Health Club Industry Serves 64 Million Americans, an All-time High
Posted: March 8, 2016 in IHRSA
IHRSA: Success By Association
BOSTON, MA – More than 64 million Americans were consumers of a health club in 2015, a record-high since IHRSA began tracking health club consumer statistics in 1987. The number of individual members totaled 55.3 million, up 2.2% from 54.1 million in 2014. Members visited their club an average of 104 days in 2015, also an all-time high.
“In 2015, all key consumer indicators posted improvements, including number of health club members, consumers, and visits,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA’s president and CEO. “For the third consecutive year, total health club visits surpassed 5 billion, showing that Americans value the safe secure environment and services clubs provide, and regularly utilize these services in order to meet their fitness and wellness needs as well as activity goals.”
Based on a study conducted by The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) as part of the Physical Activity Council (PAC), results show that physical activity rates increased in 2015, that fitness is the country’s most popular sport, and that nearly one out of five Americans belonged to at least one of the 36,180* health clubs nationwide. Since 2009, membership has grown by 22%, while the total number of consumers, including member and non-member users, has increased by 24% over the same time.
The number of health club facilities rose by 4.8% in comparison with the previous year. In 2015, health club industry revenue in the U.S. increased to $25.8 billion, up from $24.2 billion in 2014, an improvement of 6.1%.
“Considering the growth in the variety of fitness options available, consumers more and more are showing that they believe in the physical and mental benefits of exercise and are showing that belief by increasing their investment (both in terms of time and money) in their health and fitness,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive vice president of global products. “As the latest IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report shows, an average of 16% of health club members belong to more than one club, indicating that many people are willing to pay for access and services across various fitness facilities.”
The IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report provides analysis of health club consumer growth, demographics, utilization, and trends as well insights and applications for club operators.
