2009 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends

2009 IDEA Fitness Programs
& Equipment Trends

How to Read the Numbers

The percentage (%) reflects the
number of survey respondents who
answered yes to a given survey
question. All percentages have been
rounded up at 0.5 and down at 0.4.
Percentages do not necessarily total
100, because of multiple or missing
responses.

The mean, or average, is all of
the answers added together and then
divided by the number of respondents.
An average can be influenced by extremely
high and extremely low numbers.
In some cases, the extremely
high and extremely low responses
were eliminated to present a more
accurate number.

The median is the midpoint,
meaning that half of the respondents
answered above and half answered
below. A median is useful because,
unlike an average, it is not influenced
by high and low extremes.

Methodology

In February 2009, four e-mails were
sent to IDEA business and program
director members who gave IDEA permission
to contact them. Respondents
linked to a Web-based survey. There
were 130 completed questionnaires
from the United States and Canada,
for a 7% response rate. At a 95%
confidence level, the margin of error
is ±5%.

The demographics of the businesses where the respondents work.

• According to industry definitions,“multipurpose”health clubs have fitness facilities
  and racquet courts.“Fitness-only” health clubs have fitness (group exercise and/or a
  fitness center with equipment), but no racquet courts. Either type of club may have
  a swimming pool or a gymnasium.
• Respondents were 55% owners, 7% general managers, 27% fitness directors and
  8% group fitness directors/coordinators.
  The rest had a variety of titles.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION
West USA	34%
North Central USA	24
South USA	19
Northeast USA	15
Canada	9

LOCATION OF BUSINESS
Large city	40%
Small city or town	37
Suburb	18
Rural area	5

TYPE OF BUSINESS
Yoga or Pilates studio	17%
Personal training gym	16
Multipurpose health club	12
Fitness-only health club	11
College/university	9
YMCA/YWCA/JCC	9
Corporate fitness center	7
Parks or recreation program	5
Personal training in trainer’s home	4
Group exercise studio	4
Hospital fitness center	4
Personal training in clients’ homes	2
No facility, satellite classes	2

NUMBER OF MEMBERS/CLIENTS
Mean	3,394
Median	300
Under 300	47%
300–1,499	21
1,500–3,499	8
3,500 and above	23

APPROXIMATE SIZE OF FACILITY, IN SQUARE FEET
Mean	22, 494
Median	2,700
Under 2,500	48%
2,500–9,999	18
10,000–31,999	16
32,000 and above	19

Customer Profile

How owners and managers describe
their clients.

• Percentages in this section are likely
  the respondents’ estimates or observations.
  Respondents may not have had
  reference data.
• Owing to respondents’ estimations or
  to rounding, the estimated percentages
  do not equal 100%.

AVERAGE FITNESS EXPERIENCE OF CLIENTS
Beginners	35%
Intermediate	46
Advanced	19

AVERAGE AGE OF MEMBERS/CLIENTS
Under 18 years	6%
18-34	20
35-44	24
45-54	26
55-64	18
65 or older	12

Program Profile

How owners and managers describe their businesses and programs.

BUSINESS FACTS

• 37% have a swimming pool available for fitness classes.
• 47% sell products or have a pro shop.
• 35% charge dues plus a separate fee for some classes or programs.
• 52%ask clients to pay for individual sessions/classes or packages of sessions/classes.
• 29% ask clients to pay monthly dues.
• 19% ask clients to pay annual membership dues.

WEEKLY PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Number of sessions conducted and number of classes scheduled per week.

	Mean	Median
Personal training sessions	68	40
Group exercise classes	39	30
Pilates or yoga classes	14	10

WEEKLY NUMBER OF PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS

Counting all the trainers, how many personal training sessions
do you conduct in an average week?

1-9 sessions	11%
10-19	13
20-29	17
30-49	15
50 or more	45

AVERAGE CLASS PARTICIPATION

How many people attend an average group fitness class
or an average yoga or Pilates class?

