Fitness has tremendously grown and evolved through the years. Gone are the days of traditional gyms as the only option available for health and body conscious individuals. It also became a basic need for a lot of people and part of their daily routines. Scroll through to find out some of the most staggering facts about fitness.

Key Fitness Statistics

Some fitness fads come and go while others stay. Below are important fitness statistics that show why fitness is a multi-billion dollar industry.

• In 2018, the International Health, Racquet, & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) estimated the total revenue of the fitness industry across the globe at $94 billion.
• The fitness industry has an annual growth of 3.7% between 204-2019.
• The growth rate of franchises almost doubled at 6.3%.
• If the fitness industry’s growth rate continues in this direction, it is on track to reach over $105 billion in 2020.
• The market’s largest segment is Wearables with $18,984m market volume in 2020.
• In 2014, the global health club industry was worth more than $84 billion, over $17 billion more compared to 2009.
• In Europe, the total health club industry revenue is $35 billion in 2014 from $31.37 billion in 2009.
• The Asia-Pacific region is the third largest region for health clubs with $26.8 billion in revenue in 2014.
• Bulk of the revenue in Asia-Pacific region came from Japan, Australia, China, and South Korea.
• The Latin America market generated close to $6 billion in revenue in 2014.
• An increase from $23 billion in 2009 to $26 billion in 2014 was seen in North America. More than 90% of the revenue came from the US market.
• More than 12% of new gym members join in January.

General Fitness Statistics

With all the stress people encounter on a daily basis and the amount of unhealthy food available in the market, there’s no wonder why fitness has been part of a lot of people’s lifestyle.

• 81% of adolescents across the globe are not sufficiently active.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that all adults between the age of 18-64 years, should have 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.
• WHO reported that 26% in men and 35% in women have insufficient levels of physical activities in more wealthy nations while poorer areas reported only 12% of men and 24% of women are physically inactive.
• 23% of gym members quit because they’re not using it.
• 8% of male gym members quit within the first year while 14% of women do.
• 71% of loyalty program members say that membership is an essential part of their relationship with a brand.
• The most inactive countries in the world: 72% Republic of Malta, 69% Swaziland, and 68.8% Saudi Arabia.
• There are more than 8,000 fitness apps available in the market.
• Almost 50% of people who start a workout program quit within the first six months.
• As of 2014, Lifetime fitness is the biggest health club company across the globe with $1.3 billion revenue. Comin in close second is Virgin Active, with over $1 billion in revenues during the same period.
• In 2019, the global revenue of the sports, fitness and activity monitor market is projected to grow around $2.8 billion.
• Boutique fitness membership grew by 121% between 203-2017 according to IHRA.

Global Exercise Statistics

Fitness is a global trend that continues to grow each year. There’s no denying that it brings people together from all parts of the world when it comes to doing one sport or fitness activity. Here’s where fitness is in some parts of the globe.

• Over 210,000 health clubs exist worldwide.
• There are more than 7,000 gyms in the UK
• The US has the most health clubs with 38,477 followed by Brazil with 34,509.
• In China, there are over 2,700 health clubs and increasing studio-style establishments. Biggest growth opportunities are in tier 3 and 4 cities (or satellites) rather than already saturated hubs.
• The wellness industry represents 5.3% of global economic output.
• Asia-Pacific will take over North America as the largest market of the global physical activity economy, which includes fitness, sports and active recreation, mindful movement, etc., accounting for 40% of all global growth through 2023.
• China and India will drive almost one-third of the growth.
• Global Wellness Institute (GWI) estimates that 3.7% of the world’s population are members of gyms or fitness studios, workout in a public facility or on their own, or take independent classes regularly.
• 190 million people spend money on memberships/training at commercial gyms and studios.
• Each person spends roughly $384 yearly on gym/fitness memberships.
• 58 million participate in fitness classes at public and nonprofit venues.
• 3.8% of the world population participate in mindful movement – yoga, Pilates, tai chi, qigong, barre, etc., spending an average of $101 per year.

Fitness Demographic Statistics

In 2008, Curves for Women was considered one of the most successful fitness franchises in the world having over 10,000 locations across the globe and 4 million members. However, closing of franchises reduced the number to 5,208 locations in 2010. The Wall Street journal attributes the decline not so much on the reduced interest of female clients but more on inflexible business strategies. Below are interesting facts about the demographics of fitness enthusiasts.

