Fitness Industry Statistics:
Crunching the Numbers
It’s time to flex your strategic muscles. In the fast-moving cycle of exercise trends, taking the pulse of the industry keeps you aligned with what clients will look for in fitness today and over the year to come.
Insurance Canopy surveyed our fitness instructor policyholders and compiled the latest fitness industry statistics to give you an exclusive look at the state of the industry in 2024.
Fitness Stats About Instructors
To give our survey responses some context, these are the average demographics of our Insurance Canopy fitness instructors.
- Of our survey respondents, most (48%) use part-time fitness instruction to supplement their household income, while 28% train full-time, 14% freelance, and 8% pursue fitness instruction as a hobby.
- Most fitness instructor employment nationwide is split between fitness and recreational sports centers (54%) and self-employment (19%).
- The job outlook for fitness instructors is bright, with a 14% projected growth from 2022–2032 and 69,000 fitness instructor job openings each year.
States with the highest fitness instructor employment level include California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois.
Key Takeaways
“It’s harder to get clients than last year”
31.3% of Survey Respondents
*2024 Insurance Canopy Survey
As the number of fitness instructors continues to bounce back towards pre-pandemic levels, expect greater competition for clients.
Specialized or niche classes, fresh credentials or certifications, and a greater focus on marketing can help you stand out.
Top Choices for Fitness Certifications
Insurance Canopy policyholders run the gamut from self-taught to backed up some of the most popular fitness certification programs.
Most Popular Fitness Instructor Certifications
Yoga Alliance (RYT, E-RYT, etc.) – 17%
NASM – 10%
ACE – 8%
ISSA – 6%
ACSM – 6%
NSCA – 3%
NESTA – 2%
SilverSneakers – 2%
Other – 30%
Not Certified – 24%
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey. Note: customers can hold multiple certifications
18.5% of our covered instructors reported holding multiple certifications
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey data
- 77% of survey respondents insured by Insurance
- Canopy have a professional certification.
- Other popular ways our policyholders gain skills related to their business include paid non-certification training (38%), higher education (32%), self-taught learning (31%), on-the-job training (30%), informal training (28%), and internships (8%).
- There are over 85,444 certified personal trainers in the United States
- There are over 48,950 registered yoga teachers in the United States.
- Common college degrees for fitness instructors include kinesiology (27%), business (13%), psychology (9%), and health education (6%).
Key Takeaways
“Every year I do CECs to offer my clients the
best, safest workouts and address their needs.”
–Pilates and Yoga Instructor, Insurance Canopy Fitness Policyholder
*2024 Insurance Canopy Survey
Certification and continuing education classes (CECs) come with added benefits:
- Charge more per hour for your demonstrated experience
- Meet minimum hiring requirements for some gyms and sports centers
- Separate yourself from the competition
- Stay updated on the latest methods, exercise research, and safe practices
- Get new ideas for fitness classes and exercises
Most Popular Fitness Niches
*Based on Google Search Volume for fitness type + “class near me” at time of publication
*Based on Insurance Canopy data gathered from 9,705 responses. Note: Some instructors teach multiple types of classes.
- Pilates is the fastest-growing of the five top group fitness classes. Search interest in the term “Pilates class” grew 292% over the last 5 years, according to Google Trends.
- Fitness software provider Mindbody reports lower-intensity training is up 176 percent in popularity from 2022, which contributes to Pilates’ and yoga’s recent boosts in interest.
- While it still made ACSM’s 2024 top 20 fitness trends, interest in HIIT fell from 7th place in 2023 to 20th place in 2024 among respondents. Functional fitness training scored higher at #14, reflecting a desire for workouts that blend flexibility, stamina, holistic wellness, and strength.
- Building muscle is the number one goal (36%) of 2024 Life Time fitness survey respondents. A focus on strength lends staying power to classes like boxing and martial arts.
