking membership rates, a health researcher tracking physical activity trends, or simply someone trying to understand how Australian exercise habits compare to global norms, having reliable data in one place matters. This article pulls together 55 statistics from government health bodies, industry associations, and market research firms to give you the clearest possible picture of where the industry stands in 2026.

The data covers a wide range: participation rates broken down by age and gender, commercial gym pricing benchmarks, market revenue figures, home gym adoption trends, workout frequency, and the broader health context that makes fitness participation a policy issue as well as a personal one. Sources include the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), AUSactive (formerly Fitness Australia), IBISWorld, Roy Morgan Research, and the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). Where figures differ between sources, both are noted.

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1. Gym Membership and Participation Rates in Australia

Understanding how many Australians actually use gyms, and how regularly, is the foundation for everything else in this article.

1. According to AUSactive, approximately 4.9 million Australians hold an active gym or fitness centre membership as of the most recent industry count.
2. According to Roy Morgan Research, 19.4% of Australians aged 14 and over reported visiting a gym or fitness centre in a given four-week period.
3. According to the ABS (abs.gov.au), 63.1% of Australians reported participating in some form of physical activity in the week prior to the 2022 National Health Survey, though this includes walking and informal sport, not only structured gym use.
4. According to IHRSA's Global Report, Australia ranks among the top 10 countries globally for fitness industry penetration rate, with a membership penetration of approximately 14-15% of the total population.
5. According to AUSactive, there are approximately 3,500 fitness facilities operating across Australia, ranging from large commercial chains to boutique studios.
6. Gym membership numbers fell by an estimated 30-35% during 2020-2021 due to extended lockdowns across New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT, before recovering strongly through 2022-2024.
7. As of 2024-2025, membership volumes have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in most major Australian cities, according to industry operator reports cited by IBISWorld.

Gym Membership Participation Rate: Year-on-Year Trend

Sources: AUSactive industry reports, IBISWorld Gym & Fitness Centres Australia (ibisworld.com), IHRSA Global Report.

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2. Demographics: Who Goes to the Gym in Australia

Participation patterns vary considerably by age, gender, and geography. These figures help operators, marketers, and researchers understand who is actually walking through the doors.

Age

8. According to Roy Morgan Research, the 18-34 age group has the highest gym participation rate of any cohort, with roughly 29-31% reporting gym attendance in a given month.
9. Participation among 35-49 year olds sits at approximately 20-22%, making it the second-largest demographic by attendance rate.
10. Gym participation drops to around 12-14% among Australians aged 50-64, though this cohort is the fastest-growing segment in boutique fitness and group exercise.
11. Australians aged 65 and over record the lowest gym participation rate at roughly 7-9%, though allied health referral programmes are steadily increasing this figure.
12. According to the AIHW (aihw.gov.au), physical inactivity rates are highest among young people aged 15-17, with over 80% failing to meet the recommended 60 minutes of moderate activity per day.

Gender

13. According to AUSactive, women account for approximately 53% of all gym memberships in Australia, slightly outpacing men.
14. Men are more likely to use free weight and strength training areas, while women show higher participation rates in group fitness classes and cardio equipment zones, according to operator data cited by AUSactive.
15. According to the ABS National Health Survey, women are more likely than men to cite "improved mental health" as their primary motivation for gym attendance, while men more commonly cite "building muscle" or "improving physical performance".

Geography

16. Gym participation rates are highest in major capital cities, particularly Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, where commercial gym density is greatest.
17. According to IBISWorld, New South Wales and Victoria collectively account for over 55% of total fitness industry revenue in Australia.
18. Regional and rural Australians have significantly lower access to commercial gym facilities, with participation rates estimated at roughly half those of metropolitan areas.

Gym Participation by Age Group (Australia, 2025 estimates)

Sources: Roy Morgan Research, AUSactive, ABS National Health Survey.

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3. Fitness Industry Market Size and Revenue

The commercial fitness industry in Australia is a substantial economic sector, with revenue streams spanning memberships, personal training, group fitness, equipment retail, and corporate wellness.

19. According to IBISWorld (ibisworld.com), the Gym and Fitness Centres industry in Australia generated approximately $2.5 billion AUD in revenue in 2024-25.
20. The industry has grown at an annualised rate of approximately 2.8% per year over the five years to 2025, recovering from the sharp pandemic contraction.
21. According to IBISWorld, the fitness industry employs approximately 41,000 people across Australia, including personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and facility management staff.
22. The personal training segment is one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors, with the number of registered personal trainers in Australia exceeding 35,000 according to AUSactive registration data.
23. Boutique fitness studios (yoga, Pilates, HIIT, cycling, reformer Pilates) have grown their combined market share from roughly 12% to approximately 22% of total fitness industry revenue between 2018 and 2025.
24. According to a Deloitte Access Economics report cited by AUSactive, the economic value of the fitness industry to Australia, including reduced healthcare costs and productivity gains, exceeds $12 billion AUD annually when indirect benefits are counted.
25. The online fitness and digital subscription market in Australia is estimated at over $400 million AUD annually, encompassing app-based programmes, live-streamed classes, and on-demand content.

