The fitness market - Spain (2024)

1.2 The global market

Between **** and ****, the global fitness market is expected to experience sustained growth, rising from $***.** billion in **** to $***.** billion in ****, almost doubling in just eight years. After a significant increase to $***.** billion in ****, the market will continue to expand at a CAGR of *.*% between **** and ****. Projections show a steady progression: $***.** billion in ****, $***.** billion in ****, and $***.** billion in ****. This dynamic continues with estimates of $***.** billion in ****, $***.** billion in ****, and $***.** billion in ****, finally reaching $***.** billion in ****. This growth is driven by increased demand for innovative fitness solutions, massive adoption of connected technologies, and global awareness of the health benefits of physical activity, particularly in the international fight against obesity. The global fitness market is thus establishing itself as a key sector of the wellness economy, offering growing opportunities for companies in the sector.

Evolution of the global fitness market Spain, ****-****, $ billion Source: ****

1.3 The European market

Between **** and ****, the European fitness market experienced spectacular growth, illustrating a robust recovery from the pandemic and a steady increase in interest in health and wellness-related activities. In terms of sales, the sector rose from **.* billion euros in ****- a period marked by severe restrictions and prolonged closures - toto *.** billion euros in ****, down slightly(***), reflecting the residual effects of the health crisis.

However, a strong recovery took place in ****, when sales jumped to **.* billion euros(***), consolidating the market in a phase of stable growth.

The number of subscribers followed a similar trajectory, rising from **.** million in **** to **.** million in ****, showing slight resilience despite the challenges of the pandemic. In ****, the market recorded a significant increase to **.* million subscribers(***), reinforcing the idea of a growing adoption of fitness habits in Europe.

This data highlights the rapid and robust evolution of the European fitness market, driven by increased investment in digital technologies, an expanded offer and growing awareness of the importance of physical activity for overall wellbeing. The adoption of hybrid models, combining face-to-face and at-home training, has enabled companies to respond to diversified consumer demand, while adapting to structural changes in the sector.

Trends in the European fitness market Europe, ****-****, ...

1.4 The domestic market

Between **** and ****, the health and fitness market in Spain enjoyed sustained growth, both in terms of sales and the number of subscribers. Sales in the sector rose from *.* billion euros in **** to *.* billion euros in ****(***). This growth reflects a rapid recovery from the impact of the pandemic, as well as increased demand for wellness and health-related services. At the same time, the number of subscribers has also increased, rising from *.* million in **** to *.* million in ****(***). This trend reflects Spaniards' growing interest in regular physical activity, supported by a growing awareness of the benefits of fitness and a more diversified and accessible range of services. These figures confirm the market's positive momentum, driven by steadily rising demand and strong growth potential.

Health and fitness market trends in Spain Spain, ****-****, € billion, millions of subscribers Source: ****

These Deloitte figures include all health and fitness-related activities in Spain. The dimensions related solely to gyms are nevertheless expressed below thanks to the figures proposed by the Spanish INE :

Thus, between **** and ****, sales of gyms in Spain experienced significant variations, reflecting the impacts of the COVID-** pandemic and the sector's gradual recovery. In ****, sales amounted to €***.* million, rising to €***.* million in ****(***), marking stable growth prior to ...

2.1 Typology of demand

Between **** and ****, the proportion of Spaniards who went to a gym fluctuated significantly, reflecting changing fitness habits and the impact of external events on the sector. In ****, **.*% of the Spanish population frequented a gym, a figure that gradually rose to **.*% in ****, testifying to a growing interest in physical activities in a supervised environment.

In ****, with the arrival of the COVID-** pandemic, this share dropped to **.*%, then to *.*% in ****, due to health restrictions and the temporary closure of establishments. However, a strong recovery was recorded from **** onwards, with **% of the population returning to venues, and exceptional growth in ****, reaching **.*%, the highest level of the decade.

This development underlines the resilience of the sector and a renewed interest in going to the gym, driven by a growing awareness of the benefits of fitness for health and well-being.

Evolution of the proportion of Spaniards who go to the gym Spain, ****-**** Source: ****

In Spain in ****, the practice of fitness varied according to temporality and type of activity. Mild fitness was practiced by **.*% of the population at least once a year, **.*% at least once a month and **.*% at least once a week. Intense fitness had slightly higher figures, with **.*% at least once a year, **.*% once ...

