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  • November 2004 (Revised September 2019)
  • Background Note
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The U.S. Health Club Industry in 2004

By: John R. Wells, Gabriel Ellsworth and Benjamin Weinstock
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:24 
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Abstract

In 2004, the $16.8 billion U.S. health club industry continued its strong record of growth. There were almost 27,000 health clubs in the United States, up from 6,700 two decades earlier, and these clubs claimed 41 million members, over 14% of the U.S. population. Nearly 67 million people used these clubs in 2004. As the industry grew, many large chains began to emerge, opening new outlets and buying up smaller chains and independents. Most industry observers believed the growth and consolidation would continue, providing many opportunities for investors. However, few health club chains were publicly listed, and the leading listed company, Bally Total Fitness, was under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigation for accounting irregularities. Yet this investigation did little to dampen enthusiasm for the new personal health phenomenon, and rumors abounded of private equity deals in the offing. The key question for investors seemed to be how best to take advantage of the opportunity.

Keywords

Health Clubs; Fitness; Gyms; Chain; Weight Loss; Obesity; Exercise; Personal Training; Retention; Bally Total Fitness; 24 Hour Fitness; Ymca; Gold's Gym; Curves; Franchise; Franchising; Subscription; Promotional Sales; Promotions; Fixed Costs; Body; Accrual Accounting; Revenue Recognition; Buildings And Facilities; Business Growth And Maturation; Business Model; For-profit Firms; Trends; Customers; Demographics; Age; Income; Private Equity; Financing And Loans; Profit; Revenue; Geographic Scope; Multinational Firms And Management; Health; Nutrition; Business History; Employees; Retention; Human Capital; Working Conditions; Contracts; Business Or Company Management; Goals And Objectives; Growth And Development Strategy; Markets; Demand And Consumers; Supply And Industry; Industry Growth; Industry Structures; Operations; Service Operations; Franchise Ownership; Private Ownership; Public Ownership; Problems And Challenges; Sales; Salesforce Management; Situation Or Environment; Opportunities; Nonprofit Organizations; Welfare; Sports; Strategy; Business Strategy; Competition; Competitive Strategy; Consolidation; Corporate Strategy; Customization And Personalization; Expansion; Segmentation; Hardware; Health Industry; United States

Citation

Wells, John R., Gabriel Ellsworth, and Benjamin Weinstock. "The U.S. Health Club Industry in 2004." Harvard Business School Background Note 705-445, November 2004. (Revised September 2019.)
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About The Author

John R. Wells

Strategy
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Related Work

    • November 2004 (Revised September 2019)
    • Faculty Research

    The U.S. Health Club Industry in 2004

    By: John R. Wells, Gabriel Ellsworth and Benjamin Weinstock
Related Work
  • The U.S. Health Club Industry in 2004 By: John R. Wells, Gabriel Ellsworth and Benjamin Weinstock
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