The US health and fitness industry is worth US$22.4 billion to the nation’s economy, according to research commissioned by the Health and Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA).

The report provides state-by-state statistics and has been designed to be used by association members when communicating with policymakers.

John Dunham and Associates was commissioned to undertake the study and CEO, John Dunham, says the data will help the industry stand out when talking to legislators in the competitive world of advocacy. “You've got five minutes in front of a legislator to tell them what's important but, in the end, they want to know the bottom line,” he says.

Highlights show the sector's 55,294 health club and studios create 432,942 direct jobs; pay US$10.7 billion in direct wages; US$5.29 billion in federal taxes and US$5.35 billion in state and local taxes.

Suppliers are responsible for creating 60,625 jobs and paying US$4 billion in wages.

The Health & Fitness Association 2024 Health and Fitness Consumer Report, which will be released in four instalments throughout the rest of the year, found that the US has more than 72 million health club and studio members and a higher percentage of active members of fitness facilities than any other country, apart from Sweden.

Americans pay an average of US$59 per month for membership while 41 per cent of facility users pay US$25 or less per month.

“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 and Fitness Association president and CEO, Liz Clark. “This data makes that goal a reality.”

“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,” says Health and Fitness Association VP of government affairs, Mike Goscinski.

“This work is an essential part of our campaign to educate representatives, senators, and their staff, about the mental and physical health benefits of exercise and of the size and scope of the businesses where consumers exercise.”