Job search
Job Search
Latest news
More news: (showing 1 - 20 of 13727)           
UK only International

A third of US health club members still can't return to the gym due to COVID closures

By Tom Walker    16 Dec 2020
The study shows that a third 34 per cent of health club members have so far returned to their health/fitness facility / Shutterstock.com/Andrii Kobryn

A third (32 per cent) of US health club members remain unable to attend their regular fitness facility due to COVID-19 closures, as of 30 November – with 18 per cent saying their club has closed permanently.

The figure comes from a recurring study of 2,000 US club members, conducted by research specialist ClubIntel.

Called The US Member Journey in the Era of COVID-19, the study shows that while another third (34 per cent) of members had returned to a health/fitness facility, worryingly, one in five (20 per cent) had stopped exercising entirely.

The research also shows how the pandemic has changed the exercise habits of club members – and how operators are embracing the new hybrid model.

Of those who remain members, 41 per cent were now doing some form of regular exercise outside their club – whether the facility was open or not – while 58 per cent of members say their facility offers digital, on-demand fitness solutions.

So far, women have been less likely to have returned to their former facility than men – but twice as likely to use the digital fitness services offered by their club, when compared to men.

"The COVID-19 pandemic and mandated health/fitness facility closures have resulted in 20 per cent of members no longer pursuing a fitness routine – which is a shocker," ClubIntel said.

"Respondents who have not returned indicated that the leading reason for not returning once fitness facilities re-opened was because of their perceptions of the COVID-19 virus being out of control.

"A lack of confidence in fitness operators or their fellow members adhering to proper safety guidelines were also significant deterrents to returning.

"Meanwhile, 44 per cent of members who indicated digital fitness content was available, report using it at least once a week – in addition to visiting the club."

• To read the full report, click here.

ClubIntel  COVID-19 
Sign up for FREE ezines
Related news

Company profile

Company profile: Legend by Xplor
We help a wide range of public sector leisure operators (including Leisure Trusts, Leisure Management Companies, Local Authorities and Universities), as well as private operators, to streamline complex operations, achieve growth and drive retention.
View full profile >
More company profiles

Featured Supplier

Sprung Gym-Flooring: leading fitness flooring provider paves the way for top performance
Introducing Sprung Gym-Flooring, where innovation meets excellence in the world of flooring and sports solutions.
View full details >
More featured suppliers

Property & Tenders

Location: Loughton, IG10
Company: Knight Frank
Location: Grantham, Leicestershire
Company: Belvoir Castle
Location: Verwood, Dorset
Company: AVISON YOUNG
Location: Hall Place House, Bexley, DA5 1PQ
Company: London Borough of Bexley
Location: 15 Concessions across the nation's forests
Company: Forestry England
More properties & tenders

Diary dates

11-14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Centre , Cologne, Germany
22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort, York
10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
23-24 May 2024
Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany
More diary dates