Fitness Industry Information

ShapeXpress® franchisees are uniquely positioned to cash in on growth in the health and fitness sector as consumer demand for health clubs remains strong, surpassing 33.8 million memberships in the U.S. this year.

• In 2003, total annual fitness industry revenues were $14.8 billion… and growing strong. The number of health clubs and gyms in the U.S. has increased consistently over the past five years, up 39 percent since 1997.

• There has been a 63 percent increase in gym membership from 1990-2001, and a corresponding jump of 104 percent in frequent participants who worked out at a club at least 100+ times in a year.

• Americans place maintaining good physical health (97%) and keeping up their physical appearance (91%) among their top personal priorities. Fitness American Style/Roper Starch Worldwide

• Strength training is one of the fastest growing fitness activities with nearly 20 million Americans now performing this activity at least 100+ days a year… a figure that represents 53 percent growth over the past 10 years.

• From 1987-2001, the number of Americans who exercised 100+ days a year on cardio equipment (i.e. treadmills, stationary bikes, stair-climbers, rowers, etc.) increased from nine million to over 18 million.

• With an average age of 38.5, elliptical motion trainer exercise now claims 15.7 million fitness participants, an increase of 306% since 1998. After treadmill exercise and stationary cycling, this knee-friendly equipment is the third most popular form of cardio equipment exercise.

• At 11.2 million participants, recumbent cycling, a back-friendly exercise, has grown 66% from 1998–2004, with an average participant age of 42.6.

• Usage of hand weights and dumbbells, still other examples of less taxing senior-friendly fitness, has increased by 29% and 34%, respectively — compared with a rise of only 13% in more strenuous barbell lifting.

• People aged 55+ also constitute 25% of the 6.1 million Americans who paid for the services of a personal trainer in 2004. SportS.P.I.N.

 

The American Council on Exercise (a nonprofit workout watchdog group) Fitness Trends for 2004. These trends reflect an increased demand for quick and intensive workouts by time-starved Americans as well as making exercise a part of preventive care.

• Workouts and exercise programs will respond to the critical need for busy Americans to get an efficient workout in a very short period of time (hence the rapid growth of health club chains that offer a 30-minute routine).

• Functional fitness will become more important. Rather than working on muscle groups in isolation, functional fitness will focus on exercising and strengthening several muscles and joints together.

• Healthcare providers and companies will provide and partially subsidize preventive lifestyle programs, such as providing web sites for wellness information, risk assessment, fitness calculators, how to contact a fitness professional, and other services.

• Fitness equipment will get smarter. Manufacturers will offer machines that provide feedback on everything from lactic acid production to preparing for a marathon.

 

Summary of Health Club-Based Weight Loss Programs

• There are about 18,000 health clubs operating in the U.S. today. A large percentage of them offer some type of weight loss plan in addition to exercise. The reality is that most people that join health clubs are there to lose or maintain weight. The industry’s trade group “IHRSA” further reports that 32.8 million Americans are paying dues to be members of health clubs. Of these members, 51.6% are women. IHRSA reports that the big growth segment today is people over age 55, more of whom are exercising for quality of life concerns, not to loose weight.

• Approximately 9,265 health clubs in the U.S. today are estimated by BestDietForMe to offer some form of weight loss or nutritional counseling program (about 52% of all clubs).

• Health clubs such as Bally’s Fitness, the YMCA, and ShapeXpress find adding weight loss to be a “natural” for members, since the dieter has access to exercise facilities and expertise, as well as nutrition information…a combination that’s rarely available at the typical commercial weight loss center.

• According to Club Industry magazine, “Many club owners spend almost no money on paid advertising.” One owner says 90% of his new customers are referred by current or former clients.

• Another telling quote: “We have all of them here in the area: Jenny Craig, Diet Center, Weight Watchers,”… But we don’t see them as competition. We get a lot of referrals from them because they see us offering the exercise component they don’t. Exercise is NOT a primary component of many weight loss programs. There’s a big void between Jenny Craig, for example, and health clubs, say club owners. The health club is an a unique position to work with one of the weight loss clinics. According to consultants and industry insiders, fitness clubs are only beginning to aggressively market themselves as weight management and nutrition centers.

• According to consultants, the most successful programs are found in health clubs where nutrition, fitness and weight management programming are the central themes to all other member activities. Most health club owners undervalue their weight management programs. However, most clubs discover that the price of their weight management plan, in addition to the cost of a membership, still comes out less than fees charged by the large commercial weight loss clinics.