2.2 Consumer study

In Spain in ****, the proportion of the population with a gym membership varied considerably by age group. The **-** age group represented the most subscribed group, with **%, highlighting a strong adoption of fitness culture among young people. The **-** age group followed with **%, confirming the interest in sport in this active phase of life. The proportions dropped slightly for **-** year-olds(***), reflecting a gradual decline in gym involvement with age. Finally, only **% of people over ** had a membership, illustrating a much more limited interest in this age group. These figures show a clear correlation between youth and gym membership, suggesting that the sector could be targeting older generations to broaden its user base.

Share of population with gym membership by age Spain, ****, % (***) Source: ****

In Spain, in ****, the practice of fitness differed significantly between men and women, reflecting varied preferences according to gender. Women were proportionally more likely to take part in general fitness(***) activities than men, who accounted for **.*% and *.*% respectively in these categories. For intensive fitness, the differences were less pronounced, with **.*% of women versus **.*% of men.

Other musical fitness activities were also more popular with women(***). On the other hand, bodybuilding and weightlifting remained dominated by men, with **.*% of ...

2.3 Temporality of demand

Trends and insights relating to gym memberships in Europe in **** reveal some interesting dynamics. On average, **% of new memberships are taken out in January, making this month a key period for recruiting new members. However, a major challenge remains: **% of new members abandon their membership within six months of signing up.

The welcome phase therefore plays a crucial role in member retention. In fact, **% of members with a positive onboarding experience remained active after six months. This underlines the importance of a careful onboarding process to reinforce the commitment of new subscribers.

Source: ****

However, analysis of Google trends indices in Spain linked to the keyword "Gimnasio" (***) highlights an additional trend in this country. Between January **** and November ****, the evolution of interest in searches for the keyword "Gimnasio" in Spain, measured by Google Trends indices, showed recurring peaks in January and especially September. These increases can be explained by well-established seasonal behaviors: in January, interest is stimulated by New Year's resolutions, while in September, it is driven by the start of the new school year and a desire to get back into a sporting routine.

Notable anomalies, however, are observed between April ****(***), when interest is significantly lower than average during this period. ...

2.4 Geographical distribution of sporting activities

Intense fitness practice:

In Spain in ****, the practice of intense fitness varied considerably between autonomous communities. The Basque Country had the highest rate at **.*%, followed by the Community of Madrid(***). La Rioja and Navarre also stood out with significant levels, reaching **.*% and **.*% respectively.

Other regions, such as Catalonia(***), showed notable turnouts, whileAndalusia and the Canary Islands posted similar rates, at **.*% and **.*% respectively. Similar levels were recorded in Ceuta and Melilla, both at **.*%, as well as in Cantabria.

in contrast, regions such asExtremadura(***) had lower levels. Asturias and Castilla y León, at **.*% and **.*% respectively, were also below the national average.

These data reveal a regional disparity in the practice of intense fitness in Spain, with participation particularly high in the northern autonomous communities and large urban regions, while some rural and island areas showed more modest levels.

Gentle fitness:

In Spain in ****, the practice of gentle fitness also showed significant variations between autonomous communities. The autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla had the highest rates at **.*%, followed byAndalusia at **.*% and the Canary Islands at *.*%. The Region of Murcia also recorded a notable level at *.*%.

Other regions such as Catalonia(***) showed similar levels, while Castilla-La Mancha and the Community of Madrid both ...

2.5 Home equipment

The study of home fitness equipment equipment is interesting, in order to understand which population could potentially not be interested in gym-based fitness.

In Spain, in ****, the rate of home gym equipment showed an almost balanced distribution between the sexes. Women were slightly ahead in terms of machines combining exercise and weight training (***). The overall total revealed a homogeneous distribution across the population, with **.*% for combination machines, **.*% for exercise machines and **.*% for those dedicated to bodybuilding. These data reflected similar trends between men and women in the adoption of home gym equipment.

Rate of home gym equipment by gender Spain, ****, % SOURCE: MAPA

In Spain in ****, the rate of home use of strength and fitness equipment also varied by age group. The **-** age group showed the highest rates for combined weight training and fitness equipment(***).

Home fitness equipment rates by age group Spain, ****, % (***) Source: ****

In Spain in ****, the rate of home ownership of strength and fitness equipment also varied according to education level. Those with a university education or similar showed the highest rates for combined strength and fitness equipment(***). In contrast, individuals withlower secondary education and less showed lower rates, with only **.*% for combination machines and **.*% for body-building machines. A ...

