Could the modern day health club be an endangered species? Have you noticed recently how fitness has really taken off with a huge  increase in cycling, hiking, climbing, water sports and even bird watching. The open water swims have also seen an increase in the manufacturing of wet suits. All these outdoor activities are a challenge to the indoor trainer.
49.4% of Americans participated in some form of outdoor activity in 2011 and it still keeps growing. All the research is currently in the United States, but we all know what happens after that - yes, it travels the Atlantic! When we in the UK get our act together and do the surveys you will see there is a phenomenal growth in all outdoor activities. The growth in Triathlons is staggering and disturbing for health clubs and gym memberships. The people now joining Tri-clubs have over 500 to choose from. This and the demand for outdoor training leaves indoor training going less and less. In 2013 – 174 thousand people male and female competed in a triathlon – WOW!
All this means heath club memberships will diminish, when really they should be increasing. Who is to say where this trend will end – for sure it is far from peaking out over the next few years.