MADRID, 18 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Spain is positioned as one of the leading markets in physical activity with a growth of 16.4% in 2022, within the ‘top 5’ in Europe, representing 3.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and with a turnover of 2,100 million euros, at the level of Italy and only surpassed by the United Kingdom (5,000 million), Germany (4,900 million) and France (4,000 million), according to the report ‘The sports and fitness industry’ by OBS Business School.
The institution belonging to Planeta Formación y Universidades publishes the report ‘The sports and fitness industry’, directed by Professor Eduardo Correa, in which the various components of this industry are analyzed, “from the impact of ‘influencers’ to the economic and social repercussions it entails at a time when awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being has escalated to unprecedented levels.
Currently, the sports and fitness sector represents 3.3% of Spanish GDP – in Europe this figure is between 1.5% and 2%, according to the report – and “drives other economic areas that are involved in a secondary way such as tourism, commerce, hospitality and restaurants.
“This is a sector that generates more than 400,000 jobs and produces enormous investment in sporting infrastructure and promoting a healthy economy. With increasing awareness of an active lifestyle, business opportunities in this sector have grown exponentially, affecting not only the offering of products and services, but also the way in which brands connect with their audiences,” the study highlighted.
After a drop in spending during 2019 and 2020 due to the pandemic, the sector grew by 24.1% in 2021, in what was “a turning point.” And although in 2022 the increase moderated – 5.3% compared to the previous year – the positive trend in the industry is still maintained. “Spain is positioned as one of the leading markets in physical activity with a growth of 16.4% in 2022. And recreational physical activity stands out as the most dominant segment,” he stated.
The fitness market entered a total of €28 billion in Europe in 2022, which represented an increase of 66% compared to the previous year. In Spain, turnover was 2,100 million euros, at the level of Italy and only surpassed by the United Kingdom (5,000 million), Germany (4,900 million) and France (4,000 million). There were 4,561 gyms throughout the country, with 5.4 million users, reaching levels recorded before the start of the pandemic.
As a result, according to the report, the sector’s income experienced an increase of more than 500 million euros, much of it coming from member fees, which vary depending on the type of gym, with average rates ranging between 20 euros and more than 60 euros per user.
“The sector in Spain is trying to find a balance between offering affordable prices and personalized services to stand out in a highly competitive market, and therefore rates have been evolving from €19.90 per month to around €29.90,” he said. Eduardo Correa, professor at OBS Business School.
The franchise networks, in 2022, exceeded 700 establishments and generated more than 192 million euros. The growth of the CrossFit brand stands out especially, with more than 600 officially affiliated centers throughout the country. As for the main chains, Brooklyn Fitboxing topped the ranking in number of centers, followed by Basic-Fit and Synergym.
Thus, the popularity of gyms experienced a “remarkable growth” in 2023 with the attendance of 16.5% of the population, which represents an increase of approximately four percentage points compared to the penetration rate recorded in 2022. Approximately 40% of people between 14 and 24 years old were part of this clientele.