The fitness industry is evolving fast, but it has some serious problems stunting its growth.
While more people care about health and wellness than ever, we need to talk about the biggest problems in the fitness industry that are making things harder for everyone. From burned-out trainers to gyms that make people feel unwelcome, these problems in the fitness industry create roadblocks that stop people from reaching their health goals.
If we want to build an industry that actually helps people, we need to understand what’s going wrong first. That’s exactly what we’re going to break down today.
10 Problems in the Fitness Industry
What are some of the biggest problems in the fitness industry in 2025? Keep reading to get into the nitty-gritty.
Problem #1: Burnout among fitness professionals
Personal trainers and gym staff are expected to be “on” from the moment they clock in—whether they’re teaching their first class at 5 AM or their last session at 9 PM. Over time, being a human energy drink takes its toll.
Long, irregular hours compound the problem. Many fitness professionals work split shifts, early mornings, and weekends to accommodate member schedules. They’re often juggling multiple clients, covering classes, and managing administrative tasks.
The irony? The very people whose job it is to promote health and wellness frequently neglect their own.
When fitness professionals burn out, it shows. Their energy drops, their passion wanes, and members notice. This leads to decreased member satisfaction, higher staff turnover, and ultimately impacts your gym’s bottom line.
What you can do about it:
Prioritize your team’s well-being just as much as your members’. Implement reasonable scheduling practices that avoid back-to-back early and late shifts. Encourage staff to take breaks and use their time off. Create a supportive work environment where your team can be honest about tough days. Consider offering mental health resources or wellness benefits.
Ultimately, a well-rested, genuinely happy trainer will always outperform an exhausted one putting on a fake smile.
📝 Read More: Mind Matters – Protecting Your Mental Health as a Fitness Professional
Problem #2: Poor member retention and lack of engagement
Walk into most gyms and you’ll see the same story: members scanning their cards, working out in silence, and leaving without a word. For many fitness businesses, members are just numbers on a spreadsheet until they decide to cancel.
The real problem isn’t that people lack motivation. It’s that they lack connection.
Members don’t feel valued when they only hear from your gym through automated billing emails or promotional offers. They become invisible in their own fitness journey, working out alone in a room full of people.
From a business perspective, poor retention is expensive. Acquiring a new member costs significantly more than keeping an existing one, yet many gym owners focus heavily on sales while neglecting the members they already have. When someone cancels, it’s rarely about the equipment or facilities. It’s because they never felt like they belonged in the first place.
What you can do about it:
Build genuine relationships with your members. Check in with them regularly, remember their names and goals, and celebrate their progress. Create opportunities for connection through challenges, social events, or member spotlights. Finally, use your gym management software to track engagement and reach out to those who haven’t been in recently.
📝 Get the FREE eBook: The Customer Engagement Playbook for Your Fitness Business
Problem #3: Weight stigma and appearance-based assumptions
The fitness industry still places emphasis on body weight and shape as primary indicators of health.
This stems from deeply ingrained diet culture—the belief system that equates thinness with health and moral superiority—and fatphobia, which is prejudice and discrimination against people in larger bodies.
But a thinner body does not necessarily equate to a healthier body—as much as the media, diet culture, and some members of the medical community may claim otherwise.
Unfortunately, weight bias creates a devastating cycle. Fitness marketing predominantly features thin, conventionally attractive bodies, making people in diverse body types feel unwelcome. Members who don’t fit this narrow standard often experience shame, avoid gyms entirely, or abandon their fitness journeys altogether.
And for many individuals, pursuing the cultural standard of thinness could actually be harmful to their physical and mental health.
What you can do about it:
Showcase real body diversity in your marketing, social media, and promotional materials. Train staff to focus on health behaviors rather than appearance or weight loss. Celebrate non-scale victories like strength gains, improved sleep, better mood, or consistency. Create an environment where people of all sizes feel genuinely welcome.
The bottom line: Health can and does exist at every size.
Problem #4: Misinformation and the promise of quick fixes
Social media feeds are flooded with fitness influencers hawking miracle workouts, celebrity diet plans, and “one weird trick” solutions. The internet has incredibly useful health information, but it’s buried under layers of misleading content designed to sell products rather than promote genuine wellness.
This misinformation thrives because people desperately want quick fixes. Snake oil salespeople exploit this vulnerability, promising dramatic transformations in impossibly short timeframes. Even legitimate interventions like GLP-1 medications require lifestyle changes to be effective. There truly are no shortcuts to sustainable health.
