Overview
Anytime Fitness is a US-origin fitness franchise best known for giving members access to its gyms 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its proposition combines convenient locations, strength and cardiovascular equipment, and access to coaching. Clubs generally occupy a smaller footprint than full-service health clubs with swimming pools, extensive leisure facilities and large group-exercise studios.
The business is built predominantly around independently owned franchises rather than a centrally operated estate. Members encounter a common brand and access system, but pricing, staffing and the range of training services can differ between clubs. For franchisees, the core business is recurring membership income, supplemented where applicable by personal training and other services.
History and growth
Anytime Fitness was founded in 2002 by Chuck Runyon, Dave Mortensen and Jeff Klinger. Its first club opened in Cambridge, Minnesota. The founders developed a model that used secure entry technology to let members exercise outside staffed hours, reducing reliance on the long reception shifts associated with conventional gym opening schedules.
Franchising enabled the brand to expand across the United States and subsequently overseas. It became part of Self Esteem Brands, the parent business associated with several fitness and wellness franchises. In 2024, Self Esteem Brands merged with Orangetheory Fitness. That corporate development broadened the parent group's fitness portfolio; Anytime Fitness remained a distinct consumer-facing brand and franchise system.
Global footprint
Anytime Fitness reported more than 5,000 gyms in 2023, with a network spanning 50 countries. Its reach includes North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with established operations in markets such as the United States, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. These figures describe the network's broad scale rather than a live count of trading clubs.
International expansion does not mean that every market operates identically. Property availability, household spending, exercise habits and local competitors influence club economics and positioning. National or regional development arrangements also shape how franchise opportunities are offered. Reciprocal access to participating gyms is a notable membership feature, although eligibility, activation periods and other conditions should be checked against the relevant membership agreement.
How the franchise model works
Franchisees invest in and operate local clubs under the Anytime Fitness name, using the brand's operating framework, access technology and approved systems. The franchisor provides a package of support that can include site assessment, club design guidance, initial training, marketing resources and operating assistance. The precise obligations of each party depend on the market and franchise agreement.
At club level, the operator is responsible for building a membership base and delivering a dependable service. That includes recruiting staff or trainers, maintaining equipment, keeping the premises clean and managing enquiries and cancellations. Round-the-clock access does not mean round-the-clock staffing, nor does it make the investment passive. Unstaffed periods require effective security, access controls and clear procedures for members who need assistance.
Investment and requirements
There is no single worldwide price for an Anytime Fitness franchise. Published investment estimates and franchise fees are market-specific, and figures from one country should not be applied to another. A project's cost depends on premises size and condition, lease terms, building work, equipment, security systems and the working capital needed while membership develops.
Brand-level charges and financial qualification criteria should be verified using current local materials. A globally applicable fee schedule is not publicly disclosed; prospective franchisees should request the relevant franchise disclosure documents and a detailed explanation of ongoing charges. These may cover royalties, marketing, technology and other contractual services. The initial franchise fee alone is not a useful measure of total funding needs, particularly where substantial fit-out work or a lengthy pre-opening period is involved.
What franchisees should consider
Location selection is fundamental. A convenient catchment, visibility, transport links and suitable parking can influence membership demand, while rent and service charges continue regardless of attendance. A smaller gym may require less space than a full-service health club, but it still needs an effective layout, adequate ventilation and equipment capable of handling peak-time usage.
Retention is as important as opening sales. Members can leave because of crowding, poor maintenance, weak coaching or a cheaper alternative nearby. Operators therefore need to understand local membership behaviour rather than rely on global brand recognition. Other considerations include competition within the catchment, equipment replacement, permitted operating hours and staffing coverage. Contractual territory protection, renewal terms and any additional-club commitments also warrant careful examination in the disclosure materials.
Competitive landscape
Anytime Fitness competes across several overlapping parts of the gym market. Snap Fitness is a close comparator because of its franchised, neighbourhood-oriented, 24-hour format. Planet Fitness and PureGym compete strongly for price-conscious members, although their club formats, market coverage and ownership arrangements differ. Gold's Gym and Crunch Fitness also compete for members seeking equipment-led fitness and training services.
The competitive question is local rather than simply international. A club may face budget chains, independent gyms, specialist studios and public leisure centres within the same catchment. Anytime Fitness's convenient access and coaching proposition must therefore translate into value that members recognise. A large global network can support awareness and reciprocal use, but it does not remove the need for competitive pricing and consistent local service.
Outlook
Anytime Fitness's prospects depend on continuing to make its established format relevant as member expectations change. Convenient access remains useful, while coaching and digital support can help distinguish a club from a room of exercise equipment. Expansion opportunities nevertheless vary considerably between mature gym markets and areas where organised fitness participation is less established.
Membership of a broader fitness group creates scope to share capabilities, but it does not guarantee better returns for individual franchisees. Property costs, wages, financing conditions and competition remain practical constraints. For the network, the central task is to balance further development with the quality and sustainability of existing clubs, maintaining a recognisable brand while allowing operators to respond to local demand.
Anytime Fitness franchise: frequently asked questions
How much does an Anytime Fitness franchise cost?
The cost varies by country, premises and project specification. There is no single worldwide investment figure or fee schedule. Total funding needs include more than the initial franchise fee: fit-out, equipment, lease-related costs and working capital also matter. Prospective franchisees should request current local franchise disclosure documents and details of ongoing charges.
How many Anytime Fitness locations are there?
Anytime Fitness reported more than 5,000 gyms in 2023, with a network spanning 50 countries. This is an indication of network scale, not a current live total. Openings and closures change the estate, so the brand's local club directory is the appropriate source for checking individual locations.
Who owns Anytime Fitness?
Anytime Fitness is part of Self Esteem Brands, which merged with Orangetheory Fitness in 2024. The ownership of the brand is separate from ownership of individual gyms. The club network is predominantly franchised, with local franchisees responsible for running their businesses under the brand's systems and agreements.
Can Anytime Fitness members use other clubs?
Reciprocal access to participating Anytime Fitness gyms is a key feature of the membership proposition. However, members should check their agreement for eligibility, activation periods and any other conditions, particularly when travelling internationally. Access to another club does not necessarily include every coaching service or paid activity offered at that location.
Does an Anytime Fitness franchise need staff around the clock?
The format enables members to enter outside staffed hours using secure access technology, so 24-hour opening does not generally require continuous reception staffing. Franchisees still need arrangements for sales, member support, coaching, cleaning, maintenance and security. Exact staffing requirements depend on the club, local rules and the applicable franchise operating standards.
Latest Anytime Fitness news
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Figures are approximate and based on publicly reported information as of 2023. Franchise costs and terms change; prospective franchisees should obtain the brand’s current disclosure documents and take independent legal and financial advice. Profile updated October 2026.