Why People Don’t Join Fitness Clubs!?
During the fall of 2005, IHRSA and a team of researchers at George Washington University Medical Center surveyed a representative sample of the online U.S. population. The objective of this study was to determine what behavioural barriers prevent Americans from exercising at a health club
The results from this survey are summarized in this report*
TOP REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T JOIN
- Lack of time
- It costs too much
- Intimidation
INTIMIDATION
A third of participants indicated that they were intimidated by exercising at a health club. The majority of people that are intimidated by exercising at a health club are female and overweight. Even though a minority of men are intimidated, 70% of these intimidated men are overweight. More overweight and obese females expressed a negative attitude towards exercising with the opposite sex.
FUN, NOT FUN
Those who have never used or don’t go to a health club are less likely to think it is fun to exercise. A third of people think that exercise will be boring and this perception increases with age.
SEX
The majority of males consider exercising with the opposite sex a good thing, while the majority of females are indifferent. One in four overweight women and almost a third of obese women thought exercising with the opposite sex was bad. A barrier for some women exercising at a health club is exercising with men.
SOCIALIZING
The majority of respondents indicated that they would meet new people if they exercised at a health club and the majority of people said that this was a good thing.
HOW IMPORTANT IS EXERCISE?
In general, people do not think that they could put exercise as a top priority, but when they are asked specifically about these priorities they feel somewhat confident they could stick to their exercise program.
FAMILY SUPPORT
The majority of people want to do what their doctor suggests. However, due to the low number of times people actually visit a doctor, this positive attitude is not frequently reinforced.
Behavior change is a long-term process that needs constant positive support and motivation. Nearly half of families do not think their family members should exercise and almost 4 out of 10 people want to do what their family members want them to do.
CURRENT HEALTH CLUB MEMBERS
Top reasons people join:
- To lose weight
- To get in shape
- Convenient club location
Top 5 Activities of Current members:
- Cardio
- Weight Training, Alternative Therapy (yoga, massage, etc.)
- Group Exercise
- Weight Management Counseling
WHO IS THE NEXT HEALTH CLUB MEMBER?
People believe they can exercise, but only one in five people intend to start exercising in a health club. Below are what prospects considering joining a health club, look like…
New Member Characteristics
- Gender: Male (54.0%)
- Age: 36+ (75.8%)
- Weight: Overweight+ (64.8%)
- Income: $25,000 - $74,999 (61.6%)
- Education: Some college+ (71.5%)
What these new members want to do at the club:
- Cardio (68.0%)
- Alternative Therapy (yoga, massage, etc.) (38.4%)
- Weight-Training (36.0%)
- Weight Management (29.0%)
- Group Exercise (26.4%)
*Excerpts presented with IHRSA permission. Mill Pond Publishing has an expanded partnering relationship with IHRSA International and is pleased to provide new content from IHRSA resources for our readers.
The full report including recommendations for what to do in regard to why members do not join, is available to IHRSA (International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association) members. For membership inquiries: membership@ihrsa.org or Tel. 888-646-9580
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