For many people, the new year provides a mental clean slate for self-improvement and to “get in shape.”

One interesting fact about gym membership is that gyms deliberately build their business models around the expectation that a large percentage of members won’t show up. 

This visualisation shows the average cost of fitness club membership across major cities. 

It’s based on Numbeo data from the Deutsch Thematic Report. 

TL;DR

• The average monthly gym membership in New York is $142, the highest among major cities worldwide. 
• Cities in the Middle East also cost high on average, but expats largely drive demand. 

Affordability remains a crucial factor in the global trend toward fitness culture. 

How Much are Gym Memberships in Major Cities?

Fitness Clubs Are Most Expensive in the U.S, Why?

According to the data, the average gym membership cost in New York is $142/month, the highest. 

What’s striking is that three U.S. cities occupy the top tier: New York ($142), San Francisco ($98), and Seattle ($81). 

The U.S. accounts for 10% of the top 30 cities (3 out of 30), despite having countless cities.

Why is it so expensive? 

New York’s gym market is dominated by luxury boutique fitness (Equinox, SoulCycle, Barry’s Bootcamp), where memberships easily exceed $200-300/month. 

The $142 figure likely represents an average including budget chains (Planet Fitness ~$10-20/month) and luxury clubs, suggesting the median user pays far more than $142. 

For the average New Yorker, a gym membership is a luxury that signals status. 

The U.S. gym market has bifurcated into ultra-cheap ($10/month Planet Fitness) versus ultra-premium ($200+ boutique studios). 

Oil Wealth Meets Fitness

Qatar (Doha, $119) and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, $106) rank 3rd and 4th on the list, ahead of San Francisco, Geneva, and London. 

This is bizarre for countries where:

1. Outdoor exercise is limited by extreme heat (45°C+ summers)
2. Gym culture is relatively new (past 15-20 years)

So what we see is clearly expat-driven demand. 

Doha and Jeddah have massive expat populations (over 70% and 30%, respectively) from Europe and North America, accustomed to gym memberships. 

Gyms cater to this wealthy demographic with luxury amenities (pools, spas, personal trainers). 

Additionally, Saudi Vision 2030 is pushing fitness and wellness as part of economic diversification. 

So, that would drive gym construction and premium pricing.

The Bigger Picture

Despite having over 10 million members, the popular gym brand Planet Fitness saw its stock fall 30% in 2024 due to slowing membership growth and competition from boutique studios. 

The $10-20/month model works for budget-conscious consumers, but wealthy urban markets (where Numbeo data focuses) prefer premium experiences. 

For the average person in expensive cities, gyms are becoming luxury goods rather than basic health infrastructure. 

The “GLP-1 Drug” Wild Card

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro (weight-loss drugs) pose an existential threat to gyms. 

If people can lose weight via injections, will they cancel gym memberships? 

Industry analysts are divided, but early data (2024) shows minimal impact. 

It provides a strong indication that gym-goers exercise for health and social reasons beyond weight loss.

Sources: 

Deutsch Thematic Report | CNN | Qatar Moments | Care Credit