The Gym Expansion Boom and $7.5B Platform Merger in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Gym chain expansion is accelerating: Planet Fitness plans to open 180 to 190 new locations in 2026, while Crunch Fitness targets 100 new clubs worldwide, bringing more affordable fitness options to neighborhoods across the U.S.
• Boutique fitness is a $64.3 billion industry in 2026, growing at 7.6% annually, with Pilates leading the charge after nearly 40% growth in active participation from 2019 to 2025, reaching nearly 13 million participants.
• Platform consolidation reached $7.5 billion: Playlist's merger with EGYM combines ClassPass, Mindbody, Booker, and EGYM's smart equipment and AI workout tech, creating a unified network spanning over 40,000 businesses and millions of users across 30-plus countries.
• Recovery amenities are now standard: New gym concepts integrate infrared saunas, red light therapy, Hyperice percussive equipment, and HydroMassage beds directly into floor plans, reflecting member demand for 360-degree wellness experiences.
• AI-powered personalization is reshaping fitness: Platforms now use machine learning to optimize class inventory, automate booking inquiries, and deliver personalized training plans that adapt to individual goals and available equipment.

Why Gym Chains Are Opening Hundreds of New Locations in 2026

The U.S. fitness industry is experiencing unprecedented expansion, fueled by record membership numbers and sustained consumer demand for accessible, affordable fitness options. Planet Fitness, the nation's largest gym chain with 2,731 locations, plans to open 180 to 190 new clubs in 2026, matching its 181 new locations added in 2025. The chain ended 2025 with 20.8 million members and a 6.7% same-store sales increase, demonstrating strong retention and continued growth momentum.

Crunch Fitness, which operates approximately 550 clubs, announced plans to accelerate expansion and add 100 new locations worldwide in 2026. The company's strategy focuses on placing gyms near grocery stores, discount retailers, and everyday service businesses, slotting fitness into members' existing routines rather than requiring special trips. Crunch's reimagined "Crunch 3.0" concept dedicates more space to strength and functional training and integrates Relax & Recover wellness studios directly into the layout, complete with infrared saunas, HydroMassage beds, and CryoLounge amenities.

LA Fitness, with 607 U.S. locations, is experimenting with partnerships to diversify offerings, including a recent collaboration with Shoot 360 to bring AI-powered, motion-sensing basketball courts to select clubs. These expansion strategies reflect a common thread: low churn rates, strong membership retention, and growing consumer appetite for affordable, amenity-rich fitness experiences.

The Boutique Fitness Boom and the Pilates Phenomenon

The boutique fitness industry is estimated to be worth $64.3 billion in 2026, growing at approximately 7.6% per year. The boutique fitness market size was valued at $25.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $49.8 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2026 to 2033, according to industry research.

Pilates is leading this surge. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, active participation in Pilates has grown nearly 40% over the last six years, from 9.2 million participants in 2019 to nearly 13 million in 2025. The growth is driven by demand for low-impact, strength-building workouts that improve mobility and longevity, appealing to a broad demographic from younger adults to active aging populations.

Among studios using Xplor Mariana Tek software, 43% list Pilates as their primary modality, followed by yoga, barre, and indoor cycling at 19%, then HIIT at 18%. This demonstrates the reformer-based class format has become the dominant boutique offering, reshaping neighborhood studio landscapes across the U.S.

Life Time opened its newest location, Life Time Paradise Valley, a 91,000-square-foot luxury athletic country club in Phoenix in 2026. The facility features a rooftop resort-style pool deck with lap pool, outdoor bistro and lounge seating for 300, seven pickleball courts, hydrotherapy suites, a full-service LifeSpa, Kids Academy spanning more than 8,000 square feet, and a LifeClinic offering licensed chiropractic care, illustrating the upmarket end of the expansion trend.

The $7.5 Billion Platform Merger Reshaping Fitness Technology

Playlist, the parent company behind fitness brands Booker, ClassPass, and Mindbody, has officially merged with EGYM, a startup known for its smart gym equipment, AI-driven workout plans, and corporate wellness marketplace Wellpass. The deal values the combined company at $7.5 billion, creating the largest integrated fitness technology platform in the world.

The merged entity reaches millions of users across more than 30 countries, bringing together over 40,000 businesses on Mindbody, more than 88,000 venues on ClassPass, upwards of 20,000 employer partners through EGYM Wellpass, and over 33,000 fitness locations equipped with EGYM smart equipment. This consolidation gives one platform unprecedented reach over studio scheduling, membership aggregation, corporate wellness distribution, and equipment-level workout data.

