Summary

Since 2020, the global fitness market has faced challenges due to the Covid pandemic, leading to significant contractions in the industry, such as the 13.20% decrease in the gym sector and a substantial decline in gym memberships and fitness club revenues, particularly noted in Portugal with a 40% market value drop between 2019 and 2020. Fitness clubs adjusted by offering discounted memberships and online services, while governments implemented support measures like VAT reductions and financial aids totaling 65 million euros. The market saw a shift in preference towards larger fitness clubs, particularly chain gyms, and a pronounced growth in the low-cost sector and online fitness offerings. Pre-Covid, the Portuguese market was on an upswing with a membership increase of 65% between 2017 and 2019 and a penetration rate improvement from 5.4% to 6.7%. Despite the setbacks, the industry remains poised for recovery given the ongoing digital transformation and sustained governmental support. Major chains, such as Holmes Place with $58.58 million turnover in 2020, Fitness Hut ($51.15 million in 2020), and Solinca ($41.3 million in 2019), continue to dominate the market landscape in Portugal..Growth and Challenges in the Portuguese Fitness Market The fitness market in Portugal has been dynamic, experiencing noticeable growth between 2016 and 2019, with membership increasing by approximately 65% and the penetration rate of physical activity participants climbing from around 5% to nearly 7%. Despite this positive trajectory, the Covid-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, resulting in a substantial contraction of the market. Prior to the pandemic, the goal was to reach a milestone of one million gym members by 2021, indicative of the market's potential for expansion. The demand in this sector is influenced by several factors. Trends show that the majority of fitness club members are women, with the age distribution heavily leaning towards the younger generation aged between 16 and 30 years old, and a nearly equal proportion between 31 and 64 years old. This range could imply a heightened inclination towards health and fitness driven by social media influence and greater affordability. Frequency of gym use is balanced, demonstrating a consistent engagement in fitness activities among the members. Members exhibit preferences for different types of gyms. Larger clubs, particularly those affiliated with chains, are favored because of their extensive facilities. On the other hand, smaller, individual clubs are increasingly preferred for their personalized customer care. Despite the evident gravitation towards more spacious facilities, premium fitness clubs boast higher retention rates as compared to their low-cost and mid-market counterparts. This suggests that while budget-friendly options are appealing, many members prioritize quality and dedicated support. Pricing strategies are pivotal within the market. The average monthly fee for fitness clubs rose substantially from around 35 euros to nearly 40 euros between 2016 and 2018, largely due to increased rates within the premium sector. However, a subsequent decrease in monthly rates across all segments indicates an industry response to attract a broader customer base by making fitness clubs more accessible. Concentration within the fitness market is high, with a few major chains holding a significant portion of the market share. Holmes Place, Fitness Hut, and Solinca together account for roughly 30% of total gym memberships. This emphasizes the competitive nature of the fitness market and the significant influence of leading players. Despite facing setbacks due to the pandemic, the market is poised for recovery with support mechanisms from the government and proactive moves by fitness organizations. The evolving preferences of consumers and the adaptability of market players - as seen through the rise of low-cost options and robust online offerings - suggest a market that is responsive to changing consumer needs and geared for future growth. The potential for growth remains significant,.## Key Contenders Shaping the Portuguese Fitness Landscape ### Holmes Place International Ltd: A Beacon of Wellness As an international chain, Holmes Place stands as a beacon of wellness within the fitness market in Portugal. Renowned for their premium offerings, Holmes Place clubs often feature a comprehensive range of services, including state-of-the-art fitness equipment, group exercise classes, swimming pools, spas, and wellness areas. With a business model that emphasizes a holistic approach to health and fitness, Holmes Place caters to those seeking an upscale experience and more personalized attention. ### Fitness Hut: Accessible Fitness for the Masses Local chain Fitness Hut has made its mark by balancing affordability with quality. Offering a modern take on gym experience, Fitness Hut provides a wide array of fitness options without the high-end price tag. Their clubs are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, allowing a broader clientele to enjoy the benefits of regular exercise, contributing significantly to the growth of the low-cost fitness segment in Portugal. ### Solinca: A Steady Climb to Success Another pivotal player in the Portuguese fitness market is Solinca. This local chain has solidified its presence with an expanding number of clubs. Known for a personalized approach to fitness, Solinca offers various services that bridge the gap between the premium and mid-market segments. With customer satisfaction at heart, Solinca is recognized for its ability to retain members through a balance of quality and value. ### The Code: Crafting Boutique Fitness Experiences The Code represents the boutique fitness studio sector, known for its specialized and high-focus fitness programs. With a more intimate setting, The Code attracts those who prefer a more community-oriented atmosphere and individualized attention. The boutique fitness model has been gaining traction due to the unique and tailored experiences it offers its clientele. ### TimeToFitness24: Round-the-Clock Fitness Convenience On the individual gym front, TimeToFitness24 delivers a unique proposition with its 24/7 operational model. Catering to busy professionals and night owls alike, this gym provides members with unrestricted access to fitness, carving a niche for itself in a market that values convenience and flexibility. In the evolving narrative of Portugal's fitness market, these key players exhibit a diverse range of strategies and services, catering to the varied needs of the population. From high-end luxury to accessible, budget-friendly options, and from the personalized attention of boutique studios to the convenience of round-the-clock access, these companies are the pillars shaping the current and future landscape of fitness in Portugal.
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Summary and extracts

1 Market Overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

The fitness market gathers all the practices of the sports center related to the well-being of the body . Fitness clubs generally offer group sessions, weight training and cardio machines, but also sometimes personalized coaching or even relaxation areas (juice bar, spa, zen room...).

