High Value, Low Price (HVLP)
Insights

Market Players

This Year's Juggernaut Force as Expansion Plans, Collective Ambitions and Investment Sentiment Grow in Unison

In 2025, the fitness industry’s bifurcation deepened, with new growth concentrated mostly in Premium and High-Value, Low-Price (HVLP) models. With affordable pricing, convenient locations, and an inclusive atmosphere, HVLP models not only drove a major share of global gym growth but also helped improve penetration rates across many countries. With its full evolution to HVLP 2.0, offering members higher-tier pricing to access enhanced amenities including spa and recovery facilities, contrast therapy, massage, group classes, and childcare, the segment is now a juggernaut. The rapid expansion of HVLP concepts highlights their resilience across macro-economic cycles, and when executed effectively, franchisable HVLP formats can deliver strong profitability – now attracting a wide range of private equity investors into the market. Leading international HVLP brands – Planet Fitness, SmartFit, Crunch, Basic-Fit, PureGym, Plus Fitness, L’Orange Bleue, Fitness Park, McFit– plan further domestic and international expansion. Meanwhile, national operators such as EōS Fitness, Mountainside Fitness, VASA Fitness, The Gym Group, and Revo Fitness continue nationwide growth. With momentum, readily available capital, large balance sheets and aggressive investor schedules, the sector is set for continued expansion, investment, and consolidation in 2026. The juggernaut rolls on at full steam!
Edgard Gomes Corona

Founding Partner & CEO,
Smart Fit

In 2025, Smart Fit experienced another year of strong growth, with record expansion across Latin America — a symbolic milestone of the company’s strength and ambition, and the opening of its first club in Morocco. Since founding Smart Fit, my vision has been to make high-quality fitness accessible to everyone, building a solid, innovative, and scalable network. Today, with [almost] 2,000 gyms in 16 countries and more than 5 million members, Smart Fit remains firmly committed to that mission. The combination of purpose, discipline, and innovation continues to set the company apart — driving new fronts such as Pilates, Velocity, and TotalPass. As we look ahead to 2026, I believe Smart Fit’s focus will remain on maintaining a competitive offering, continuously evolving our product to reflect the latest trends using technology, and meeting the growing demand of people increasingly focused on health and well-being.
In 2025, EōS achieved transformational growth, opening more than 50 new gyms and reinvesting millions to enhance the member experience through renovations, upgraded amenities, boutique group fitness options and a laser focus on hospitality. We became the first major US gym operator to launch Genius AI, EGYM’s revolutionary fitness programming that removes the guesswork from members’ routines. Our team’s passion and drive have positioned EōS as the strongest brand in fitness, growing at an unmatched pace. Looking ahead to 2026, we are on track to surpass 200 gyms and celebrate 2 million members nationwide. We will continue to push boundaries in health, fitness and wellness by delivering the best gym experience through innovation, elevated offerings and a deep commitment to member success. Group fitness remains a key driver, fueled by members’ desire to build community through unique classes. EōS will keep leading the way and setting the standard for gym excellence.
Rich Drengberg

CEO,
EōS Fitness

Chequan Lewis

President
Crunch Fitness

Crunch Fitness achieved many significant business milestones in 2025. We announced a strategic investment from Leonard Green & Partners, which marks another exciting chapter of accelerated growth for the brand; launched a major franchise expansion into India and made our South Asian debut; raced past the 3-million-member mark; claimed the #1 fitness spot in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® ranking (again); joined the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies; and unveiled Crunch 3.0, an innovative gym design that redefines fitness spaces and the member experience. We’ll stay laser-focused on that reality as we continue offering state-of-the-art machines and amenities at an accessible price. We have a vision to create a world with more Crunch, and that comes to life one club, one community, and one country at a time. Crunch has long been a global brand, with gyms in Canada, Costa Rica, Australia, and more. We just opened Crunch Noida, our first club in India, and are uniquely poised to plant our flag in more markets around the world. We plan to open approximately 100 new clubs in 2026 on our way to climbing even more mountains as a brand. Above all, though, Crunch will continue transforming lives across the globe as we treat every check-in as a moment of truth in our clubs. Growth is on the other side of legendary experiences. We are here to deliver both.