Playlist has already deployed several AI-powered capabilities, including Mindbody's Messenger AI, which helps brands respond to inquiries and booking requests; ClassPass' SmartTools, which use machine learning to determine how many spots should be allocated for each class to optimize revenue; and EGYM Genius, which enables gyms to deliver personalized training plans that adapt to members' goals and the equipment available at their facility. The number of partners who made over $1 million on ClassPass increased by 28% from 2024 to 2025, and 99% of businesses using both Mindbody and ClassPass between December 2024 and December 2025 achieved positive incremental revenue during that period, according to company data.

Investment Trends: Selective Funding in a Maturing Market

Venture investment in the fitness and wellness space peaked about four years ago and hit a cyclical low in 2025, with just over $5 billion in reported global funding. However, strategic funding continues for proven companies with strong consumer traction and recurring revenue models.

Oura, maker of a smart ring that collects data on dozens of personal health and wellness metrics, closed on more than $900 million at an $11 billion valuation. Fitness app Strava reportedly reached a $2.2 billion valuation earlier in 2026 after raising an undisclosed amount of new funding led by Sequoia Capital.

Supplement brand Cymbiotika reports five consecutive years of triple-digit growth and secured $25 million in seed funding from investors including Hailey Bieber, The Weeknd, Zac Efron, Peggy Gou, and the Jonas Brothers. The focus has shifted from early-stage experimentation to scaling proven models with loyal customer bases and strong unit economics.

Recovery and Wellness Integration as the New Standard

Gyms are responding to member demand for 360-degree wellness experiences by integrating recovery amenities directly into new locations. New Crunch locations feature expanded strength and functional training areas, group fitness studios, hot yoga or hot studios, Olympic lifting platforms, a functional HIITZone training area with indoor turf, and Relax & Recover services including infrared saunas, HydroMassage beds, and CryoLounge equipment.

These Relax & Recover amenities deliver Hyperice percussive and compression equipment, red light therapy, and infrared saunas as standard offerings, not premium add-ons. The shift reflects changing consumer expectations: fitness is no longer just about cardio and strength training, but about managing stress, optimizing recovery, supporting sleep, and improving overall wellness in a single location.

What This Means for Readers

Editorial analysis — not reported fact:

The wave of gym openings means more options, particularly in the budget and mid-market segments. If you've been on the fence about joining a gym, you're likely to see new Planet Fitness, Crunch, or LA Fitness locations opening closer to home, near your grocery store, or along your commute. These new clubs are competing on amenities, with recovery zones, functional training areas, and hot studios becoming baseline expectations rather than luxury extras.

For boutique fitness enthusiasts, the Pilates boom means more reformer studios in your neighborhood, but it also means heightened competition and potential consolidation. The Playlist-EGYM merger gives one platform enormous pricing power and data access. If you book classes through ClassPass or your studio uses Mindbody, this consolidation may eventually influence class availability, pricing algorithms, and how studios manage inventory. Studios that thrive will be those that balance platform distribution with direct member relationships and strong community culture.

The integration of AI-driven personalization and recovery tech into mainstream gyms lowers the barrier to accessing tools that were recently boutique-only or expensive standalone services. You can now get a personalized training plan, infrared sauna session, and HydroMassage bed at a neighborhood gym for $10 to $30 per month, not $200-plus at a luxury club. That's a meaningful shift in accessibility, especially for busy professionals, parents, and older adults looking for efficient, recovery-focused workouts.

Before committing to a new gym or studio, consider proximity, amenities that match your actual routine, and whether the business model aligns with your preferences. If community and instructor relationships matter, prioritize independent studios or smaller chains. If convenience, cost, and equipment variety are your drivers, the expanding budget and mid-market chains offer compelling value in 2026.

Sources & Further Reading

• Planet Fitness — Company information on U.S. locations, membership numbers, and 2026 expansion plans
• Crunch Fitness — Details on Crunch 3.0 concept, club count, and 2026 expansion strategy
• LA Fitness — Information on U.S. locations and Shoot 360 partnership
• Sports and Fitness Industry Association — Data on Pilates participation growth from 2019 to 2025
• Playlist — Details on the $7.5 billion merger with EGYM, AI-powered tools, and partner revenue performance
• EGYM — Information on smart gym equipment, EGYM Genius, and corporate wellness marketplace
• Life Time — Information on Life Time Paradise Valley opening and amenities
• Oura — Company background and funding details
• Strava — Fitness app platform and valuation information
• Cymbiotika — Supplement brand funding and growth information

Editorial coverage of publicly reported health, fitness, wellness, nutrition, and active living developments. Move Weekly has no commercial relationship with any companies, gyms, studios, brands, events, experts, products, or organizations named.