Even though over 42 million Americans had active gym or health club memberships last year, a new report from one of the world’s largest independent publishers of U.S. industry research, IBISWorld, indicates that many gyms and fitness centers are alienating one specific group of people who could really benefit from regular workouts. The IBISWorld data shows that today’s gyms cater mostly to fit, educated and middle- to upper-class clients. The report also showed a trend toward focusing on specific groups within the population, like women, athletes or aging baby boomers. In contrast, the segment of the population that is sedentary and overweight seems to be largely ignored by modern gyms.
The research shows that most gym members feel more comfortable when they can work out with people who look like they do and people who are obese or overweight often feel embarrassed and intimidated when they have to exercise in the company of people of normal weight. Although common obstacles to working out like exercising with the opposite sex or figuring out how to use complicated gym equipment can apply to both overweight and normal-weight people, it is the heavier people that seem to require more emotional support and privacy.
Heavier people can sense when they don’t fit in at a gym and they don’t like it when people stare at them and silently judge their larger-than-normal bodies when they are attempting to work off a few pounds. Overweight people are also less open to health club salespeople and health club advertisements that feature sculpted models with perfect bodies. A person struggling with a weight problem can be quickly turned off when they feel their goals are not realistic and there is no way they can reach them.
Because health clubs typically only reach 16% of the total population, they will have to do things differently and create clubs that don't just cater to people who are already in decent shape if they want to reach the people who are overweight or obese. Apparently, some gyms and health clubs are realizing this fact and starting to offer some alternatives in the form of a more welcoming environment for people who haven't been exercising.
Some of the gyms have taken an approach mirroring that of the Curves franchise that successfully expanded to over 10,000 locations around the world in just the last two decades by providing workout spaces without mirrors and equipment that is user-friendly for heavy women. Providing little touches like frosted windows, a lack of mirrors and equipment built specifically for larger bodies has made it much easier for the overweight to get into regular workout routines. Some clubs are offering group sessions exclusively designed for people who want to lose at least 50 pounds, and when they reach their goal weight, they graduate from the group.
However, for most people who are considering a gym or health club membership, both overweight and normal weight, the hardest part of getting fit is simply getting up and going through the front door for the first time.