- To reach new clients, try broadening your class offerings or teaching classes that blend the year’s top fitness trends. 31% of our policyholders teach classes in multiple fitness niches. Additional popular category classes for our policyholders include golf instruction, Zumba, spin, and barre.
Fitness Client Statistics
*Based on Insurance Canopy data gathered from 9,705 responses. Note: Some instructors teach multiple types of classes.
- Gen Z and Millennials’ fitness statistics declare them the fastest-growing group fitness sector, making up 81% of all fitness class participants nationally.
- One-on-one personal training clients average older nationally, with the most personal training demand (28%) from Gen X (ages 45–54).
- Younger generations prioritize health in body and mind: the top two wellness goals for Gen Z and millennials are physical fitness (88%) and mental health and stress management (71%).
- Gen X is ready to invest in their health: 67% agree that products with health benefits are worth the money.
- 45% of Baby Boomers, 47% of Gen Xers, and 55% of Millennials prefer home workouts over any other location, according to generational workout statistics.
- The same study showed 56% of Gen Z prefer to exercise at the gym, the highest percentage of any generation.
- Youth fitness statistics show promise for Generation Alpha (2010–2024), expecting the kids retail fitness market to grow 53% by 2032.
Key Takeaways
How To attract Gen X & Boomer Clients
Think Outside the Studio
Busy Gen Xers and aging Boomers appreciate home workouts and exercise in nature. Consider online classes for Gen X and low-impact courses like Pilates in the park to interest Boomers.
Keep Classes Flexible
Gen X is the most resource-rich and time-poor, so shorter classes, flexible scheduling, and online options may bring in this busy demographic.
Emphasize Stress Relief
As one of the generations least likely to take “me-time”, approaches that help Gen X prioritize self-care and holistic health can make your classes especially valuable.
How to Attract Millennial & Gen Z Clients
Online Options
Gen Z and Millennials make up 89% of total users of online and app-based workouts. Online classes and mobile-first communication will help keep them engaged with your practice.
A Boutique Experience
Younger clients value the social aspect of gyms, contributing to a major trend in boutique fitness industry statistics: boutique fitness studios reported 400% growth over the last decade.
Fitness Instructor as Influencer
Fitfluencers have made their mark. 37% of Millennials and Gen Z list the quality of the instructor as their top reason for attending a class. Show your expertise and build your brand with a strong social media presence.
Fitness Statistics by Class Location
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey
- The number of online instructors we cover is up 20% from 2021 and has grown steadily each year.
- Online fitness statistics show that on-demand fitness video usage grew 311% post-Covid and continues to be the fastest-growing market in the fitness industry.
- The national online fitness market size is expected to grow from $21 billion in 2023 to $28.9 billion in 2024. With 73% of our policyholder classes taught in person, there is still plenty of appreciation for the social aspect of group fitness and the value of in-person instruction.
- A 2024 study by Northwestern Medicine found that participants who received in-person coaching while using a fitness app lost 53% more weight than those using a fitness app alone.
- Boutique fitness industry statistics demonstrate clients’ rising interest in customized fitness in person, too, with an expected global market growth rate of 8% from 2024–2029.
- Outside of the gym or studio, common locations where our policyholders teach in person include community centers and public spaces, health and physical care centers, clients’ homes, schools and offices, and senior communities.
Ratio of Clients Who Sign a Waiver
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey
- The United States is the fifth most litigious country in the world, with 1 lawyer for every 300 people.
- US spending on lawsuits is three times greater than in the UK, with 3.3 tort lawsuits filed for every 1,000 people in the United States.
- Fitness injuries occur at a rate of roughly 1.8 injuries per 1000 training hours.
- That means a part-time fitness instructor working 30 hours per week can expect to see at least one client injury, of varying size and severity, per year.
Education about liability waivers in the fitness industry plays a huge role in how protected your business is. To better manage risks and be prepared legally if the worst happens, consider adding a liability waiver to your new client routine. Insurance Canopy’s customizable liability waiver template can help you get started.
