U.S. Health Club Membership Reaches 42.7 Million In 2006

Health and fitness clubs

Health club membership in the United States increased by more than three percent last year, from 41.3 million members (over the age of six) in 2005 to 42.7 million in 2006, while the total number of Americans who visited or belonged to a health club increased by more than six percent from 64.9 million people (over the age of six) in 2005 to 69.3 million in 2006. This is an indication that more people started to exercise and go to fitness clubs regularly.

This growth in health club membership represents an increase of more than twenty-five percent in just five years, while growth in health club patronage represents an increase of nearly twenty percent.

IHRSA, a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide, cites an increase in public awareness about the dangers of physical inactivity and the health and fitness industry's sustained commitment to making exercise more accessible to Americans of all ages and fitness levels as contributing factors to this growth.

"While we are very pleased to see growth in membership, we understand that there is still a lot of work to be done," said Joe Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IHRSA.