Australia’s gym franchise industry has never been more competitive. With over 7,700 fitness businesses now operating nationally (source:
IBISWorld) and a market size of $3.7 billion in 2026, franchise brands account for the lion’s share of that footprint.
Whether you’re a prospective franchisee comparing your options or just curious which gym chain owns the most turf in your suburb, this guide ranks the biggest gym franchises in Australia by location count, with franchise cost data and key facts for each.
Quick Answer: What Is the Biggest Gym Franchise in Australia?
Anytime Fitness is currently the largest gym franchise in Australia by number of locations, with 580+ clubs nationwide (source:
Anytime Fitness Australia).
However, Viva Leisure — which operates Club Lime, Plus Fitness, hiit republic, and several other brands — is closing the gap fast, with 491 locations across its group as of FY2025 and a network exceeding 500 locations as of early 2026 (source:
Viva Leisure FY2025 Results).
The 8 Biggest Gym Franchises in Australia (2026)
Rank | Brand | Est. Locations (AU) | Investment Range | Model |
| 1 | Anytime Fitness | 580+ | $350K–$975K | 24/7 franchise |
| | | | |
| 3 | F45 Training | ~240 AU (1,600+ global) | $349K–$786K | Boutique franchise |
| 4 | Snap Fitness | 260–350 AU | $250K–$300K | 24/7 franchise |
| 5 | Jetts Fitness | 129+ AU (250+ global) | $550K–$1.1M | 24/7 franchise |
| 6 | Plus Fitness | 200+ | $350K–$550K | 24/7 franchise |
| 7 | Fitstop | 150+ | $273K–$695K | Functional franchise |
| 8 | EFM Health Clubs | ~36 | Low-entry | Unique model |
Location figures are approximate based on publicly available 2025–2026 data. Individual brand counts within Viva Leisure’s group are counted separately in the profiles below.
1. Anytime Fitness — 580+ Locations
Anytime Fitness is the largest gym franchise in Australia by the number of individual brand sites, with over 580 clubs nationally — as confirmed on its own franchise recruitment page (source:
Anytime Fitness Australia).
That makes it one of the most densely distributed fitness brands in the country, and the largest fitness community in Australia by membership.
Founded in Minnesota in 2002 and launching in Gunnedah, NSW, in 2008, Anytime Fitness has expanded into a suburban fixture. New South Wales alone accounts for a significant portion of its national footprint.
Why it’s so big: The 24/7 keycard access model keeps staffing and operating costs low, making it viable in smaller regional markets that a full-service gym couldn’t sustain.
Franchise investment: $350,000–$975,000 total investment, with a $699/month flat royalty fee rather than a percentage of revenue.
Members: 560,000+ across Australia, averaging around 1,100 members per club.
Best for franchisees who want: The largest network, the strongest brand recognition, and a semi-passive operating model.
2. Viva Leisure Group — 500+ Locations Across Brands
Viva Leisure is Australia’s second-largest fitness operator and one of the most ambitious. The ASX-listed Canberra company reported record revenue of $211.3 million for FY2025 — up 30% year-on-year — with membership surging 66.8% to over 620,900 members across 491 locations (source:
Viva Leisure ASX Announcement, August 2025).
Its portfolio includes:
- Club Lime: the flagship premium brand, concentrated in ACT, Victoria and Queensland
- Plus Fitness : value-focused 24/7 gyms with 200+ locations across Australia and New Zealand
- hiit republic: high-intensity group training boutiques
- Club Pilates: reformer pilates studios
- GROUNDUP: functional fitness studios
- World Gym Australia: premium big-box gyms (25% strategic stake, 169,000 members)
Best for franchisees who want: A growing Australian-owned group with multiple brand options at different price points and strong tech infrastructure.
3. F45 Training — ~240 Australian Locations
F45 is an Australian success story that went global — the first studio opened in Paddington, Sydney, in 2012, and the brand now operates more than 1,600 s studios across more than 60 countries. Approximately 240 studios operate in Australia as of 2024–25 (source:
Wikipedia — F45 Training).
