15 Canadian Fitness Industry Statistics [Infographic]

Whether we like it or not, one thing is certain:

We need at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day to keep healthy, happy, and sane. Not only does it lower the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases, but it’s also key in mental health hygiene. And it’s one of the first choices of therapy aids in people with depression and anxiety.

The questions is:

How physically active are Canadians? And why is it so hard to get off the couch?

To find out, we decided to have a closer look at the latest Canadian fitness industry statistics. They reveal how much Canadians really exercise and highlight some industry trends and facts that emerged in recent years.

Let’s crack on.

Fascinating Fitness Industry Statistics Canada (Editor’s Choice)

• The Canadian fitness industry is worth US$4.4 billion.
• Fitness industry growth in 2021 is 8%.
• The health and wellness market in Canada will be worth US$20.6 billion in 2022.
• There are 13,488 gyms and fitness clubs in Canada.
• The average gym membership is between $40 and $60. 
• 77% of Canadians prefer to work out at home.
• 40% of Canadians get less than 30 minutes of exercise a day.
• 8% work out more than two hours a day.

General Fitness Industry Statistics

1. The Canadian gym, health and fitness industry in Canada is worth US$4.4 billion in 2021.

(Source: Ibis World)

It is the 198th-largest market in Canada and first in the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector. The industry has been growing steadily in recent years.

And that’s not all:

2. The industry is expected to grow by a further 8% in 2021.

(Source: Ibis World)

Looking at the period between 2016 and 2021, we can see the industry showed a steady growth of 1.9%. A Canadian fitness industry report finds that the gym, health, and fitness clubs industry has a faster growth rate than the overall national average. It’s also the fastest-growing branch in its own sector dedicated to Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation.

3. The global health and wellness industry is worth around US$4.2 trillion.

(Source: Wonder)

Let’s break it down into segments based on financial results:

• Personal care and beauty – US$1.083 trillion
• Food and nutrition – US$702 billion
• Wellness tourism – US$639 billion
• Fitness, mind, and body – US$595 billion
• Preventive and personalized medicine – US$575 billion
• Traditional and complementary medicine – US$360 billion
• Wellness real estate – US$134 billion
• Spa – US$119 billion
• Thermal and mineral springs – US$56 billion
• Workplace wellness US$48 billion

4. The Canadian health and wellness industry will be worth US$20.6 billion by 2022. 

(Source: Wonder)

The health and wellness industry is a broad sector that includes everything from “goat yoga” classes to green juice pop-up bars. So, it’s no wonder its size is significantly bigger than that of gym and fitness.

Here’s the thing:

The entire industry is set to hit a whopping US$20.6 billion by 2022, up from US$17.3 billion in 2017. This growth reflects a CAGR of 4.5%.

5. There were a total of 13,488 gyms and fitness centres in Canada in 2020.

(Source: CoreList)

A breakdown of the number of Canadian fitness companies  across all provinces looks like this:

• 7398 gyms
• 4024 beauty and health Spas
• 883 personal trainers
• 561 fitness consultants
• 466 gymnastics lessons and clubs 
• 81 boxing training and lessons 
• 75 gymnasium equipment and supplies businesses 

6. Around 32.8% of Canada fitness memberships were cancelled in 2020, physical activity statistics from Canada in 2020 reveal.

(Source: Montreal City News)

An additional 33% of Canadians say they have paused their gym membership due to the pandemic, according to fitness industry statistics from 2020. Only 15% remained in gyms, virtually or physically.

Now:

Gym owners say the numbers aren’t surprising. However, the drop in business is the reason many gyms are struggling to stay afloat. 

Additionally, fitness clubs showed anywhere between 40% to 60% losses in memberships in 2020 due to the COVID crisis. 

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Fitness Industry Trends in Canada

7. 40% of Canadians aged 25 to 64 get less than 30 minutes of daily physical activity.

(Source: Ipsos)

Exercise statistics from Canada show that four in ten Canadians aged 25 to 64 get less than 30 minutes of exercise or activity a day. Even worse, 6% get no exercise at all. 

In the middle of the spectrum:

• 37% get between 30 and 59 minutes of exercise each day.
• 10% exercise 60 to 89 minutes a day.
• 5% work out for 90 minutes to 2 hours. 
• 8% exercise over 2 hours daily. 

