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Lift That Barbell! Tote That Towel!
"BOSTON -- The total number of commercial health clubs, fitness centersand gyms in the country increased to a record 26,830 facilities as ofthis month, the International Health, Racquet & SportsclubAssociation announced earlier today. This growth represents a 14%increase over January 2004 and a 3% increase since July 2004. More than 10 million Americans will join a health club this year andnearly two million will do so by becoming a health club member thismonth, which is the most popular time of year for new health clubmemberships, the association estimated. Although industry growth can beattributed to all age groups, two of the fasting growing demographicsegments of U.S. health club members are Americans under the age of 18and over the age of 55, accounting for 11.4% and 17.4%, respectively. Last year's growth can be most notably seen in the increase of smaller,niche clubs, the report found. Small, express workout centers -- clubswith less than 3,000 square feet of space serving approximately 350members -- account for more than 10,000 of the total number offacilities in the United States. This type of gym represents themajority of clubs that opened in the past 12 months. "The club industry remains incredibly entrepreneurial and now includesa wide variety of successful business models," observed John McCarthy,executive director of IHRSA. "The development of small fitness centersfocused on circuit training represents a tremendously positivephenomena for the industry, because these centers have demonstrated aclear ability to introduce fitness to people who normally might notjoin a large, traditional gym. The industry remains successful becauseclub operators are identifying niches and meeting consumer demands." Larger workout centers showed a growth pattern as well. A quarterlysurvey of some of the leading U.S. club companies found that revenuesgrew and profitability improved throughout 2004. During the thirdquarter of 2004, the most recent information currently available, thisgroup of 14 club companies grew their revenues by an average of 7.9%,while improving their earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,amortization, and rent by an average of 8.1%. "Our industry is primed to serve the needs of consumers with all typesof goals, experience and interests," stated McCarthy. "Obesity isclearly a major domestic issue; even Time magazine described 2004 as'The Year of Obesity' in its annual year-in-review issue. Americans arelooking for help in their plight to lose weight." To help Americans reach their personal goals, more than 1,700 healthclubs around the country will open their doors for free May 16 to 22 aspart of the second annual Get Active America! program, which offersAmericans a first-step opportunity to learn about and experience thebenefits of exercise in a supportive, safe environment.Learn more about Get Active America!: www.GetActiveAmerica.comVisit the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association: www.ihrsa.org"