When your members consume conflicting or false information, they lose trust in evidence-based approaches. They jump between fad diets, abandon proven strategies in favor of flashy new trends, and often end up more frustrated than when they started. This confusion undermines their progress and your ability to help them.
What you can do about it:
Position yourself as a reliable source of evidence-based information. Share simple, actionable tips through your emails and social posts, or quick educational moments during sessions and classes. Address common myths directly and explain the “why” behind your recommendations. Create brief Q&A sessions where members can ask questions without judgment. Use visual aids throughout your gym to reinforce good habits and proper technique.
Your expertise and consistency will cut through the noise and build lasting trust with your members.
📝 Check Out: How Carpe Diem BJJ Boosted Membership by 500% With ABC Glofox
Problem #5: Constant pressure to stay relevant
The fitness industry moves at breakneck speed.
One day everyone’s talking about hybrid gyms, the next it’s AI-powered personal training or the latest social media algorithm change that’s tanking your reach. Just when you think you’ve figured out TikTok, Instagram launches a new feature that completely shifts how content performs.
Running a fitness business, you need to be a tech evangelist and content creator in addition to all the other hats you wear. The pressure is relentless. Miss one trend and you risk looking outdated, but chase every shiny new tool and you’ll exhaust yourself and your budget.
This constant state of catching up creates decision paralysis and shiny object syndrome. Gym owners spread themselves thin trying to master every platform and implement every innovation, often without a clear strategy. Meanwhile, core business fundamentals get neglected as you scramble to stay current.
What you can do about it:
Get clear on your goals and where you want to make the most impact—this will help you figure out which innovations to prioritize.
According to our Wellness Watch report, AI-powered tools, wearables, and digital platforms can enhance the member experience, with 61% of users already using AI-based fitness tracking apps. But not every trend deserves your attention.
The Customer
Engagement Playbook
for Your Fitness
Business
Discover more Focus on tech that directly serves your members’ needs and aligns with your business goals. Let your competition chase every trend while you master the ones that matter.
Problem #6: Lack of focus on mental health
The fitness industry has gotten a lot better at acknowledging mental health in recent years, but there’s still a long way to go.
Exercise absolutely supports mental wellness through stress relief (hello, mood-boosting endorphins!) and by creating a sense of community. For countless people, fitness has been life-changing in the best possible way.
But the industry also perpetuates harmful narratives. Weight stigma, misinformation, and unrealistic body standards can seriously damage someone’s relationship with their body and self-worth. When fitness becomes tied to shame, punishment, or inadequacy, it stops being healing and starts being harmful.
Many gym members are quietly struggling with anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, or eating disorders. Yet most fitness professionals receive little to no training on recognizing mental health challenges or responding appropriately. This leaves both staff and members without the support they need.
What you can do about it:
Train your staff to recognize signs of mental health struggles and to respond with empathy. During sessions and classes, use language that promotes self-compassion rather than self-criticism. Create an environment that celebrates mental wins alongside the physical ones.
Our Wellness Watch report shows that active consumers are embracing holistic wellness and prioritizing mental health, with 37% using mental wellness apps. Make sure your gym management software has tools that support staying in touch, celebrating wins, and building community.
📝 Read More: What Every Trainer Should Know About Mental Health
Problem #7: Inconsistent customer service
Nothing kills the gym experience faster than bad or inconsistent customer service. One day a member gets a warm greeting and helpful guidance, the next they’re ignored at the front desk or given conflicting information about policies.
This inconsistency creates confusion and frustration that builds over time. Members shouldn’t have to wonder which version of your staff they’ll get when they walk through the door.
Poor customer service doesn’t just affect current members—it actively repels potential ones. Word travels fast in local communities, and negative experiences get shared far more often than positive ones. A single bad interaction can cost you multiple membership opportunities as stories spread through social networks and online reviews.
The problem often stems from inadequate training, unclear policies, or staff who simply don’t understand how their role impacts the member experience. As a result, every interaction with staff becomes a coin flip for your members.
What you can do about it:
Create clear service standards and train every team member on them, regardless of their role. Develop scripts for common scenarios like billing questions, guest policies, and equipment issues. Hold regular team meetings to address service gaps and celebrate wins. Use your gym management software to track member interactions and identify patterns in complaints or compliments.
Most importantly, lead by example—the service culture starts with you.
