Brazil fitness market expands to over 62,000 gyms

The Brazilian fitness market has experienced significant growth, with the number of active gym establishments increasing by approximately 178% over the last decade. According to the fourth edition of the Fitness Sector Panorama, the number of facilities with active business registrations rose from 22,581 in 2015 to 62,718 in 2025.

Despite this rapid expansion, the market remains highly fragmented. Approximately 80% of establishments operate only a single unit, and more than half serve between 101 and 1,000 students. Projections suggest that if current trends continue, the country could exceed 70,000 establishments by 2027.

The industry is entering a phase of consolidation where competitiveness is increasingly defined by management capacity, franchisee support, and operational consistency rather than just physical expansion. For example, the Ultra Academia network reports that 90% of its franchisees manage more than one unit, a metric used to gauge the solidity of its business model. The network currently operates over 100 locations across 16 states and 45 cities, reporting a revenue of R$ 300 million over the previous 12 months.