More than 71.5 million consumers utilized U.S. health clubs in 2018, a record high since IHRSA began tracking health club utilization in 1987. The number of individual members totaled 62.5 million, up 2.6 percent from 60.9 million in 2017. In all, consumers frequented their health clubs for more than 6 billion visits in 2018.
“We’re proud to highlight that the U.S. health club industry is increasingly serving the health, fitness, and wellness needs of consumers,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA president and CEO. “More than 62 million health club members use a club or studio for an average of 104 days a year, while 9 million non-member users attend a club or studio for an average of 24 days a year.”
Based on a study conducted by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) as part of the Physical Activity Council (PAC), about one out of 5 Americans (20.8 percent) belong to at least one U.S. health club or studio. Since 2008, membership has grown by 37.1 percent, while the total number of club-goers has increased by 34 percent. The total number of health club visits has also increased, amounting to 6.1 billion visits in 2018, up from 4.3 billion in 2008.
At 39,570, the number of health club facilities increased by 2.8 percent over the previous year, up from 38,477 locations. In 2018, U.S. health club industry revenue increased to $32.3 billion, up from $30 billion in 2017, a 7.8 percent growth.
“We are happy to report that along with consumer growth, the number of fitness facilities and total industry revenue increased in 2018,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive vice president of global products. “Consumers in the U.S. continue to place a high value on their health, investing in club access and services in order to meet their health and wellness needs as well as fitness and athletic goals.
”Later this year, IHRSA will release the 2019 IHRSA Global Report that will provide an overview of the worldwide health club industry and the 2019 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report, which will provide analysis of health club consumer growth, demographics, utilization, and trends as well as insights and applications for club operators. The 2018 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report is available on IHRSA’s website.
Methodology: Each year, IHRSA conducts an annual health club consumer study as part of the Physical Activity Council (PAC). The PAC is made up of six leading sports and manufacturer associations that are dedicated to growing participation in their respective sports and activities. During 2018, a total of 20,069 online interviews were carried out with a nationwide sample of individuals and households from the U.S. Online Panel of over 1 million people operated by IPSOS. The total panel is maintained to be representative of the U.S. population for people ages six and older. Oversampling of ethnic groups took place to boost responses from typically under-responding groups.
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide. Its mission is to grow, promote and protect the health and fitness industry.
Image courtesy Anytime Fitness
