The prices in the fitness centers are making Austrians sweat more and more. Three-quarters of studios increased the cost of monthly membership fees last year, and 44 percent plan to increase them further this year. On average, members pay around 50 euros.
There are major differences within the industry: in individual studios, the price for membership per month increased on average from 53.26 to 55.99 euros, according to a current WKÖ analysis. In the chains this increased from 37.88 to 41.12 euros – an increase of 8.6 percent. Of course, there are still cheaper low-cost providers such as Clever Fit, Fitinn or McFit, just as there are significantly more expensive providers.
EMS studios often cost 100 to 120 euros for just one training per month
By comparison, the most expensive are the so-called micro formats such as yoga studios, EMS centers or CrossFit providers. Their monthly costs increased on average from 68.77 to 72.93 euros (see graph), although there are large differences. EMS centers (training with an electric suit) often charge 100 to 120 euros for just one training per week.
In general, the sector has recovered since the dip during the Corona period. “Awareness about one’s own health and fitness has certainly increased,” says industry spokesman Christian Hörl, trying to find something positive about the pandemic. While the number of members in fitness centers fell from more than 1.2 million to less than one million, almost 1.2 million people were registered again in December 2023.
13.1 percent are members of a fitness center, lower than in other countries
This means that 13.1 percent of the total population in Austria is a member of a fitness center. Conversely, 86.9 percent are not yet members and that is why Hörl still sees “a lot of potential”. In Germany the share of athletes is higher, in the Netherlands this is 17 to 18 percent and in the Scandinavian countries even more than 20 percent.
What we are particularly interested in is strength training. Hörl: “We have a total trend towards muscle training, less cardio, and group courses such as abdominal, leg and buttock training have become less common. The WHO now also recommends strengthening the most important muscle groups twice a week.”
Normally you train 1.1 times a week
This is especially important for older people, whose muscles otherwise weaken from year to year. “90 percent of lifestyle diseases can be traced back to muscle deterioration,” says Hörl. Two-thirds of the fitness center’s members are even younger, between 20 and 49 years old; the average age is 38.8 years. Only one in four members is already 50 years or older, and the trend is increasing. Interesting: 54 percent of all members are women, but only 46 percent are men. Normally you train 1.1 times a week.
Two-thirds of the employees in the studios only work part-time
In total, there are more than 1,300 fitness centers throughout Austria – a number that has remained approximately the same for years. According to the initial calculation, net turnover amounted to 615 million euros. With 20,600 employees, the sector is also important for employment in Austria. However, two-thirds only work part-time or even to a limited extent, for example in addition to their studies.
According to Hörl, the prospects are good: “Since we are still lagging behind other countries, I think we can expect continued growth in the coming years.”
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
