A Detailed Look Into the Planet Fitness App [and its Business Model]

The fitness app genre has rapidly gained popularity among mobile applications, and rightfully so. Beyond their attractiveness and convenience, these apps provide a range of distinctive features that significantly aid individuals in achieving their health and fitness objectives.

For those considering the fitness app development, drawing inspiration from leading fitness apps is crucial. Take, for instance, the Planet Fitness App – an exemplar of success. As the fastest-growing fitness center franchisee in North America, Planet Fitness has evolved remarkably since its establishment in 1992.

The Planet Fitness app has become one of the best free fitness apps.

In today’s article, we will discuss the Planet Fitness app, Planet Fitness business model and revenue streams, and more that could help you build an app like Planet Fitness. Let’s get started with the basics!

What is Planet Fitness?

Planet Fitness is a franchisor and operator of fitness centers based in America. It came into existence to give a run for money to established budget-friendly gym chains like 24 Hour Fitness. Here are some fundamentals of the fitness club services provider:

• Founders: Michael Grondahl, Marc Grondahl
• Founded in: 1992
• Headquarters: Hampton, New Hampshire, U.S.
• CEO (current): Colleen Keating (effective June 10, 2024)
• Net Revenue (2024): ~$1.18 billion
• Total clubs (system-wide): 2,762 clubs
• No. of Employees (2024): 3,806
• Total Members (June 2025): ~ 20.8 million

Planet Fitness Revenue Breakdown

Planet Fitness continues to flex its financial muscle in 2025. Its low-cost and high-value model still dominates the global fitness industry. The brand has grown far beyond traditional gyms, expanding its digital footprint and modernizing its club experience to attract over 20.8 million members across 2,700+ locations.

Backed by consistent double-digit revenue growth and a strong franchise network, Planet Fitness stands as a benchmark for stability and innovation in the health and wellness space. Below is a detailed look at how its revenue is distributed across segments in 2025, based on the company’s official financial reports and verified investor disclosures.

Important Key Aspects of Planet Fitness App

Following, we’ve discussed some important key aspects of how Planet Fitness works include:

• Membership Tiers: Planet Fitness usually offers different membership tiers, providing varying levels of access and perks.
• No Commitment Memberships: Members often benefit from a no-commitment policy, allowing them to cancel at any time without a long-term contract.

• Judgment-Free Zone: The gym emphasizes a non-intimidating atmosphere, promoting a judgment-free zone where individuals can work out comfortably.

• 24/7 Access: Many Planet Fitness locations operate 24/7, providing flexibility for members to exercise at their convenience.

• Fitness Training: Planet Fitness may offer fitness training programs and classes, catering to various fitness levels.

How does Planet Fitness Work?

Planet Fitness operates on a straightforward model designed to make fitness accessible to everyone. Memberships typically offer unlimited access to the gym’s facilities, including cardio and strength training equipment. The gym promotes a judgment-free and comfortable environment, encouraging individuals of all fitness levels to feel welcome.

Planet Fitness continues to set the benchmark for cost-effective fitness services in 2025. The company now operates approximately 2,762 clubs globally and serves around 20.8 million members. 

Its footprint spans all 50 U.S. states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and extends internationally into Canada, Mexico, Panama, Australia, and Spain. This widespread presence reinforces its high-value, low-price (HVLP) business model and underlines strong growth potential for fitness apps, digital engagement, and franchise expansion.

Fitness Centres, Franchise Requirements & Fees

The brand Planet Fitness began franchising in 2003 and remains one of the most accessible fitness club franchise opportunities globally. According to the company’s year-end update, it had approximately 19.7 million members and opened 150 new clubs in 2024 alone. 

investor.planetfitness.com

Franchise Financial Requirements

Prospective franchisees must meet minimum net worth and liquid cash thresholds. As of 2025, these values are set at:

• Net worth: US $3 million (minimum) 
• Liquid assets: US $1.5 million (minimum) 

Initial Fees & Investment

Key costs to open a Planet Fitness club in 2025 include:

• Initial franchise fee: US$20,000 
• Estimated total initial investment: US$1.50 million to ~ US$5.16 million, depending on size, location, leasehold improvements, and equipment. 

