Who’s Hitting the Gym?
Studies from the University of North Georgia, reported in 2015, suggest that men are more likely to attend the gym for weight training whilst women are more likely to attend for cardio training. Income, expenditure and energy use are all positively correlated, which leads to the conclusion that men consume more energy than women. The main reason was "social factors, such as girls looking to each other for activity and housework support at home," the study said. Statistics show that more than half – 50.5% – of gym-goers are now female. Over half of all Americans (53%) pay for a gym membership, even if they aren’t using it. Of those with an active membership, roughly 41 million (49.9%) actually get to the gym at least twice a week.
Physical Differences and Exercise Preferences
Adult males tend to be taller with longer limbs. The breadth of their shoulders allows for more muscle on a larger shoulder girdle, the main contributor to postpubescent males’ advantage in upper-body strength. Adult males have more overall muscle mass and less body fat than females, even in trained samples. While 60 percent claimed health and fitness was their main reason for exercising, only 16 percent labeled their appearance as the motivating factor, and eight percent said training and competing in amateur bodybuilding was the driving factor.
Trends and Retention Strategies
To help increase member retention, make your gym a place of community and social engagement. Age group 18-44 is most likely to exercise. Of those 18-44, 59.7 percent reported exercising at least three times a week for a half hour or more. Virtual reality programs where members participate in classes when an instructor is not available could be the next trend. But no matter age or gender, the key is finding enjoyable exercise so it doesn’t become a chore.