What is the most popular gym depends on how you measure it. Planet Fitness leads globally with 20.3 million members across 2600 locations and earned $1.1 billion in 2023. LA Fitness follows with 12 million members at 750 clubs. Anytime Fitness operates 5000 franchises in 50 countries with 4 million members. Gold’s Gym has 3 million members across 600 gyms in 28 countries and earned $400 million in 2022.
Which gym has the most members worldwide?
Planet Fitness has 20.3 million members and operates 2600 locations across the world. The chain makes fitness simple and affordable for everyday people. Members pay between $15 and $30 AUD per month, which removes money barriers that stop people from working out. Their purple and yellow gyms create a judgment-free zone where beginners feel comfortable starting their fitness journey.
LA Fitness ranks second with 12 million members at 750 clubs. The company focuses on the United States and Canada markets. Members get access to pools, basketball courts, group classes, and weights. Monthly fees range from $45 to $75 AUD, which targets people who want more equipment and services than budget gyms offer.
Anytime Fitness runs 5000 locations in 50 countries with 4 million members. The franchise model lets local owners run each gym. Members can visit any Anytime Fitness location 24 hours per day, which helps people who work night shifts or travel often. Monthly costs sit between $50 and $80 AUD.
Gold’s Gym operates 600 locations across 28 countries with 3 million members. The brand started in Venice Beach, California in 1965 and built its reputation around serious bodybuilding and strength training. Arnold Schwarzenegger trained at the original Gold’s Gym during the 1970s. Monthly membership costs between $40 and $60 AUD depending on location.
Which gym makes the most money?
Planet Fitness earned $1.1 billion in 2023. The company makes money through membership fees and by selling franchise rights to new gym owners. Their low monthly price attracts millions of members who pay consistently each month. The business model works because Planet Fitness keeps costs down by offering fewer services and simpler equipment than full-service gyms.
Gold’s Gym brought in $400 million in revenue during 2022. The gym charges higher monthly fees and sells personal training sessions, supplements, and specialty programs. Their focus on dedicated lifters creates members who spend more money on services beyond basic membership.
LA Fitness and Anytime Fitness do not share exact revenue numbers publicly, but industry experts estimate their earnings match their membership size and pricing structure.
What equipment do popular gyms offer?
Planet Fitness provides cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals, circuit training equipment with purple machines, free weights up to 75 pounds, and Smith machines. They do not have squat racks or Olympic lifting platforms because their target members are beginners who want simple workouts.
LA Fitness stocks full free weight sections with barbells and dumbbells up to 120 pounds, squat racks, bench press stations, cable machines, cardio equipment, swimming pools, basketball courts, racquetball courts, and group fitness studios. Members who want variety in their training choose LA Fitness.
Anytime Fitness locations vary by size and location, but most have cardio machines, dumbbells up to 100 pounds, cable machines, bench press stations, and some squat racks. Smaller 24-hour locations may have less equipment than larger gyms, but members trade equipment variety for access at any time.
Gold’s Gym features heavy-duty power racks, Olympic lifting platforms, dumbbells up to 150 pounds, hammer strength machines, cable stations, cardio equipment, and dedicated areas for functional training. The equipment supports serious strength training and bodybuilding programs.
How much does gym membership cost in Australia?
Budget gyms in Australia charge $15 to $30 AUD per week. Jetts Fitness and Plus Fitness operate across Australia with weekly fees between $15 and $25 AUD. These gyms provide basic equipment and 24-hour access without extra services.
Mid-range gyms cost $25 to $50 AUD per week. Fitness First and Goodlife Health Clubs charge $30 to $50 AUD weekly and include group classes, pools, and personal training options. Members pay more for additional facilities and services.
Premium gyms charge $50 to $100 AUD per week. Virgin Active and F45 Training command higher prices by offering specialized programs, luxury facilities, and small group training. F45 classes focus on 45-minute functional training sessions with different workouts each day.
Boutique fitness studios cost between $30 and $50 AUD per class. Studios like Barry’s Bootcamp and SoulCycle charge per session instead of monthly membership. People who prefer specialized workouts in small groups pay premium prices for the experience.
Do gym memberships help people lose weight?