	Group Exercise	Yoga or Pilates
Mean	14	13
Median	12	10
1-9 participants	36%	46%
10-19 participants	40	33
20-29 participants	16	14
30-49 participants	8	7

AVERAGE LENGTH OF CLASSES AND SESSIONS

How much time do you schedule for these activities?

	30 minutes	45 minutes	60 minutes	90 minutes
Personal training sessions	32%	17%	63%	3%
Group exercise classes	14	23	59	5
Pilates or yoga classes	6	14	59	7

Programs and Activities

• Personal training is once again the topranked
  program offered, with 91% of
  respondents providing individualized
  instruction for their clientele.
• Boot camp classes, both indoor and
  outdoor, have experienced a significant
  growth over the past 9 years.
• In the group exercise room, combination/
  hybrid classes have experienced
  the largest decline, while dance has
  demonstrated the largest growth.
• The numbers of fitness professionals
  using online client reminders and online
  training programs have increased
  over the years.
• The term combined means that subcategories
  have been added together.
  “Personal training, combined” adds
  together one-on-one, 2 clients share
  and small-group. “Strength training,
  group, combined” includes no music,
  background music and choreographed
  to music. “Aerobics, combined”
  adds together high-, low- and
  mixed-impact

MOST FREQUENTLY OFFERED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Do you offer the program?	% of all respondents
Personal training, combined	91%
Personal training, adult, one-on-one	89
Strength training in group, combined	83
Strength training, individual, nongroup	81
Fitness assessment	81
Stretching and/or flexibility	81
Personal training, 2 clients share	79
Abdominals	71
Strength training, group, background music	71
Pilates	70
Core-conditioning classes	66
Circuit classes	66
Personal training, youth, aged 18 or younger, one-on-one	64
Clinics on special topics	64
Yoga	62
Personal training, 3–5 clients share	60
Stability ball–based programs	59
Small-group classes, 8 people or fewer	58
Community outreach	57
Aerobics, combined	57
Pilates or yoga training, one-on-one	56
Seniors’ classes	55
Small-group circuit training	55
Step aerobics	53
Sport-specific training	52
Boot camp classes, indoor	51
Online client reminders and information	51
Body weight–only training	49
Nutrition assessment	48
Small-group boot camps	47
Nutrition counseling or coaching	47
Strength training, group, no music	47
Exercise for chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, coronary heart disease	46
Back pain prevention	46
Social activity groups (walking or running clubs, group trips, organized group activities)	45
Cycling-based classes, indoor	45
Postrehab following injury	44
Health fairs	44
Pilates and yoga fusion	43
Strength training, group, choreographed to music	40
Dance (e.g., urban street, funk, hip-hop)	39
Lifestyle coaching	38
Weight management classes	38
Combination/Hybrid classes	36
Water fitness	35
Walking	34
Boxing-based/Kickboxing sessions	33
Small-group classes on machines	32
Boot camp classes, outdoor	32
Group activities, outdoor	32
Personal training sessions, outdoor	31
Kids’ fitness (e.g., classes or after-school camps for 10 years and younger)	31
Teen fitness (e.g., classes or after-school camps for 13–17 years)	30
Sports clinics	26
Tai chi	25
Meditation	23
Branded choreography	22
Martial arts–based aerobics	20
Very slow strength training	19
Parent-and-baby classes	18
Prenatal classes	17
Mind-body fusion	16
Online training programs	15
Gyrotonic® or Gyrokinesis® exercise	1

PROGRAM TRENDS

Based on your experience, are these programs or activities growing, remaining stable or declining?

