Australians spend an average of $79 per month on gym memberships - $948 over a year - with adults aged in their 40s spending the most on their exercise ($100 a month).
The figures, revealed by consumer review and comparison website Canstar Blue as part of an ongoing annual snapshot of fitness member satisfaction, show that gym goers in NSW pay the most per month ($85), while those in Queensland ($72) and South Australia ($69) spend the least.
Among age differences, those aged 70 or over spend the least on their activity ($51 a month).
The survey also revealed:
• 18% of member don’t go the gym as much as they thought they would when they signed up
• 27% have tried more than one gym chain in an effort to find a place they really like
• 46% report feeling heavier for having a gym membership and regularly going to the gym
Motivations for going to the gym
Canstar Blue’s research shows that most gym members (45%) attend the gym between three and five days each week, while 21% go once or twice a week and one in five (20%) hit the gym five or six times per week.
As for maintaining a gym membership, the survey found:
• 40% just want to improve their general fitness
• 23% are actively trying to lose some weight
• 14% are simply out to build muscle
• 10% says it’s more about their mental wellbeing
For the remaining 13%, their motivation is a mix of being a social activity, rehabilitation or specific sports training
Canstar Blue also found mornings to be the most popular time of day to hit the gym (42%), followed by evenings (24%) and afternoons (16%).
Canstar Blue also assessed member satisfaction with individual fitness groups and chains.
Image courtesy of UFC Gym Bankstown.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
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