The Fitness Market - France

The fitness market encompasses all sports centers where you can enjoy physical activity linked to the well-being of your body. Typically, fitness centers offer individual exercise, group classes, personalized coaching and relaxation, with spa and zen rooms, for example. In addition to fitness clubs, the fitness market has recently expanded to include apps offering personal trainers, outdoor fitness communities, and performance-measuring apps and connected objects. The European fitness market has undergone a major transformation in recent years, marked by strong post-crisis resilience and a reconfiguration of usage patterns. After a sharp drop in sales between 2019 and 2021, linked to health restrictions, the sector has begun a vigorous recovery, reaching 31.8 billion euros in 2023, a record level. This dynamic is also visible in France: fitness centers have seen their sales leap from €621 million in 2021 to €1,721.7 million in 2024, representing growth of almost 65%, reflecting a massive return of gym-goers. This growth is underpinned by the French people's strong appetite for physical exercise, with 71% of them exercising in 2024, 58% of them on a regular basis. While young people aged 15 to 24 remain the most committed, there has also been significant growth among the over-40s, narrowing the generational gap. In addition, home-based practice, although slightly down, remains firmly anchored (19%), reflecting a hybridization of modes of practice, between structure and autonomy. The commercial offer has adapted to these new behaviours: clubs now offer a variety of pricing formulas, from low-cost memberships (from €24.99/month) to premium rooms (up to195/month), including a range of differentiating services (group classes, wellness area, digital coaching, multiroom access, etc.).). The number of sports facilities also illustrates this vitality: 3,141 structures in 2024, a higher volume than before the crisis.

Against this backdrop, sports apps have established themselves as an essential lever for motivating and structuring home-based practice. As connected solutions, they provide access to tailor-made programs, precise performance monitoring and support for flexible, autonomous exercise. The fitness market thus appears to be at a crossroads: between increased professionalism, a move upmarket, digitalization and a desire for well-being, it is now a strategic sector of the sports and health landscape.