Industry Statistics

Health Clubs

U.S. Clubs: 26,831 (as of 1/05)
U.S. Health Club Members: 41.3 million (as of 1/05)
Total U.S. Industry Revenues for 2004: $14.8 billion

Source: Survey of International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association members, 2005

Purchasing Trends

Small operators tend to buy their equipment from a number of sources. Slightly more than 47 percent purchase their equipment through distributors, while about 40 percent get their products directly from the manufacturers. Just about 10 percent buy their products online.
Thirty-eight percent say that they are trying to control expenses by buying products and equipment less frequently.
Twenty-two percent say that when they are buying, they are buying less expensive products and services.
More than 55 percent say cardiovascular equipment is on their shopping list for 2006.
Forty-eight percent of small facility owners and managers say that they will buy strength equipment—with 25 percent additionally saying that free-weight equipment will be purchased.
More than 47 percent of facilities will buy equipment for mind/body disciplines in 2006.
Seventeen percent will buy equipment such as microphones, steps, etc., for more traditional classes.
More than 36 percent of owners and managers say that aquatic products will be on their 2006 shopping list.
Twenty-five percent of facilities will purchase sport-specific products and equipment from basketball to golf.
Twenty-two percent of facility owners will purchase spa products.
Just about 15 percent listed entertainment products as part of their buying plans for the year.
One-third of respondents say that updating computer system software in 2006 ranks high on their shopping lists.
Sixty-seven percent of owners and managers expect to purchase yoga and Pilates equipment.
Thirty-two percent say that controlling costs is one of their biggest challenges.

Source: Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro Purchasing Power Survey, 2005

Same-Sex Members

Eighty-nine percent of health clubs offer membership discounts to families, couples and/or married couples.

Source: Survey of International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association members, 2005

Seniors

About 12 percent of seniors aged 65 to 74 years old are involved in resistance training compared to 10 percent of persons over the age of 75.
Nearly a quarter of the physically active respondents engaged in strength training, but women were less likely than men to work out on weight machines twice a week.
Ten million Americans have osteoporosis, and an additional 18 million have low bone mass and face an increased risk of this disease.
Adults aged 55 and older now make up a quarter of the health club memberships in the United States. From 1998 to 2005, the number of 55-plus fitness participants increased by 33 percent while the 35- to 54-year-old age group posted a 13 percent gain and the 18- to 34-year-old group showed no growth.

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Steroids

One million Americans, or 0.5 percent of the adult population, have used anabolic steroids, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005
Six percent of students in grades nine through 12 admitted taking steroid pills or shots without a doctor's prescription one or more times. The data, which was collected from 1999 to 2003, showed a substantial increase from the 3.7 percent reported in 1999.
In 2004, about 56 percent of 12th grade students surveyed thought that steroids were of “great risk” if used once or twice. That's a 13 percent drop from 1998.
The largest growing group of high school steroid users is ninth-grade girls. More than seven percent have taken steroid pills or shots without a prescription compared to 6.9 percent of ninth-grade boys. The numbers are a bit lower for 10th-grade girls at 5.1 percent, and even lower in 11th and 12th graders at 4.3 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.

Source: Risk Behavior Surveillance System at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Ask the Experts

A panel of professionals answers your questions on a variety of topics.

	Software for Club Management Dave Merrill: Chief Operating Officer	Become An Expert
Submit Your Questions About the Software.

Featured Content

How-to articles to help you improve retention, increase sales, energize your group exercise programming and more.

Insights into what high-level club executives think about their business and industry trends.

News about fitness facilities, club owners, acquisitions, suppliers and more delivered to your in-box three times a month.

Practical Internet strategies to help you build customer relationships, increase revenues and lower costs.