Two of the most important U.S. fitness center operators delivered the identical headline of their newest earnings studies: robust development.
However beneath the floor, Life Time Group Holdings and Planet Health instructed very completely different tales concerning the American shopper. They highlighted a widening divide between higher-income households that proceed to spend freely and extra price-sensitive customers who’re starting to point out indicators of pressure.
The Planet Health emblem is seen on the surface of its fitness center on the Loyal Plaza in Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania.
Paul Weaver | Lightrocket | Getty Pictures
Each corporations reported double-digit share income development, rising memberships and increasing footprints in 2025. Their respective outlooks for 2026, nevertheless, level to a “Ok-shaped” financial system, a time period used to explain a cut up in spending traits between larger and lower-income teams. Here is what we realized.
Life Time: Prosperous customers hold spending
Life Time’s earnings strengthened that prosperous Individuals are nonetheless shelling out, particularly on their well being and wellness.
Within the fourth quarter, the corporate’s complete income rose 12.3% yr over yr to $745.1 million. CFO Erik Weaver attributed the rise to “continued execution in our facilities,” together with larger common dues and stronger utilization of in-center companies.
The corporate, which operates large-format health golf equipment with facilities like swimming pools, spas and cafes, elevated membership dues final yr by roughly $10 to $30 per member. The change didn’t gradual demand — membership and engagement have continued to climb.
A rising share of Life Time’s income is coming from in-center spending, which topped $191 million within the fourth quarter. Members are taking full benefit of further private coaching, spa providers and meals and beverage as they deal with the area as a life-style vacation spot.
Common income per middle membership was $882, up 10.8%.
“It is a brilliant engaged membership mannequin as an alternative of a non-use membership mannequin,” mentioned Life Time Group Holdings CEO Bahram Akradi. “We’re principally working at optimum ranges of that proper now.”
Regardless of having far fewer areas than Planet Health, the corporate generates considerably extra income, underscoring the upper spending energy of its buyer base.
“The mannequin proved its resilience all through a macro-challenged 2025 by which in-center income grew,” mentioned Mizuho analyst John Baumgartner. “And see draw back dangers restricted by a memberships skew favoring high-income households and differentiated membership actions.”
The outcomes recommend higher-income customers stay comparatively insulated from broader financial pressures and proceed prioritizing discretionary wellness spending.
Planet Health: Gross sales develop, however outlook disappoints
The energy space of the brand new Planet Health at 226 Harvard Avenue in Allston.
Pat Greenhouse | Boston Globe | Getty Pictures
Planet Health additionally reported robust development, including 1.1 million new members in 2025 and delivering double-digit share income positive aspects.
Traders, nevertheless, centered on its outlook, which fell in need of Wall Road expectations. The corporate projected slower fiscal 2026 income development of 9% and weaker same-store gross sales than anticipated at 4% to five%, which raised demand issues.
Nevertheless, Planet Health remained constructive about development, saying the anticipated pullback in membership was momentary.
“Our be part of traits have been impacted by the storms and chilly climate in late January throughout a lot of our markets, and we skilled a barely larger cancel price final month than anticipated,” mentioned Planet Health CFO Jay Stasz. “Notably, current attrition traits are returning consistent with our expectations.”
Planet Health has additionally been testing value hikes in some markets, which it expects to completely roll out in summer time 2026. It is also investing in new facilities like purple gentle remedy and extra lessons to extend income per member and entice youthful members.
That technique may help long-term development, however some analysts are skeptical, saying the “steerage hole” between Planet Health’ outcomes and Wall Road expectations is especially irritating.
“The corporate now faces a credibility hurdle,” mentioned Stifel analyst Chris Cull. “Is 2026 steerage conservative, or are the out-year targets unrealistic? Till the corporate offers a clearer path to acceleration, we anticipate the inventory will possible churn.”
A softened 2026 outlook urged some uncertainty about how a lot additional its core prospects can stretch their spending.
The widening shopper divide
Collectively the outcomes spotlight a broader shift within the U.S. financial system.
Increased-income customers, mirrored in Life Time’s efficiency, proceed to soak up value will increase and spend on premium experiences. In the meantime, Planet Health recommend though price-sensitive prospects are engaged, they’re extra reluctant to spend.
That is not an issue distinctive to health and has appeared throughout industries. Airways are racing to construct out luxurious choices as higher-income vacationers proceed to spend. In the meantime, fast-food corporations are leaning on worth meals to draw extra price-sensitive prospects, reinforcing the concept of a Ok-shaped financial system.
Planet Health’ efficiency within the coming quarters may function an indicator of how a lot discretionary spending capability stays for lower- and middle-income customers.
William Blair analyst Sharon Zackfia lowered her agency’s projections for Planet Health’ 2026 member development to 800,000 from 1 million given projected weak spot within the first quarter, which generally accounts for 60% of full-year sign-ups. Nonetheless, the steerage didn’t dampen the agency’s optimism concerning the firm.
“We reiterate our Outperform score and proceed to view the model’s long-term outlook as sturdy given its industry-leading low-price/non-intimidating membership format,” mentioned Zackfia.
For now the health {industry} is providing a transparent sign: Shopper spending stays robust, however is more and more divided.