U.S. HVLP Gyms Drive Record Growth in Q3, HFA Report Shows
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Americans are keeping fitness front and center. Visits to U.S. gyms climbed to record levels in the third quarter of 2025, with high-volume, low-price and mid-priced operators leading the charge, according to the latest Fitness Industry Traffic Tracker from the Health & Fitness Association.
Average visits per facility rose more than 4% year-over-year, reaching nearly 47,000 per location. Value-focused gyms were the clear standouts, as HVLP visitation surged 22% above pre-pandemic levels. Mid-priced facilities also hit a new third-quarter record, reinforcing the strength of accessible, affordable fitness offerings nationwide.
“The latest FIT Tracker results reinforce what we’re seeing across multiple HFA research initiatives as Americans continue to make fitness a consistent part of their lives,” said Anton Severin, vice president of research at HFA. “The combination of accessibility, affordability, and convenience is fueling strong engagement across much of the industry.”
The FIT Tracker also revealed a rise in workout frequency, with monthly visits per user up 2.5% compared with 2024. The growth appears to be driven by both new members and more frequent participation among existing ones.
Regionally, the Middle Atlantic, Pacific, and Mountain divisions reported the strongest visitation gains, reflecting a nationwide appetite for value-based fitness options.
Alongside HFA’s Fitness Industry Benchmarking Report and U.S. Health & Fitness Consumer Report, the FIT Tracker offers a data-backed snapshot of the sector—connecting visitation trends, business performance, and consumer behavior to inform strategy, investment, and advocacy that promote regular exercise.
The FIT Tracker is based on anonymized foot-traffic data from nearly 11,000 U.S. facilities, analyzed in partnership with Sports Marketing Surveys USA, a Buffalo Groupe company, and powered by Placer.ai. The quarterly report is available free to HFA members and for purchase by non-members at healthandfitness.org/publications.
