More gyms are adding yoga studios because people want more than just weights and machines. Yoga offers a powerful mix of physical fitness and mental calm that many crave today. This growing trend shows how gyms are changing to meet what members really want, helping them feel stronger, calmer, and more connected.
Key Takeaways
- Yoga is one of the fastest-growing fitness trends and a smart investment for gyms.
- Members value both physical strength and mental wellness, making yoga a top choice.
- Yoga boosts recovery, flexibility, and stress relief, complementing strength and cardio.
- Adding yoga helps gyms attract new demographics and improve member retention.
- Yoga studios bring steady revenue growth with low setup costs and high demand.
Yoga Is Becoming One of the Most In-Demand Fitness Trends
Walk into almost any modern gym, and chances are you’ll find a yoga studio tucked alongside the treadmills and weight racks. It’s not just a trend—it’s a response to real demand. Two decades ago, yoga was a niche practice in the U.S., embraced by only about 5% of adults. But by 2022, that number had surged to 16%, as highlighted by National Public Radio (NPR), making it one of the fastest-growing fitness movements. Today, nearly half of gym members say they enjoy group fitness classes, with yoga consistently ranking among the top choices alongside spin and HIIT. Beyond personal health benefits, the numbers reveal a booming industry: the global yoga market was valued at over $107 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand nearly 10% annually through 2030. For gyms, adding yoga isn’t just about wellness, it’s a smart investment in what members clearly want, blending community, movement, and mindfulness in one space.
Members Want Gyms That Focus on Both Body and Mind
Gyms are no longer just about weights and treadmills—today’s members are looking for spaces that support both physical strength and mental balance. In fact, research shows that three-quarters (77%) of gym-goers with long-term health conditions are motivated to stay active not just for fitness, but also for their mental well-being. This shift has fueled a growing demand for mind-body options like yoga. Data from the Health & Fitness Association highlights just how big the change has been: between 2010 and 2019, health club visits in the U.S. jumped 45%, with more than 73 million Americans using a gym, studio, or club by 2019. Yoga has played a major role in that growth, helping gyms attract and keep members. Studies reveal that people who join group classes such as yoga are 20–30% more likely to renew their memberships. By fostering community, reducing stress, and adding variety, yoga can boost retention rates by 10–25%—making it clear why more gyms are rolling out yoga studios.
Yoga Classes Help With Recovery, Flexibility, and Stress Relief
Yoga helps muscles recover by improving blood flow and reducing soreness. It increases flexibility, lowers injury risk, and improves posture by strengthening the core and aligning the spine. Stress relief comes from slow breathing and mindful movement, which calm the body and mind. Restorative yoga works especially well for relaxation. Together, these benefits make yoga a strong complement to strength and cardio training.
Adding Yoga Attracts New Members Who Might Skip Traditional Gyms
In recent years, yoga has shifted from a niche practice to a mainstream movement, and gyms are taking notice. A report highlighted by Harvard Health shows that the number of Americans practicing yoga grew by more than 50% in just four years, climbing to over 36 million in 2016, up from 20.4 million in 2012. This explosive growth has caught the attention of fitness centers eager to broaden their appeal. Research reviewed in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine points out that yoga use is especially common among women and people with higher socioeconomic status, and it’s often tied to greater mindfulness, healthier lifestyles, and stress management. By adding yoga studios, gyms aren’t just filling space—they’re building community. Members who join yoga classes tend to stay longer, renew at higher rates, and visit more often. Many gyms with yoga classes also report revenue boosts of 5–25% thanks to yoga’s ability to attract new demographics and justify premium pricing. In short, yoga brings both wellness seekers and financial wins.
More Variety Keeps Members Engaged and Coming Back
Offering yoga adds variety, which prevents workout boredom and reduces burnout. Yoga balances intense training with recovery-focused sessions, keeping members consistent. It also attracts beginners, older adults, and people seeking stress relief. Having strength, cardio, and yoga in one place makes memberships more valuable, improving retention and long-term loyalty.
Yoga Studios Bring Gyms Extra Revenue and Business Growth
Yoga increases revenue because members pay more for added services and premium memberships. It costs less to set up than most fitness add-ons since it requires minimal equipment. Yoga also brings in new demographics and provides a steady income stream because of its lasting popularity. For gyms, it is a low-cost, high-demand investment that supports long-term growth.
Yoga Balances Strength Training by Improving Mobility and Focus
More gyms are adding yoga spaces because the practice fills a gap that heavy lifting alone can’t. Research shows that while about 80–100% of athletes who try yoga report better flexibility, balance, and recovery, only 30–60% notice measurable strength-related gains like improved core or back stability. Still, that balance between perception and performance is enough to make a difference. For weightlifters and gym-goers, yoga strengthens ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue, which helps joints move more freely and lowers the risk of injury during intense training sessions. Beyond the physical, yoga also brings a mental edge. Reviews in Exerc Sport Sci Rev highlight how yoga not only reduces workout fatigue but also sharpens focus by improving stress regulation and brain-body communication. Put simply, yoga helps athletes push harder while staying grounded. By combining strength work with yoga’s restorative power, gyms are giving members a more complete path to performance, resilience, and long-term results.
Dr. Naomi Chen, PhD (Stanford) in Educational Psychology, spent a decade designing evidence-based curricula for K-12 schools. She joined us in 2024 to translate learning science into practical study tactics, classroom tools, and parenting tips. In her spare time, Naomi mentors robotics teams and reviews children’s literature.
