Study charts growth of Australian fitness industry since 2022

Australia’s fitness industry has experienced exponential growth after 2022 with increased health awareness during the post-pandemic period saving the sector following the cessation of government funding and subsidies according to an analysis from financial consultants Accumulate

Looking back to the fitness industry having suffered a “major blow” during the pandemic with facilities closed and big fitness brands halting investment “as the market was fast diminishing”, Accumulate advise that the industry has since recovered significantly, noting that, in 2022, the industry was worth $292 million.

Referencing a report by Statista, it suggests that 49.1 % of Australians aged 18 to 24 use health clubs and gyms regularly.

Referencing Australia’s Physical Activity Guidelines, 2014, it also notes that 24.5% of adults between 18 and 64 reached the recommended levels of physical exercise.

When taking into account the guidelines’ prescriptions for those between the ages of 18 and 64:

• Nearly 59.1% of people exercised for at least 30 minutes five days a week. 28.2% engaged in strength or toning activities twice a week or more.

• Men were more inclined than women to reach the recommended levels of physical exercise (27.0% vs. 22.3%).

Although 75.5% of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 do not meet the guidelines:

• Two out of three individuals (69.7%) said they had exercised physically six or more days during the week.

• 73.4 % exercised for a minimum of 150 minutes.

Individuals over the age of 65
The Physical Activity Guidelines, 2014, for people 65 and older, suggest engaging in physical exercise for at least 30 minutes most days, ideally daily.

Nearly four out of ten (41.8%) adults 65 and older in 2020/21 met the recommended levels of physical exercise. A similar %age (51.2%) engaged in daily physical activity, and a half (49.9%) were involved in a minimum of a half hour of workouts on at least five consecutive days.

Population Traits and Physical Activity
The following characteristics were less prevalent among adults (18+) living in the most disadvantaged areas compared to those in less disadvantaged areas:

• Participated in physical activity of some kind in the previous week (78.3% as opposed to 92.1%)

• Met the recommended levels of physical activity (24.0% versus 34.4%).

• The percentage of adults over 18 who met the requirements was the same in Remote Australia and Outer Regional (28.5%), Inner Regions of Australia (26.8%), and the major towns of Australia (28.3%).

• A higher percentage of adults (18+) residing in Inner Regions of Australia than in Major Cities (17.4% vs.12.3%) reported doing no exercise.

Disability was linked to a doubled increase in the odds that a person had not exercised the week prior (20.5% vs. 9.9%).

Employment
Accumulate note that the expansion of fitness businesses has increased employment prospects in the industry, indicating that about 23% more positions are open for group exercise instructors, personal trainers and coordinators of fitness programs.

It also notes that the fitness sector has created 11,000 new jobs in the last five years.