The number of people with health club memberships in Switzerland increased by 11.7 per cent in 2022, as the country's fitness industry saw a strong recovery following the pandemic disruptions.

A quantitative study of the country's health club sector, published in partnership by industry body Swiss Active and German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG), shows that 1.16 million people are now members of a fitness centre – almost one in six adults.

Data from the study – The Swiss fitness industry 2023 – also shows that the industry created 1,000 new jobs in 2022 and more than half of health clubs increased their membership fees during the year.

When it comes to the industry's view on the future, 75 per cent gym operators rate their economic situation as "good" or "rather good", while 99 per cent expect an improvement in the next 12 months.

More than 80 per cent of the operators surveyed were planning to increase the number of sites during 2023.

There are signs the industry is stabilising following the pandemic disruptions, as the number of health clubs in the country fell slightly the third year in a row, by 1.1 per cent.

However, this rate of decline is slowing, with the percentage of closures significantly less than from the end of 2019 to the end of 2021, when the industry lost 6 per cent of its clubs.

According to Swiss Active, the decrease is also an expression of ongoing consolidation.

Sarah Kobel, author of the study and head of the market research department at DHfPG: “We see a rethinking in society and a shift in people’s value system.

"Health is experiencing an enormous increase in importance, also due to the pandemic.

"This is also reflected in the health and fitness industry. The fact that people are willing to invest more in their health is an important finding, which once again characterises the industry as an industry of the future."

The report is a representative quantitative study based on results gathered up and until 31 December 2022. The analysis of the date includes comparative values over four years, some going back to the time before the pandemic.

To find out more and to read the full report, click here.