Societal Trends within the fitness industry

Introduction

About 1/3^rd of the U.S population is considered clinically ill or labelled obese. This has created a growing trend within the fitness industry as there are more and more people jumping on board to change their lifestyle and better there health (A.Weber, 2014).

During 1990’s – 2000’s showed a major increase in gym memberships due to the availability of fitness centres, as at Jan 01 1990 there were known to be 16,938 fitness centres open which increased to 29,636 by Jan 2008 which is over a 70% increase which led to 41million Americans being a member of the fitness industry but with the growing trend that number is constantly increasing (A.Weber, 2014).

The trend

The growing trend within the fitness industry I’d like to focus on is the increase in “Certified Personal Trainers”, they are said to be driving force of the industry.

According to the U.S department of labour, Bureau of labour statistics the number of personal trainers in America in 2001 was listed at 101,860 which increase by 44% in 2011 to 231,500 (United States Department of Labor, 2008).

Figure 1. Statistics on occupational expectancy between 2012 - 2020 with fitness trainers and instructors. From U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm#tab-6.

The Fitness industry is expected to have a 13% increase in personal trainers from 2012-2022 dues to the fact that businesses and organisations have recognised the benefits of health and fitness programs for employees, this also has businesses creating incentives or subsidy schemes for employees joining fitness or recreation centres, some organisations go to the extent of opening a private fitness facility within the organisation to reduce the travel distance for employees to get to a gym causing the need for more personal fitness trainers (United States Department of Labor, 2008)

The increase in personal fitness trainers is also dictated by the “Baby Boomers Age” as they require special training to prevent injuries as well as illnesses associated with aging.

The growing trend is also affected by the various age groups that are joined to the gym which increases the need for  diverse personal trainers that have the knowledge to train consumers in different techniques to which is required by certain age groups or gender (Thompson, 2012).

Figure 2. Group training with certified personal fitness instructor. From ACE fitness. Retrieved from http://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/2136/personal-training-and-fitness-coaching-do-they

The impact

The Growing trend in personal training provides a huge impact socially and economically as it provides opportunities for available work, an employer may require some sort of qualification which could encourage youth to enrol in some sort of fitness training education, personal training can pave way for career paths.

Personal Fitness Trainers generate more revenue than other services provided towards the fitness industry as the service they provide increases the amount of clients returning and joining the gym, research shows that personal trainers increased and impacted client’s cardio vascular & muscle-strength related gains while the client also demonstrated behavioural change (C.Kennedy-Armburster, 2012).

Fitness trainers do more than just improve your physical health but also emotional health by helping clients develop a healthier lifestyle.

Figure 3. Graph shows growth of memberships by year in the millions. From retro fitness. Retrieved from http://www.retrofitness.net/Web/ww/en/franchisingindustry.dhtml.

The revenue that the “health club industry” generated in 2010 was at $20.3 billion which increased to $21.8 billion by 2012.

This increase in revenue reflects the number of memberships which increased from 2008 – 2012 of 10% from 7.7 million – 8.3million and also the availability of fitness centres increasing from 2005 at just over 25,000 to 2012 at 30,500.

This shows that the fitness industry is a billion dollar industry and provides a lot of opportunity for jobs and better living, to keep this industry booming the market for personal fitness trainers increases as according to IHRSA 22% use health clubs for access to group fitness which will involve a personal instructor of some expertise and another 19% say “access to fitness professionals” as a reason for staying at a gym or health club  (IHRSA, 2013).

Conclusion

The fitness industry is constantly growing and statistics show that the market for personal trainers is increasing and that they do benefit the the world economically but also benefits society the way personal trainers change peoples lives.
Personal training is a growing trend because not only do you get to workout, stay fit, healthy and in shape, you can create a career and get paid while doing so.

References

(2009). Retrieved 09 11, 2014, from Retro Fitness Franchise Sales: http://www.retrofitness.net/Web/ww/en/franchisingindustry.dhtml

A.Weber. (2014). Franchise Help. Retrieved 09 08, 2014, from Fitness Industry Analysis 2014 - Cost & Trends: https://www.franchisehelp.com/industry-reports/fitness-industry-report/

C.Kennedy-Armburster, M. S. (2012, January). Retrieved September 07, 2014, from Personal training & coaching: Do they really work: http://www.acefitness.org/certifiednewsarticle/2136/personal-training-and-fitness-coaching-do-they

IHRSA. (2013, May 8). Retrieved 09 09, 2014, from The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association: http://www.ihrsa.org/media-center/2013/5/8/585-million-americans-utilize-health-clubs.html

Thompson, W. (2012). Worldwide survey of fitness trends for 2013. Retrieved 09 07, 2014, from http://www.qicraft.fi/upload/Worldwide_Survey_of_Fitness_Trends_for_2013.low.pdf

United States Department of Labor. (2008, January 8). Retrieved 09 07, 2014, from Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Fitness Trainers and Instructors: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm#tab-6