NEW IHRSA REPORT:
By Kristen Walsh
LATIN AMERICA’S
ROBUST FITNESS INDUSTRY
T
he International
Health, Racquet &
Sportsclub Association
(IHRSA) recently released
The IHRSA Latin American
Report (Second Edition),
sponsored by Hoist
Fitness. This research
publication, an update to
its groundbreaking 2012
report, was produced in
collaboration with Mercado
Fitness (Argentina) and
supported by Fitness Brasil.
“Building upon the analysis provided in
the first report, the second edition of The
IHRSA Latin American Report contains
the most comprehensive examination
of key Latin American health club
markets available anywhere,” said Jay
Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive vice president
of global products. “Credit goes to
Mercado Fitness, Fitness Brasil, IHRSA’s
According to the report, the health club
industry in Latin America is robust. The
18 Latin American markets analysed
in the report generate US$6 billion
(AU$7.5billion) in revenue from more
than 65,000 clubs. Nearly 20 million Latin
Americans are members of a health
club. Brazil, alone, accounts for more
than half of the health clubs in Latin
America with 34,509 facilities. Argentina
has the highest penetration rate among
all Latin American markets as 6.8% of
Argentineans belong to a health club.
“The health club landscape in Latin
America is dynamic and has undergone
significant developments since 2012,”
said Guillermo Velez, editor and director
of Mercado Fitness. “In addition to the
growth of the low-cost segment, other
developments, including economic
indicators, increasingly savvy consumers,
technology, the boutique phenomenon,
and professionalisation have all
impacted and shaped the industry in
Latin America.”
While club operators and industry
experts have observed growth
amidst market developments in the
region, opportunities abound in
Latin America. The report shows the
average penetration rate of 2.15%,
signifying potential for growth. Along
with Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have
member penetration rates exceeding
3%, at 4.6% and 3.2%, respectively.
Key Highlights from the report:
•
10
(23.5%). Obesity is a global
pandemic: a person with obesity
lives 10 years less than someone
with healthy weight. Specialists
agree that the origin of obesity is in
lifestyle: diets high in saturated fats
and lack of regular exercise. World
Bank reports indicate that if this
tendency continues, by 2030 the
number of people in Latin America
with obesity will reach 30% of the
population.
many strategic partners throughout Latin
America, and, of course, the innovative
club leaders who were interviewed, for
providing an in-depth understanding of
the region.”
In Latin America, 130 million people
are affected by obesity. These
figures could reach 191 million by
2030. The countries with highest
rates of obesity are Mexico (32.8%),
Venezuela (30.8%), Argentina
(29.4%), Chile (29.1%) and Uruguay
• World Health Organization data
points out that in Latin America 60%
of the population is sedentary. This
same agency indicates that in this
region physical inactivity causes 1
out of every 10 deaths — nearly the
same impact smoking has on the
population according to scientists.
• When the last regional IHRSA report
was published in 2012, there were
only two low cost chains in two
countries in Latin America. Today,
less than five years later, there are
at least 23 different brands which
gather 448 gyms (340 belong to
SmartFit) in 12 countries throughout
the region. Undeniably, this
phenomenon has only just begun.
• In competitive scenarios, with
consumers eager for enhancing
their experience, the fitness
industry is undergoing a substantial
diversification process. While
premium health clubs and low cost
gyms consolidate opposite poles
within the market, boutique fitness
studios, also known as Micro Gyms,
thrive in Latin America as well as
globally.
“The IHRSA Latin American Report is an
indispensable tool for club operators,
investors, and market analysts,” said
Jacqueline Antunes, IHRSA’s senior
manager of Latin America. “Club
operators can use the report to identify
trends and areas for growth, while
investors can use this valuable reference
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