Residents of Quebec get the least exercise on average, with 64% exercising less than 30 minutes a day.

8. Around 42% of Canadians aged 25 to 34 say laziness prevents them from exercising.

(Source: Ipsos)

People have plenty of different reasons for not working out. Some of the most common are:

• 75% say making time to work out is hard. 
• 70% would exercise more often if they were able to do it from home. 
• 40% objectively don’t have the time. 
• 29% report the feeling of laziness as the main obstacle.
• 25% say exercising doesn’t fit with their scheduled plans.
• 22% simply don’t like to work out.
• 9% need help working out at home but don’t have it.
• 9% say they don’t have anyone to exercise with.
• 16% gave other reasons.

9. Up to 45% of men say they don’t have enough time to exercise.

(Source: Ipsos)

Men cite lack of time more often than women as the reason they’re not getting in the workout hours. Only 35% of women give this reason. Moreover, only 21% of women say they can’t fit exercise into their schedules, compared to 30% of men.

10. 73% of Canadians prefer to exercise on their own, Canadian fitness industry statistics confirm.

(Source: Ipsos) 

It might come as a surprise, but only 27% of Canadians would rather work out in the company of others. The vast majority would rather do it alone. Still, 64% admit that the presence of others increases motivation.

British Columbia residents are the most sociable, with 68% saying they would work out with someone or in a group. 

11. 70% of Canadians believe they would exercise more if they were able to do it from home.

(Source: Ipsos) 

Up to 77% of Canadians say it’s more convenient to exercise in the comfort of their own home. Creating their own schedule and working out on their own time is the favourite option for 84% of Canadians and as many as 89% of those aged 35 to 54. Many Canadians also enjoy exercising with their pets.

12. Yoga industry statistics Canada reveal around 21% of Canadians practise yoga.

(Source: Leger 360, NFLA)

Over one-fifth of Canadians practise yoga, with the most active age group from 18 to 34. Yoga statistics from Canada further show that the interest is lowest in Quebec, where only 16% of residents choose yoga for their daily exercise.

According to a fitness industry trends survey from 2019, one of the fast-rising trends on the yoga market is face yoga.

13. Good Life has the highest number of locations in Canada, a total of 255.

(Source: Finder)

When it comes to the fitness business, Canada has something for everyone. 

Here’s the deal:

If you’re looking for the cheapest place to work out, Fit4Less  memberships start at $4.99 for two weeks. If you need a place that is open at all hours, you can check out Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness, and Fit4Less. 

Good Life and Anytime are the ones you will run into the most since they have the highest number of locations, 255 and 210, respectively.

14.The average gym membership cost in Canada ranges from $40 to $60 a month.

(Source: Money Coach)

However, you can spend as little as $10 a month. Alternatively, or you can go the high-end fitness membership route, which will cost you $190 to $205, along with the initiation fees that go up to $400. The prices also vary by location; as you’d expect, they’re highest in Toronto and Vancouver.

Now:

Canadian fitness industry statistics show that those who use $70 a month memberships come to the gym 4.3 times a month on average, which amounts to $17 per visit. This means that a 10x pass for $100 sometimes makes more sense. 

Fun fact:

Canadians believe they will use the gym 70% more than they actually do. Click To Tweet

15. Canadians prefer 60 minutes of exercise to shorter cycles.

(Source: NFLA, Global News)

The 2019 Canadian Fitness Industry Trends Survey points out that HIIT training is one of the most popular trends in Canada, constantly in the top five between 2014 and 2020.

However, boutique fitness industry statistics show that even with shorter exercise cycles growing in popularity, the traditional class duration of 60 minutes remains more popular.

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In Conclusion

Canadian fitness industry statistics show Millennials and Gen-Zers are the main clientele. However, it’s the constantly growing group of people aged 65+ willing to work out and participate in sports that’s driving industry growth.

The thing is:

The health and wellness industry has become a part of senior citizens’ culture. Their mindset is changing as they turn to daily yoga, cycling, or power walking sessions.

Now:

There’s no denying the fact that the pandemic has undoubtedly hit small gyms and clubs in particular. But with the rollout of vaccines, the fitness market is showing steady growth in 2021, as everyone is in a rush to get rid of those few extra lockdown pounds.

Time to hit the gym!