41 Exercise Statistics: The Latest Fitness Trends (In 2024)

Only one in five US adults exercise every day, with walking being the most popular way to stay fit. In this article you can learn more about who exercises most, plus you’ll discover the fittest state and the global challenge to get more people moving.

Fitness statistics: how many americans exercise each day?

Fitness Statistics (Top Picks)

  • Just one in five US adults exercise each day.
  • The US gym, health and fitness club market is estimated to be worth $32 billion.
  • More men meet the national standards for exercise, 26.3% vs 18.8%.
  • People aged between 18 and 34 years old are the most likely to be gym goers.
  • More than three quarters of children in the US are active for less than the recommended 60 minutes each day.
  • Colorado is the US state that exercises the most, with the population of Mississippi working out the least.
  • The home fitness market in the US is valued at $11.3 billion, and growing year on year.
  • 1 in 4 adults around the world don’t meet the globally recommended physical activity levels.
General fitness and exercise statistics – infographic

2023 Fitness and Exercise Statistics

How many Americans exercise each day?

Data from Statista reveals that just one in five US adults exercise each day.

Just one in five adults in the US take part in exercise each day

In fact, only 23% of US adults get the recommended amount of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity each week.

Focusing on aerobic exercise only, the results are a little more encouraging, with 53.3% meeting the recommendation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, as well muscle-strengthening activities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, walking is the most popular type of exercise.

30% of active adults choose walking, with weightlifting and using cardiovascular equipment, such as a treadmill or rowing machine, not far behind.

Yoga is the most popular form of group exercise in the US.

The latest yoga statistics reveal that 10% of the US population practice yoga, with yoga growing in popularity by 63.8% between 2010 and 2021.

Yoga is the most popular form of group exercise in the US

What percentage of the US is obese?

42.4% of adults across the United States are classed as obese.

Information gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination found that nearly 1 in 3 adults in the US are classed as overweight, with 9.2% of the population having severe obesity.

What percentage of Americans use fitness apps?

86.3 million adults in the US use a health or fitness app.

This has grown by 38% since 2018, when the number was just 62.7 million.

What is the size of the fitness industry in the US?

The gym, health and fitness club market in the US is estimated to be worth $32 billion.

It has declined 4% per year on average since 2017.

The gym, health and fitness club market in the US is estimated to be worth $32 billion

Why do people not exercise?

A lack of time and motivation were the top reasons given in a OnePoll study into why Americans don’t exercise more.

Being too tired and having too much work to do topped the poll of why adults in the US skip planned workouts.

2023 Fitness and Exercise Key Statistics:

  • Just 19.3% of the US adult population exercise each day.
  • Walking is the most popular type of exercise, with yoga being the most popular form of group exercise.
  • 42.4% of adults across the United States are classed as obese.
  • 25% of adults in the US regularly use a health and fitness app.
  • The US gym, health and fitness club market is estimated to be worth $32 billion.
  • A lack of time most common reason given for not exercising.

Sources: Statista | CDC | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Club Industry | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Statista | IBIS World | NY Post

Fitness Demographics Statistics

Who exercises more, males or females?

26.3% of men meet the national standards for exercise, compared to only 18.8% of women.

Researchers at Seattle Pacific University found that men exercise more for enjoyment, whereas women report exercising for weight loss and toning.

Who is most likely to go to the gym?

Women aged between 18 and 34 years old are the most likely to go to the gym.

Those in the 18-34 year old age group make up 60% of the gym community, with women very slightly bigger gym-goers than men at 50.5%.

Women aged between 18 and 34 years old are the most likely to hold a gym membership

How many children exercise in the US?

Just 24% of children under the age of 17 meet the CDC’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

This concerning fact about exercise shows that more than three quarters of children participate in less than the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Which ethnic group exercises the most?

According to data compiled by Statista, Asian Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites are the most physically active ethnic groups in the United States.

The hispanic population record the highest rate of physical inactivity, with 30.6% of this ethnic group reporting a sedentary lifestyle.

Fitness Demographics Key Statistics:

  • 26.3% of men meet the national standards for exercise, compared to 18.8% of women.
  • People aged between 18 and 34 years old are the age group most likely to go to the gym.
  • 76% of children in US don’t meet the recommended daily standard for exercise.
  • 30.6% of the hispanic population in the United States report a sedentary lifestyle.

Sources: Finances Online | Medium | National Library of Medicine | CDC | Statista

Fitness Statistics by State

Which state works out the most?

Colorado is the state that works out the most, with 32.5% of the population meeting the national exercise guidelines.

Idaho (31.4%), New Hampshire (30.7%) and Washington D.C. (30.7%) also record having an active population.

Colorado is the state that works out the most, with 32.5% of the population meeting the exercise guidelines

Which state has the least amount of exercise?

Mississippi is that state that has the least amount of exercise, with only 13.5% of the population meeting the national exercise guidelines.

Kentucky (14.6%), South Carolina (14.8%) and Indiana (15.1%) also record lower levels of exercise.

Key Statistics:

  • Nearly one-third of the population of Colorado report higher levels of exercise, making it the most active state.
  • Just 13.5% of people in Mississippi meet the national exercise guidelines, making it the least active state.

Sources: CBS News

Home Fitness Industry Statistics

How big is the at home fitness industry?

The home fitness market in the US was valued at $11.3 billion in 2021. It’s expected to grow to $17.80 billion by 2030.

This estimate includes the profits of companies such as Lululemon, a trusted brand for workout clothing, equipment and fitness gifts.

How many people work out at home vs the gym?

Two in three active people in the US report working out at home, with the remaining third attending a gym.

Two in three active people in the US report working out at home

The confidence to try new fitness activities and the ability to fit their routine around family life, were two of the top reasons given for preferring an at home workout.

72% of adults preferred the flexibility of online fitness classes in particular, allowing them to step away from the commitment of a gym membership.

In fact, the demand for virtual fitness classes is growing year on year, with experts predicting the market will grow by an amazing 35% each year until 2026.

Changes in the way people exercise has been directly influenced by the pandemic, in fact during 2020 it is thought that nearly a quarter of all gyms in the US closed their doors.

Home Fitness Industry Key Statistics:

    The current value of the US home fitness market is estimated to be $11.3 billion.

    Two in three active people prefer working out at home, instead of attending a gym.

    The virtual fitness class market is expected to grow by 35% each year until 2026.

    Nearly one quarter of all gyms in the US closed during 2020.

Sources: Study Finds | Globe Newswire | Run Repeat | Run Repeat

Global Fitness Statistics

What percentage of the world does not exercise?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 4 adults don’t meet the globally recommended physical activity levels.

They believe up to five million premature deaths could be avoided each year if the global population was more active.

The WHO guidelines recommend adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity each week.

What is the fittest country?

According to a 2021 global study, the Netherlands has the fittest population.

They spend, on average, more than 12 hours each week exercising or playing sport.

The Netherlands has the most physically active population

Which country exercises the least?

Brazil has the least physically active population.

They spend, on average, three hours per week on physical activity, compare this to The Netherlands who spend more than 12 hours.

Global Fitness Key Statistics:

  • According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 adults around the world don’t exercise enough.
  • Five million premature deaths could be avoided if the global population was more active.
  • The Netherlands has the most physically active population.
  • Brazil has the least physically active population.

Sources: United Nations | World Economic Forum | Ipsos

Time to get physical!

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Laura Smith

Author

Laura Smith

Associate Editorial Manager

Specialist health & wellbeing writer, passionate about discovering new technologies & sharing the latest research.