Fewer providers and members due to coronavirus – but a positive trend: first comprehensive study on the key figures of the Swiss fitness industry
Closures of fitness centers, restrictions on training – the coronavirus pandemic has hit the Swiss health and fitness industry hard. After a good two years of crisis, both the number of providers and the number of members have declined. However, the trend is positive and the industry as a whole is looking to the future with confidence. This is the conclusion of the first comprehensive study on the key data of the Swiss fitness industry, presented by the industry association swiss active – IG Fitness Schweiz.
Together with the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG), swiss active – IG Fitness Switzerland has collected key data on the Swiss fitness industry for the first time. The result is a representative quantitative study that creates market transparency. The cut-off date was December 31, 2021, the date on which health and fitness centers in Switzerland were open in compliance with certain coronavirus regulations, such as the certification requirement. Comparative figures from the end of December 2020 and the pre-crisis figure from the end of December 2019 were used to map the development of the industry throughout the pandemic period.
The result leaves no room for doubt: The coronavirus crisis has hit the health and fitness industry in Switzerland hard. All key figures such as membership numbers, check-ins and center development have declined over the past two years. For example, the number of operators and providers fell by a good 6% to just under 1,300 between the end of 2019 and the end of 2021. The providers of individual courses and methods such as Pilates, yoga and aerobics were hit hardest by the decline. Their number fell from 806 to 751, which corresponds to a drop of 6.8%. The number of small fitness centers fell by only 5, but this already accounts for 4.2%. Chain operators suffered less, with the number of chain-operated centers falling by only 4 to 432 locations, which is less than 1%.
18% fewer members; the small, independent fitness centers suffered the most
In the same period, the sector lost almost 18% of its members. As no segment data is available for the end of 2019, it is only possible to determine where the loss of members was greatest by comparing the end of 2020 to the end of 2021. With a drop of 15.7%, the small, independent centers suffered the most during the crisis. However, the chains and course and method providers also lost a great deal of popularity, with a drop of just under 12% each.
On a positive note for the industry, there was a slight recovery in membership figures from the end of 2021 to the end of the first quarter of 2022, with an increase of 2.2%. Those who suffered the most during the crisis – the small, independent centers – now also appear to be benefiting the most from the trend reversal. Their membership figures rose by 6.3% in the three months. The chains also benefited more than average at 3.8%, while the course and method providers are still not really reporting a recovery with an increase of 0.7%.
30% of providers report economic problems
In line with this, 30% of providers rated their economic situation as “rather poor” in the survey period from mid-March to May 23. However, there are no figures for each segment. 60% of providers consider themselves to be on track economically (situation is “good” or “fairly good”). 86.7% assume that the economic situation will improve in the next 12 months. There are also no segment figures for the decline in sales due to coronavirus: Overall, however, the industry generated 18.9% less turnover in the first corona year of 2020 (after a positive start in the first quarter). In 2021, the drop in turnover was still 8.8%.
At the end of 2021, 11.9% of the Swiss population were members of a fitness provider. Their average age was 40. This rather low average age is due in particular to terminations/lack of contract renewals among older member groups, who often had to deal with fears due to the coronavirus crisis and stayed away from training at the centers. However, coronavirus has had a negative impact on the frequency of training for all age groups. After the restrictions were lifted, training became more frequent again.
“The fitness industry plays an important role in health prevention,” says Roger Erni, Managing Director of swiss active – IG Fitness Schweiz. “The authorities have also recognized this, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. We are therefore delighted that the industry can once again look to the future with more optimism after difficult times.”
“Important key figures are developing positively again – a clear indication that people want to exercise again! However, older members in particular need support from fitness center operators in order to overcome existing safety concerns and get them back into training from a motivational perspective. If this succeeds, it will be a win-win situation for the industry as a whole and for the health of its members,” says Prof. Dr. Sarah Kobel, Head of Market Research at the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG).
The complete key data study on the Swiss fitness industry 2022 will be available on request from swiss active from September 7, 2022.