In addition to fitness clubs, the fitness market more recently includes applications that offer personal trainers, outdoor fitness communities as well as applications and connected objects for performance measurement.

The fitness industry continues to experience fairly strong growth, as evidenced by total fitness club membership, which grew by 5% in 2017, according to Deloitte.

However, there is currently a price war between players in terms of memberships. This obviously leads to a decrease in average revenue per club, going from €848,000 in 2012 to €595,000 in 2017, a 30% decrease over 5 years according to Stadline.

With a penetration rate of less than 6% of the population, growth in Portugal is still slow. since this type of service is not a priority in the population's budget, many players are focusing on the low-cost segment, without towels, pool or sauna. This is undoubtedly the fastest growing segment and, with few established players, opens the way for new competitors.

1.2 Global fitness market

The global fitness market grew from **** to **** by approximately USD **.** billion with a CAGR (***) of *.**%. However, the global gym industry is expected to contract by approximately **.**% due to Covid.

Global Fitness Market Size World, ****-****, in billions Source: ****

Geographic breakdown of the European fitness market Europe, ****, as % of total Source: ****

1.3 Fitness market in Portugal

Two major trends characterize the fitness market in Portugal. First, growth was observed between **** and ****, with a CAGR of **.*%, due to the increased awareness of the population about the importance of health and physical activity. On the other hand, the fitness market in Portugal saw a **% decline in value between **** and ...

1.4 Impact of covid

Due to the Covid pandemic, gyms have closed for several months, which first consequence was the fitness clubs turnover's significant decrease.. Thanks to a proposal of the AGAP (***), the government decided to help the fitness sector, which has suffered greatly from the lockdown in the country. Thus, several aids have been ...

2 Analysis of the demand

2.1 Profile of fitness club members and frequency of use

A survey conducted in **** by AGAP (***) revealed the profile of fitness club members. This study can be representative of reality because of the large number of clubs that were used for the study, namely *** clubs. [***]

First of all, the study showed that the majority of members in **** were women: **% versus **% men. ...

2.2 Member preferences

Fitness clubs may be owned by chains such as Fitness UP, Holmes Place or Sonae Capital, or they may be individuals such as Circle or The Code. Retention rates vary depending on the type of club. While chains have a much larger presence in the country than individual clubs and concentrate ...

2.3 Growth in membership and penetration rate

Prior to the pandemic, membership in Portugal was growing rapidly, with the goal of reaching one million members by ****. In fact, between **** and ****, gym memberships increased by **% and the penetration rate of physical activity participants rose from *.*% to *.*% over the same period. However, this rate remains well below the European average ...

2.4 Tendances du fitness au Portugal

Selon le American College of Sports Medicine, voici les dix principales tendances du fitness au Portugal pour l'année **** : 

Licences pour les porfissionnels du fitness Employer des professionnels licenciés Les personal trainer Les exercices pour perte de poids Les modes de vie sains et les changements de comportement Le coaching ...

3 Market structure

3.1 The different segments of the fitness market

First of all, as we have already mentioned, fitness clubs can belong to large chains or be individual. In Portugal, a significant increase of **% was observed in **** of gyms belonging to large chains. However, the growth of individual gyms was *% in the same year. Thus, in ****, about **% of fitness clubs belonged ...

3.2 Geographical distribution of gymnasiums

AGAP 's study provides an overview of the distribution of gyms in the country. It can be seen that the top six cities (***). It is also interesting to note that despite the fact that the majority of clubs in these cities are chains, the concentration of individual clubs in these top ...

3.3 A highly concentrated market

The fitness market in Portugal is dominated by three major chains: Holmes Place, Fitness Hut and Solinca. Holmes Place is in first position with ** gyms in the country in ****, followed by Fitness Hut which has ** gyms in Portugal so that Solince occupies the third position with ** fitness clubs in the Portuguese ...

4 Analysis of the offer

4.1 Typology of the offer

Different services are offered by the fitness industry. First of all, gyms offer many possibilities of activities, although some services such as sauna, spa, etc. are available low cost. Another service whose supply has decreased in clubs between **** and **** are group classes, which can be explained by the increase in members' ...

4.2 Evolution of the average monthly fee for fitness clubs

The average monthly rate for fitness clubs increased significantly between **** and ****, from €**.** to €**.**, due to price growth in the premium sector, whose average monthly rate increased by **% between **** and ****. The low-cost and mid-market sectors have been characterized by a decrease in prices since ****, meaning that the average monthly rate of gyms ...

4.3 Supply trends

Growth of the low-cost sector

In recent years, large chains have understood the importance of price in the decision of Portuguese people to join a fitness club. Thus, the low-cost sector, characterized by an average monthly fee that is almost half the price, has experienced significant growth, especially since ****. For example, ...

5 Regulation

5.1 Gymnasium installation and physical trainer title

The various laws that apply to the fitness market concern the installation of gyms, the technical responsibility for the safety of fitness clubs : - Law number ***/**** [***]

Law **/**** has a category for sports trainers, but the exercise of the activity of sports trainer and the access regime are detailed in the following ...

6 Positioning of the players

6.1 Positioning of the actors

  • Holmes Place International Ltd
  • Fitness Hut
  • Solinca
  • The Code
  • TimeTofitness24

List of charts

  • Taille du marché mondial du fitness
  • Taille du marché européen du fitness
  • Size of the national fitness market
  • Part de l'année ou les salles de sport ont du rester fermées
  • Distribution of members by age
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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Holmes Place International Ltd
Fitness Hut
Solinca
The Code
TimeTofitness24

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