Note: ongoing royalty fee and advertising fund contributions apply

Ongoing Fees & Royalty Model

Franchisees pay a royalty fee on gross membership and other club revenue. They also contribute to a national advertising fund and follow the standard fee structure managed by Planet Fitness. 

This ongoing fee model supports the brand’s high-value and low-price model and operational growth.

Standard Club Format & Target Audience

A typical Planet Fitness club spans approximately 15,000 to 25,000 square feet. It is equipped with branded cardio, free-weight, and circuit training equipment. The model focuses heavily on the “Judgement Free Zone®” philosophy. Appealing to first-time gym users, casual exercisers, and value-seeking members.

The core membership plan (~US $10 to US $15/month) provides broad appeal to consumers who feel traditional gyms are expensive or intimidating.

Targeting Non-Traditional Fitness Segments

Planet Fitness expands beyond the typical fitness-club market by targeting casual and non-fitness-heavy segments. It leans into leisure, affordability, and accessibility. Although older data cited ~16 million members by March 2022, the latest report shows ~19.7 million members by end-2024 thus signalling strong growth in this broader market. 

Why this matters for your app-development strategy

• The large member base and franchise network mean any mobile app must scale globally and cater to varied user segments.
• The heavy growth in equipment and club openings suggests opportunities for digital integration. E.g., equipment-linked apps, member-engagement features, loyalty programmes.
• The clear franchise fee and royalty model highlights where your client could pitch “digital-member experience tools” as a value add for franchisees.

Planet Fitness Mobile App

Instead of being only a full-fledged front for selling fitness services and introducing newcomers to PF, the Planet Fitness workout tracker app serves the purpose of an excellent marketing tool. Some of the top reasons that make the Planet Fitness app such a huge success include:

• A progress tracker
• Couch to Gym Program is a 10-part course designed to introduce newcomers to gymming
• Crowd Meter, which is a feature that lets the users know when the gym is at low capacity

• Healthy Heart Workouts is an assortment of free fitness workouts for cardio, strength training, yoga, and more
• Pre-recorded exercise sessions on cardio and weight lifting from trainers

The fitness app works excellently in tracking workouts for users. It also provides a good range of features to Planet Fitness members, including a tracker to tell the users when it is a good time to work out in the gym.

The Planet Fitness workout tracker (Crowd Meter) not only helps the business to operate optimally but also increases user retention and facilitates the delivery of personalized services.

Its app combined with a continuous barrage of partnerships and sponsorships allowed Planet Fitness to become one of the most recognized names in the fitness and wellness industry.

Screening Businesses to Partner With

Planet Fitness sticks to a Franchise business model for developing new stores. This allows them to leverage distinct local market expertise. While considering a potential franchisee, Planet Fitness evaluates:

• Available capital and financing
• Financial history
• History in managing P&L operations
• Previous experience in franchising or multi-unit businesses

As we can see, PF follows a stringent selection process when it comes to adding new stores. This helps the fitness service to ensure quality delivery to its members while expanding its reach simultaneously.

Read More: How to Develop a Health and Fitness App [Detailed Guide + Cost]

Planet Fitness Business Model and Revenue Streams

Planet Fitness enjoys a diversified set of revenue streams, which firmly positions it as one of the leading fitness-club operators in North America and beyond. This maturity in revenue generation makes it a compelling case for any fitness-app development strategy targeting networks, users, and franchise ecosystems.

Although the brand draws from many income sources, most fall into three core categories: franchise-based, corporate-owned clubs, and equipment-based revenue. Here’s how the breakdown looks in the latest reporting:

1.Franchise-based

Franchise segment revenue refers to the services that Planet Fitness provides to its franchises. It is the major source of revenue for PF. Franchise-based revenue includes:

• Commission income from franchise-owned stores
• Franchise fees
• Placement revenue
• Royalty revenue
• NAF (National Advertising Fund) revenue

In Q2 2025, franchise-segment revenue rose to US$119.7 million, an increase of 11.0% year-over-year (from US$107.8 million). 

This segment includes revenue from royalties, franchise fees, placement income, and contributions to the National Advertising Fund (NAF). In the franchise segment, higher royalty revenue (driven by same-club sales increases of 8.3%) and a rise in NAF revenue contributed meaningfully to growth.

For your app-development context, this revenue stream reflects recurring income tied to member usage and franchise brand strength. Ideal for pitching digital member-engagement tools, mobile check-in, usage tracking, and retention modules.

