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  • October 2016 (Revised January 2017)
  • Background Note
  • HBS Case Collection

The U.S. Health Club Industry, 2005–2016

By: John R. Wells and Gabriel Ellsworth
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:30
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Abstract

In 2015, the U.S. health-club industry generated revenues of $25.8 billion, up from $14.8 billion in 2004. Members of health clubs accounted for 17% of the population, up from 14%. The number of clubs had grown from 26,830 in 2004 to 36,180. In the process, the list of leading chains had changed significantly. While a higher proportion of Americans exercised on any given day, the majority still did not, and the average number of hours exercised had remained essentially flat. Meanwhile, the prevalence of people classified as overweight and obese had grown from 66.3% to 70.2%. A slowdown in growth and other challenges that the health-club industry had faced since 2004 meant that investors were more careful with their money. The steady rise of LA Fitness to industry leadership with a 7% market share suggested that there were still opportunities for consolidation. However, some observers argued that the industry would always be fragmented—it was simply too easy to enter. Another key debate concerned how best to position in an industry where new formats and business models proliferated. The sector had attracted a great deal of private equity in the past. Would it prove a good opportunity for investors in future?

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; Business Ventures; Strategy; Health; Investment; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Health Industry; United States

Citation

Wells, John R., and Gabriel Ellsworth. "The U.S. Health Club Industry, 2005–2016." Harvard Business School Background Note 717-421, October 2016. (Revised January 2017.)
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Related Work

    • October 2016 (Revised January 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    The U.S. Health Club Industry, 2005–2016

    By: John R. Wells and Gabriel Ellsworth
Related Work
  • The U.S. Health Club Industry, 2005–2016 By: John R. Wells and Gabriel Ellsworth
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