Fitness
Top Gym Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest | The Motley Fool
Staying healthy and looking good will never go out of style. Whether you’re trying to improve your cardiovascular health or want to get stronger, it pays to work out at home or hit the gym. While gym memberships and home exercise equipment cost money, you might be able to recoup that expense by investing in the most profitable gym stocks.
Best fitness stocks in 2026
Here are five of the best gym companies to watch this year:
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Most Planet Fitness gyms are located in the U.S. Management has a long-term goal of reaching 5,000 locations in the U.S. alone, and the company has plenty of opportunity to expand internationally.
Most Planet Fitness locations are franchises, but the company also directly operates more than 280 facilities. The franchise business model results in a very high operating margin with low capital intensity.
Planet Fitness is well positioned to capture market share after many of its competitors closed their doors permanently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong results over the last two years have led to reacceleration in club openings and expanded operating margin.
2. Peloton
Peloton (PTON +5.35%) is known for its connected stationary bikes and other home workout equipment. Although users must purchase Peloton equipment, the company earns most of its revenue from the subscriptions required to fully utilize its bikes and treadmills.
Today’s Change
(5.35%) $0.23
Current Price
$4.63
Key Data Points
Market Cap
$1.8B
Day’s Range
$4.30 – $4.68
52wk Range
$4.09 – $10.25
Volume
1.1M
Avg Vol
11M
Gross Margin
50.50%
Peloton has 2.7 million subscribers who pay $50 per month for a connected fitness subscription. Another 500,000 people pay $16 or $29 per month for a digital-only subscription. Digital subscriptions are immensely profitable for Peloton, which has a gross margin of almost 50%.
The home gym company thrived during the pandemic since most people were confined to their homes. But as the pandemic subsided and gyms reopened, the company has struggled to hold on to subscribers, especially for its digital-only product.
The stock has sold off significantly since the height of the pandemic, as the tailwind turned into a massive headwind. Peloton grew its operating expenses as if the shift to home workouts were a permanent phenomenon. It paid for that in subsequent years. Management is now focused on improving profitability and increasing value for existing subscribers.
3. Lululemon Athletica
Lululemon Athletica (LULU +1.62%) is a leading apparel retailer, specializing in yoga pants and other athletic wear. Its premium brand and the comfort of its clothes led to strong sales growth over the last few years as athleisure has become a mainstream style choice.
Today’s Change
(1.62%) $2.76
Current Price $172.85
Market Cap
$20B
Day’s Range
$170.00 – $175.43 52wk Range
$159.25 – $414.14
Volume
2M
Avg Vol 3.9M
Gross Margin
58.35%
Key Data Points
Management once expected to double its 2021 sales by 2026, with a goal of $13 billion in revenue, which may be tough to reach since it expects sales of $11 billion this year. Sales growth has been slower in the United States, but its international growth is strong, and several key markets, such as China, remain under-penetrated by the Canadian company.
The company also moved into the connected fitness space with its 2020 acquisition of Mirror, which it rebranded to Lululemon Studio. The move didn’t work out. It discontinued the Mirror device and partnered with Peloton to service its subscription home workout programs.
4. Garmin
Garmin (NASDAQ:GRMN) started by manufacturing global positioning system (GPS) navigation devices. Today, the company generates the bulk of its revenue from personal fitness devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, cycling power meters, and heart rate monitors. Consumer demand for fitness trackers continues to grow as more people look for ways to enhance their health.
Today’s Change
(1.81%) $3.59
Current Price $202.28
Market Cap
$38B
Day’s Range
$198.70 – $202.43 52wk Range
$169.26 – $261.69
Volume
30K
Avg Vol 1M
Gross Margin
58.73%
Dividend Yield
1.74%
Key Data Points
Garmin has experienced strong sales growth for its fitness trackers and watches. With specialized devices for cycling, running, rowing, and more, it’s able to attract sports enthusiasts as well as amateur and professional athletes to its products.
Lower costs combined with its improved scale have helped it drive operating margins back toward relative highs over time. With its success in incorporating its advanced GPS and motion-tracking technology into its devices, it can continue to gain share over time.
5. Life Time Group Holdings
Life Time Group Holdings (LTH +3.69%) operates more than 180 luxury fitness centers in the U.S. and Canada. Over the last five years, Life Time has seen significant improvements in member engagement and revenue per member, driven by constant improvements and renovations. It recently capitalized on the growing interest in pickleball by dedicating space in its facilities to the sport.
