
Top States for Fitness Franchises
Having a gym in the US can be a good business decision since health and fitness have become a lifestyle and not a trend. Fitness is a $4 billion-per-year industry, and gyms are also a regular feature in shopping malls. Gyms attract individuals of all ages, from children to adults in their 60s, who are keen to maintain their health and fitness.
Nevertheless, before entering the gym business, you must find out where the most fit populations are concentrated in cities and states. This will assist in determining the location of your best gym. In case you are interested in going into the gym business, you should explore more fitness franchise opportunities with well-established fitness brands.
Gym Culture in the USA
Starting a gym business in America makes good sense since more people see fitness as part of their daily life. The fitness industry earns $4 billion each year, and gyms now fill many spaces in malls that stores used to occupy. It is a spoken truth that people want to stay fit and healthy, be it old people, kids, or young people, every age of people goes to the gym.
So, before you open a gym, it is necessary to look into which areas have the most people interested in fitness. This will help you pick the right spot for your gym. Also, it is advised that you should also want to think about buying into an existing gym chain instead of starting from scratch.
The Trend of Gym Membership
New York has the highest gym membership rate in the country at 29.7%, followed by California (29.2%), Massachusetts (28.6%), Connecticut (28%), and Illinois (27.3%). These numbers show these states are good places to open gyms because many people there like to exercise. New York and California’s high rates suggest many people want fitness services, likely because of city living and people caring about their health. The other states also show this growing interest in staying healthy.
If you are thinking about opening a gym, these numbers are helpful, but you should look at:
- Who lives in the area
- What kinds of exercise are popular
- What other gyms are nearby
This research will help you and gym owners to create services that match what local people want, helping the business succeed.
Gym Ownership
Looking at both customer needs and business interest gives us a better picture of the gym market. According to research, it shows that California leads in where people want to own gyms. Subsequently, Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Virginia follow behind.
California’s high interest matches its large number of gym members, though this means more competition. Georgia and Texas offer good opportunities to serve different communities in cities and suburbs. Florida’s focus on health and Virginia’s growing market could be great places for new gyms that fill specific needs.
And if you’re wanting to open gym franchises, you should look at both the general interest in your area and what makes each state unique. Success comes from understanding local needs, knowing your competition, and creating services that work for your specific location.
Looking Out for Potential Hotspots
California has many gym members and people interested in owning gyms, making it attractive for new gym businesses. However, this means more competition. To succeed in California, you should consider offering something different, like new workout programs or modern technology.
States like New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have many gym members but fewer people wanting to own gyms. This could mean good business opportunities with less competition for new gym owners in these areas.
Location
While choosing a location, there are certain considerations you should keep in mind-
- Know your local customers: Learn about their age, how much money they make, and how they live to help you choose what to sell and how to advertise.
- Check out other businesses: Look at what other similar businesses are doing nearby to find ways to offer something different or better.
- Connect with locals: Get involved with your neighborhood and create local programs to build trust and grow your business.
Ways to Determine the State with the Most Gyms
To find the state with the most gyms, it is necessary to look at some methodologies to determine which states have the most number of gyms
Gyms Per Person
It is necessary to count how many gyms there are for every resident. More gyms per person means fitness is important in that area. Big states might have more gyms, but it should be thoroughly checked if they’re spread out well.
Total Gyms
Another important methodology is counting all registered gyms in each state. This shows how easy it is to find a gym, and registered gyms usually have good equipment and offer better workouts.
New Gym Openings
Tracking how quickly new gyms are opening, and this means that more new gyms usually lead to more people wanting to exercise. Moreover, growing states tend to get more gyms.
Gym Memberships
Another way to determine is by looking at how many people join gyms. This shows if people actually use the gyms, which generally means more members usually means fitness is popular in that state.
Counting Gyms
There are certain criteria and considerations to count gyms, which include counting regular fitness centers which are-
• Open to the public and currently operating
• Require memberships to join
• Easy to find and get to
• Certified by fitness organizations
• Offer many types of exercise options
However, certain points are not taken into consideration, which include-
• Home gyms
• Company gyms
• Closed facilities
• Recreation centers
• Single-activity studios (like yoga-only studios)
• Pop-up or temporary gyms
It is important to note that the gym must have basic equipment, offer fitness classes, and provide personal training, also, it should be in a public place, like a shopping center or its own building
Gym Franchise

UFC GYM
Offers fun and safe workout experiences that give quick results. They have different types of franchises:
• Signature Club,
• Core by UFC Gym, and
• Class by UFC Gym.