📝 Read More: The Importance of Customer Service in the Fitness Industry
Problem #8: Elitist or exclusionary attitudes
Unfortunately, many gyms have an unwelcoming undercurrent of superiority that makes beginners feel like outsiders. This elitism shows up in eye rolls at “newbie” questions and staff who assume everyone should already know proper form and gym etiquette.
These attitudes stem from the same issues we’ve discussed: weight stigma that judges people based on appearance and misinformation that creates confusion about the basics. This is when people need welcoming fitness spaces the most! Instead, they’re often judged for just getting started.
The result? Potential members avoid gyms entirely and existing members quit after feeling embarrassed. Plus, word spreads quickly when someone feels humiliated or unwelcome.
What you can do about it:
Train your entire team to celebrate every member’s journey, regardless of their starting point. Create beginner-friendly programming and spaces where people can learn without judgment. Foster a gym culture where asking questions is encouraged and helping others is valued.
Remember: everyone was a beginner once, and your job is making fitness accessible to all.
📝 Go Further: Creating an Inclusive Gym for LGBTQ+ Staff: Why It Matters and How to Do It
Problem #9: Economic pressures on memberships
Gym memberships are often among the first expenses people cut during economic uncertainty. Unlike rent or groceries, fitness feels optional to many consumers when money is tight. Even though taking care of one’s health becomes even more important during stressful times.
This creates a challenging cycle for gym owners. As members cancel or freeze memberships, revenue drops just when you need stability most. You’re forced to make difficult decisions about staffing, equipment, or facility improvements. All while trying to maintain a high level of service for your remaining members.
The pressure intensifies when you’re competing against free alternatives like YouTube workouts or no-equipment exercise like running outside. Members increasingly question whether a monthly gym fee is justified when they can exercise at home or in their neighborhood.
(This blog from Adapt Fitness has GREAT ideas for how to manage membership cancellations.)
What you can do about it:
Focus on demonstrating clear value that justifies the membership cost. Emphasize what members can’t get elsewhere: community, professional guidance, accountability, and specialized equipment. Consider flexible pricing options like class packages, shorter-term commitments, or friend and family discounts. Communicate regularly about the benefits members are receiving and celebrate their progress to reinforce the worth of their investment.
Problem #10: High competition among fitness businesses
There’s no doubt about it: the fitness industry is saturated. Every neighborhood seems to have multiple gyms, boutique studios, and personal training services all competing for the same pool of potential members.
Add in digital fitness platforms and home workout subscriptions, and the competition becomes even fiercer.
This oversaturation drives a race to the bottom on pricing and forces businesses to constantly differentiate themselves. New competitors regularly enter the market with flashy equipment, trendy class formats, or aggressive promotional pricing that can undercut established businesses overnight.
What you can do about it:
Stop trying to be everything to everyone! Instead, identify your unique strengths and double down on them. Whether it’s specialized programming, exceptional customer service, or a particularly welcoming community, lean into what makes you different. Build genuine relationships with your members that competitors can’t easily replicate through marketing or equipment alone.
So, What’s Next for the Fitness Industry in 2025?
- Continued AI integration. According to our Wellness Watch report, 61% of users are already using AI-based fitness tracking apps. Expect smarter workout recommendations, automated scheduling, and predictive analytics to become standard in gym management.
- Greater emphasis on mental health and overall wellness. The fitness industry is moving toward truly holistic wellness—and we love to see it. Gyms are adding meditation spaces, stress management programs, and mental health resources alongside traditional workouts to support members’ 360° health.
- Rise of micro-gyms and niche offerings. Smaller, specialized fitness businesses are thriving by focusing on specific areas like longevity coaching, habit coaching, and holistic nutrition. These intimate settings offer personalized attention that many members crave over the one-size-fits-all approach of larger facilities.
Overcome Problems in the Fitness Industry With the Right Tools
Thankfully, these problems in the fitness industry aren’t impossible to fix. In fact, they provide chances to make things better.
Every issue we talked about is an opportunity to build stronger fitness businesses and create gyms where everyone feels welcome!
Whether you’re dealing with worn-out staff, losing members, or fighting bigger issues like weight bias, you can start making changes today.
The biggest problems in the fitness industry won’t disappear overnight, but they will improve when gym owners like you decide to put people first. Your members will notice the difference, and your business will be better because of it.
Ready to explore how the right gym management software can help tackle these challenges? Book your ABC Glofox demo today.
