We admit it - this one came as a surprise to us. Millennials are generally seen as fitness freaks, so we expected gyms to be posting record profits, and dealing with more applications than they can handle. Instead, it seems like they're desperately scratching around for business, because young people are more likely to be at bespoke specialist classes or attending boutique fitness centers.
Gyms, while providing an environment to get fit in, tend not to specialize. It seems that the bulk of Millennial keep-fit enthusiasts like to pick an activity that they enjoy doing, and go to a location that offers that activity, and nothing else. We've also read reports that the gym business model puts people off, with people preferring to 'pay as they go' rather than be charged a monthly subscription. We're sure the customer base for gyms would be there among young people if the gyms were willing to rethink the way they trade.