Anti-obesity drugs thin out fitness industry as spending shifts, gyms close

People exercise at a gym in southern Seoul on June 30, 2025. [NEWS1] Obesity drugs are thinning out the fitness industry. The once-thriving “dumbbell economy” that saw fitness-driven spending soar is going on a forced diet as people turn to medical solutions for weight management. The number of customers using their cards at Pilates and yoga studios last year fell below levels seen during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, according to data from Shinhan Card’s Big Data Research Center on Sunday, with a 12 percent decline. Related Article Novo Nordisk launches Wegovy weight-loss pill for sale in U.S. Government to designate Wegovy and Mounjaro as drugs of concern for misuse Gov’t eyes oversight measures to prevent Wegovy misuse The number of customers at Pilates and yoga studios rose 3.1 percent on year in 2022 but declined steadily afterward, falling 8.6 percent on year in 2023, 3.7 percent on year in 2024 and another 3.1 percent on year last year. Gym usage also took a blow last year. The number of customers steadily increased each year from 2021, including a 25.4 percent jump in 2022 after social distancing rules ended, but fell by nearly 2 percent last year from a year earlier. Monthly data last year showed declines in most months, except June and July, ahead of summer, and December. People exercise at a gym in Seoul on June 30, 2025. [YONHAP] More gyms also shuttered as business conditions worsened. A total of 553 fitness centers filed for closure, the second-highest figure on record after 567 in 2024, and higher than 431 in 2020 and 403 in 2021 during the pandemic, according to government data. The growing popularity of running among people in their 20s and 30s, along with the spread of apartment complex fitness centers, has also cut demand for commercial gyms. Industry observers expect the trend to accelerate with the rise of anti-obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. “More members show interest in Wegovy and Mounjaro than exercise,” a fitness industry representative said. “We often explain that medication should be paired with exercise, and warn about side effects during consultations.” The number of validated prescriptions for obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro reached 168,677 cases as of November last year, a 152.5 percent increase in just three months, according to data from the office of Rep. Seo Mi-hwa of the Democratic Party. Boxes of Ozempic and Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are displayed at a pharmacy in London on March 8, 2024. [REUTERS/YONHAP] In the case of Mounjaro, which can be covered by insurance when prescribed for diabetes treatment, claims filed with four major nonlife insurance companies — Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance, DB Insurance, Hyundai Marine and Fire Insurance and Meritz Fire and Marine Insurance — surged from 24 cases in August of last year to 3,264 in February this year. Although obesity drugs cost around 300,000 won ($200) per month, demand continues to grow as they offer faster short-term weight loss than exercise. A consumer culture that prioritizes efficiency has also contributed to the trend. “I lost about 15 kilograms [33 pounds] after taking Wegovy for around four months,” one person said. “I don’t feel the need to go to the gym since I can lose weight without exercising. Even if I regain weight after stopping the medication, I would rather save the money I would spend on a gym and use it for prescriptions.” Experts say the fitness industry needs to move beyond weight loss and focus on helping users feel more confident about managing their health. “Consumers who were concerned about the cost of personal training and the quality of unqualified trainers are turning away from the industry,” said Lee Eun-hee, a consumer science professor at Inha University. “To compete with obesity drugs, the industry needs to improve the quality of its programs.” This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. BY OH HYO-JEONG [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]