Brazil's boutique fitness studios drive rapid market growth

Boutique fitness studios in Brazil are expanding at roughly double the rate of traditional gyms. While large‑scale academies grow 4%‑5% annually, boutique studios post 7%‑9% growth, with the global number of such studios rising about 42% in six years.

The Panorama Setorial Fitness Brazil report shows the total number of fitness centres increasing from 22,581 in 2015 to an estimated 62,718 in 2025, with projections to exceed 70,000 by 2027. Although Brazil ranks among the world’s largest markets in gym count, only about 8% of the population regularly exercises, leaving room for higher‑value formats.

Boutique studios attract members seeking smaller classes, data‑driven training, and a sense of community. Grupo Ultra, operating the The Flame and Spider Kick brands, exemplifies the trend and has earned franchising excellence awards from the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF) and PEGN. CEO Cida Conti says the surge is “a proven reality backed by numbers,” not merely a perception.