Market Overview

A nationwide survey of fitness facilities and the companies that operate them revealed that there were 13,876 facilities nationwide, as of August 2025.

Of those, 1,240 were comprehensive fitness centers, 2,156 were small fitness facilities, 5,034 were 24-hour gyms, 1,877 were yoga studios, 2,368 were personal training gyms, and 1,201 were other types.
Thus, 24-hour gyms outnumbered all other types, accounting for 36.3% of the total. Since multiple companies are proactively opening this type of gym, their share is growing.

Yoga studios increased in number, accounting for 13.5%. While hot yoga facilities previously drove the growth of yoga studios, reformer Pilates studios have become more popular in recent years.

Noteworthy Topics

Number of New Facilities Reached 1,266 from September 2024 to August 2025

From September 2024 to August 2025, 1,266 new fitness facilities opened, making up 9.1% of the total 13,876 facilities. The new facilities comprised 11 comprehensive fitness centers, 43 small fitness facilities, 513 24-hour gyms, 348 yoga studios, 278 personal training gyms, and 73 other types.

Thus, 24-hour gyms accounted for the largest share, at 40.5%. The number of unmanned 24-hour gyms targeting beginners is rapidly increasing nationwide. Several 24-hour gym brands operate dozens of these gyms. Yoga studios accounted for the second-largest share, at 27.5%. Personal training gyms accounted for 22.0%.

The growth of yoga studios is driven by an increasing number of Reformer Pilates studios. “Reformers” are unique machines that support Pilates movements and allow users to adjust the load. This enables even beginners to exercise at an appropriate level. Studio operators can expand their offerings by providing classes with different load levels that target different user abilities. Some studios have rapidly grown by offering video lessons. By offering classes that combine Reformers with other training methods, new business types have been launched, while existing studios have increased theirs.

Future Outlook

The future fitness facility trends are analyzed as follows.

Comprehensive fitness centers face severer conditions to attract customers due to intensifying competition with other business types, such as 24-hour gyms. To improve profitability, they are leveraging their strengths, including existing facilities like swimming pools and their ability to develop unique programs that keep participants engaged, to expand their contracted services with local governments.

Traditionally, small fitness facilities had a senior female customer base, but they are expanding to target younger populations and developing facilities geared toward men. They also aim to grow by diversifying their business of product sales, primarily protein products.

Dut to their low operating costs, 24-hour gyms have expanded into local suburbs. However, this growth has led to commoditization. These gym operators are taking steps to differentiate themselves.

Despite the current growth in the number of Reformer Pilates studios, the future growth of yoga studios depends on their ability to expand into local suburbs.

The number of personal training gyms is growing, because they require minimal space. However, as with Reformer Pilates studios, their ability to expand into local suburbs will determine their future growth in the market.

Research Outline