Fitness activities and outdoor pursuits. Those two categories are now attracting the highest level of interest among sports participants in the U.S. That’s the conclusion of SGMA International following an analysis of the Sports Participation Topline Report (2003 edition).

Listed below are the top 30 sports activities and recreational endeavors in the United States, based on participation in 2002.

Sports/Activity
(This
information is based on
participation numbers in 2002)

# of Participants
Aged
6 and above
(In millions)
1. Bowling 53.2
2. Treadmill Exercise 43.4
3. Freshwater Fishing (not Fly) 42.6
4. Tent Camping 40.3
5. Billiards/Pool 39.5
6. Stretching 38.4
7. Fitness Walking 38.0
8. Day Hiking 36.8
9. Basketball 36.6
10. Running/Jogging 35.9
11. Stationary Cycling (Recumbent, spinning,
upright) 		29.1
12. Dumbbells 28.9
13. Hand Weights 28.5
14. Weight/Resistance Machines 27.8
14. Golf 27.8
16. Calisthenics 26.9
17. Barbells 24.8
18. Inline Skating 21.6
19. Darts 19.7
20. RV Camping 18.7
21. Target Shooting (Pistol, rifle)
 		17.6
21. Soccer 17.6
23. Abdominal Machine/Device 17.4
24. Hunting (Shotgun/Rifle) 16.5
25. Tennis 16.4
26. Touch Football 14.9
26. Saltwater Fishing 14.9
28. Horseback Riding 14.6
29. Fitness Swimming 14.5
30. Ice Skating 14.5
Source: SGMA
International

This information has been abstracted from the annual Superstudy of Sports Participation conducted by American Sports Data, Inc., which monitors 103 sports and fitness activities. SGMA International’s Sports Participation Topline Report (2003 edition) can be downloaded from www.SGMA.com. Click on Market Reports and Studies, then SGMA Publications. This report is found under the heading “Participation”-“General Reports”-click to download.