The drop in gym goers indicates the fitness industry is not immune to economic factors, wrote Kathleen Rollauer, senior manager for research of IHRSA.
The average monthly membership fee in a commercial health club is $55.
To make up for the lost income, gyms are offering promos such as reduction of joining fees, addition of more health services such as massage, acupuncture and personal training and discounts on monthly dues for fresh college graduates or regulars who brings along a friend.
Tom Ernsting, executive vice president of sales at Crunch Fitness Center, said health clubs are still vital despite the tight economic situation. "People need the outlet of working out now, as much as ever, to cope with stressful times they may be experiencing," Ernsting told the Los Angeles Times.
Many health conscious Americans have not slackened on their exercise routines, only they have transfered venues where to do their muscles flexes from health clubs which charge monthly dues to their homes, parks and any other place where they don't have to shell out hard-earned money.
June and July are traditionally months when gym membership fees spike as health conscious people seek a body worth display at the beach in a bikini. But as the triple whammy of fuel and food price increase and the subprime mortgage crisis hits the U.S., haggling may be in store at gyms for health buffs who still want to flex their muscles along with their bargaining prowess.
