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Where to open a gym in New York

New York has 1,048 gyms, but almost no area is truly saturated — independents make up 79% of the market.

1,048 gyms mapped · 794 occupied cells · Updated August 2026 · From 100+ sources

Walking distance

Tap anywhere on the map to score that corner — competitors within walking distance and a clear verdict.

The verdict on New York

New York has 1,048 gyms on the map, spread across 794 cells of roughly 350 meters each.

No single area is saturated — the densest cell has just 7 gyms, and 778 of 794 cells have three or fewer.

Chains hold 218 locations (21%) of the map — Planet Fitness alone has 48 locations. In most of the city your competition is independent — differentiation, not brand power, is the game.

What this view covers: gyms and fitness centers specifically. Specialty studios (yoga, pilates, boxing, martial arts, and the like) often sit under different search terms, so they aren't fully captured here — treat specialty counts as incomplete, not a market census. .
What Gym-Goers Say
What people love
  • Immaculate cleanliness
    Members frequently praise the gyms for maintaining spotless facilities, clean locker rooms, and well-sanitized equipment.
  • Supportive and knowledgeable coaches
    Trainers and instructors are highly valued for their expertise, personalized guidance, and ability to push members safely.
  • Welcoming community atmosphere
    Many appreciate the non-judgmental, inclusive, and family-like environment that keeps them motivated and feeling at home.
  • Top-tier modern equipment
    Gym-goers love having access to a wide variety of brand-new, high-quality machines and well-maintained strength training gear.
Common complaints
  • Rude or unprofessional staff
    Several reviews highlight negative encounters with front desk workers and managers who are described as inattentive or disrespectful.
  • Broken or unmaintained equipment
    Members express frustration over out-of-order machines, broken facilities, and slow turnaround times for repairs.
  • Poor ventilation and temperature control
    A common issue is stuffy air, bad odors, and a lack of air conditioning, which makes working out uncomfortable and unsafe.
  • Difficult billing and cancellation policies
    Customers complain about unexpected charges, unauthorized auto-pays, and overly complex processes when trying to cancel memberships.
Recommended to explore

Based on supply signals only — see “What this map can't tell you” below.

1,048gyms mapped
7in the densest single cell
218chain locations (21% of the map)
48are Planet Fitness alone
Most saturated cells
Top chains
Planet Fitness48Crunch Fitness26Equinox26CrossFit20Orangetheory Fitness19
Generic vs. Specialty Gyms by Borough

Generic = Gym + Fitness center. Specialty = yoga, pilates, boxing, martial arts, trainers, and other non-catch-all types. Sorted by generic share (highest first).

BoroughGenericSpecialtyGeneric %
Manhattan2039867.4%
Bronx1135567.3%
Brooklyn23912865.1%
Queens495646.7%
Staten Island416638.3%
24-Hour Access

91 of 970 with known hours (9.4%) list 24-hour operation. 78 locations have no hours data and are excluded from the %.

Borough24h% of known
Brooklyn42 / 34212.3%
Bronx18 / 15411.7%
Queens10 / 9210.9%
Manhattan17 / 2895.9%
Staten Island4 / 934.3%
Peak Hours
WeekdaysBusiest: Evening (5–8pm)
Early morning (5–8am)31
Morning (8–11am)47
Midday (11am–2pm)48
Afternoon (2–5pm)52
Evening (5–8pm)64
Night (8–11pm)38
WeekendsBusiest: Midday (11am–2pm)
Early morning (5–8am)19
Morning (8–11am)42
Midday (11am–2pm)49
Afternoon (2–5pm)45
Evening (5–8pm)36
Night (8–11pm)27
Most open ground

Largest contiguous pockets of cells with one or fewer gyms nearby (centers within ~800 m).

Low competition ≠ demand. Demand layers coming next.

What this map can't tell you

Foot traffic at a specific door, commercial rents, or whether demand matches the gap — an empty cell can be an opportunity or just an empty street. Cross-check any spot in person before signing anything.

Common questions

How many gyms are there in New York?

1,048 gyms are currently mapped in New York (compiled from 100+ sources, August 2026).

Where is the highest concentration of gyms in New York?

The densest single cell holds 7 gyms within roughly 350 meters — around Sheepshead Bay-Manhattan Beach-Gerritsen Beach.

How much of the market is chains?

218 locations (21%) belong to identifiable chains; Planet Fitness alone has 48 locations.

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