Investment from
£39,000
Category
Fitness Franchises
Established
2002
About This Franchise
Anytime Fitness is the world's largest 24/7 gym franchise, founded in 2002 in Cambridge, Minnesota by Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen. With over 5,000 clubs across more than 30 countries on all seven continents, and almost 200 facilities across the UK and Ireland, the brand offers a proven mid-cost membership model. Backed by a recurring revenue stream, low staffing requirements and ranking as the third-largest private sector gym operator domestically, it remains a strong fitness investment opportunity.
A detailed look at the Anytime Fitness Franchise franchise opportunity, what's involved and what makes it stand out.
The fitness sector continues to thrive as more people prioritise health, convenience and flexible workout options. For investors looking to enter this growing industry, the Anytime Fitness Franchise offers a globally recognised brand, a proven 24/7 business model and a structured support system designed to help franchisees succeed. With a presence on every continent and a strong domestic footprint, Anytime Fitness has positioned itself as the clear market leader in the convenience gym sector.
Founded in 2002 by Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, Anytime Fitness opened its first club in Cambridge, Minnesota with a simple goal: deliver a smaller, friendlier neighbourhood gym that fits around members' lives rather than the other way around. That vision quickly resonated, and the brand has grown to become the largest fitness franchise on the planet, with over 5,000 clubs and more than 4 million members worldwide. In the UK, Anytime Fitness now operates over 188 clubs with more than 200,000 members, recording over 1 million club visits each month, and has set a target of 500 UK clubs by 2030.
Anytime Fitness operates a membership-based model centred around 24-hour keycard access, mid-tier pricing and a welcoming community feel. Clubs are typically around 6,000 square feet and located in high-footfall areas including retail parks, town centres and high streets. Recent changes to the Use Classes Order have made it easier than ever to convert former retail units into fitness facilities, opening up new prime locations for franchisees.
| Franchise Fee | £39,000 |
| Min Personal Investment | ~£185,000 |
| Min Liquid Assets | £110,000 |
| Typical Club Size | ~6,000 sq ft |
| Bank Funding | Up to 70% via Barclays, NatWest, Lloyds |
According to ukactive, the body representing the physical activity sector, gym membership and participation continue to climb year on year, with the convenience gym category leading much of that growth. Anytime Fitness's 24/7 access model directly answers the demand for flexibility in busy modern lifestyles. The brand's target of 500 UK clubs by 2030 underlines the scale of opportunity ahead.
New franchisees attend a comprehensive multi-day training programme at the support office, with eight compulsory modules covering commercial planning, property, presales, sales, recruitment and operational best practice. Each new franchisee is paired with a Franchise Performance Coach who guides them through pre-opening, launch and beyond.
Others have moved into the brand from other franchise sectors specifically to benefit from healthier margins and the recurring revenue stream that gym memberships provide. The supportive network and scalable model are consistently highlighted as key strengths.
This opportunity is best suited to motivated entrepreneurs who are passionate about health, community and building a long-term business. While hands-on experience in fitness is not required, a willingness to engage with members, lead a small team and follow a proven system is essential. With the brand's continued investment in technology, location intelligence and member experience, franchisees joining today are stepping into a network that is actively evolving and growing.
To find out the full investment breakdown, available territories and current incentives, get in touch with the Anytime Fitness Franchise team directly through Franchise Hunt.
Interested in exploring more opportunities in this sector? Take a look at other Fitness franchise opportunities available on Franchise Hunt.
The wider fitness sector provides a strong tailwind for new Anytime Fitness owners. According to ukactive's UK Health and Fitness Market Report, UK gym membership reached 11.5 million people in 2024, the market penetration rate climbed to 16.9% and total sector revenue grew by 8.8% to roughly 5.7 billion pounds. The number of UK health and fitness clubs sits above 5,600, with more than 600 million individual visits recorded across the year.
Convenience-led 24/7 operators have been one of the standout categories within that growth, taking share as members move away from rigid opening hours and long contracts. Anytime Fitness, as the largest single brand in the convenience tier, is positioned to capture a meaningful slice of the next wave of demand.
An Anytime Fitness club typically runs as a lean management franchise rather than a personality-driven independent gym. Staffed hours usually cover the morning and early evening peaks, when sales conversations, tours and personal training sit at the centre of activity. Outside staffed hours, members continue training using their keycards, with the brand's central tech stack handling access control, billing and incident response.
A typical owner's week balances three threads: reviewing the previous week's sales and retention dashboard with their Franchise Performance Coach, working alongside the in-club manager on lead follow-up and member journeys, and getting out into the local community to drive corporate, school and partnership leads. Multi-club operators delegate more of the in-club operations and focus on portfolio-level marketing, recruitment and the search for additional sites.
The brand's central support office runs national digital campaigns, paid social and SEO that drive enquiries straight into the local club's CRM. Franchisees can layer in their own community activity, from launch events and corporate wellness tie-ins to local PR and outdoor advertising in their catchment.
The Anytime Fitness app, member-referral mechanics and access to wellness platforms such as Gympass help fill the club outside peak hours and broaden the addressable membership pool beyond traditional gym-goers.
“"The franchise sector provides a great opportunity for more rapid growth where property availability and supply of franchisees are equally strong." Neil Randall, CEO, Anytime Fitness UK”
Enquire now to find out about available territories, investment options and the Anytime Fitness discovery process.
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Pricier than
76%
£39k
Under £50k
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To find out more about the Anytime Fitness Franchise franchise opportunity, simply click below to fill out the form to speak with a representative from the brand.
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The minimum investment for a Anytime Fitness Franchise franchise starts from £39,000. This typically covers the franchise fee, training, and initial setup. Additional costs such as premises, equipment, and working capital may apply.
Yes, Anytime Fitness Franchise provides training for new franchisees. This typically covers operations, business management, marketing, and ongoing support to help you get started and grow your franchise.
Anytime Fitness Franchise offers third party financing options to help prospective franchisees fund their investment. Contact the franchise directly for details on available funding support.
Anytime Fitness Franchise was established in 2002. With 24 years of experience, the brand has built a track record in the UK franchise market.
Anytime Fitness Franchise currently has 5000 franchise outlets operating across the UK, demonstrating network coverage and brand presence.
Anytime Fitness Franchise franchise opportunities are available across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Contact the franchisor through the enquiry form to confirm specific territory availability in your area.
