Latest IHRSA Data: Over 6 Billion Visits to 39,570 Health Clubs Last Year
Posted: March 27, 2019 in IHRSA
IHRSA: Success By Association
BOSTON, MA – 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% from 60.9 million in 2017. In all, consumers frequented their health clubs for more than six 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), more than one out of five Americans (20.8%) belong to at least one U.S. health club or studio. Since 2008, membership has grown by 37.1%, while the total number of club-goers has increased by 34%. 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% 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, an improvement of 7.8%.
“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 (June) that will provide an overview of the worldwide health club industry and the 2019 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report (Sept), 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 of the 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 US Online Panel of over one million people operated by IPSOS. The total panel is maintained to be representative of the US population for people ages six and older. Oversampling of ethnic groups took place to boost responses from typically under responding groups.
