The U.S. Health and Fitness Industry Is a $22.4 Billion Economic Powerhouse

WASHINGTON, DC-May 7, 2024-The 55,294 health club and studio locations in the United States have a $22.4 billion economic impact on the country's economy, according to new data analysis prepared by the Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA) and released today to coincide with the HFA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC.

The data was compiled by John Dunham and Associates on behalf of the Health & Fitness Association.

"When I was hired by the board almost three years ago, one of my goals was to be able to share real numbers about the value our industry creates in this country," said Health & Fitness Association President & CEO Liz Clark. "This data makes that goal a reality."

The data shows that U.S. health clubs and studios:

• Contribute 432,942 direct jobs to the country
• Pay $10.7 billion in direct wages
• Pay $5.29 billion in federal taxes
• Pay $5.35 billion in state and local taxes

Additional data shows that suppliers contribute 60,625 U.S. jobs and $4 billion in wages.

Data collected for the 2024 U.S. Health and Fitness Consumer Report, which will be released in stages by the association in the coming months, shows that the United States has more than 72 million health club and studio members. The U.S. has a higher percentage of active members of fitness facilities than any country other than Sweden. Americans pay an average of $59 per month for membership, and 41 percent of facility users pay $25 or less per month for membership.

"The data from this economic impact study and from our next Consumer Report show just how important the health and fitness industry is to the economy of the country as well as to the physical and mental health of Americans," Health & Fitness Association Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Goscinski said. "This data is an essential part of our campaign to educate representatives, senators, and their staff about the mental and physical health benefits of exercise-and about the size and scope of the businesses where consumers exercise."

The economic impact data is also broken down by state. In the coming weeks, that data will be available on the Health & Fitness Association website.

The data will be shared in meetings with members of Congress as part of the HFA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, May 7-8 in Washington, DC. More than 115 people representing health clubs, studios, and suppliers are participating in the fly-in.

On May 7, the group will meet for education on the issues as well as some fun that evening by taking in a baseball game at the Nationals Park.

On May 8, Congress members and their staff who are participating in the Congressional Physical Activity Challenge will join the group for a workout led by Michaela Brown, general manager, VIDA Fitness & Aura Spa - Logan Circle, and sponsored by Myzone, VIDA Fitness, and the Physical Activity Alliance.

Later that morning, participants will divide into 15 groups for pre-arranged meetings with members of Congress or their staff to advocate for the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act, and the AFFIM act, which promotes soldier readiness and retention through community-based fitness initiatives.

The 2024 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit is sponsored by:

• Premier sponsors: ABC Fitness, Studio Grow, Technogym
• Industry Leader sponsor: Matrix
• Advocate sponsors: Daxko, Myzone, ROR Partners
• Supporters: Alta Technology Group, ClubConnect, DX Factor, EGym, Fit On Health, Junk Headbands, NASM/AFAA, Precor, Tivity Health, Wellhub (formerly Gympass), WellnessSpace Brands (formerly Hydromassage), and Wexer.

About the Association

The Health & Fitness Association, a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health.

Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.

Founded in 1981, the association publishes a monthly magazine, Club Business International, and operates its Convention & Trade Show. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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