3.1 Value chain

Value Chain of Sports Halls in Spain :

The value chain for gyms in Spain can be structured around core and supporting activities, according to Porter's model:

*. Core activities :

a) Supply and infrastructure

Site selection: Strategic choice of urban areas, shopping centers or residential neighborhoods according to the target. Layout and design: Creation of functional spaces (***). Equipment acquisition: Purchase or leasing of fitness machines (***). Technology: Integration of management software, mobile applications for booking and tracking workouts.

b) Facility operations and management

Equipment maintenance: Regular maintenance of machines to guarantee safety and performance. Group class management: Organization of schedules, recruitment of qualified instructors for spinning, yoga, HIIT, etc. Space optimization: Creation of specific zones (***). Safety and cleanliness: Compliance with health standards and implementation of security systems (***).

c) Customer experience

Welcome and assistance: Reception staff to manage members and registrations. Personalized coaching: Customer support via professional trainers. Social clubs: Foster a sense of belonging through events, group classes and challenges. Additional services: Saunas, massages, nutrition, wellness consultations for a premium offer.

d) Marketing and sales

Subscription strategies: Flexible offers (***). Loyalty campaigns: Promotions, referral programs and exclusive offers for loyal members. Digital marketing: Online presence, social networks, targeted advertising, mobile applications. Strategic partnerships: Collaborations ...

3.2 Market magnitudes

Between **** and ****, the number of companies in Spain's fitness sector fluctuated significantly. In ****, the country counted **,*** companies in this sector. This figure fell steadily in ****(***). This trend reflects the resilience of the sector and the growing popularity of fitness activities, fuelled by a growing awareness of the importance of health and well-being in Spain.

Growth in the number of gyms in Spain Spain, ****-****, thousands of gyms Source: ****

Between **** and ****, the number of employees in the fitness sector in Spain has seen significant variations, while remaining relatively stable over the period. In ****, the sector had **,*** employees. This figure increased significantly in ****, reaching **,*** employees(***).

Evolution of the number of employees in the fitness sector Spain, ****-****, thousands of employees Source: ****

employment trends in Spain's fitness sector are also accompanied by marked variations in gross operating surplus (***). This trajectory highlights the resilience of the sector, which was able to bounce back quickly after the crisis, supported by increased demand for fitness and wellness activities. Evolution of EBITDA in the Spanish fitness sector Spain, ****-****, € million Source: ****

3.3 Distribution of players

The tables below show the main players in the Spanish gym market in terms of subscribers, sales and number of gyms:

Ranking by number of subscribers :

Source: ****

Ranking by number of centers :

Source: ****

Ranking by sales :

Source: ****

3.4 Franchise system

Between **** and ****, the number of gym franchises in Spain grew significantly, testifying to the country's booming fitness sector. In ****, there were ** brands, a figure that gradually increased to ** in ****, then ** in ****. After a period of relative stability, the sector saw a marked acceleration to ** in ****, followed by a sharp rise to ** brands in **** and ** in ****. This development illustrates the positive dynamic and growing attractiveness of the Spanish market for fitness players.

Growth in the number of gym franchises in Spain Spain, **xx-****, number of brands Source: ****

Between **** and ****, the franchised gym sector in Spain saw remarkable expansion, both in terms of owned establishments and franchises. In ****, the country had a total of *** establishments, of which ** were owned and *** exclusively franchised. This figure rose sharply in **** to *** establishments(***). However, a slight contraction was observed in ****, with a total of *** establishments(***), culminating in **** with a total of *** establishments, including *** owned and *** franchised. This development highlights the growing importance of the franchising model in the Spanish fitness sector, enabling wider geographical coverage and better adaptation to local needs. The high proportion of exclusively franchised establishments shows investors' preference for this model, which offers opportunities for rapid growth at reduced costs.

Magnitude trends for franchised ...

3.5 Geographical distribution of the main gym chains

The map below shows the distribution of the following gym chains in Spain in ****:

Vivagym Metropolitan Forus DIR Altafit Mcfit Dream Fit Go Fit Supera Beone

4.1 Offer typology

The following is a list of the main services offered by gyms in Spain:

*. Physical training services :

Free access to equipment: Free weights, weight machines, treadmills, bicycles, rowing machines, etc. Group classes: Yoga, pilates, spinning, zumba, body pump, HIIT, etc. Functional training: CrossFit, TRX, small-group training.

*. Personalized services :

Individual coaching: Personalized program with a personal trainer. Digital training plans: Online applications or platforms to follow a customized plan. Health monitoring services: Fitness measurement (***).

*. Wellness and recovery services:

Wellness area: Sauna, hammam, whirlpool. Massages: Relaxation, muscle recovery or therapeutic massages. Cryotherapy: Use of cold for recovery.

*. Online and hybrid services:

Streaming courses: Live or on-demand videos for remote training. Mobile applications: Virtual coaching, performance tracking, workout planning. Flexible subscriptions: Mixed access to rooms and online content.

