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Home » News » Healthy figures for fitness sector
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A new survey has revealed that the health and fitness sector is in great shape. The Fitness Industry Association's (FIA) annual State of the Industry survey has shown 3 per cent growth in the last 12-month period, ending 31 March 2009.
According to the study of 6,000 sites, complied by market analysts The Leisure Database Company, one in eight consumers are now members of a health club or leisure centre. Government funding has also helped to support the fitness industry's role as a key partner for national health programmes such as Change4Life, designed to improve the physical activity levels of the nation. Sheffield International Venues (SIV) operates 14 sport, leisure and entertainment venues including The English Institute of Sport - Sheffield, iceSheffield and Sheffield City Hall.
Its award-winning Fitness Unlimited health and fitness scheme has 14,000 members offering facilities and classes at four SIV sites across the city including Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Concord Sports Centre and Don Valley Stadium. Justine Foster-Davis, head of sport for SIV, said: "At a time when the economic climate is very challenging, the 2009 FIA report demonstrates that fitness and exercise is becoming central to personal well being, and no longer seen as a luxury.
"SIV now has more than 14,000 Fitness Unlimited members and we have run a number of fitness initiatives throughout this year such as our ‘Promises' and ‘Where Can I...' campaigns. They were hugely popular and successful and played a part in encouraging more people to take up physical activity in Sheffield.
"We value our customers' loyalty and we are committed to further increasing participation levels in Sheffield amongst people of all ages and abilities through the provision of first class health and fitness facilities at affordable prices and engaging physical activity campaigns."
Andrée Deane, chief executive of the FIA, said: "It has been a tough 12 months for operators. While exercise now enjoys a much higher profile in public health campaigns being implemented by Change4Life and PCTs around the country, our industry is not recession-proof. "What the results do prove, however, is that fitness and exercise are no longer perceived to be luxuries, but an intrinsic part of consumer's personal wellbeing strategies - and therefore not really susceptible to economic forces." |
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