Research shows gym access alone does not guarantee weight loss. A 2019 study found people who joined gyms lost an average of 0.5 kg in the first six months. People who work out without changing their diet see minimal fat loss because exercise burns fewer calories than most people think.
Strength training builds muscle and muscle burns more calories at rest. One pound of muscle burns six calories per day while one pound of fat burns two calories per day. If you add 14 kg of muscle over five years, you burn an extra 180 calories daily, which equals four kiwis worth of food.
Cardio burns calories during the workout but your body compensates by moving less throughout the rest of the day. For every 100 calories burned during cardio, your total daily calorie burn only increases by 72 calories because non-exercise activity decreases.
Walking works better than intense cardio for fat loss. Walking 10,000 steps per day burns 300-400 extra calories and does not make you tired enough to sit around the rest of the day. Walking also does not increase hunger like intense cardio does.
Diet controls weight loss more than exercise. A calorie deficit of 500 calories per day leads to losing 0.5 kg per week. Eating 500 fewer calories is easier than burning 500 calories through exercise. Combining strength training, walking, and eating in a calorie deficit produces the best results.
Which gym is best for beginners?
Planet Fitness works well for people starting their fitness journey. The judgment-free environment and simple equipment help nervous beginners feel comfortable. Purple circuit machines guide users through proper form without needing instruction. Staff members avoid aggressive sales tactics for personal training. Monthly costs stay low, which removes financial pressure to use the gym frequently.
YMCA locations provide supportive communities for new exercisers. Many YMCA gyms offer free orientation sessions, beginner classes, and sliding scale pricing based on income. The nonprofit model focuses on community health rather than profit margins.
Local council gyms in Australia cost $8 to $15 AUD per visit and employ qualified fitness staff who help beginners learn proper technique. Council facilities maintain quality equipment at affordable prices. Some councils offer free or low-cost beginner programs for residents.
Avoid signing long contracts when starting out. Month-to-month memberships let beginners test different gyms and workout styles without losing money. Many people quit within three months, so flexible arrangements prevent wasting money on unused memberships.
How often should you go to the gym?
Beginners should train three days per week with rest days between sessions. This schedule allows muscles to recover and adapt to new stress. Training the same muscle groups two days in a row prevents proper recovery and slows progress.
Intermediate lifters benefit from four to five training sessions per week. Splitting workouts by body part or movement pattern allows more volume per muscle group while maintaining recovery. Upper body and lower body splits work well for people with four days available.
Advanced lifters may train six days per week using carefully planned programs that manage fatigue. Professional athletes and serious bodybuilders dedicate this much time, but regular people rarely need this frequency.
Consistency matters more than frequency. Training three times per week for six months produces better results than training six times per week for one month then quitting. Pick a schedule you can maintain long-term.
Walking should happen daily regardless of gym training. Aim for 8,000 to 12,000 steps per day. Walking improves recovery, burns extra calories, and benefits mental health without interfering with strength training.
FAQ
How long should gym workouts last?
Strength training sessions should last 45 to 60 minutes including warmup. Training longer than 60 minutes increases cortisol, which impedes recovery. Keep workouts focused and intense rather than long and unfocused.
Can you build muscle without going to a gym?
Yes, bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, and home equipment build muscle effectively. Progressive overload matters more than location. You need to challenge muscles with increasing difficulty over time through more reps, harder variations, or added weight.
Should you hire a personal trainer?
Personal trainers help if they teach proper technique, create progressive programs, and hold you accountable. Bad trainers who just count reps waste money. Look for trainers with university degrees in exercise science or reputable certifications like ACSM or NSCA.
Do women need different gym programs than men?
No, muscle responds to training the same way regardless of gender. Women should lift heavy weights and train with similar intensity as men. Women have less testosterone, which means they will not get bulky from strength training without specifically trying to gain large amounts of muscle mass.
How much protein do you need to build muscle?
Eat 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily. A 90 kg person needs 160 to 180 grams of protein per day. Spread protein across three to four meals with at least 20 grams per meal.
Is morning or evening better for working out?
Train whenever you can consistently attend. Some research shows strength peaks in late afternoon, but the difference is small. Consistency beats optimization. If you can only train at 5am, train at 5am and stick with it.
