Analysis
NAICS 713940 is the 2022 national industry for fitness and recreational sports centers, part of 71394 (Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers). Census lists 33 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 41,556 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 708,273 people at an average annual payroll of $19,070 per employee (1st percentile of national industries). 41% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 10% and employment fell 6%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 812191, 812990, 61 and 721110. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include aerobic dance and exercise centers, athletic club facilities, physical fitness, body building studios, physical fitness and dance centers, aerobic, among 33 in all.
For example, providing non-medical services to assist clients in attaining or maintaining a desired weight are classified in 812191 (Diet and Weight Reducing Centers) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating fitness and recreational sports facilities featuring exercise and other active physical fitness conditioning or recreational sports activities, such as swimming, skating, or racquet sports.
Illustrative Examples:
Aerobic dance or exercise centers Ice or roller skating rinks Gymnasiums Physical fitness centers Handball, racquetball, or tennis club facilities Swimming or wave pools
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing non-medical services to assist clients in attaining or maintaining a desired weight | 812191 Diet and Weight Reducing Centers |
| Providing personal fitness training services without facilities | 812990 All Other Personal Services |
| Operating instructional camps (e.g., sports camps) or providing instruction in sports and other recreational activities (e.g., aerobic dance or exercise instruction, yoga instruction) | 61 Educational Services, based on the nature of instruction |
| Operating health resorts and spas where recreational facilities are combined with accommodations | 721110 Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels |
| Recreational sports clubs (i.e., sports teams) not operating sports facilities | 713990 All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries |
Index entries (33)
- Aerobic dance and exercise centers
- Athletic club facilities, physical fitness
- Body building studios, physical fitness
- Dance centers, aerobic
- Exercise centers
- Fitness centers
- Fitness salons
- Fitness spas without accommodations
- Gymnasiums
- Gyms, physical fitness
- Handball club facilities
- Health club facilities, physical fitness
- Health spas without accommodations, physical fitness
- Health studios, physical fitness
- Ice skating rinks
- Physical fitness centers
- Physical fitness facilities
- Physical fitness studios
- Pilates fitness studios or centers
- Racquetball club facilities
- Recreational sports club facilities
- Rinks, ice or roller skating
- Roller skating rinks
- Spas without accommodations, fitness
- Sports club facilities, physical fitness
- Squash club facilities
- Strength development centers
- Swimming pools
- Tennis club facilities
- Tennis courts
- Wave pools
- Weight training centers
- Yoga fitness studios or centers