			Yes, my company offers this program or activity, and I think it is:
	Offer	Growing	Stable	Declining
Going Outdoors
Boot camp classes, outdoor	32%	45%	42%	11%
Group activities, outdoor	32	49	46	3
Personal training sessions, outdoor	31	31	60	3
Walking	34	27	60	5
Water fitness	35	32	55	8
Group Classes
Abdominals	71%	34%	58%	3%
Aerobics, combined	57	22	61	10
Boot camp classes, indoor	51	49	42	7
Branded choreography	22	48	35	9
Circuit classes	66	36	53	3
Combination/Hybrid classes	36	54	39	3
Core-conditioning classes	66	43	54	3
Cycling-based classes, indoor	45	38	53	6
Dance (e.g., urban street, funk, hip-hop)	39	52	43	2
Small-group classes, 8 people or fewer	58	49	44	3
Small-group classes on machines	32	55	46	0
Stability ball–based programs	59	34	61	0
Step aerobics	53	11	66	20
Martial Arts
Boxing-based/Kickboxing sessions	33%	31%	59%	5%
Martial arts–based aerobics	20	18	73	9
Mind-Body
Gyrotonic or Gyrokinesis exercise	1%	0%	100%	0%
Mind-body fusion	16	81	19	0
Pilates	70	43	51	5
Pilates and yoga fusion	43	40	51	2
Tai chi	25	26	63	7
Yoga	62	47	49	4
Personal Training
Online client reminders and information	51%	57%	33%	4%
Online training programs	15	40	47	13
Personal training, adult, one-on-one	89	42	44	10
Personal training, 2 clients share	79	36	52	3
Personal training, 3–5 clients share	60	47	41	8
Personal training, youth, aged 18 or younger, one-on-one	64	36	38	14
Pilates or yoga training, one-on-one	56	44	42	10
Small-group boot camps	47	52	40	6
Small-group circuit training	55	45	52	3
Special Interest
Clinics on special topics	64%	34%	52%	7%
Community outreach	57	45	48	0
Fitness assessment	81	28	55	11
Health fairs	44	20	67	8
Lifestyle coaching	38	36	48	0
Meditation	23	42	50	4
Nutrition assessment	48	30	52	13
Nutrition counseling or coaching	47	23	55	11
Social activity groups (walking or running clubs, group trips, organized group activities)	45	55	37	6
Sports clinics	26	35	52	7
Sport-specific training	52	37	49	7
Weight management classes	38	41	48	5
Special Populations
Back pain prevention	46%	44%	46%	2%
	46	35	52	2
Kids’ fitness (e.g., classes or after-school camps for 10 years and younger)	31	44	47	3
Teen fitness (e.g., classes or after-school camps for 13–17 years)	30	61	27	6
Parent-and-baby classes	18	20	70	0
Postrehab following injury	44	40	50	6
Prenatal classes	17	32	47	11
Seniors’ classes	55	55	39	2
Strength and Stretch
Body weight–only training	49%	35%	53%	2%
Strength training, group, choreographed to music	40	44	52	5
Strength training, group, no music	47	44	44	7
Strength training, group, with background music	71	46	48	4
Strength training, individual, nongroup	81	38	55	3
Stretching and/or flexibility	81	36	61	1
Very slow strength training	19	20	75	0

