Get Fit with the City Check: A Comparison of Germany’s Gyms
The start of the year is when many people redefine their fitness goals and look for the best workout options. Many people are familiar with this: Gyms fill up as countless people try to put their New Year’s resolutions to exercise more into practice. Whether you’re a professional or a recreational athlete, the wide range of options draws people to the gyms. After an intense strength training session ,a relaxing sauna visitoffers relief, or the flexible hours allow you to have an empty gym all to yourself—either before work or late at night. People’s interests and needs are as diverse as the people themselves.
To provide a comprehensive overview of the gym landscape in Germany, we examined the 20 largest cities as well as all state capitals in March 2025. Our analysis focuses on the number of residents per gym, 24/7 availability, sauna facilities, and the average membership fees at the most popular gyms.
Which city has the most workout options? Where can you work out around the clock? And which cities offer the best conditions for recovery? Find out how your city stacks up!
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Bonn, Magdeburg, and Schwerin Offer the Best Access
Gym members are familiar with the problem: During peak hours, wait times for equipment can get long. To better understand access to workout facilities, we calculated the number of residents per gym. This metric shows how many people theoretically share a gym and provides insight into how well a city meets the fitness needs of its residents.
Those looking for a wide variety of workout options will find what they’re looking for in Bonn, Magdeburg, and Schwerin. With just 4,468 residents per gym, Bonn offers the best access, closely followed by Magdeburg with 4,755 residents per gym and Schwerin with 4,803. Mainz also impresses with access of 4,845 residents per gym.
Among cities with over a million residents, Cologne offers the best access, with 6,246 residents per gym. Munich follows with 7,674 residents per gym, while Hamburg offers slightly fewer options, with 8,121 residents per gym .
In contrast, Duisburg and Essen offer comparatively fewer options, with 10,939 and 11,040 residents per gym, respectively. Berlin, as Germany’s largest city, surprises with 13,080 residents per gym and ranks last in this category.
The following table shows the exact distribution of access to fitness studios in all cities surveyed:
Essen and Schwerin stand out with 24/7 workout options
For many people who want to work out before work or rely on flexible hours due to shift work, gyms with 24/7 availability are a real asset. With 23.08% of its gyms open around the clock, Essen offers excellent flexibility for early risers and night owls. Schwerin also impresses, with 21.05% of its gyms accessible at any time—a feature particularly appealing to working professionals with irregular schedules .
Bochum follows closelybehind , with 20% of its gyms open 24/7, thus also offering numerous options for flexible workout schedules. These cities demonstrate how important it is to meet the needs of people who want to pursue their fitness goals without time constraints.
In contrast, cities like Stuttgart and Düsseldorf offer only a limited number of gyms with round-the-clock hours. In Stuttgart, only 6.38% of gyms are open at all times, and Düsseldorf, with 8.33% of gyms, also offers less flexibility for those who want to work out outside of regular hours.
The following table shows the exact distribution of 24/7 availability across all cities surveyed:
Dresden and Stuttgart offer the best conditions for recovery
After an intense workout , recoveryis an essential part of relaxing the muscles and restoring the body’s balance. Gyms with saunas offer an ideal way to promote recovery. Dresden and Stuttgart top the list: In both cities, over 34% of gyms offer a sauna, which perfectly complements daily workouts.
Hanover also impresses with 31.76% of its gyms featuring saunas, making the city an attractive destination for anyone who values comprehensive recovery options.
In contrast, cities like Wuppertal and Kiel have fewer gyms with saunas. In Wuppertal, only 8.7% of gyms are equipped with a sauna, and Kiel, at 14.63%, is also at the lower end of the spectrum.
The following table shows the exact distribution of sauna facilities across all cities surveyed:
Wiesbaden and Leipzig stand out with top ratings and fair prices
The quality of gyms can be gauged not only by member reviews but also by the membership prices people are willing to pay. In Wiesbaden, gyms received the highest ratings, with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Leipzig also impresses with a rating of 4.66, reflecting high member satisfaction.
Membership prices were determined based on the three most popular gyms in each city to show what people value and are willing to pay for. Leipzig offers the lowest prices among the top gyms , averaging just €31.34 per month, making the city an attractive choice for price-conscious fitness enthusiasts.Wiesbaden, on the other hand, falls in the middle range at €41.15, which represents good value for money given the excellent ratings.
At the other end of the spectrum are cities like Munich, where membership at top gyms costs an average of €78. Prices are higher, but the gyms still offer a wide variety of services that appeal to many people.
The following table shows the exact distribution of ratings and membership prices across all cities surveyed:
Conclusion: A City-by-City Comparison of Germany’s Gyms
Our analysis shows that the gym landscape in Germany is diverse and multifaceted. Cities like Bonn and Magdeburg offer an impressive density of gyms, making it easy to access workout opportunities.Essen and Schwerin stand out for their flexible 24/7 hours of operation, which are particularly beneficial for working professionals with irregular schedules.
Dresden and Stuttgart offer excellent opportunities for relaxation, with a high number of gyms featuring saunas. When it comes to membership prices and reviews, Wiesbaden and Leipzig stand out for offering a good balance of value for money.
Among cities with populations over one million , Cologne demonstrates a high density of gyms, indicating plenty of workout options, while Munich and Hamburg are also attractive due to their diverse offerings. Berlin, despite being the largest city, has fewer gyms per capita, which is surprising.
Overall, it’s clear that every city has its own strengths, and depending on individual needs and priorities, there’s something for every fitness enthusiast. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, recovery, or good value for money—Germany’s cities have something to offer everyone.
