IBISWorld predicts flat growth in fitness industry through 2014

Beyond a spike in gym memberships and demand for personal trainers in late January and February as Australians return from holidays and begin their New Year fitness plans, business information analysts IBISWorld anticipates that overall revenue growth for gyms and fitness centres will remain relatively flat over 2013/14 growing by 1.4% to reach $1.3 billion.

In their latest Gyms and Fitness Centres in Australia research, IBISWorld highlights that the popularity of TV program The Biggest Loser over the past five years has been a contributing factor to the growth in gym memberships and is a continued driver for growth.

IBISWorld General Manager (Australia) Karen Dobie explains that despite Australian's best intentions, the nation's obesity level continues to climb growing by an annualised 1.7% over the past five years.

As Dobie explains "longer working hours resulting in Australians being increasingly time-poor and sedentary lifestyles are key factors contributing to our growing waistlines."

Dobie points out that longer working hours and busier schedules, which drive consumption of quick and easy takeaway foods, and increasingly sedentary lifestyles are key drivers behind growing obesity levels.

She adds "current ABS data shows that 55.7% of Australian women and 70.3% of Australian men are overweight, an increase of 1.6% for females and 1% for males compared with five years ago.

"Despite growing awareness about the importance of a healthy diet, the average household continues to spend about 8.4% of their income on soft drink and confectionery, and in 2013/14 IBISWorld forecasts Australians will spend $11.7 billion on unhealthy fast foods."

Overall, IBISWorld predicts that Australians will spend $6.6 billion in 2013/14 on health and weight-loss industries.

While many Australians are consuming unhealthy diets, Dobie adds that health consciousness is also on the rise, driving a significant shift towards organic, natural and preservative-free foods. This trend is boosting spending across traditional health and weight-loss industries.

Dobie explains "the get healthy trend has extended to our working lives, with many employers promoting and subsidising health and fitness programs for staff."

In the coming five years, IBISWorld expects spending on health and weight loss to continue increasing, to reach more than $7 billion by 2018/19, as more Australians seek help to combat their growing waistlines.

The areas tipped to grow the fastest in the coming years are personal training, gym memberships, weight-loss products and weight-loss counselling services, while sporting goods, home gym and fitness equipment, and athletic clothing and footwear are expected to remain the highest spending areas.

For more information go to www.ibisworld.com.au/industry/default.aspx?indid=658

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