Have you been spending a lot of time in the gym lately waiting for an empty squat rack? Or maybe you're often in line for your favorite treadmill – the one located in the best area for watching TV?
A new report says you're probably not alone.
ABC FitnessEditorial Health surveillance report for the first quarter It shows that check-ins at brick-and-mortar gyms in the first quarter of 2024 were up 60% from 2023. Fitness studios and boutiques also saw a 22% increase in check-ins compared to the same period last year.
“People around the world are realizing the importance of fitness for their physical and mental health, and now we're seeing more people realizing the social benefits as well,” ABC Fitness CEO Bill Davis said in a statement. press release About the report.
Check-in data is strong in the first quarter of every year, and fitness goals often top resolution lists for the new year.
But the report shows that the fitness industry has also rebounded since the pandemic, when gyms closed their doors and at-home exercise businesses boomed. A total of 184 million have registered at the gym in the US alone, nearly double pre-pandemic levels.
The report includes results from third-party US consumer research as well as data from ABC Fitness platforms such as ABC Ignite, ABC Glofox, ABC Evo and ABC Trainerize, which the company says “provides a comprehensive look at fitness trends from every corner of the industry.” “.
ABC Fitness says the insights revealed in its Q1 Wellness Watch depict global trends, pulling data from 40 million members and 30,000 fitness businesses between January and March 2024, in more than 100 countries.
Here are other notable findings from the report.
Young people prioritize wellness
ABC Fitness says Generation Z is the most invested in their physical and mental health. Twenty-nine percent of new gym joiners are Gen Z, and 38% of Gen Z respondents use traditional health clubs.
Gen Z is more likely to seek out personal trainers or trainers (38%) versus the general population (29%), although ABC Trainerize has seen a 78% increase in new personal training clients year over year. It is also higher in recreational sports and small group training. However, the majority of Gen Z respondents (68%) choose to exercise alone.
Gen Z participants say they typically spend between $21 and $69 a month on their dues. Plus, more than half of Gen Z members in the study (56%) monitor their workouts using wearable devices like Apple Watches, Fitbits, or other fitness trackers, according to the report.
“Generation Z is more digitally connected than almost any other generation,” fitness trainer Kai Karttunen said in the report. “App-based workouts, game-driven challenges, and personal data will help connect with this audience.”
Gyms have become the new “third place” for many
Not only are exercising and going to the gym part of many people's routines, but they can also help people find community.
The report highlights that connecting with friends over health and fitness has helped gyms emerge as a popular 'third place': a place people go outside of work, school and home to find community.
“The fitness industry is poised to help more people in more ways than ever before with fitness companies emerging as powerful drivers of society,” Davis said.
Regardless of how a gym is used, gym memberships and usage continue to rise and show how people are prioritizing their health and wellness.
“Global usage is up nearly 90% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Now, we are seeing the focus shift to overall well-being,” Davis said in the report.
“Fitness companies must recognize the growing demand for their services and the growing importance of healthy living in the lives of ordinary consumers.”
