European Fitness Market Tops 75.5 Million Members as Growth Continues
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Europe’s fitness industry added members, revenue, and clubs in 2025, continuing a steady growth trend across the region, according to the latest European Health & Fitness Market Report from Deloitte and EuropeActive.
The report shows total membership reached 75.5 million in 2025, up 5.8 percent from 71.4 million the year prior. It marks the first time the European market has surpassed the 75 million member threshold.
Revenue rose 9.1 percent to €39.1 billion, supported by a combination of membership growth, expansion of club networks, and moderate price increases across several markets.
The number of fitness facilities also increased, with approximately 65,700 gyms operating across Europe, up 2.8 percent year over year. Growth continues to be driven by large chain expansion, alongside continued interest in boutique and specialized concepts.
At the country level, the largest markets posted gains. The United Kingdom recorded the fastest growth rate among major markets, reaching 12.2 million members, an increase of 6.6 percent. Germany remained the largest market by total membership at 12.4 million, while Spain saw one of the strongest increases, rising 8.3 percent to 7.1 million members.
Operator rankings highlight continued scale among leading chains. Basic-Fit reported 5.8 million members and €1.4 billion in revenue, maintaining its position as the largest operator in Europe by membership. PureGym followed with 2.1 million members and €750 million in revenue, while RSG Group reported 1.8 million members across its portfolio of brands, which includes Gold’s Gym, John Reed, and McFit.
RSG Group is also shifting its growth strategy. Its McFit brand, which operates more than 230 company-owned locations across Germany, Austria, and Italy, is moving toward international franchising, following a model already used by Gold’s Gym.
David Lloyd Leisure ranked second in total revenue at €1.1 billion. The company has recently introduced new programming concepts aimed at retention, including “kidult” classes that incorporate game-based activities such as tag and relay-style workouts.
Beyond operator performance, the report points to increasing consolidation activity. In 2025, there were 27 mergers and acquisitions involving operators with at least four clubs. That compares to a five-year average of 20 transactions, indicating a more active deal environment.
Despite the growth, overall market penetration remains relatively low. Fitness participation reached 9.3 percent of the European population in 2025, up from 8.9 percent the previous year. By comparison, the United States reported a penetration rate of 24.9 percent, highlighting the remaining headroom for expansion across Europe.
The report also includes findings from a survey of more than 11,000 consumers across 20 European markets, along with analysis of key trends shaping the sector. Among them are continued demand for flexible membership models, the role of boutique concepts in attracting new users, and the impact of larger operators scaling across multiple countries.
With membership growth, rising revenues, and increasing investment activity, the European fitness market is tracking toward a longer-term target of 100 million members by 2030.