MULTIPLE-YEAR TREND COMPARISON: PROGRAMS OFFERED

Program	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	%Point Change*
Abdominals	67%	72%	66%	57%	56%	61%	62%	74%	71%	+4
Aerobics, combined	72	85	73	60	55	49	47	49	57	-15
Back pain prevention	45	38	47	40	33	41	43	48	46	+1
Body weight–only training	–	–	–	35	31	39	36	54	49	+14
Boot camp classes, indoor	–	–	–	28	35	36	36	47	51	+23
Boot camp classes, outdoor	–	–	–	14	16	16	30	28	32	+18
Boxing-based/Kickboxing sessions	64	71	50	42	48	39	36	39	33	-31
Branded choreography	–	–	–	–	–	–	22	–	22	0
Circuit classes	69	69	66	57	56	51	48	69	66	-3
Clinics on special topics	67	68	74	63	64	60	58	66	64	-3
Combination/Hybrid classes	71	70	65	45	48	43	38	47	36	-35
Community outreach	–	–	–	–	–	54	51	61	57	+3
Core-conditioning classes	61	72	75	64	63	62	65	73	66	+5
Cycling-based classes, indoor	39	44	48	38	45	39	37	46	45	+6
Dance (e.g., urban street, funk, hip-hop)	19	30	33	24	27	31	34	40	39	+20
Exercise for chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes or coronary heart disease)	–	–	–	30	32	35	31	40	46	+16
Fitness assessment	66	85	85	77	82	84	77	76	81	+15
Group activities, outdoor	43	44	44	35	34	29	50	36	32	-11
Gyrotonic or Gyrokinesis exercise	–	–	–	–	–	3	4	2	1	-2
Health fairs	55	60	53	46	44	43	38	44	44	-11
Kids-specific fitness	40	44	45	40	41	–	–	–	–	–
Kids’ fitness (classes or after-school programs)	–	–	–	–	37	33	36	–	–	–
Kids’ fitness (classes or after-school programs for 10 years and younger)	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	31	–
Lifestyle coaching	–	–	–	32	27	34	27	33	38	+6
Martial arts–based aerobics	41	43	40	20	19	29	20	21	20	-21
Meditation	34	37	27	17	18	17	16	19	20	-11
Mind-body fusion	–	–	–	–	–	–	27	20	16	-11
Nutrition assessment	–	–	–	51	55	55	45	51	48	-3
Nutrition counseling or coaching	–	48	67	48	47	48	44	53	47	-1
Online client reminders and information	–	–	–	–	–	30	32	45	51	+21
Online training programs	–	–	–	8	7	5	5	9	15	+7
Parent-and-baby classes	18	32	25	17	17	18	15	19	18	0
Personal Training
All types combined	83	87	90	89	88	85	82	89	91	+8
One-on-one	80	87	87	83	87	–	–	–	–	–
Adult, one-on-one	–	–	–	–	–	84	80	87	89	+5
2 clients share	56	66	71	65	71	68	71	83	79	+23
3–5 clients share	34	43	54	42	43	44	44	58	60	+26
Youth, aged 18 or younger, one-on-one	–	–	–	–	–	60	55	63	64	+4
Personal training, outdoor	–	–	–	26	24	27	60	32	31	+5
Pilates	47	63	65	63	66	64	68	68	70	+23
Pilates and traditional strength training fusion	–	–	–	34	27	29	–	–	–	–
Pilates and yoga fusion	–	–	–	31	30	32	38	40	43	+12
Pilates or yoga training, one-on-one	–	–	–	55	60	59	48	48	56	+1
Postrehab following injury	–	–	–	46	38	47	42	48	44	-2
Prenatal classes	20	28	26	21	18	17	19	20	17	-3
Seniors’ classes	45	61	54	47	49	45	39	51	55	+10
Small-group boot camps	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	47	–
Small-group circuit training	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	55	–
Small-group classes, 8 people or fewer	–	–	–	41	44	45	48	55	58	+17
Small-group classes on machines	–	–	–	24	28	28	24	35	32	+8
Social activity groups (walking or running clubs, group trips, organized group activities	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	43	45	+2
Sports clinics	33	33	38	24	24	25	16	31	26	-7
Sport-specific training	57	55	57	53	47	56	42	67	52	-5
Stability ball–based programs	60	61	71	67	58	55	54	61	59	-1
Step aerobics	66	82	67	52	59	50	44	46	53	-13
Strength training, individual	–	–	75	74	76	74	67	82	81	+6
Strength training, group
All types combined	72	87	79	79	80	77	74	88	83	+11
Background music	50	69	61	64	60	58	58	74	71	+12
Choreographed to music	30	60	45	45	42	41	32	47	40	+10
No music	28	45	37	30	32	32	29	48	47	+19
Stretching and/or flexibility	67	82	82	72	70	73	68	81	81	+14
Tai chi	34	35	37	26	24	20	22	24	25	-9
Teen fitness (e.g., classes or after-school camps for 13–17 years)	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	30	–
Very slow strength training	–	–	–	17	17	22	22	30	19	+2
Walking	33	38	44	36	33	34	30	36	34	+1
Water fitness	37	56	45	35	43	34	27	38	35	-2
Weight management classes	49	56	51	33	36	35	32	31	38	-11
Yoga 69 85 73 60 66 58 56 61 62 –7	69	85	73	60	66	58	56	61	62	-7
Yoga and traditional strength training fusion	–	–	–	23	21	21	–	–	–	–

*Based on 9 years of data in many cases; fewer years in other instances.

