Figure 1
Summary of dropping out in fitness gym_
| Sub-themes | Literature |
|---|---|
| Facility member density | Gjestvang et al. (2020, 2021, 2023) |
| Ratola et al. (2025) | |
| MacIntosh and Law (2015) | |
| Lack of programme suitability | |
| Sairu (2024) | |
| Zarotis (2018) | |
| High membership fee | |
| Insufficient ventilation | |
| Location unsuitability | |
| Sevilmiş et al. (2023a) | |
| Zarotis et al. (2017) | |
| Addolorato and Gimeno (2025) | |
| Instructor indifference | |
| Lack of modern equipment | |
| Lack of cleanliness | |
| Lack of child care | |
| Lack of instructors | |
| Revolving door instructors | |
| Schedule incompatibility | |
| Training monotony | |
| Sloppy-looking staff | |
| Failure to provide promised service | |
| Distracting music |
Number and percentage of membership termination codes_
| Common reasons for terminating franchise and boutique fitness centre memberships | ||
| Sub-themes | Number of codes | Percentage |
| Facility member density | 16 | 23.19 |
| Unsuitable programmes | 9 | 13.04 |
| High membership fees | 8 | 11.59 |
| Inadequate ventilation | 7 | 10.14 |
| Unsuitable location | 4 | 5.8 |
| Trainer indifference | 3 | 4.35 |
| Reasons for terminating membership that differentiate franchise fitness centres | ||
| Sub-themes | Number of codes | Percentage |
| Lack of modern equipment | 9 | 13.04 |
| Lack of cleanliness | 2 | 2.9 |
| Lack of childcare | 1 | 1.45 |
| Sloppy-looking staff | 1 | 1.45 |
| Reasons for terminating membership that differentiate boutique fitness centres | ||
| Sub-themes | Number of codes | Percentage |
| Revolving door instructors | 2 | 2.9 |
| Schedule incompatibility | 2 | 2.9 |
| Training monotony | 2 | 2.9 |
| Shortage of instructors | 1 | 1.45 |
| Failure to provide promised service | 1 | 1.45 |
| Distracting music | 1 | 1.45 |
| Total | 69 | 100 |
Participant information_
| Variable | Franchise fitness (n = 21) | Boutique fitness (n = 21) |
|---|---|---|
| Female (n) | 7 | 20 |
| Male (n) | 14 | 1 |
| Average age (±SD) | 34.2 ± 11.8 years | 57.3 ± 11.8 years |
| Practicing exercise (mean ± SD) | 30.9 ± 22.7 months | 64.3 ± 76.6 months |
| Average days per week (±SD) | 3.9 ± 1.4 days | 2.4 ± 1.2 days |
| Average duration per week (±SD) | 87.1 ± 25.6 min | 82.9 ± 25.4 min |
Reasons for terminating membership, excerpts_
| Common reasons for terminating franchise and boutique fitness centre memberships | |
| Sub-themes | Codes |
| Facility member density | “…So many people shouldn’t come at certain times”. The excessive crowd made me switch to a different gym (P14) |
| Unsuitable programmes | “The lack of programmes suited to my sporting goals made me switch gyms” (P10) |
| High membership fees | “It started to become too expensive for my monthly budget, so I switched to another fitness centre” (P15) |
| Inadequate ventilation | It was very stuffy; more ventilation was needed. This is why I switched to a different fitness business” (P5) |
| Location unsuitability | “I switched to another one that was more convenient for me in terms of proximity” (P20) |
| Trainer indifference | “The fitness centre, especially the trainers, were very uninterested. They did not engage with us to help us achieve our fitness goals. This is why I left the fitness centre” (P15) |
| Common reasons for terminating franchise fitness centre membership | |
| Sub-themes | Codes |
| Lack of modern equipment | “There is no modern or varied equipment. Faulty equipment is not repaired in a timely manner. This lack of interest led me to terminate my membership” (P5) |
| Lack of cleanliness | “The aspect I criticised the most was the cleanliness, which is why I left” (P18) |
| Lack of childcare | “Although I initially signed up, the lack of services such as childcare led me to cancel my membership” (P9) |
| Sloppy-looking staff | “Careless, uninformed, and unkempt staff were the reason I left the fitness centre” (P6) |
| Common reasons for terminating boutique fitness centre membership | |
| Sub-themes | Codes |
| Revolving door instructors | “The Pilates instructor left and started their own business. The remaining activities at the gym (other activities) were not beneficial for me so I terminated my membership” (P16) |
| Schedule incompatibility | “The reduction in group programmes, and the schedule no longer aligning with mine” (P6) |
| Training monotony | “The reason I left the gym was because I was bored and there were no varied training suggestions” (P18) |
| Shortage of instructors | “I cannot find enough trainers during training sessions. Most of the time, there are none. This was the reason I cancelled my membership at the previous fitness centre” (P21) |
| Failure to provide promised service | “Businesses often fail to deliver many of the services stated in the contract. I therefore terminated my membership at the fitness centre for this reason” (P10) |
| Distracting music | ”. they played very loud and unpleasant music while doing Pilates. This became disturbing for me. I terminated my membership” (P2) |