As a seasoned expert in the fitness industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strategies that drive success in the competitive gym landscape. For gym owners, distributors, and stakeholders, understanding the market leaders is crucial for making informed decisions.

This guide dives deep into the Top 10 Gyms by Membership in the United States for 2025, providing an insider’s perspective on what makes them tick. We’ll explore their operational strategies, membership models, and, most importantly, extract actionable insights you can apply to optimize your own fitness business.

Let’s unpack the secrets of the industry’s giants.

Top 10 Gyms by Membership in 2025 (Bonus: Tips to Optimize Your Own Gym)

The fitness industry is dynamic, with trends and consumer preferences constantly evolving. While precise 2025 membership figures are projections based on current growth trajectories and market dominance, the following gyms are consistently at the forefront of the U.S. market in terms of member volume.

(Note on Membership Numbers & Fees: Figures provided are estimates based on recent publicly available data, industry reports, and average pricing models. Actual numbers and fees can vary by location, franchise, and specific membership tiers.)

1. Planet Fitness

Overview: Planet Fitness is the low-cost, high-volume “Judgment-Free Zone®” for casual exercisers and beginners.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 18-20+ Million

Estimated Membership Fees:

Classic: $10-$15/month
PF Black Card®: $24.99/month (includes guest privileges, tanning, massage chairs, reciprocal club access)

Operational Strategy:

Simplicity & Affordability: Focus on essential equipment, avoiding high-cost amenities like pools or saunas to keep fees low.
Inclusivity: Actively cultivates an environment where everyone, regardless of fitness level, feels comfortable.
Recurring Revenue: Relies on high membership volume and supplementary Black Card sales, with a significant portion of revenue coming from members who pay but don’t frequently attend.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: Consider your niche. If you aim for mass appeal, a simplified, welcoming, and affordable model can be incredibly effective. Focus on community and reducing intimidation.

2. Anytime Fitness

Overview: World’s largest 24/7 franchise, Anytime Fitness offers convenient, neighborhood-based clubs for flexible workouts.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 5-6 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $35-$50/month (varies widely by franchise)

Operational Strategy:

Convenience & Accessibility: 24/7 access and numerous local branches are their core value propositions.
Franchise Model: Rapid expansion through local ownership, fostering a community feel in many locations.
Personalization: Often emphasizes personal training and coaching services within the smaller, more intimate setting.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: Convenience is king. Explore extended hours, multiple access points (if applicable), or reciprocal agreements to enhance member flexibility. A strong local community focus can build loyalty.

3. LA Fitness

Overview: LA Fitness offers extensive amenities like pools and courts, appealing to diverse, full-service seekers.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 4-5 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $30-$50/month (plus potential initiation fees)

Operational Strategy:

“Everything Under One Roof”: Provides a vast array of equipment, classes, and facilities to serve diverse fitness needs.
Aggressive Sales & Marketing: Known for direct sales approaches and promotional offers to drive membership acquisition.
Scale & Volume: Leverages large facilities to accommodate high member traffic and offer extensive amenities.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: If you can offer diverse amenities, highlight them. Packaging multiple services (classes, specific courts, pools) into one membership can attract a broader base. Strong sales teams remain vital.

4. 24 Hour Fitness

Overview: 24 Hour Fitness provides round-the-clock access and varied club formats for diverse fitness needs.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 3-4 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $30-$50/month (varies by tier and location)

Operational Strategy:

Accessibility: 24/7 operation is a primary draw for members with irregular schedules.
Tiered Membership: Offers different levels of access and amenities, allowing members to choose what fits their needs and budget.
Digital Integration: Increasingly focusing on app-based scheduling, on-demand workouts, and membership management.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: Evaluate demand for 24/7 access in your area. Offering tiered memberships can broaden your appeal, allowing you to capture different price points and provide varying levels of service.