*. Health and nutrition services:

Nutritional advice: Consultation with dieticians or nutritionists. Health bar: Protein drinks, diet snacks, smoothies. Workshops: on nutrition, mental well-being or stress management.

*. Social and community services:

sports events: In-house competitions, group challenges, sports outings. Social spaces: Cafés, lounges to encourage exchanges between members. Community applications: To connect members and organize activities together.

*. Premium services :

VIP memberships: Priority access to equipment, exclusive areas, private lockers. Specialized ...

4.2 Segmentation

In Spain, gym offerings can be segmented into three main segments: basic, medium and luxury. Basic gyms, such as Basic-Fit, focus on the essentials, with affordable rates and limited services. Medium-level gyms, such as Forus, combine quality facilities, varied activities and family-friendly services. Finally, luxury venues, such as David Lloyd Clubs, offer a premium experience integrating wellness, exclusive activities and top-of-the-range facilities to meet the expectations of a discerning clientele.

The tables below show the services offered by Basic-Fit, Forus and David LLoyd in Spain:

The basic offer: Basic-Fit.

Source: ****

The mid-range offer: Forus :

Source: ****

The luxury offer: David Lloyd:

Source: ****

4.3 Awards

By ****, the majority of gyms in Spain offered affordable rates, with **% offering monthly memberships under ** euros.

Gyms offering rates under €**/month Spain, ****, % Source: ****

In ****, prices for gym memberships in Spain varied significantly according to location and type of gym. The national average for a membership in a classic gym was ** euros per month. However, there are significant disparities: the cheapest city, Almería, had an average price of **.* euros, while San Sebastián, the most expensive city, reached ** euros per month.

Low-cost venues, meanwhile, offer a more affordable alternative, with anational average price of **.* euros. This segment, while more uniform, is still influenced by location and facility costs.

Average price of a gym membership in Spain Spain, ****, € Source: ****

Premium and boutique gyms, with family or unlimited options, often exceeded *** euros per month.

Between **** and ****, gym prices in Spain continued to rise, albeit more moderately than before. In ****, prices had risen by *%, while in ****, the increase was limited to *%, though still higher than the general inflation rate of *.*%. Low-cost venues, meanwhile, recorded a *% increase in ****, matching the previous year's overall price rise. These figures highlight a general trend of rising costs in the fitness sector, influenced by factors such as operating ...

4.4 Supply trends

Development of fitness trends in ****The fitness sector in **** is evolving, adapting to diversified user needs, technological innovations, and aspirations for global wellbeing. Here's an in-depth look at the main trends:

Wearable technology:Wearable devices such as connected watches, activity bracelets and smart clothing dominate the sector. These tools track key indicators such as heart rate, sleep, calories burned and workout quality. Their popularity lies in their ability to personalize fitness experiences and offer real-time tracking. What's more, integration with mobile applications enables in-depth data analysis and promotes gamification of workouts.

Training with free weights:Dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells are at the heart of bodybuilding programs. This type of training is gaining in popularity thanks to its effectiveness in developing strength, improving posture and preventing injury. Free weights can be integrated into both personal sessions and group classes, offering flexibility to users. Their ease of use makes them accessible to everyone, from beginners to experienced athletes.

Bodyweight training:Bodyweight training, which uses only body mass as resistance, has enjoyed continued success thanks to its economical, minimalist aspect. Ideal for small areas and on the move, it encompasses exercises such as push-ups, squats and burpees. Its ability to simultaneously target strength, balance ...

5.1 Regulations

Regulations for gyms in Spain

Opening and running a gym in Spain requires compliance with strict regulations guaranteeing safety, quality of service and legal compliance. Here's a detailed breakdown of the main regulatory aspects.

Compulsory licenses and authorizations:

To open a gym, it is essential to obtain licenses issued by the local authorities. The activity or opening license, issued by the town hall, authorizes the use of a premises as a sports establishment. It is required to operate legally. The process involves a technical report certifying that the premises comply with safety, hygiene and town-planning standards. This report is usually drawn up by a professional, such as an architect or engineer. If work is required to adapt the premises, a works permit must also be applied for from the local authorities. Any structural modification to the premises, such as construction, renovation or installation of safety systems (***), requires a works permit. The application includes a detailed description of the planned changes.

Sports qualifications:

Some autonomous communities impose specific qualifications to open or manage a sports hall. This ensures that staff have the necessary skills to supervise users. Required qualifications include a degree in Physical Activity and Sport, a Sports Technician diploma in ...

6.1 Segmentation

• Basic-Fit
• Forus
• Viva Gym Group
• Club Metropolitan
• Go Fit
• Altafit
• McFIT