These locations provide group classes, personal training, group training, and youth MMA programs. Most gyms have areas for functional training, heavy bags, cardio, strength equipment, and a shop.
Fit Body Boot Camp
This is an affordable and easy-to-manage fitness franchise that has over 600 locations in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. They offer 30-minute workouts including warm-ups and cool-downs, using high-intensity interval training with cycles of cardio and strength exercises.
Gold’s Gym
This has been a leader in fitness for 47 years, as a top fitness center based in Dallas. They offer business opportunities for partners, which also sell branded clothing through their franchise.
Anytime Fitness
This franchise has received a “Top 50 Franchisee Satisfaction Award” for five years in a row, is the fastest growing fitness chain, open 24 hours a day at over 2000 clubs worldwide. It has security systems allowing members to enter even when staff are not present.
Snap Fitness
This has over 2500 clubs in many countries, making it the fastest-growing health club chain. They provide a less expensive option than big gyms, focusing on good equipment and support for their members.
GYMGUYZ
This franchise has developed a new kind of training service, and that is why their franchise is expanding rapidly by providing personal training at home, taking all the equipment required for workouts.
CycleBar
It is the largest chain of upscale indoor cycling studios with more than 200 locations opening in 2020. It is the first upscale cycling franchise, providing a good business opportunity with high returns and simple management.
World Gym International
This is an American gym that also retails workout equipment. They allow individuals to open new gyms or convert existing ones to the World Gym brand.
Workout Anytime Gyms
This gym operates 24/7 to assist individuals in achieving their fitness objectives, with cardio, personal training, tanning, and others. Opening a franchise with Workout Anytime is an excellent way to join the expanding fitness sector.
9Round gyms
This is a boxing and kickboxing-themed gym in the form of a 30-minute cycle with a personal trainer monitoring every one of the 9 stations. It has been observed that operating a 9Round franchise can prove to be lucrative and rewarding.
Top States for Fitness Franchises

US people are very prone to staying fit and healthy, which is a good thing as many diseases like obesity and certain heart conditions, along with some mental disorders, can be prevented if a person works out daily or every alternate day. Many states in the USA are concerned with the institution of the gym, as if you are a gym enthusiast, you should look out for these states and their demographic of the gym.
California
California has the most gyms in the U.S. because of its large population and health-conscious culture. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco offer various fitness centers to cater to different workout preferences. It has been determined that there is one gym for every 3,000 people in California
Texas
Next is Texas, which is second in the number of gyms, with major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin contributing to the high count. The state’s rapid population growth and interest in fitness have led to diverse gym services. There is one gym for every 3,500 people in Texas.
Florida
Florida has a high gym count due to its warm weather, encouraging an active lifestyle year-round. Cities like Miami and Orlando have numerous fitness centers offering various workout options. There is one gym for every 4,000 people in Florida.
With a retiree population and fitness culture, combined with warm weather, in Florida, it encourages people to stay active and care for their health.
New York
Because of its dense population, New York has a high concentration of gyms. The state offers a variety of fitness facilities, from high-end gyms to more affordable options. This makes it a popular choice for gym-goers seeking convenience and variety.
Illinois
Illinois, especially Chicago, has a strong gym culture with national fitness chains and boutique studios, providing many options for residents. The urban setting in Chicago supports a growing fitness community with easily accessible gym locations. There is one gym for every 4,500 people in the state.
Georgia
Georgia, particularly in Atlanta, has seen steady growth in the fitness industry with gyms becoming more widespread. The state’s population increase has led to various fitness centers offering strength training, cardio, and group classes. There is one gym for every 5,200 people in Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia’s largest city, offers a wide range of fitness options from traditional gyms to boutique fitness studios.
Arizona
Arizona’s warm climate promotes an active lifestyle, resulting in a large number of gyms in cities like Phoenix and Scottsdale, catering to diverse fitness needs.
Colorado
Colorado has one gym for every 5,000 people and is known for its outdoor fitness culture, team sports, and a large number of gyms.
Michigan
Michigan has 1 gym for every 5,400 people, with more gyms in Detroit and surrounding areas
Ohio
Ohio has one gym for every 5,500 people, and the fitness industry is growing in cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Conclusion
Entering the United States market as a fitness franchise is an astute business decision given the country’s increased interest in health and wellness. If you are a gym enthusiast, you should look out for the top states of the USA, such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York, which have a high percentage of gym memberships and health-oriented cultures. By carefully studying demographics, local fitness trends, and current competition, you can determine ideal locations and shape their services to fit local needs. Additionally, connection with reputable fitness brands can offer a good foundation for success. With proper strategy, fitness franchises can flourish and help you in the community to become healthier.
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