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Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis: Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy
This downloadable report outlines the significant health and economic benefits of public investment in fitness affordability.
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The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and the Global Health & Fitness Alliance (GHFA), in partnership with Portas Consulting, have released groundbreaking research highlighting the transformative potential of strategic pricing policies to expand access to structured exercise. This study outlines the significant health and economic benefits of public investment in fitness affordability.
The United States is confronting a mounting public health crisis. Chronic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are on the rise, driven in part by physical inactivity. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in three individuals fails to achieve the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, exacerbating the burden of preventable diseases.
Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis: Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy underscores the critical role of affordability in improving physical activity levels and highlights the fitness industry’s position as a key partner in tackling these challenges. Fitness facilities provide evidence-based exercise programs led by trained professionals, offering proven benefits such as reducing chronic disease risk, enhancing mental health, and fostering stronger, more connected communities.
This first-of-its-kind report equips the fitness industry with compelling evidence to advocate for its role in the healthcare continuum. By prioritizing affordability and expanding access to structured exercise, policymakers can drive meaningful change: healthier individuals, reduced healthcare costs, and a more cohesive society.
Key findings from the U.S. report reveal:
● U.S. fitness facility customers are almost 50% more likely to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels of physical activity compared to non-customers.
● Investing in a 10% reduction in fitness facility membership fees could enable 17 million more Americans to participate in structured fitness.
● This modest adjustment could prevent 500,000 chronic disease cases annually, saving $12.2 billion in healthcare costs.
● The resulting growth in fitness participation could stimulate $12.3 billion in consumer spending, create 230,000 jobs, and enhance life satisfaction and community trust for millions.