The U.S. health club market had a year of increase in 2015, serving a record-high 64 million consumers at 36,180 health clubs and pulling in $25.8 billion in revenue, according to a recent study by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), Boston.
The number of total members increased 2.2 percent to 55.3 million compared to 54.1 million in 2014. The 64 million consumer record includes visitors in addition to members.
Members visited their club an average of 104 days in 2015, also an all-time high since IHRSA began tracking numbers in 1987.
"In 2015, all key consumer indicators posted improvements, including number of health club members, consumers, and visits," Joe Moore, IHRSA's president and CEO, said in a media release about the report. "For the third consecutive year, total health club visits surpassed 5 billion, showing that Americans value the safe, secure environment and services clubs provide, and regularly utilize these services in order to meet their fitness and wellness needs as well as activity goals."
The study was part of IHRSA's Physical Activity Council (PAC), which showed that physical activity rates increased in 2015, that fitness is the country's most popular sport, and that nearly one out of five Americans belonged to at least one of the 36,180 health clubs nationwide. Since 2009, membership has grown by 22 percent, while the total number of consumers, including member and non-member users, has increased by 24 percent over the same time.
The number of health club facilities rose by 4.8 percent in comparison with the previous year. In 2015, health club industry revenue in the United States increased to $25.8 billion, up from $24.2 billion in 2014, an improvement of 6.1 percent.
"Considering the growth in the variety of fitness options available, consumers more and more are showing that they believe in the physical and mental benefits of exercise and are showing that belief by increasing their investment (both in terms of time and money) in their health and fitness," Jay Ablondi, IHRSA's executive vice president of global products, said in the release. "As the latest "IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report" shows, an average of 16 percent of health club members belong to more than one club, indicating that many people are willing to pay for access and services across various fitness facilities."
The "IHRSA Health Club Consumer Report" provides analysis of health club consumer growth, demographics, utilization, and trends as well as insights and applications for club operators.