Health Clubs Pump Up Numbers

Even as Americans have been bombarded with pep talks to get them off the couch and into an exercise routine, health clubs have expanded their repertoire beyond weight machines and treadmills. Both efforts seem to be paying off.

A record 13.9 million club members logged at least 100 or more days at gyms and health clubs last year, up from 9.4 million in 1987, according to the annual Health Club Trend report.

Overall, members of fitness facilities worked out an average of 93 days last year--a record high, according to the report sponsored by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Assn., which represents more than 6,500 clubs worldwide. In 1987, the first year of the survey, members were averaging 72 days per year.

The number of club members has nearly doubled, growing steadily from 17.3 million in 1987 to 33.8 million in 2001, said Bill Howland, an association spokesman. The Boston-based association attributes the devoted attendance to many factors, including a more health-conscious population. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government agencies, for instance, have urged everyone to exercise and keep their weight under control.

Many people in their 50s and older are joining gyms for the first time because they have concerns about their overall health as well as their ability to perform daily activities. “They get physically fit to remain physically active,” Howland said.

Also contributing to more avid gym-going is an increase in the number of clubs, which has made it more convenient to find one close to home. And choices have expanded from “hard-core, iron-pumping clubs” to clubs catering to women and to followers of particular disciplines such as yoga.

Personal training sessions and classes in yoga and strength training are among the offerings that have attracted patrons to fitness facilities, according to a survey from San Diego-based IDEA Health and Fitness Assn., which represents health and fitness professionals.

IDEA surveyed U.S. fitness facility owners, managers and program directors about programs offered by health clubs and personal training studios; fitness centers run by corporations, hospitals and universities; YMCAs; and park and recreational departments. About 250 responded.

In 2002, the survey found 87% of the facilities offered personal training, compared with 66% in 1996. And 87% offered group strength training, compared with 75% in 1997. At the same time, 85% offer yoga classes, a huge boost since 1996, when just 31% of facilities had yoga programs.

At the same time, the percentage of clubs offering low-impact aerobics fell from 80% in 1996 to 79% last year; those offering abdominal classes fell from 76% in 1997 to 72% last year.

Yoga classes and other mind-body disciplines such as Pilates have become even more popular since Sept. 11, said David Gilroy, an IDEA spokesman. “People are finding refuge in their fitness facilities.”