Australian Fitness Industry Revenue by Segment (2025 estimates)

Sources: IBISWorld Gym & Fitness Centres Australia, AUSactive Industry Report, Deloitte Access Economics.

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4. Gym Pricing and Average Membership Costs in Australia

Cost is consistently cited as one of the top three barriers to gym membership. Understanding the pricing landscape across facility types is useful for both consumers and operators.

26. According to Canstar Blue consumer research, the average gym membership in Australia costs between $50 and $80 AUD per month for a standard access membership at a commercial facility.
27. Budget gym chains (such as Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness, and Jetts) typically charge between $12 and $25 AUD per week, or roughly $50-100 per month depending on contract terms.
28. Premium gym facilities in capital city CBDs (such as F45, Equinox-style facilities, and high-end hotel gyms) can charge between $150 and $300 AUD per month or more.
29. Boutique studio memberships (Pilates, yoga, cycling) typically range from $80 to $200 AUD per month, often structured as class-pack or unlimited-visit models.
30. According to Roy Morgan, approximately 28% of gym members say cost is the primary reason they have considered cancelling their membership.
31. The average casual visit rate at Australian commercial gyms ranges from $15 to $30 AUD per visit, making regular casual attendance significantly more expensive than membership.
32. According to Canstar Blue, joining fees at Australian gyms range from $0 (common at budget chains running promotions) to over $200 at premium facilities.
33. A 2024 consumer survey cited by Choice Australia found that approximately 40% of gym members reported using their membership less than once per week on average, representing poor value relative to their spend.

Gym Membership Price Comparison by Facility Type (Australia, 2025)

Sources: Canstar Blue Gym Membership Review, Choice Australia, AUSactive.

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5. Home Gym vs Commercial Gym Trends

The pandemic-era surge in home fitness equipment purchases permanently shifted some Australians away from commercial facilities. Understanding where this trend has stabilised is important for both retailers and gym operators. For a more detailed comparison of the two approaches, see our home gym vs commercial gym guide.

34. According to IBISWorld data on the Sports and Camping Equipment Retailing sector, online sales of fitness equipment in Australia increased by over 40% in 2020-21 relative to 2019-20 levels.
35. A Roy Morgan survey conducted in 2022 found that approximately 23% of Australians reported having a dedicated home workout space or home gym setup.
36. Despite the home fitness boom, commercial gym membership numbers have fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels by 2023-24, suggesting that home and commercial gym use are largely complementary rather than substitutes for most people.
37. According to a Finder.com.au survey, the most common home fitness equipment owned by Australians includes dumbbells (48%), resistance bands (41%), yoga mats (57%), and treadmills or stationary bikes (22%).
38. The average Australian home gym setup cost ranges from approximately $500 AUD for a basic resistance and cardio kit to over $10,000 AUD for a fully equipped power rack and cable machine setup.
39. According to Google Trends data for Australia, searches for "home gym" peaked in April-May 2020 and again in August-September 2021, corresponding to major lockdown periods in New South Wales and Victoria.
40. Hybrid gym users (those who maintain both a commercial gym membership and train at home) are estimated to account for approximately 30-35% of active gym members, according to AUSactive member surveys.

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6. Workout Frequency, Habits, and Motivation

How often Australians exercise, what drives them to start, and what causes them to stop are among the most practically useful data points for fitness professionals and researchers alike.

41. According to the ABS (abs.gov.au) National Health Survey 2022, only 51.4% of Australians aged 18-64 met the national physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of moderate activity per week).
42. Among those who do attend a gym, the most common frequency is 2-3 times per week, cited by approximately 45% of members in AUSactive survey data.
43. According to AUSactive, January is the peak month for new gym memberships in Australia, with sign-up volumes running approximately 30-40% above the monthly average in the first two weeks of the new year.
44. Retention is a persistent challenge: approximately 50% of new gym members cancel within the first 6 months, a figure broadly consistent with global IHRSA data.
45. According to the AIHW, the top three self-reported motivations for physical activity among Australian adults are: improving or maintaining health (72%), weight management (55%), and enjoyment or recreation (41%).
46. Mental health benefits are an increasingly cited motivation: the AIHW notes a significant increase in Australians nominating stress relief and mental wellbeing as reasons for exercise between 2018 and 2022 surveys.
47. According to a Fitness Australia (now AUSactive) consumer sentiment survey, lack of time is cited as the number one barrier to exercise by 43% of insufficiently active Australians, followed by cost (31%) and motivation (27%).
48. Group fitness class participation has grown steadily, with approximately 2.1 million Australians attending a structured group class (yoga, Pilates, spin, HIIT, CrossFit) at least once per month.

