Invest in wellness: the Rise of fitness franchises in Spain

Madrid, April 23, 2025

The fitness franchise market in Spain is experiencing a moment of splendor. The rise in interest in health, wellness, and an active lifestyle has catalyzed a 31% growth in 2024, with 534 franchised gyms active, out of a total of 703 centers operated by 29 leading chains. This phenomenon reflects a transformation of the Spanish consumer, increasingly aware of the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise.

Market overview: growth and diversification

According to data from CMD Sport and the DBK Sectorial Observatory, the sector generates more than 950 million euros annually, with growth forecasts of 4.5% for 2025. The average initial investment to enter the sector as a franchisee is around €112,285, although there are more affordable options such as Rapid Fit Well (€26,400), up to more premium concepts like Pilates10 (€100,000).

Among the main brands in the sector are:

• Brooklyn Fitboxing: 161 centers. High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) model.
• Grupo DiR – Yogaone: 84 centers. Specialized in yoga and wellness.
• Sano Center: 68 centers. Focused on small group training.
• Snap Fitness: More than 1,300 global franchises, with a strong presence in Spain.
• Anytime Fitness: 41 gyms operating in Spain and more than 5,400 worldwide. Offers 24/7 access with a highly profitable business model (up to 65% EBITDA) and an estimated return in 2 to 3 years.
• L'Orange bleue: 385 centers.
• Fit+: 190 automated 24/7 gym centers.
• Bikram Yoga Spain: Specialized in hot yoga, with a differentiated experiential approach in the wellness segment.
• Énergie Fitness, Vidya Studio, Ufit Boutique, KeepOnTraining, Ikigai, AFITCLUB, OKMAS Fitness Club, AUT Spain, among others.

The Spanish Franchise Association (AEF) indicates that fitness already represents 6.5% of franchised brands in Spain, positioning it among the six most relevant sectors in the ecosystem. In total, the sector has generated more than 3,587 direct jobs and remains one of the growth drivers of the franchise system.

Sector challenges: debt, costs, and global competition

However, success is not without challenges. The report “Fitness Market Perspectives in Spain” by BDO (2024) highlights that 39% of sector directors identify indebtedness as the greatest risk. Energy costs and inflation continue to pressure profitability, especially for low-cost models.

The key to this forecast is the focus on comprehensive health and wellness, which expands the target beyond conventional athletes, encompassing older adults, people with specific pathologies, and profiles seeking “wellness” experiences.

Brands like Énergie Fitness, Anytime Fitness, or Nexes are diversifying their offerings with functional training, digitized health monitoring, and scientific methodologies that respond to these new demands.

Trends: digitization, personalization, and new models

The Valgo 2025 report on fitness trends in Spain identifies the following priorities:

• Weight loss training.
• Functional training and HIIT.
• Personalized and small group sessions.
• Exercise apps, wearables, and remote training.
• “Boutique” spaces with premium experiences.

Models like Fit+ (gyms without staff, 100% automated) are leading the disruption of the traditional format. Meanwhile, Yogaone, Vidya Studio, and Bikram Yoga Spain are betting on specialized environments in mindfulness, therapeutic heat, and yoga, attracting an audience that values experience and community.

FIS2025: the key event for the sector

For those looking to enter or expand in this sector, the Franchise Innovation Summit 2025 (FIS) is the must-attend event. It will be held on October 15 and 16, 2025 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, bringing together more than 120 brands and 3,000 professionals from the sector, including fitness sector leaders in franchise expansion models.

Promoted by the Spanish Franchise Association (AEF), the event will offer:

• Strategic networking between brands, investors, and operators.
• Presentations on trends, innovation, and technology.
• Access to national and international expansion opportunities.

Additionally, parallel activities such as the FranquiTour, the Emerging Franchises Marathon, and Gastrofranquicia will be held, providing a comprehensive view of the Spanish franchising ecosystem.

Conclusion

Investing in a fitness franchise in Spain in 2025 is a bet on wellness, innovation, and social transformation. In a context of growing demand, diversification of business models, and digitization, the sector offers fertile ground for both entrepreneurs and professional investors.

Attending FIS2025 is a key opportunity to explore these possibilities, connect with sector leaders, and strategically position oneself in one of the markets with the greatest growth potential in the European franchise ecosystem.