The F45 model is distinct from 24/7 gym franchises. It’s a 45-minute functional group fitness studio — high-energy circuit and HIIT classes delivered by in-person coaches, with no open-floor gym training. This means higher staffing costs but also a more engaged member base and higher per-member revenue.
Franchise investment: $349,000–$786,000 AUD + GST, with a 7% royalty on gross sales (or $2,500/month minimum) plus a brand fund fee (source:
Swoop Funding AU).
Average annual revenue per studio: ~$633,000, with gross profit margins averaging 33%.
Watch out for: F45 resale prices average $193,860 — well below the median initial investment — meaning early exit can result in a loss. Due diligence on local territory saturation is essential.
Best for franchisees who want a high-energy brand with strong member retention, delivered in a boutique training format that sets it apart from the crowded 24/7 segment.
4. Snap Fitness — 260–350 Australian Locations
Snap Fitness entered the Australian market in 2009 and now has over 260 locations across the country, with 1,000+ locations worldwide (source:
Snap Fitness Australia).
The brand is part of the Lift Brands family, which also includes 9Round kickboxing studios.
The model mirrors Anytime Fitness in format: small-footprint 24/7 clubs with keycard access, modern equipment, and low staffing requirements.
Franchise investment: $250,000–$300,000 — the most accessible entry point among the major 24/7 gym franchise brands in Australia.
Ongoing fees: $580/month flat royalty.
Best for franchisees who want: Lower upfront capital requirements, a proven 24/7 model, and a strong financing pathway.
5. Jetts Fitness — 129+ Australian Locations (250+ Globally)
Founded in 2007 on the Gold Coast, Jetts Fitness holds a proud claim: it was the first gym franchise in Australia to offer 24-hour access. The brand currently operates 129+ clubs in Australia, with plans to open 20 new gyms in 2026, and has already exceeded 50% of that franchise sales target by March 2026 (source:
Franchise Executives).
Jetts has won the 10 Thousand Feet Member Love Award for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025) and was named AUSactive Franchise Group of the Year in 2024.
Following its buyout from Fitness & Lifestyle Group, the brand has been refocusing on franchisee profitability and aggressive growth (source:
Australasian Leisure Management).
Membership pricing: From ~$14.95/week with no lock-in contracts.
Best for franchisees who want: An established Australian-born brand with strong member satisfaction scores, an improving growth trajectory, and a no-lock-in membership model.
6. Plus Fitness — 200+ Locations
Technically a Viva Leisure brand but often evaluated as a standalone franchise, Plus Fitness has 200+ locations across Australia and New Zealand.
It’s fully Australian-owned — unusual in a sector dominated by American imports — and targets suburban and regional markets with a no-lock-in, affordable membership model starting from ~$15.95/week.
Franchise investment: $350,000–$550,000.
Best for franchisees who want an Australian-owned brand with local decision-making, a solid suburban presence, and international growth momentum (Plus Fitness has entered the UK market).
7. Fitstop — 150+ Locations and Growing
Fitstop is one of the fastest-growing boutique fitness franchises in Australia. The functional strength and conditioning concept has grown to 150+ locations across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States (source:
Fitstop Franchise ). It was expanding into Earlwood, NS, in August 2025, with multiple new NSW locations in development (source:
Australasian Leisure Management — Fitstop).
Unlike F45, Fitstop focuses on progressive strength programs rather than pure HIIT — positioning it well for the current strength-training boom, reshaping the broader fitness market.
Best for franchisees who want a lower-entry boutique brand with strong alignment with current fitness trends and a growing international community.
8. EFM Health Clubs — ~36 Locations (Unique Model)
EFM Health Clubs occupies a genuinely different corner of the market. Founded by ex-AFL footballer Shane Redbone, EFM operates in hospitals, schools, and workplaces — making it the only gym franchise on this list that runs facilities within existing institutional spaces, often rent-free.