2.Corporate-owned Stores

In addition to catering affordable fitness services to individuals, Planet Fitness offers organizations a way to operate their fitness centers to provide fitness services to their employees.

Such stores are called corporate-owned stores, and these stores generate revenue for PF in the following forms:

• Annual fees
• Enrollment fees
• Monthly membership fees
• Prepaid fees
• Retail sales

In the same quarter, corporate-owned club segment revenue reached US$139.0 million, up 10.8% from US$125.5 million the prior year. 

Growth was driven by a 7.0% same-club sales increase and additional revenue from new clubs opened since April 1, 2024. 

From a digital app perspective, this part of the business gives direct operational control and data-rich environments. Thus enabling feature roll-outs like digital coaching, in-club tracking, and integration with corporate wellness programmes.

3.Equipment-based

PF necessitates franchisee-owned stores to replace their exercising equipment every 5 to 7 years. The equipment-based revenue includes:

• Equipment revenue for new stores
• Equipment replacement revenue for existing stores

The equipment segment saw the strongest growth in Q2 2025: US$82.2 million, up 21.5% versus US$67.7 million a year earlier. 

This income comes from new-club equipment sales and replacement equipment sold to franchisee-owned clubs. For example, a large portion of the growth ($14.3 million) came from equipment sales to existing franchisee-owned clubs. 

For your mobile-app development angle, this suggests strong investment in physical-club infrastructure and opens opportunities for IoT/equipment-connected app features, machine-data integration, and enhanced in-club digital experiences.

Planet Fitness Business Model Canvas

Step-by-Step Guide: Building a Fitness App Inspired by Planet Fitness

For a businessperson willing to create a fitness app similar to Planet Fitness, here is a simplified, step-by-step guide:

1: Understanding and market research

Research should begin before starting with the development process. Determine market opportunities and create a distinctive selling point that might include AI-powered coaching, interactive challenges, or home workouts.

2: Designing the UI/UX

The user experience should be smooth and captivating. A clean, intuitive design with easy navigation, progress tracking, and interactive workout videos ensures that users remain engaged.

3: Selecting the technology stack

Choose a robust tech stack for a smooth experience. Flutter or React Native is ideal for cross-platform development. The database platform Firebase or Node.js provides trustworthy real-time functionality together with secure data protection capabilities.

4: Feature integration

Include key features like AI-driven workout recommendations, wearable device syncing, live training sessions, and social engagement tools to keep users connected and motivated. The addition of membership-based payments alongside premium content delivers a source of profit to the business.

5: Testing and quality assurance

To get rid of bugs, improve performance, and guarantee security, thoroughly test the app on a variety of devices and operating systems.

6: Launch planning and marketing strategy

Your fitness app will gain maximum visibility through App Store Optimization techniques alongside influencer partner work and purposeful social media marketing activities to boost downloads.

7: Post launch support and maintenance

Frequent updates, enhancements based on user input, and new feature additions will help retain users and grow your app over time.

Why Develop a Planet Fitness Like App With Apptunix?

We have helped organizations to sell their services effectively by building mobile apps that complement their business operations. Our experts have a wide-ranging experience in fitness app development services and are comfortable working with all leading technologies.

Check out the following live demo to know how we help our clients with building an app like MyFitnessPal:

Apptunix has developed dozens of health & wellness and fitness apps for businesses across the globe. We leverage the latest mobile app development practices to ensure you get a uber modern fitness app. Building your own fitness app with us gets you:

• Fully-customizable solutions
• Invaluable app development advice
• Outstanding UI and UX
• Ownership of the entire source code
• Smart fitness coach integration
• Superior activity tracking and more

The exact cost of building a fitness app will depend on the types of features you offer. Therefore, you need to factor in the features that you want in your fitness app while creating your budget. If you don’t want to do it, then Apptunix can help you with that too.

Conclusion

Planet Fitness is a multi-million business that has been going strong for the past 3 decades. The Planet Fitness business model is a shining example for businesses looking forward to developing and profiting from a health and wellness app while marketing itself at the same time.

In addition to the standard exercise programs and Planet Fitness workout trackers – activity, calorie, and so on – your app must be able to deliver personalized experiences to the users and cater to their exact requirements.