Number of sports club members in Japan 2014-2023

In 2023, Japan had approximately 2.8 million fitness club members. The figure increased compared to the last year. Roughly one-third of subscribers were affiliated with schools. The gym membership penetration rate in Japan hovered under the five percent mark. This is relatively low compared to the numbers of leading countries, such as the U.S., which had a gym membership penetration rate of over 20 percent. Gym subscribers in Japan paid among the highest membership fees when compared internationally.

 Effects of COVID-19 on the gym industry

As can be inferred from the sharp decline in the generated revenue of fitness clubs in Japan, the fitness industry was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To be more specific, while some segments such as the wearables market expanded, the gym industry suffered under the lockdown and calls for self-isolation which stopped the influx of customers to fitness centers and prompted en-masse subscription cancellations. Gyms introduced online courses and started offering on-demand fitness videos to work around limitations induced by the COVID-19-panemic. For customers who prefer to visit physical fitness facilities despite the pandemic, various on-site adjustments were put in place, including strict hygiene rules and visitor number restrictions.

 Yoga 

With the increasing focus on health and lifestyle especially by young urbanites, yoga gained prominence and became an integral part of the fitness center industry, as the number of yoga facilities available across the country attests. At present, yoga in Japan is highly gendered. Yoga classes are mainly attended by women. The most common reasons to start yoga were for health reasons and dieting. Yoga apps have not achieved a breakthrough yet, as customers seem to prefer yoga instructors over applications.