5. Orangetheory Fitness

Overview: Orangetheory offers unique, heart rate-monitored HIIT in a science-backed, high-energy group setting.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 1.2-1.5 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $59-$169/month (package-based, for a set number of classes or unlimited)

Operational Strategy:

Science-Backed & Results-Driven: Emphasizes measurable outcomes (heart rate zones, “splat points”) to keep members engaged and motivated.
Group Coaching & Community: High-energy coaches and a strong class-based community foster accountability and retention.
Premium Pricing & Value: Justifies higher fees through specialized coaching, unique workout methodology, and a high-touch experience.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: Niche down and specialize. If you offer unique training methodologies or a highly coached environment, charge a premium for the value. Measurable results and a strong community can drive exceptional retention.

6. Crunch Fitness

Overview: Crunch Fitness offers flexible, tiered memberships and energetic group fitness in a “no judgments” atmosphere.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 2.5-3 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $9.99-$29.99+/month (plus potential enrollment fees)

Operational Strategy:

Value Proposition: Provides a broad spectrum of services for a competitive price, appealing to various segments.
“No Judgments” Vibe: Similar to Planet Fitness but with more extensive offerings, appealing to a younger, more energetic crowd.
Strong Group Fitness: Invests heavily in a wide variety of engaging group exercise classes.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: Offer flexible membership tiers. Create an atmosphere that welcomes everyone but also provides advanced options for those seeking more. High-quality group fitness programming can be a significant draw.

7. Gold’s Gym

Overview: Gold’s Gym blends iconic bodybuilding heritage with modern cardio, classes, and strength training.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 2-2.5 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $25-$50/month (varies by location and amenities)

Operational Strategy:

Brand Heritage & Trust: Leverages its long-standing reputation for serious training.
Balanced Offering: Successfully blends classic weightlifting appeal with modern amenities and group classes.
Community for Serious Lifters: Often attracts a dedicated core of members passionate about strength training.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: If you have a strong brand history or a unique community focus (e.g., powerlifting, CrossFit, yoga), lean into that heritage. A balanced approach can broaden your appeal while retaining your core identity.

8. YMCA

Overview: YMCA is a non-profit focusing on community well-being, offering fitness, youth programs, and family activities.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 2-2.5 Million (family memberships count as multiple individuals)

Estimated Membership Fees: $40-$80/month (individual to family, varies by region/location)

Operational Strategy:

Community-Centric: Focuses on holistic wellness for all ages, often subsidized by grants and donations.
Family-Friendly: Offers a wide range of programs for children, making it attractive to families.
Comprehensive Amenities: Many YMCAs boast extensive facilities, including multiple pools, indoor tracks, and sports courts.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: Consider how you can integrate more “community” or “family-friendly” aspects. Partnerships with local schools or youth organizations can expand your reach and appeal to a broader demographic.

9. Life Time Fitness

Overview: A luxury athletic country club offering comprehensive fitness, wellness, and family amenities.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 1-1.2 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $100-$200+/month (individual to family, varies by location)

Operational Strategy:

Luxury & Exclusivity: Provides an upscale environment and high-touch service, justifying premium pricing.
“Third Place” Concept: Aims to be a holistic destination for fitness, work, and social life, encouraging longer stays.
Diverse Programming: Offers specialized classes, personal training, and wellness services beyond typical gym offerings.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: If targeting a premium segment, focus on creating an elevated experience. Think beyond just workouts – can you offer wellness services, comfortable lounge areas, or integrated amenities that make your gym a “destination”?

10. EoS Fitness

Overview: A rapidly growing, value-driven gym offering vast facilities and diverse amenities at competitive prices.

Estimated 2025 Members (US): 1-1.5 Million

Estimated Membership Fees: $9.99-$24.99/month (varies by tier and location, typically low initiation).

Operational Strategy:

High-Value, Low-Cost: Provides extensive amenities (pools, saunas, large free weight areas, “The Yard”) at a budget-friendly price point.
Rapid Expansion: Aggressively growing its footprint, particularly in the Western and Southwestern U.S.
Diverse Offerings: Caters to a wide range of fitness enthusiasts with extensive equipment and class options.