Equipment

• Small equipment again tops the survey
  this year,with resistance tubing or
  bands (94%); stability balls (92%);
  barbells and /or dumbbells (91%);
  and foamrollers and small balls (81%)
  reported as being the most frequently
  used equipment.
• Cardiorespiratory equipment—such
  as cycles, both upright and recumbent,
  elliptical trainers, stair climbers and
  treadmills—has shown some of the
  largest declines in usage over the past
  9 years.
• Large strength equipment has also declined
  in usage over the past 9 years,
  with the largest declines reported for
  plated-loaded machines and pulley
  equipment.
• Mind-body equipment has shown
  mixed results over the years. Pilates
  equipment has experienced growth,
  while there has been a slight decline in
  the use of yoga mats and equipment.
  Gyrotonic equipment has remained
  stable over the past 4 years.

MOST FREQUENTLY OFFERED EQUIPMENT

Which of the following types of equipment are provided to your clients?

	% of all respondents
Resistance tubing or bands	94%
Stability balls	92
Barbells and/or dumbbells	91
Foam rollers and small balls	81
Balance equipment (e.g., BOSU® Balance Trainers, disks, wobble boards, balance boards)	80
Medicine balls	79
Steps and platforms	74
Treadmills	71
Yoga mats and equipment	70
Cycles, recumbent	68
Elliptical trainers	67
Weighted bars	65
Pulley equipment	64
Selectorized (pin-selected) machines	64
Cycles, upright	61
Plate-loaded machines	50
Stair climbers	48
Cycles, for indoor classes	45
Pilates equipment	44
Indoor rowing machines	42
Water fitness equipment	35
Boxing equipment	32
Suspension training apparatus (TRX®, Inkaflexx® straps, etc.)	25
Arm ergometers	24
Computer workout tracking	17
Nutrition analysis software	16
Computerized strength machines	11
Pneumatic machines	10
Computer training programs, interactive (exergaming)	10
Gravity trainers	9
Child-sized machines	5
Gyrotonic equipment	2

EQUIPMENT TRENDS

Based on your experience, is the use of this equipment growing, remaining stable or declining?

			Yes, my company offers this program or activity, and I think it is:
	Offer	Growing	Stable	Declining
Cardio Machines
Arm ergometers	24%	4%	88%	8%
Elliptical trainers	67	39	59	1
Indoor rowing machines	42	13	72	15
Cycles, recumbent	68	16	77	5
Stair climbers	48	4	72	25
Treadmills	71	27	71	1
Cycles, upright	61	6	83	8
Computer
Computer training programs, interactive	10	40	40	20
Computer workout tracking	17	37	58	0
Nutrition analysis software	16	28	56	11
Special Interest
Balance equipment (e.g., BOSU Balance Trainers, disks, wobble boards, balance boards)	80	55	40	2
Boxing equipment	32	26	57	9
Cycles, for indoor classes	45	38	56	2
Foam rollers and small balls	81	48	50	0
Gravity trainers	9	0	78	11
Gyrotonic equipment	2	0	50	0
Pilates equipment	44	43	53	4
Steps and platforms	74	12	70	13
Water fitness equipment	35	14	77	3
Yoga mats and equipment	70	32	59	1
Strength and Core
Barbells and/or dumbbells	91	33	62	1
Child-sized machines	5	40	40	0
Computerized strength machines	11	0	100	0
Medicine balls	79	36	60	2
Plate-loaded machines	50	9	82	6
Pneumatic machines	10	10	70	20
Pulley equipment	64	24	69	1
Resistance tubing or bands	94	28	64	6
Selectorized (pin-selected) machines	64	12	81	3
Stability balls	92	31	65	2
Suspension training apparatus (TRX, Inkaflexx straps, etc.)	25	52	32	0
Weighted bars 65 17 78 3	65	17	78	3

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