• 54% of men are more likely to meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic activity.
• 81% of Millennials exercise or would like to compare to 61% of boomers, according to a Nielsen survey.
• Millennials use fitness apps more than other age groups, with women using them twice as much as men.
• In 2018, adults between the age of 18 to 24 were most likely to meet the recommendations for aerobic physical activities.
• 90% of gym goers’ primary goal is to “lose belly fat.”
• According to IHRSA’s 2010 data, the average gym-goer age range is between 25-60 years old.
• The 18-25 years old generation are more likely to attend fitness studios than other age groups, IHRSA reported.
• 63% of people attended boutique studios because of the community aspect formed while 47% went because of the atmosphere, according to a Nielsen and Les Mils survey in 2014.
• 25% of the 41 million health club members in the US are over the age of 55.

Fitness Statistics in the US

As mentioned above, North America has the biggest share in the fitness and health club revenue worldwide, with 90% attributed to the US market. The US is the single biggest market worldwide not only in terms of revenue but as well as the number of health and fitness club members.

• Only 53% of Americans meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic activity.
• In 2017, around 19% of the US population engaged in sports and exercise. 20.2% of men participated while only 17,8% of women did.
• Running, jogging, and trail running were the most popular activities of people six years and older in 2018.
• In 2018, 27.3% of Americans were inactive.
• 35.9% of Americans participated in high-calorie burning activities at least three times a week in 2018.
• The US is 46th on the list of the most inactive nations around the world.
• Only one third of children in the US are physically active every day.
• More than 50% of mobile phone users in the US have downloaded at least one fitness app.
• In 2015, Americans spent over $10 billion on fitness equipment.
• About 25% of people who workout at least once a month say that exercise or workout and sports in general is part of their daily routine.
• 30.4% of US adults aged 20 and older are obese.

2020 Fitness Trend

It remains to be seen how the global Covid-19 pandemic will affect the global fitness industry in the long run, but despite such massive factors that can potentially impact how fitness evolves in the future, there are a few trends that will likely continue:

• Wearable technology will be once again the number one trend in 2020 – as it has been since 2016. It’s one of the technologies that’s reshaping the fitness world and will continue to do so in 2020.
• Coming in number two is high-intensity interval training. It’s predicted to play a role in the development of hybrid classes in the future. 
• Group training will continue to be popular especially among Millenials who enjoy the social aspect of it, but perhaps social distancing norms that extend beyond the pandemic, as many experts are expecting, might change how such group sessions are implemented.
• Various forms of yoga will continue to drive interest as more and more people are getting into wellness to counter the stress of modern day living.
• Functional fitness, which focuses on using strength training to improve everyday movement such as Crossfit and F45 will also continue to flourish in 2020.

With health and wellness being the top priority of people around the world to combat the hustle and bustle of daily grind, the fitness industry will continue to flourish and no signs of slowing down anytime soon. It will evolve in other forms and adapt with the needs of the people in these changing times, but it will still definitely be part of a lot of people’s daily routine.

References:

1. 60 Stats and Trends to Grow Your Fitness Business in 2020 – Glofox Blog
2. Health & Fitness Clubs – Statistics & Facts | Statista
3. U.S. Americans engaged in sports and exercise per day 2010-2018 | Statista
4. Gym statistics: members, equipment, and cancellations. |
5. Fitness has exploded into a nearly $100 billion global industry – Business
6. Physical Activity Is an $828 Billion Market – To Reach $1.1 Trillion+ by
7. Statistics & Facts – Global Wellness Institute
8. Health club companies facilities (owned/franchised) worldwide 2018 |
9. Fitness – China | Statista Market Forecast
10. Fitness Industry Statistics [Growth, Trends & Research Stats 2019]
11. Flurry: Millennials use health and fitness apps more than other age groups
12. Outdoor participation: most popular activities US 2018 | Statista
13. Global sports, fitness & activity monitor market revenue 2013-2019 |
14. Working Out With The Data: Fitness Statistics (Good, Bad, Scary!)
15. 30 Exercise Statistics & Facts That Will Get You Moving!
16. 21 Exercise Statistics That Will Move You to Action
17. 9 Surprising Gym Statistics | realbuzz.com
18. 41 New Fitness & Gym Membership Statistics for 2020 [Infographic] | NOOB
19. Why The Boutique Fitness Business Is Booming | Glofox Blog
20. 2019 Fitness Industry Trends Shed Light on 2020 & Beyond | IHRSA