Fitness App Statistics
If you haven’t been keeping an eye on the top fitness software, 2024 is the year to tune in to fitness tracker statistics.
Fitness apps have created new training behaviors as students monitor their physical activity, get digital feedback on technique, track goal progress, schedule workouts, and receive social support in new ways.
Clients Who Use a Fitness Tracker App
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey
Key Takeaways
Fitness app use is growing. Don’t get left behind.
“I don’t know or don’t check whether my clients use fitness apps.”
11% of Survey Respondents
*2024 Insurance Canopy Survey
50M+
Downloads
Fitbit
50M+
Downloads
MyFitnessPal
50M+
Downloads
AllTrails
50M+
Downloads
Strava
50M+
Downloads
Calm
*Data based on July 2024 Google Play app reporting
Most Popular Fitness Apps
Over 40% of fitness app users are between the ages of 25 and 34, so look for new, younger clients to expect app integration into their workouts, scheduling, nutrition, and training.
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey
Biggest Challenges Faced by Fitness Instructors
34%
Time Management / Work Like Balance
“I think more recently it’s been very difficult balancing my personal life with teaching. I’ve felt the effects of not being able to have the time for myself, so now I’ve actually pulled back from full-time to a lot less.”
—Hunter, Insurance Canopy Fitness Policyholder
27%
Finding and Keeping Clients
“I recently moved and had to start building my business up from scratch again, which anyone knows that building up your clientele into something consistent and reliable is really hard. It took me about a year and a half to do, since you’ve got to get people to know your name, try your class, and start coming back and bringing their friends.”
—Alicia, Insurance Canopy Fitness Policyholder
25%
Marketing Your Business
“Something that I struggle with the most is doing all of the admin work, building up a clientele and doing all of the marketing. The business side of things can be really hard and the best way to get through it is to just be consistent.
—Morgan, Insurance Canopy Fitness Policyholder
Fitness Industry Insurance Claims
*Based on 2024 Insurance Canopy customer survey
- Insurance Canopy’s average payout since 2020 to defend a fitness instructor liability claim is $31,218.
- This payout reflects the national median personal injury lawsuit settlement of $31,000.
- Tort lawsuits (like most fitness instructor legal claims) last an average of 23 months.
- Over half (57%) of claimants in accidental injury cases receive compensation ranging from $3,000 to $25,000.
- Insurance Canopy’s highest fitness instructor claim since 2020 is $217,814: A client of our insured personal trainer was left unattended for a moment and fell off an exercise machine, injuring their shoulder.
Key Takeaways
Fitness instructor insurance is the best way to protect your practice in 2024.
Designed to cover your specific risks, fitness instructor insurance helps guard you against paying out-of-pocket for common legal claims and gives students confidence that you’re a professional they can depend on. Make this the year when you protect your business for long-term gains.
JoAnne Hammer | Program Manager
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
JoAnne Hammer is the Program Manager for Insurance Canopy. She has held the prestigious Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation since July 2004.
JoAnne understands that starting and operating a business takes a tremendous amount of time, dedication, and financial resources. She believes that insurance is the single best way to protect your investment, business, and personal assets.
Methodology
Insurance Canopy has been an industry leader for over a decade, providing top-rated business insurance to thousands of fitness instructors.
Insurance Canopy collected data from a variety of internal sources to create our findings, including a 2024 survey of 64 Insurance Canopy fitness instructor policyholders, a 2022 survey of 50 Insurance Canopy personal trainer policyholders, 2024 active insurance policy data made up of 9,705 responses, and fitness instructor policy claims data from 2020–2024. Individuals who participated in surveys and made up our internal data represent all 50 US states, a variety of training styles, and a range of different policy types.
Information outside of our internal resource pools comes from high-authority data sources across the web and is attributed with links to the original data source.
