The fitness industry continues to accelerate as leading club operators report strong financial results, announce expansion plans and reinvest in member experience. From powerhouse quarterly earnings to global franchise growth, here’s what you need to know from this week in fitness business news.
Life Time Delivers Strong Q3 Earnings and Raises Outlook
Life Time reported another standout quarter, posting $782.6 million in revenue — a 12.9% increase year-over-year — and net income up 147.3% as member engagement and in-center spending continue climbing. The company now operates 185 clubs and reaffirmed plans to open 10 new centers in 2025, supported by low leverage and strong cash flow.
“Membership engagement continues to rise, and in-center performance remains robust,” said founder & CEO Bahram Akradi.
Planet Fitness Reports Growth and Raises Full-Year Guidance
Planet Fitness also posted a healthy quarter, with system-wide same-club sales up 6.9% and revenue growing 13% to $330.3 million. The brand opened 35 new clubs, bringing its total footprint to 2,795 locations, and announced plans to shift more advertising resources to national campaigns in 2026. The company raised its FY2025 guidance across revenue, EBITDA and net income.
“We are feeling more energized than ever to capture even greater opportunities in the evolving global fitness landscape,” said CEO Colleen Keating.
Anytime Fitness Expands Into Saudi Arabia With Major Franchise Agreement
Anytime Fitness announced a significant global expansion move, signing a master franchise agreement to bring the brand to Saudi Arabia. Backed by ABFit, the deal includes 60 planned club openings over six years, with the first location arriving in Riyadh by spring 2026. The expansion aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 health initiatives and further strengthens Purpose Brands’ presence in the region.
“We are thrilled to bring the Anytime Fitness brand to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said ABFit leadership.
VASA Fitness Invests $30 Million Into Club Upgrades and New Programming
VASA Fitness announced a $30 million reinvestment to elevate the member experience across its 64-club portfolio. The initiative includes 30+ new STUDIO LFT spaces, 10 new STUDIO FLOW infrared yoga rooms, and over 1,000 pieces of new equipment, all expected by early 2026. The brand also recently strengthened its leadership team with key C-suite hires.
“We’re raising the bar on what members can expect from a high-value, low-price fitness club,” said CEO Rich Nelson.
Bay Club Expands in Seattle With Arena Sports Acquisition
Bay Club continued its strategic expansion in the Pacific Northwest by acquiring Arena Sports, including five family-focused sports and entertainment facilities. The move builds on Bay Club’s regional “campus” model and follows its previous acquisitions in Seattle and Bellevue — bolstering youth programming, recreation and multisport experiences.
“Arena Sports complements our Greater Seattle Campus by providing high-demand, family-centric experiences,” said Bay Club’s EVP Victor Woo.
Industry Forecast: Global Fitness Market to Hit $234.8B by 2034
A new Allied Market Research report projects the global health and fitness club market will more than double from $102.3 billion in 2024 to $234.8 billion by 2034, driven by rising wellness demand, hybrid training models, and corporate health programs. Boutique formats, technology integration and flexible memberships remain key trends shaping the market.
Urban lifestyle shifts and preventative care priorities continue fueling growth.
Medicare to Pay Doctors to Screen Physical Activity
In a landmark step for preventive health, Medicare will begin reimbursing physicians for evaluating patients’ physical activity and nutrition habits as part of routine care, according to the Health & Fitness Association in a newsletter.
This policy means annual wellness visits will formally include questions about movement and lifestyle, and exercise is now recognized as a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor in Medicare guidance. It also represents a shift in federal language — replacing “Social Determinants of Health” with “Upstream Drivers,” elevating physical activity and nutrition as core health priorities.
Healthcare providers will now have both the incentive and the structure to talk to millions of older adults about exercise — bringing the fitness industry even closer to the medical community and reinforcing active living as essential to long-term health.
Key Takeaways for Fitness Operators:
- Premium + accessible fitness is winning: From Life Time’s luxury model to VASA’s HVLP strategy, brands investing in experience are driving growth.
- Global expansion is heating up: Markets such as Saudi Arabia are accelerating investment in wellness infrastructure.
- Youth & family programming is accelerating: Bay Club’s acquisitions underscore growing family-focused fitness opportunities.
- Exercise is medicine is being further reinforced with news of the Medicare reimbursements to physicians who evaluate a patient’s habits.
