Fitness research

Sourced fitness benchmarks for better operations

Each brief leads with a liftable statistic, a clear table, and direct links to public sources.

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Original data graphic for Global adolescent inactivity: what fitness programs can measureYouth participation

Global adolescent inactivity: what fitness programs can measure

More than 80% of school-going adolescents worldwide were insufficiently active in 2016

WHO's measured estimate for adolescent activity, interpreted for fitness-sector research without turning it into local demand.

Original data graphic for Group exercise instructor scheduling evidenceFitness workforce

Group exercise instructor scheduling evidence

BLS notes that fitness trainers may work nights, weekends, holidays, or variable schedules

A research brief for documenting instructor availability and class coverage while keeping workforce projections separate from a studio's schedule decisions.

Original data graphic for How many U.S. adults met both activity guidelines in 2020?Participation surveillance

How many U.S. adults met both activity guidelines in 2020?

24.2% of U.S. adults met both federal activity guidelines in 2020

A National Health Interview Survey finding for fitness operators interpreting aerobic and muscle-strengthening participation.

Original data graphic for Measuring leisure-time inactivity among adults 50 and olderOlder-adult participation

Measuring leisure-time inactivity among adults 50 and older

27.5% of U.S. adults aged 50 and older reported no leisure-time physical activity in 2014

A CDC surveillance finding to help fitness teams separate age-specific population data from member records.

Original data graphic for Remote coach video consent record methodDigital coaching

Remote coach video consent record method

The WHO estimates that 31% of adults worldwide did not meet recommended activity levels in 2022

A practical research brief for documenting consent, access, and retention in remote fitness video workflows without presenting a legal conclusion.

Original data graphic for The state-level range in reported adult inactivityParticipation surveillance

The state-level range in reported adult inactivity

CDC's 2015–2018 maps ranged from 17.3% to 47.7% inactive adults across states and territories

A state comparison from CDC surveillance, with the caveats fitness organizations need before using it in access research.

Original data graphic for Urbanization and the fitness participation measurement gapParticipation surveillance

Urbanization and the fitness participation measurement gap

In 2020, 16.4% of adults outside metropolitan areas met both federal activity guidelines, versus 28.0% in large metropolitan areas

What 2020 national survey data can and cannot say about rural and metropolitan activity participation.

Original data graphic for Adult sleep education records for fitness teamsMember wellbeing

Adult sleep education records for fitness teams

7 to 9 hours

A boundary-conscious method for recording sleep education topics in fitness workflows without diagnosing members or collecting unnecessary sensitive data.

Original data graphic for Fitness class attendance and no-show measurement benchmarkFitness operations data

Fitness class attendance and no-show measurement benchmark

A no-show rate is only meaningful when the denominator is defined

A research-backed measurement framework for class attendance, cancellations, and no-shows with clear denominators and limits.

Original data graphic for Fitness class instructor coverage recordsFitness workforce

Fitness class instructor coverage records

12% projected growth

A sourced operations brief for recording instructor coverage, class status, and staffing exceptions without confusing workforce context with a local hiring forecast.

Original data graphic for Fitness class waitlist capacity researchStudio operations

Fitness class waitlist capacity research

74,200 projected annual openings

A sourced research brief on the number of places held, released, and filled on a class waitlist for fitness operators, with definitions, evidence controls, and practical review steps.

Fitness research and benchmarks | Fitness VA