Global Enlightenment

Fitness industry leaders and facility operators in the U.S. should look abroad for new ideas about technology, service, programming, pricing, design and more.

As the world turns its eye on China for the upcoming Olympic Games, global awareness has reached a new peak. U.S. fitness center operators should be better prepared to conduct a successful business in the new economy of a globally fused market. They should know the basics of the international market, the dynamic forces driving that market and some of its innovations.

According to the most recent data from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), Boston, Mass., approximately 66 percent of fitness centers reside outside North America, which collectively generates 65 percent of all revenues in the industry ($36,388,733). Although the U.S. remains the No. 1 global market, generating revenues of approximately $17.6 million and boasting 29,357 fitness centers, its domination of the industry is being slowly eroded by operators from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan and Brazil. Somewhat surprisingly, the Netherlands has a higher percentage of its population as fitness facility members (17.6 percent) than the U.S., while countries such as Norway, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom have member penetration levels that are rapidly approaching those that exist in the U.S. (16 percent). The global market has also overtaken the U.S. market when it comes to acceptance by both public and private investors. Perhaps even more noteworthy, nations such as the United Kingdom, South Africa and Switzerland have been able to develop synergistic relationships with insurers and healthcare organizations that would make most facility operators in the U.S. envious.

Log in to view the full article
Page 1 of 148
Next Page
AB Show 2025 in San Diego
AB Show is a solution-focused event for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals.
Nov. 5-8, 2025
Learn More
AB Show 2025
Buyer's Guide
Information on more than 3,000 companies, sorted by category. Listings are updated daily.
Learn More
Buyer's Guide