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7. Health and Obesity Context

The case for fitness participation in Australia cannot be separated from the nation's broader health statistics. These figures provide the public health backdrop against which the fitness industry operates.

49. According to the AIHW (aihw.gov.au), 67% of Australian adults were classified as overweight or obese in 2022, based on body mass index measurements.
50. 31.3% of Australian adults were classified as obese (BMI 30 or above), up from 27.9% in 2014-15, according to the ABS National Health Survey.
51. According to the AIHW, physical inactivity costs the Australian health system approximately $805 million AUD per year in direct healthcare costs, with broader economic costs estimated at several billion dollars annually.
52. Children and adolescents show concerning trends: only 19% of Australian children aged 5-17 met both physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines in 2022, according to the AIHW.
53. According to the ABS, adults in the lowest socioeconomic quintile are significantly less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those in the highest quintile, highlighting equity dimensions to fitness participation.
54. The AIHW reports that regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and mental health conditions, making gym participation relevant to preventive health policy.
55. According to AUSactive, the fitness industry's focus on inclusive and accessible programming has grown substantially since 2021, with over 60% of surveyed operators reporting new programmes targeting older adults, people with disabilities, or low-income communities.

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Australian Market Statistics Summary

This section consolidates the most Australia-specific data points for quick reference.

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Key Takeaways

These data points carry practical implications for gym operators, health professionals, marketers, and active Australians.

• Membership is growing but retention remains the primary challenge. With approximately half of new members cancelling within six months, onboarding experience, accountability structures, and habit-building support are more commercially important than acquisition alone.
• The 18-34 cohort is the core market, but 50+ is the growth opportunity. Budget and mid-range operators who invest in programming for older adults are positioning ahead of a demographic that is growing in both size and health awareness.
• Cost sensitivity is high. With 28% of existing members already considering cancellation on cost grounds, and 31% of inactive Australians citing cost as their primary barrier, price architecture matters significantly.
• Home and commercial gym use are complementary, not competing. Operators should consider how digital and hybrid offerings extend member value rather than viewing home fitness as a direct threat.
• The public health case for fitness participation is strong and growing. With two-thirds of Australian adults overweight or obese and physical inactivity costing the health system over $800 million annually, fitness participation has clear policy-level importance beyond individual lifestyle choice.
• January is a critical acquisition window. New membership volumes running 30-40% above average in early January represent a concentrated opportunity that rewards preparation across marketing, staffing, and onboarding.
• Gear and setup friction matters more than most operators account for. Training frequency and session quality are influenced by how organised and efficient the in-gym experience feels. Members who train with less friction between sets, whether that means well-placed storage hooks, clear sightlines to equipment, or tidy training floors, tend to report better sessions. For a reference guide on equipping yourself well before you set foot in the gym, the best gym bags in Australia roundup is a practical starting point.

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Methodology and Disclaimer

This article aggregates statistics from publicly available research, government health surveys, industry association reports, and market research publications. Data points were sourced from primary publications where possible, and from secondary citations where primary access was unavailable.

Key source categories include:

• Government health data: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
• Industry association data: AUSactive (formerly Fitness Australia)
• Market research: IBISWorld, Roy Morgan Research, Canstar Blue, Finder.com.au
• Global benchmarks: IHRSA (International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association)

Some figures represent estimates or ranges derived from multiple sources where a single definitive figure was not available. Year-on-year trend tables include projections or interpolations where annual survey data was not published for every year shown.

Data currency varies across statistics: the most recent ABS National Health Survey data referenced is from 2022; AUSactive industry figures reflect 2024-25 reporting periods where available. Readers should verify individual figures against primary sources before republication, particularly for commercial or regulatory purposes.

This article was last reviewed and updated in 2026.

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Sources

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) - Physical Activity Data. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/physical-activity/physical-activity
2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) - National Health Survey 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey
3. AUSactive (formerly Fitness Australia) - Industry Report. https://www.ausactive.org.au
4. IBISWorld - Gym and Fitness Centres in Australia Industry Report. https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/gym-fitness-centres
5. Roy Morgan Research - Australian Gym and Fitness Participation. https://www.roymorgan.com
6. IHRSA (International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association) - Global Report. https://www.ihrsa.org
7. Canstar Blue - Gym Membership Review Australia. https://www.canstarblue.com.au/health-fitness/gym-membership
8. AIHW - Overweight and Obesity Data. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity
9. ABS - Sport and Physical Recreation Statistics. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/sport-and-physical-recreation
10. Finder.com.au - Home Fitness Equipment Survey. https://www.finder.com.au/home-gym-statistics
11. Deloitte Access Economics - Economic Value of Fitness Industry (cited by AUSactive). https://www.ausactive.org.au/research
12. AIHW - Children's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Report. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/australias-children
13. Choice Australia - Gym Membership Consumer Survey. https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/gym-and-exercise
14. IBISWorld - Sports and Camping Equipment Retailing Australia. https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/sports-camping-equipment-retailing

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