With approximately 36 locations, EFM is not a growth-at-all-costs brand by design. It explicitly prioritises franchisee profitability and sustainable operations over raw expansion.
Best for franchisees who want: A highly differentiated model with low rent risk and a
Specific community health focus.
The Boutique Fitness Challengers
Beyond the above, a new wave of boutique brands is reshaping the market:
1. Body Fit Training (BFT) — strength-based group training franchise backed by a global network, expanding steadily across Australia.
2. Fernwood Fitness — women-only gyms with a loyal member base.
Fitness Cartel — premium Queensland-origin health clubs targeting 60 locations by 2030.
3. Zap Fitness — absorbed former Jetts sites and operates as a lean 24/7 challenger brand.
4. 9Round — express 30-minute kickboxing circuit studios with no class times, operated under the Snap Fitness parent company Lift Brands.
Which Gym Franchise Is Best to Buy in Australia?
That depends heavily on your capital, your preferred operating model, and your local market. Here’s a simplified decision framework:
1. Suppose you have $350K–$975K and want the safest, largest network: Anytime Fitness. Brand recognition is unmatched, flat royalty rates reward growth, and the semi-passive model suits operators who want to scale.
2. Suppose you have $250K–$300K and want a lower-risk entry: Snap Fitness—a model similar to Anytime, at a lower cost, with strong financing support from ANZ.
3. If you want boutique and have $349K–$786K, F45—but do rigorous due diligence on your territory and resale values before committing.
4. If you want a lower-cost boutique, Fitstop, with an entry point of $273K–$695K, is the standout option in the functional training space.
5. If you want an Australian-owned brand with international growth, consider Plus Fitness, backed by the Viva Leisure machine.
Australian Gym Industry: Key Stats (2026)
- 7,702 gym and fitness businesses operating nationally as of 2025 (source: IBISWorld)
- $3.7 billion in annual industry revenue in 2026 (source: IBISWorld)
- The industry has grown at a CAGR of 4.0% between 2020 and 2025
- The biggest operators by market share are Anytime Fitness, Viva Leisure, and Fitness and Lifestyle Group.
The dominant market trend heading into 2027 is strength training and boutique fitness — IBISWorld notes that “the potential saturation of budget 24-hour gyms will shift demand for premium and functional training gyms and fitness centres” (source:
Australasian Leisure Management — IBISWorld Report).
Gym franchises that can credibly serve both casual 24/7 users and dedicated strength trainers are best positioned for growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest gym franchise in Australia?
Anytime Fitness is the largest gym franchise in Australia by number of individual brand sites, with 580+ locations nationwide as of 2026.
Which gym franchise is the most profitable in Australia?
Profitability varies by location and operator. Anytime Fitness and Plus Fitness benefit from flat royalty structures that reward higher-revenue clubs. F45 generates strong gross revenue per studio (~$633,000 annually on average) but incurs higher labour and royalty costs. Always review a franchise’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and speak to existing franchisees before investing.
How much does it cost to open a gym franchise in Australia?
Entry costs range from approximately $273,000 (Fitstop, boutique) to over $1 million (Jetts, large format). Most 24/7 gym franchises require an investment of $250,000–$600,000.
Is owning a gym franchise profitable in Australia?
The sector has structural tailwinds — recurring membership revenue, growing consumer health awareness, and resilient demand even during economic slowdowns. However, like any franchise, success is highly location-dependent.
Which is better: Anytime Fitness or the Snap Fitness franchise?
Both use similar 24/7 models. Anytime Fitness has the larger network (580+ vs ~260+) and stronger brand recognition, but requires more capital. Snap Fitness offers a lower entry point ($250K–$300K vs $350K+) and a lower flat royalty ($580/month vs $699/month). For first-time franchisees with tighter capital, Snap Fitness is often cited as the lower-barrier alternative.
Looking to explore gym franchise opportunities in Australia? Browse our
franchise profiles for detailed breakdowns of individual brands, costs, and franchisee requirements.
