Health club visits also peaked in 2019 as more than 73 million users frequented their health club, gym, or studio for a total of 6.7 billion visits for the year. Since 2010, the health club member penetration rate has increased to 20 percent as more than 1 out of 5 Americans reported belonging to a health and fitness facility in 2019.
“Health club membership and visits all peaked in 2019, showing the critical role fitness facilities play in promoting regular exercise and health,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive vice president of global products. “Even though the 2020 pandemic has hit the fitness industry particularly hard, the industry is demonstrating the important role it plays in helping people live healthier. Going forward, the priority consumers place on safeguarding their health will be paramount and health clubs are uniquely positioned to address the health and wellness needs of the public.”
This annual publication, based on a nationwide sample of 18,000 interviews, is an overview of health club usage, participation, and demographics over the past decade. Early findings from the 2020 Physical Activity Council (PAC) survey shed light on activity during shutdowns and attitudes regarding health clubs reopening.
Topics covered in the Executive Summary include:
- Health club user growth and attendance;
- Membership fees;
- “Core” members who utilize their health and fitness facility at least 100 times a year;
- Snapshot of member growth by gender, age, education, household income, and ethnicity; and
- Equipment usage and activity participation trends over the past decade.
“Although most of the data in the Executive Summary focuses on growth over the past decade, the report also shows feedback from Americans during shutdowns and in response to club reopenings,” said Melissa Rodriguez, IHRSA’s senior research manager. “Nationwide, 57 percent of health club members reported being less active while their health and fitness facilities were closed. Americans also indicated that once pandemic-related restrictions are lifted, the health club ranks high as an outlet for physical activity they most look forward to returning to, second only to swimming.”
To read more of the summary, go here.