Today’s Change
(3.69%) $1.06
Current Price
$29.82
Key Data Points
Market Cap
$6.3B
Day’s Range
$28.95 – $29.99
52wk Range
$24.14 – $34.99
Volume
2.1M
Avg Vol
2.1M
Gross Margin
35.38%
As a result, it’s been able to produce strong revenue growth through increased membership pricing and additional service sales such as personal training. As a luxury brand, Life Time has the opportunity to increase the value of its memberships more than low-cost gyms, such as Planet Fitness, that cater to budget-conscious consumers.
Its recent moves have resulted in very strong member retention while still attracting new members. Not only does that produce nice revenue growth, but it also provides strong operating margin expansion. The company saw net income increase 55% in 2024, and management’s preliminary earnings results showed a 61% increase in income for 2025.
How to invest in gym stocks
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock’s trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you’re willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Key factors to consider when investing in gym stocks
The gym and fitness industry consists of two types of companies: those that provide expensive, high-end products and services, and those that offer low-end products and services. Companies trying to offer something in the middle of the road struggle to find a customer base. Both strategies can work, but you need to know which strategy the company you’re investing in is taking.
Key factors for gym stocks in particular include how many locations they have, how quickly they’re opening new locations, member growth, and member retention rates. You’ll want to see healthy numbers across the board, and be sure to follow management’s commentary on how they plan to maintain or improve them.
Benefits and risks of investing in gym stocks
Benefits:
- Gym and fitness stocks capitalize on growing health consciousness among consumers. People are highly willing to pay for positive health outcomes.
- Most gyms and many fitness products receive recurring revenue, making their top-line growth highly predictable.
Risks:
- Churn rates: Some gyms and health products can experience very high churn rates, requiring them to continually fill the bucket. A sudden drop in gross additions can cause a shortfall in key metrics, leading to a drop in the stock price.
- Capital intensity: If a gym owner builds its own gyms (as opposed to franchising), it has to invest a lot of capital up front to open a new location, with some uncertainty about how well it can attract new members.
Are gym stocks right for your portfolio?
Gyms, connected fitness, and digital subscriptions all generate recurring revenue, which can lead to more predictable revenue growth. Subscriptions can also provide a strong revenue base for companies to sell equipment or apparel. Focusing on investing in companies with business models that generate plenty of cash is likely the most profitable approach.
The performance of gym stocks can vary seasonally since many people focus more on their health around the new year. But despite that potential price volatility, adding a top gym stock to your portfolio may be just the right fit for you. At the very least, buying stock in a fitness company may make you feel better about paying for an unused gym membership or a Peloton that you hang clothes on.
Related investing topics
Gym stocks FAQ
About The Study: In this comparative effectiveness study, reducing music volume in group fitness classes did not lead to meaningful reductions in perceived exertion and may reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss. These findings support implementing safer sound practices in fitness environments and underscore the need for increased awareness and education on hearing protection.
Fitness
Reward yourself by exercising regularly at One to One Fitness | CWRU Newsroom | Case Western Reserve University
Now is the time to recommit to your health in time to feel your best for all your summer activities! One to One Fitness Center offers several ways to save in March.
Members of the Case Western Reserve University community can take advantage of sign-up specials designed to reward themselves for creating healthy habits.
Individuals can get 50% off the initiation fee (regularly $50 plus tax) and earn back what they do pay by exercising eight or more days in both April and May. Learn more online about this deal on initiation fees.
Students also can get additional savings:
- Graduate students who are enrolled for the spring semester receive summer membership free.
- With Spartan Shape Up memberships, affiliate students pay just $40 per month for membership from now through May, and no initiation fee or security deposit is required.
- Students also can pay $44 plus tax per month with a month-to-month, ongoing plan. No initiation fee or security deposit required.
One to One Fitness Center, owned and operated by CWRU, is known for offering personal, professional, friendly and clean services. Memberships include full access to the 28,000-square-foot fitness center, group exercise classes, validated parking in Lot 53, towel and locker service, and member discounts on programs and services.
Members also can add their spouse or partner to their account for $30 plus tax per month. The center also offers personal training, Pilates Reformer, massage therapy and sound bath therapy, swim lessons, and more.
Visit the One to One Fitness Center website, email onetoone@case.edu or call 216.368.1121 for more information.
To help you do this, we’ve tapped our Start TODAY experts for simple tips to lighten up meals, move in ways that boost metabolism and and refocus our mindset to get motivated to keep working toward your goals. Apply their strategies and finish the month feeling lighter, more energized and motivated to move forward. Here’s the plan to make it happen:
>>Download the 31-day calendar here
31-Day HIIT & Walking Challenge
This month’s workout plan is focused on short workouts that pack a punch. “HIIT workouts give you a bigger bang for your workout buck! They provide a more efficient workout because you’re alternating the pace and intensity rather than sticking to a steady, moderate pace,” says Mansour. “Changing things up with HIIT prevents boredom and keeps your muscles guessing. This is how we can get the body to change — whether that change is speeding up your metabolism, burning more calories, building muscle, losing weight, or just improving overall health — keeping your body guessing is the magic ticket to seeing results!”
