New data visualizing the world’s largest gym chains by number of locations highlights a significant market dominance by U.S.-based franchises. According to the latest industry reports from IHRSA and Statista, Anytime Fitness remains the undisputed global leader with 5,523 locations worldwide.
Key Market Leaders
The top tier of the fitness industry is dominated by high-volume, accessible brands:
- Franchise Giants: Curves holds the second spot with 3,520 locations, followed closely by Planet Fitness with 2,924 units.
- Latin American Powerhouse: Brazil’s Smart Fit has secured its position as a major international player, ranking 4th with 2,021 locations.
- Functional Training Boom: Australia’s F45 Training rounds out the top five, operating 1,989 studios globally.
Regional Champions in Europe
While American brands dominate the total count, European chains are carving out significant market shares in their respective regions:
- The Netherlands: Basic-Fit ranks 6th globally with 1,660 locations.
- United Kingdom: PureGym (728 locations) and The Gym Group (260 locations) represent the UK’s strongest exports in the fitness sector.
- France: Fitness Park (418) and Keep Cool (271) are the leading French chains by volume.
- Germany: McFIT maintains its presence in the top 20 with 231 locations.
Industry Outlook
The data reflects a diverse market ranging from traditional “big box” gyms like Gold’s Gym (625) to boutique, specialized concepts like Orangetheory Fitness (1,500). This variety suggests that despite the scale of giants like Anytime Fitness, there remains significant room for niche players and regional consolidators to grow.