Key Takeaway for Your Gym: For value-oriented big box, offer competitive pricing with unexpectedly vast amenities. Focus on scale and variety to attract and retain members seeking comprehensive options without a premium price.

Bonus: 8 Tips to Optimize Your Own Gym’s Membership & Value

Learning from the industry’s titans isn’t about direct imitation, but about adapting their successful strategies to your unique business model.

Define Your Niche & Audience: Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Are you a budget gym, a specialized studio, a luxury club, or a family-friendly center? Clearly define your target market and tailor your offerings to their specific needs and desires.
Prioritize Member Experience: From the moment someone walks in (or visits your website), the experience matters. Friendly staff, clean facilities, well-maintained equipment, and efficient processes are non-negotiable. Happy members stay longer and refer others.
Leverage Technology for Engagement:
- Streamline Operations: Use robust CRM and gym management software for seamless sign-ups, billing, and scheduling.
- Enhance Workouts: Explore smart equipment, wearable integration, or an in-house app for tracking progress, offering personalized workouts, or streaming classes (like many modern gyms).
Offer Tiered Membership Options: Provide flexibility with different pricing tiers that grant access to varying levels of amenities or services. This allows you to appeal to a wider range of budgets and needs (like Crunch and 24 Hour Fitness).
Cultivate Community & Belonging: Create a welcoming atmosphere where members feel comfortable and connected. Group classes, social events, challenges, and active engagement on social media can foster this sense of community (like Orangetheory and YMCA).
Invest in Quality Coaching & Programming: Whether it’s group fitness instructors or personal trainers, high-quality coaching is a huge differentiator. Well-designed, engaging programs keep members motivated and seeing results.
Focus on Convenience: For busy members, convenience is paramount. Consider extended hours, easy parking, online booking, or even partnerships that offer services close to your gym (like Anytime Fitness).
Gather Feedback & Adapt: Regularly solicit feedback from your members through surveys, suggestion boxes, or direct conversations. Use this input to identify areas for improvement and adapt your offerings to meet evolving demands. The fitness landscape is always changing; so should you.

Conclusion

The success of the top gym brands in 2025 isn’t just about size; it’s about strategic thinking, understanding their target audience, and delivering consistent value. By analyzing their diverse approaches – from the high-volume affordability of Planet Fitness to the specialized engagement of Orangetheory and the premium experience of Life Time Fitness – you can gain invaluable insights.

Implementing even a few of these strategies, tailored to your gym’s unique identity, can significantly boost your membership growth, enhance member retention, and solidify your position in the competitive fitness market. The key is to continuously innovate and put your members at the center of every business decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the biggest factors driving gym membership growth in 2025?

Affordability (budget gyms), convenience (24/7 access, multiple locations), technology integration (connected fitness, personalized tracking), and community building are major drivers. Specialized niche offerings (like HIIT studios) also continue to attract dedicated members.

Is it better to be a budget gym or a luxury gym?

Neither is inherently “better”; it depends entirely on your business model, target audience, and market. Budget gyms thrive on high volume and low overhead, while luxury gyms succeed by offering premium services and experiences at a higher price point. Both can be highly profitable if executed effectively.

How important is technology (like apps or smart equipment) for gyms?

Extremely important. Technology enhances member experience through seamless booking and check-ins, provides personalized workout data, offers virtual coaching or classes, and improves overall member engagement and retention. Ignoring technological advancements can put a gym at a significant disadvantage.

How can a smaller independent gym compete with these large chains?

Smaller gyms can compete by excelling in niche markets (e.g., strength-focused, yoga, boxing), providing superior personalized service and coaching, fostering a stronger sense of community, and offering unique programming that larger chains might struggle to replicate. Focus on building deep relationships with your members.

What’s the role of customer service in gym retention?

Customer service is paramount. Friendly, helpful staff, quick resolution of issues, and a welcoming atmosphere significantly impact member satisfaction and loyalty. High-quality customer service transforms members into advocates for your brand, driving word-of-mouth referrals.