Therefore, you probably won't see a significant downturn until much after April. June and July are a different matter. Expect both of these months to bring in just 3% of your usual yearly visitors. This is in comparison to the roughly 12% you can expect in January, and the monthly average of 8% over the whole year.
DEK: Typically speaking, there are two main times of the year in which the fitness industry experiences slower months: the family-centered holiday season in November through December and the peak of summer in June and July.
Equally, gyms tend to calm down a little over the summer months with children off school and people on holiday, so bear that in mind if you're visiting throughout the day during these periods.
Well, it's time to get out of that mindset right now. In the fitness industry, quiet gym times are expected during certain times of the day, as well as quieter months at certain times of the year. June, July, and August are commonly quieter, along with November and December.
January is the busiest month to visit the gym. The quietest month is December. Outside of Christmas and New Year, Easter Sunday is the quietest day at the gym.
Afternoon Early (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): After lunch and before the after-work crowd, commercial gyms are generally the least busy during these hours. Late Evening (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM): Once the after-work rush clears out, many commercial gyms quiet down again.
Answer: The second Tuesday in January.
For more than five years, the most common day for activity breaks for Strava users has been on the second Tuesday in January. In fact, it's become so predictable that it's now commonly referred to as Quitter's Day. This year, it falls on Jan. 14.
Early morning (before 6am) and late evening (after 9pm) tend to be less crowded times, as many people are either at work or asleep during these hours. Weekdays (Monday to Friday) are often less crowded than weekends, as many people have more free time on weekends and may use it to work out at the gym.
You might expect to see the biggest membership bump in January, following New Year's, but this isn't usually the case. March and April are often the busiest months of the year, surprisingly, as people begin to feel summer approaching and want to start getting their bodies swimsuit-ready.
Tuesday-Thursday: Consistently busy (80-90% relative attendance) Friday: Slightly less busy (70-80% relative attendance) Saturday: Busy in the morning, quieter in the afternoon (60-70% relative attendance) Sunday: Usually the quietest day (50-60% relative attendance)
Hence, you should seriously consider enrolling them in dance, gymnastics, football, badminton, martial arts or any other sports class. As far as joining a gym is considered, the ideal age is 17-18 years as their body becomes mature to lift weights and do powerlifting, bodybuilding and high resistance training.
Winter offers a prime opportunity to get ahead of the crowd. Many people wait until January 1st to start their fitness resolutions, causing gyms to become crowded with new members. By joining a gym in the early winter months, you can get a head start on your goals without dealing with the New Year rush.
This annual peak in New Year's resolutions, often focused on losing weight and getting fit, is the opportunity to put your gym or studio on the map. In January and February, there's a massive influx of potential members, all motivated to start their fitness journey.
Not to mention, gyms are quietest in the early hours of the morning - particularly before 6am. So take advantage of the peace, and get it done bright and early! Naturally, a super early session isn't for everyone… Night owls, don't panic, there are plenty of alternative times for you to get your sweat on!
The least busy times to go to the gym are very early in the morning or late at night. If you're looking to avoid crowds and have access to all the equipment, these times are your best bet.
Off-Season
This is the period of time after the conclusion of the season when athletes decrease sport-specific skill work and start to focus on functional movement and strength development. This change in focus will allow for greater gains in skill work as the foundation of their athletic pyramid grows.
No matter your age, it's never too late to exercise or start exercising. Talk to your doctor to get started. SOURCES: American Family Physician: “Promoting and Prescribing Exercise for the Elderly.”
According to studies, July is the lowest month for fitness industry attendance and revenue. It makes sense.
Overall, the experts agree: Exercising in the morning is the best time of day to work out for logistical, effective and health reasons. When it comes to weight loss, a 2023 study published in the journal Obesity found exercising between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. could help.
Gym memberships are split nearly equally between men (49.5%) and women (50.5%). Young adults ages 18-34 (31%) as well as adults ages 35-54 (31%) make up the biggest populations at the gym.