Image: Membership numbers at Portuguese clubs are down by 22 per cent

Portuguese fitness trade association AGAP has unveiled what it has called 'worrying statistics' for the industry.

The AGAP Barometer Report - a new national study - outlines the state of the sector in Q1 2012 (versus Q1 2011).

Based on replies from 111 fitness facilities, the key findings include that 80 per cent of clubs saw a decline in members or revenues while 73 per cent experienced a decline in both.

Half (50 per cent) of all clubs saw a decline in membership of more than 20 per cent with average decline at 16.53 per cent.

Chains reported a fall in membership of 22 per cent, compared with 14 per cent among independents.

As a result, clubs have cut staff numbers by an average of 10 per cent while up to 18 per cent of all professional freelancers have had their contracts terminated.

The decline in numbers has been attributed to a combination of Portugal's weak economy and the introduction of a higher rate of VAT for health clubs; the VAT rate was increased from 6 to 23 per cent during 2011.