Active recovery days include stretching to improve flexibility and walking for a cardiovascular workout that aids muscle recovery. When weather permits, Mansour encourages people to get outside on walking days. “Walking outdoors isn’t just a workout, it’s a chance to breathe in fresh air and get out of the house to change your environment,” she says. “Each time you go outside on a walk, even if you go on the same path, you’ll see or feel something different. Maybe it’s a change in weather, plants or flowers, people or things. Prioritizing taking your walk outside can hugely benefit your mental health. Getting out of your regular environment and into nature can be a form of meditation, too.”
Get the full 31-day workout plan with unique workouts sent to you daily — plus, walking podcasts, healthy spring recipes and mindfulness tools — in the Start TODAY app!
3 Simple Spring Diet Tips
In addition to mixing up your workout routine, use spring as an opportunity to start lightening up your meals by packing them with seasonal ingredients. Start TODAY dietitian Natalie Rizzo shares her top tips:
- Incorporate more seasonal foods. After a long winter of eating the same foods, your palate is ready for a change! Aim to add at least one spring fruit or vegetable to your meals each day, like asparagus, peas, spinach, radishes, citrus or strawberries. This Spring Asparagus Pasta is a simple weeknight dinner that feels both light and comforting. Seasonal produce is fresher, more flavorful, and an easy way to naturally boost vitamins and fiber. Plus, seasonal produce is more affordable than other items in the produce section.
- Use fresh herbs to brighten up your dishes. Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, or dill can instantly upgrade simple meals without extra salt or heavy sauces. Sprinkle them on salads, roasted veggies, eggs, soups, or grain bowls for a burst of spring flavor. Cilantro is the perfect finish to this Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potato, while herbs are blended into cottage cheese in this Herby Cottage Cheese Toast with Tomato recipe for a pop of fresh flavor.
- Shift from heavy comfort meals to balanced plates. As the weather warms up, it’s time to move away from heavy comfort foods and embrace lightened up spring dishes. Build plates with a mix of lean protein, whole grains or starchy veggies, and plenty of colorful produce. Think roasted veggie grain bowls, hearty salads like this BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad, or simple stir-fries instead of creamy casseroles or heavy stews.
Spring Clean Your Mindset with This Mental Health Exercise
Yes, we are working to propel ourselves forward toward our health goals, but an important part of that process is slowing down and reflecting.
Getting permission not to rush in a world that feels like it’s moving faster than we can keep up is a reminder that most of us need.
Yasmine Cheyenne, start TODAY mindfulness expert
“Getting permission not to rush in a world that feels like it’s moving faster than we can keep up is a reminder that most of us need, but how often would we admit that?” says Cheyenne. “ When the to-do list feels long, and we’re trying to get everything done, we often say the opposite, disregarding how we feel, and push ourselves. Yes, we all have deadlines and things that need to be done. But we also need the reminder to take care while handling our responsibilities.”
This can be easier said than done. So Cheyenne offers up a simple exercise to help: Write down the words you need to hear each day to make yourself a priority and work toward your goals. Put them somewhere you see often, like your fridge or bathroom mirror, and recite them out loud daily.
“This is a perfect example of a reminder that seems small, but can come at the perfect time and help us care for ourselves,” she explains. “One of my favorite examples is: Take it slow and don’t rush, your nervous system deserves peace.”
“When you tell yourself the thing you’ve been needing to hear, it allows you to admit the quiet rumbling within you and take the steps you need. It might be admitting ‘I’m tired and will give myself an early night this week.’ Or you’re saying ‘I’m so proud of the way I’ve committed to moving my body everyday.’ Whether you’re cheering yourself on or reminding yourself of what you need, we don’t always slow down enough to hear what we need from ourselves, and this practice is a great way to start.”
Talking out loud to yourself may feel strange at first, but Cheyenne says over time it will help shift your mindset and translate those words into action. “When we hear ourselves recite these words, it’s like we’re planting positive seeds within us. The more we say what we need, the more we remember it, and we’re more likely to follow through and care for ourselves,” she says. “Our actions really start with the words we say to ourselves. Reading them out loud helps us rewire the way we talk to ourselves and that inner shift is exactly what opens the door to transformation.”
Join our live “Spring Reset Workshop” on March 22 to get one-on-one coaching from Yasmine Cheyenne and connect with other Start TODAY members. Sign up here!
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