Brisbane Fitness Market: Suburbs, Growth Areas and Key Insights
The Brisbane fitness market is entering a strong growth phase. Population increases, urban sprawl and changing attitudes towards health are driving demand for accessible, community-based gyms. For fitness business owners and investors, Brisbane offers a unique mix of established suburbs with loyal gym members and fast-growing outer areas where demand is still outpacing supply.
Understanding where people are moving, how they train, and what they expect from a gym is critical before entering this market. Brisbane is not one single fitness landscape. It is a patchwork of neighbourhoods, each with its own opportunities and challenges.
Summary: Brisbane’s fitness market is shaped by rapid population growth, suburban expansion and a clear shift towards affordable, local gyms. Inner and middle-ring suburbs offer stable demand and strong retention, while outer growth corridors present opportunities for first-mover advantage. Success in this market depends on choosing the right suburb, offering flexible membership models and building a gym that fits seamlessly into everyday life for local residents.
Why the Brisbane fitness market is growing
Brisbane continues to attract new residents from interstate and overseas. Many are young families and working professionals who prioritise health but want convenience over luxury.
Several factors are driving gym demand across the city:
Strong population growth, particularly in outer suburbs
Increasing health awareness across all age groups
Shift away from large CBD gyms towards local neighbourhood clubs
Demand for affordable, flexible memberships rather than premium pricing
For gym operators, this creates consistent demand for well-located fitness clubs that are easy to access and simple to use.
High-performing inner and middle-ring suburbs
Inner and middle-ring suburbs tend to offer stability rather than rapid spikes in growth. These areas usually have:
Higher population density
Established routines around work, school and training
Members who value proximity and consistency
Suburbs within 5 to 15 kilometres of the CBD often support gyms that focus on retention rather than constant lead generation. Members in these areas are more likely to train before or after work and prefer gyms that feel familiar rather than flashy.
While competition can be stronger here, well-run clubs with strong community ties can perform reliably for many years.
Brisbane growth corridors creating new gym opportunities
The most significant opportunities in the Brisbane fitness market are currently in the outer growth corridors. These areas are experiencing:
Large residential developments
Younger populations
Limited existing gym infrastructure
Suburbs in the north, south-west and outer south-east are seeing steady population inflows. Many residents are families or first-home buyers who want affordable fitness options close to home. They are less interested in premium facilities and more focused on convenience, price and flexible access.
Opening a gym early in these locations can create long-term member loyalty and brand recognition before the area becomes saturated.
What Brisbane gym members are really looking for
Across Brisbane, gym members are becoming more practical in their expectations. Common preferences include:
24/7 access to fit training around work and family life
Straightforward equipment without overcrowding
Transparent pricing with no hidden costs
A welcoming, non-intimidating environment
Boutique studios and high-end gyms still exist, but the strongest overall demand sits with functional, community-focused fitness clubs that support everyday training.
This shift is particularly relevant in suburban and growth areas where members want a gym that feels like part of their local routine rather than a destination.
Why scalable fitness models perform well in Brisbane
Because Brisbane is spread out, scalability matters. Operating multiple locations or expanding into nearby suburbs is often more viable than relying on a single high-density site.
Fitness businesses that succeed in Brisbane typically have:
Systems that support consistent operations across locations
Strong brand recognition that builds trust quickly
A proven membership model that works in different demographics
This is where established fitness franchises often have an advantage, as they reduce the risk associated with site selection, pricing and operational setup.
Entering the Brisbane fitness market with confidence
Stepz Fitness offers a proven, scalable gym franchise built for suburban Australia. With over 30,000 members across 22 locations, Stepz provides a clear framework for launching and growing a fitness business without starting from scratch.
Rather than building systems, branding and pricing from the ground up, franchise partners benefit from an established model designed to perform in both established suburbs and emerging growth areas.
If you are exploring opportunities in Brisbane’s growing fitness market, enquire today.
Key takeaways
Brisbane’s fitness market is growing steadily, driven by population and suburban expansion
Inner and middle suburbs offer stable demand, while outer growth areas present high-growth opportunities
Local, affordable gyms are outperforming premium and CBD-based models
Scalable fitness business models are well suited to Brisbane’s spread-out geography
Choosing the right suburb and the right business framework is critical to long-term success
FAQ
Is Brisbane a good city for opening a gym?
Yes. Brisbane’s population growth and suburban layout create strong demand for local gyms, particularly in residential and growth areas.
Which Brisbane suburbs are best for gym growth?
Outer growth corridors and family-focused suburbs often offer the best opportunities, especially where gym supply has not yet caught up with housing development.
Do smaller gyms perform better than large fitness centres in Brisbane?
In many suburbs, smaller community-focused gyms perform well because they align with local lifestyles and offer convenience over scale.
What type of gym model works best in Brisbane?
Flexible, affordable, 24/7 gym models with strong operational systems tend to perform consistently across different Brisbane suburbs.
