Consumer Research
Consumer Reports
Trends Insight Archive
Knowing consumer trends can work to your advantage. Learn how to leverage the trends and market for success, with our 'Trends Insight' briefs brought to you by IHRSA and the Ketchum Global Research Network. Although these briefings were done from 2001 - 2005, many of the insights are still prevalent today.
Consumer Statistics
Health Club Member Attendance
Roughly 22 million members visited their clubs at least 100 times in 2010, up 15.8% from 19 million
in 2009. Learn More
European Fitness Activity Participation
A 2007 survey of six major European countries noted that, overall, 47% of European health club exercisers participate in cardio fitness activities, while strength training and group exercisers total 31% and 22%, respectively, of total fitness participants. Learn More
Health Club Membership by Club Type
Statistics from the 2011 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report. Learn More
U.S. Club Membership by Gender
Women accounted for 51 percent of health club members in 2010. Learn More
European Club Membership by Gender
A 2007 survey of six major European countries noted that participation in health clubs varies significantly by gender, depending on the country being studied. Learn More
Membership Growth and Attrition
Membership attrition is measured on an annual basis. Since memberships are added and dropped each month, the attrition formula is best calculated using the average opening monthly membership for a rolling twelve-month period. Learn More
U.S. Club Membership by Annual Household Income
Data from 2007 IHRSA / American Sports Data Health Club Trend Report. Learn More
U.S. Health Club Membership by Age
Over the past 15 years, the defining characteristic of industry change has been the growth in the population of older health club members. In 2005, there were 8.0 million members over the age of 55, an increase of 314% over 1990. Learn More
European Health Club Membership by Age
A 2007 survey of six major European countries found that health club membership varies throughout the countries according to age, but the age group with the lowest penetration for all European countries is the segment between 14-17 years of age. The groups with the most presence are people between the ages of 18-34 (38%) and 35-54 (35%). Learn More
European Health Club Membership by Level of Education
A 2007 survey of six major European countries noted that higher levels of education are often correlated with membership with 43% of total membership having completed higher education or above. Learn More
Consumer FAQs
1. How many personal trainer users are there in the U.S.?
Based on the 2011 IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report, there are 6.3 million personal trainer users in the U.S.
2. How many health club members are there in the U.S.?
According to IHRSA’s annual health club consumer study, 51.4 million Americans six and older are health clubs members.
3. How many “core” health club members are there in the U.S.?
“Core” health club members visit the health club clubs at least 100 times a year. In 2010, 22 million of the 50.2 million members were core health club members. This represents the 44% of total membership (Source: IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report).
4. What percent of U.S. health club members use group exercise?
More than 2 out of five (44%) health club members participate in group exercise, according to the IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report. This amounts to roughly 22.1 million members.
5. What percent of health club members use personal training?
Among health club members, roughly 12.5% use personal trainers. Most personal training users are between the ages of 18 and 44 (Source: IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report).
6. Why do members join health clubs?
People more frequently cite the following two reasons for joining a health club: to stay healthy and stay in shape. Approximately half (49%) join to lose weight. (Source: IHRSA Trend Report)
7. Why do members quit health clubs?
In quitting health clubs the economic aspect plays a relevant role: 44% of former members think it is too expensive to keep training in health clubs. Other factors include: location/convenience (people usually choose the closest club available), actual usage of membership (some members just do not show up enough and are no longer interested in membership) and other alternatives (exercising elsewhere for free). (Source: IHRSA Trend Report)
8. Why do members stay at their health clubs?
According to the IHRSA Trend Report, apart from reaching personal fitness goals and a healthy status, members also continue using their health clubs for the variety of equipment and convenient location. Half of members (50%) cite a convenient location for continued usage, while more than a one-third (38%) select “the variety of equipment: both strength and cardiovascular” as a reason for staying.
9. Why don’t people join health clubs?
The IHRSA Trend Report highlights cost as the number one barrier to joining: 59% of non-members cited this reason. One out of four (25%) of non-members select “I exercise somewhere else for free.” One out of five (19%) cited “no time” as a barrier to joining the health club.
