Why the Fitness Industry?
A “FIT” INDUSTRY
Entrepreneur magazine named the fitness category the fifth hottest franchising trend in 2005. This trend has accelerated within the $17.6 billion explosion in the health and fitness industry. Fitness franchising outpaces overall franchising among the 1,500 franchise systems in the United States - there’s plenty of market share for everyone. In fact, health club membership has grown by an average 4.6% annually in the past decade.
Working out at a health club is the #1 sports activity in the United States according to the National Sporting Goods Association. And Gold’s Gym is the #1 gym providing over 3 million men and women around the world with both facilities and expertise that can change their lives through a regimented fitness routine.
The Facts
- Fitness is a $17.6 billion industry that has doubled in size in the last 10 years.
- There are 42.7 million health club members in the United States.
- The U.S. is home to 23,500 health clubs and the number grows each day!
- Health club memberships nationwide are 48 percent male and 52 percent female.
- The average health club member has an annual income of $76,000.
- The average health club member attends their club 92 days per year.
- Personal training is the most widely used health club program.
- Cardiovascular equipment is the top area of expansion in U.S. health clubs.
- Even with a flood of publicity and medical research pointing to physical fitness as the solution, nearly 90% of America has yet to join a gym.
- 50 Million By 2010 –The industry’s goal is to have 50 million health club members nationwide by 2010. Source: International Health, Raquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) Member Census
The Growing Need For Serious Fitness
- Obesity is a global problem that affects 300 million people worldwide.
- Nearly two-thirds, or 130 million adults in the United States are overweight, and nearly one-third, or 61 million are obese.
- Approximately 15 percent of children and adolescents are overweight.
- Forty percent of U.S. adults are sedentary.
- Risk for heart disease and high blood pressure is two to four times higher among the 18 million Americans with diabetes.
- An estimated 70 percent of diabetes risk in the U.S. can be attributed to excess weight.
- Heart disease is the number one cause of death in American women, killing six times as many as breast cancer.
- Annual medical spending for the treatment of overweight and obese people is nearly $100 billion a year, approximately nine percent on U.S. health expenditures.
- As many as 300,000 adult deaths in the United States each year are attributable to unhealthy dietary habits or physical inactivity.
- Exercise helps prevent heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, insomnia and cancer.
- Exercise has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression and increase energy, focus and stamina.
- People who exercise regularly are happier, healthier and live longer.
For information and research on the health and fitness industry, please visit ihrsa.org. IHRSA, The International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association is the trade association for gym owners. The IHRSA website will provide you with information on all aspects of running a gym.
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