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read moreAs gyms reopen after the Coronavirus crisis, a global survey of fitness club members has found that over 30% of Australian gym-goers have no intention of returning to facilities.
The survey, conducted by RunRepeat, looked at global trends with a particular focus on Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA.
Finding that nearly half of all gym members globally will not return to their gyms upon reopening (46.67%), the Australian figure of 31.34% was more positive than the other nations.
However, Australia was found to have the highest percentage of gym members who had either already cancelled or were considering cancelling their gym membership (41.15%).
RunRepeat, which in an earlier study found that exercise levels had risen significantly during the Coronavirus pandemic, surveyed 10,824 gym members to learn if they plan to return to gyms upon reopening and whether they will be keeping their memberships or not between 24th April and 1st May, including respondents from 116 countries.
Impact of COVID-19 on gyms memberships
It found Americans are the least likely to return to their gyms upon reopening (50.16%), that more than a third of all gym members globally have already cancelled or are considering cancelling their memberships (36.57%) and that women are less likely to return to the gym when reopened (52.25%) in comparison to men (45.75%).
When asked about their plans regarding their gym memberships, over one third (36.57%) of respondents globally said they have already cancelled (12.39%) or are considering cancelling their memberships (24.18%).
Commenting on the findings, RunRepeat Fitness Research Director Nicholas Rizzo told nine.com.au, "with gyms closed for such a long time, it forced people to drastically changed their exercise habits and find new ways to stay active."
Members who will not return to gyms after COVID-19
Suggesting members are likely to be cautious about the potential health-risk of returning to the gym, Rizzo added "people are also aware that they are not going to be able to enjoy all of the same luxuries that their gym may have offered them prior to the pandemic while still paying the same price.
"Not being able to get that same value in return is leading to some members to decide to cancel."
With RunRepeat's earlier research finding rising exercise levels while gyms were shut during the Coronavirus pandemic, Rizzo suggested "(people learned) how convenient it is to be able to squeeze in great workouts from the comfort of their home, when it wouldn't be possible to make it to the gym otherwise."
Click here to view RunRepeat's report.
15th June 2020 - Fitness Australia calls for national consistency in state government gym reopenings
14th June 2020 - Australian Institute of Fitness’ Steve Pettit says industry ‘will never look the same as it did pre COVID-19’
5th June 2020 - Read the latest issue of Australasian Leisure Management online
5th June 2020 - New Zealand fitness centres return to 70% activity levels
4th June 2020 - Industry plan prompts Queensland Government to allow fitness clubs to operate with more than 20 exercisers
2nd June 2020 - Jetts Fitness’ Thailand clubs welcomes back members under new regulations
29th May 2020 - Fitness Australia releases Checklist to ensure gyms offer safe environments when reopening
29th May 2020 - Planet Fitness Australia founder calls on governments to ‘open our gyms’
28th May 2020 - Organisers advise of cancellation of all 2020 Fitness Show events
27th May 2020 - Visitance digital contact tracing solution proves popular at aquatic, fitness and recreation centres
26th May 2020 - Call for fitness industry stakeholders around the world to unite on 1st June
23rd May 2020 - Fitness Australia says governments should put peoples’ health and wellbeing above a drink at the pub
21st May 2020 - Fitness Industry launches comprehensive operations framework for safe reopening of gyms
21st May 2020 - Women’s Ignite Fitness Business event ready to be held online
19th May 2020 - Clubbercise launch their first online training courses
7th May 2020 - Latest AusPlay data shows further increase in adult participation in sport and physical activity
6th May 2020 - Fitness Australia survey finds Australians keen to renew gym memberships
4th May 2020 - Australians’ physical activity declines during Coronavirus lockdown
21st April 2020 - Glen Eira Leisure’s online fitness hub gets international recognition
17th April 2020 - Precor launches new online resources for operators
7th April 2020 - Two-thirds of the world’s fitness clubs are currently closed
19th February 2020 - NZREPS shares research insights into exercise and fitness trends for 2020
6th January 2020 - Les Mills suggests the top 10 fitness trends for 2020
3rd December 2019 - Fitness Show’s Shaun Krenz assesses Top Fitness Trends for 2020
5th August 2019 - Fitness Australia creates new membership category for small boutique studios
4th August 2019 - Gym memberships account for half of Australian fitness industry revenues
9th June 2019 - 85% of fitness club members feel ‘healthier’ for having a gym membership
25th September 2018 - Australians wasting $1.8 billion a year on unused gym memberships
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