Health, Exercise, and Fitness Dominate Americans' New Year's Resolutions

Nearly 100 million U.S. adults plan to prioritize health and fitness in 2025, as new report highlights affordability challenges and opportunities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As 2025 begins, a nationwide survey by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) reveals that health, fitness, and exercise are at the forefront of Americans' New Year's resolutions. Of the estimated 159 million adults planning to set goals, 60%—or approximately 96 million Americans—intend to focus on health, fitness, and exercise, making it the most popular theme for 2025 goals.

Among these fitness-focused individuals, the top aspirations include building muscle or strength (50%), establishing a regular exercise routine (44%), and improving mental health through physical activity (42%). These goals reflect a holistic understanding of fitness, highlighting its benefits for both physical and mental well-being.

To turn these ambitions into action, Americans overwhelmingly recognize the importance of structured exercise spaces such as gyms, studios, and health clubs. Nearly nine-in-ten (88%) say access to fitness facilities will be important to achieving their goals, with 61% rating it very important. Consequently, most plan to maintain their existing membership (58%) or join a new fitness facility in 2025 (23%).

Despite the enthusiasm for fitness and exercise, affordability remains a concern. Nearly one-third cite cost as a top factor that might prevent them from achieving their fitness goals in 2025. This tension between ambition and accessibility underscores a broader issue in making health and fitness achievable for all Americans.

"Americans are entering the new year with strong ambitions to improve their health and fitness, but financial strain is a real obstacle for many," said Liz Clark, HFA president and CEO. "This represents both a challenge and an opportunity to explore strategic solutions that can make fitness more accessible to everyone."

The survey coincides with the release of a new HFA report, Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis – Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy. Conducted in collaboration with Portas Consulting, the report explores how public investment in strategic pricing policies—such as those proposed under the PHIT Act—could expand access to structured exercise and deliver transformative health and economic benefits.

Key findings from the report reveal:

• U.S. fitness facility customers are almost 50% more likely to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels of physical activity compared to non-customers.
• Investing in a 10% reduction in fitness facility membership fees could enable 17 million more Americans to participate in structured fitness.
• This modest adjustment could prevent 500,000 chronic disease cases annually, saving $12.2 billion in healthcare costs.
• The resulting growth in fitness participation could stimulate $12.3 billion in consumer spending, create 230,000 jobs, and enhance life satisfaction and community trust for millions.

Together, the new survey and report present a roadmap for aligning Americans' fitness goals in 2025 with actionable solutions.

"Making fitness affordable is not only about helping people meet their personal goals," Clark emphasized. "It's about fostering healthier communities and unlocking the far-reaching societal benefits that come with increased physical activity."

Methodology

Kantar, on behalf of the Health and Fitness Association (HFA), conducted an online survey December 19-27, 2024 among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adult Americans aged 18 and over related to new year's resolutions and 2025 goals. The margin of error is +/- 2 percent and greater among subgroups.

The report, Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis – Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy, explores the impact of targeted price reductions for fitness facility memberships. Conducted by the Health & Fitness Association in collaboration with Portas Consulting, the study integrates consumer surveys with Portas' proprietary Social Return on Investment (SROI) model to estimate the health, social, and economic impact. The consumer survey, conducted in September 2024, included 1,517 adult Americans.

About the Health & Fitness Association

The Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA), a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health.

Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.

Founded in 1981, the association publishes a monthly magazine, Club Business International, and operates The HFA Show and the European Congress. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

SOURCE Health & Fitness Association