BOSTON, MA—January 28, 2021—The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) partnered with ChinaFit to commission an evaluation of the Chinese fitness industry. The comprehensive study was conducted by Deloitte, a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services.

The 2019-2020 China Health and Fitness Market White Paper focuses on 2019 market size data from the top 18 cities in China. Overall, these cities have a total of 8.8 million members, 27,600 health and fitness clubs, and generated $4.9 billion in revenue (33.7 billion RMB). Topics covered in the report include:

  • business models,
  • market development since 2000,
  • key investment and acquisition cases,
  • market drivers,
  • challenges and opportunities,
  • the competitive landscape, and
  • profiles of leading club operators.

"The report is a valuable resource for industry stakeholders across the globe," said Melissa Rodriguez, IHRSA’s senior research manager. "The in-depth analysis of the unique fitness landscape in China provides club operators, suppliers, and investors with the intel needed to evaluate development and expansion opportunities."

Also included in the report is a section that details COVID-19’s impact on the Chinese fitness industry and lessons learned from the pandemic. Key takeaways of these findings include:

  • Traffic at fitness facilities remains at 70-80% of pre-pandemic levels in the 90% of clubs that have reopened as of June 2020.
  • 30-50% of gyms nationwide are permanently closed, according to industry experts.
  • To abide by authority guidelines, gyms implemented rigorous safety, cleaning, and disinfecting protocols.
  • Rent relief policies were introduced to ease the cash flow pressure of gym operators.
  • The level of awareness for health and fitness has increased on a national scale.

Overall, the report shows an industry that is rapidly growing and, despite the pandemic, a positive long-term outlook.

"China's fitness market is becoming more and more attractive to investors both home and abroad,” said Alan MacCharles, Deloitte China commercial strategy and research partner. “In order to deep dive into the Chinese fitness industry and understand the market dynamics and future trends, we are honored to be commissioned by CHINAFIT and IHRSA to conduct research and analysis on the Chinese fitness industry and to author [this report]."

To download the free 130-page white paper, visit ihrsa.org/publications. For information on obtaining the full report with an in-depth market analysis of the top 18 cities, email Adrian Xu, Deloitte China commercial strategy and research director, at adxu@deloitte.com.cn.

About IHRSA

IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is a not-for-profit trade association representing the global fitness industry of over 200,000 health and fitness facilities and their suppliers.

IHRSA maintains a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical to peak health and fight the battle against obesity and chronic lifestyle disease. As one of the world's leading authorities on the commercial health club industry, IHRSA’s mission is to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry, while providing its members with benefits and resources. IHRSA and its members are devoted to making the world happier, healthier, and more prosperous through regular exercise and activity promotion.