IHRSA identifies top health club trends for 2012

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has announced its annual list of Health Club Trends for 2012.
By working with its global membership base of over 10,000 club and fitness businesses, examining industry research, and monitoring consumer fitness behaviors, IHRSA has identified the most significant trends health club goers will see over the next 12 months.

Trend 1: More People Working Out in Clubs

While only 16% of the American population currently belongs to a health club, membership has increased more than 10% over the past three years to over 50.2 million members, despite the poor economy. With an improved economic outlook, clubs across the country are gearing up for more demand than they've seen in years.

According to results from the Physical Activity Council's (PAC) annual participation study, over three out of 10 Americans plan to increase spending in joining or re-joining a health club. Also, IBISWorld reports that the demand for gyms and health and fitness clubs will continue to rise over the next five years, as the general public becomes more health-conscious and the aging population places a greater emphasis on staying fit.

Additionally, in an effort to protect and promote further industry growth, IHRSA is extremely active working in state capitals and Washington, DC promoting legislation that would create incentives for exercise.

This increase in membership is good news as it allows clubs to expand their offerings, suppliers to design and create new equipment, and more professionals to be attracted to careers in fitness.

Trends 2 and 3: Exercise is not one-size-fits-all. Clubs are providing age-appropriate and/or population specific programming.

Trend 2: Specific Programming and Certifications for Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers want to age well, and they are exercising for more energy and the ability to work and play longer. As people age, strength, balance and functional training become even more important, so the trend is that clubs are providing specialized programming and trainers that are specifically trained and certified to work with older adults. Since Baby Boomers are the fastest growing segment of the population, and they often have the time, finances and the motivation to exercise, this trend will only grow stronger over the foreseeable future.

Another corollary trend is that club goers will see more Baby Boomers and retirees as club employees and fitness professionals, as this group, already concerned with staying healthy and physically fit will be moving into this second-life career both to supplement income and to keep active.

Trend 3: Youth Programming

Health club members under the age of 18 grew from 3.8 million in 2007 to 6.1 million in 2010. The demand for sports-specific training for children from elementary school on up continues to be popular as this training helps boost attitude and confidence in all areas of life, whether the child becomes a superior athlete or is simply more comfortable in gym class or speaking up in math class.

And, due to the obesity epidemic among children, the White House's focus on children's fitness through Let's Move!, combined with the continuing lack of structured physical education in schools, more training programs and equipment will continue to be designed around children's unique fitness needs.

Trend 4: Social Exercise

Socially based exercise is up. People want to have fun while working out, they want to experience great music, learn new moves that can be incorporated into life outside the club, and they want to share the group ï¾highï¾ not offered by a lone treadmill. Therefore, more clubs are offering group exercise (of all kinds) than ever before. Based on IHRSA's Member Census of 3,024 IHRSA member clubs, group cycling and boot-camp style programs are still popular, and group strength-training classes are still increasing. Again this year, Latin dance and night

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