Personal Fitness Assessment Tool
Welcome to Your Fitness Assessment
This tool will help you understand how your current physical activity levels compare to global recommendations, and provide personalized suggestions based on fitness industry statistics.
Did you know? According to WHO data, 31% of adults and 80% of adolescents globally do not meet recommended physical activity levels.
About You
Current Activity Level
Your Fitness Goals
Which of the following goals are most important to you? (Select all that apply)
Your Personalized Fitness Assessment
Activity Level Comparison
Statistical Context
Health Benefits You Could Achieve
Personalized Recommendations
Options for Fitness Support
Whether you’re researching the fitness industry, seeking data on exercise benefits, or exploring a career in personal training, this comprehensive guide provides the key statistics you need.
We’ve moved beyond simple numbers to offer a strategic analysis of the fitness landscape, focusing on 2024, 2025, and emerging trends.
Why These Fitness Statistics Are Essential
The fitness world is dynamic. Technology, evolving demographics, and a greater understanding of health are constantly reshaping the industry. This data is your guide.
Table of Contents
- I. Global Physical Activity Levels
- II. Australian Fitness Statistics
- III. American Fitness Statistics
- IV. Gym Membership and Usage
- V. Quantified Benefits of Exercise
- VI. Technology and Fitness
- VII. Fitness Goals and Aspirations
- VIII. The Personal Training Industry
- IX. Professional Standards and Education
- X. Emerging Fitness Trends
Key Fitness and Personal Training Statistics: A Detailed Overview
I. Global Physical Activity Levels
A broad look at how much (or how little) people are moving worldwide.
- Global Inactivity Rate: 31% of adults globally do not meet minimum physical activity recommendations.
- Adolescent Inactivity: An estimated 80% of adolescents worldwide are insufficiently active.
- WHO Inactivity Reduction Goals: 10% reduction by 2025 and 15% by 2030 (compared to 2010 levels).
- Economic Cost of Inactivity: Projected to cost global health systems US $430 billion by 2030. Approximately US $27 billion per year
II. Australian Fitness Statistics: A Closer Look
Detailed data on exercise habits and activity levels within Australia.
- Insufficiently Active Adults (18-64): Over 75% don’t meet combined physical activity and strength guidelines.
- Aerobically Inactive Adults (18-64): 37% are not sufficiently active aerobically.
- Gender Differences: Women are less active than men (41% vs. 34% insufficiently active aerobically).
- Activity Levels by Age:
- 18-29 year-olds: 69% meet “sufficient” activity.
- 45-59 year-olds: Only 50% meet “sufficient” activity.
- 60-75 year-olds (women): Only 48% sufficiently active.
- Obesity and Activity: Obese Australians are 50% less likely to be sufficiently active.
- Activity Breakdown (Insufficiently Active, 18-64):
- 25% did no physical activity in the past week.
- 31% did 150+ minutes, but not on enough days.
- 13% were active on 5+ days, but for less than 150 total minutes.
- Activity Breakdown (Inactive, 65+):
- 39% did no physical activity.
- 24% did 150+ minutes, but not on enough days.
- Over 42% did less than 30 minutes activity in the past week.
- Socioeconomic Factors: 47% in low socioeconomic areas are insufficiently active, vs. 37% in high areas.
- Regional Variations:
- Outer regional/Remote: 46% not meeting minimums.
- Inner regional: 43% insufficiently active.
- Major cities: 41% not sufficiently active.
- Workplace Sitting: 46.9% of employed Australians (18-64) reported “mostly sitting” at work (2022), similar to 49.4% (2020-21).
III. American Fitness Statistics: Key Data
An analysis of physical activity and guideline adherence in the United States.
- Aerobic Activity Adherence: 46.9% of U.S. adults (18+) met aerobic guidelines in 2020.
- Combined Guideline Adherence: Only 24.2% met both aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines.
IV. Gym Membership and Usage: Trends and Demographics
Insights into gym attendance patterns across age groups in Australia.
- Australian Gym-Goers by Age:
- Ages 25-34: Most active gym users (over 1.9 million).
- Ages 15-17: Least likely to participate in gym activities.
V. Quantified Benefits of Exercise: The Impact on Health
Measuring the positive effects of exercise on various health outcomes.
- Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Reduction: Meeting minimums can reduce risk by 22%-31%.
- All-Cause Mortality (Moderate): 2-4x recommended moderate activity (300-599 min/week): 26-31% lower risk.
- All-Cause Mortality (Vigorous): 2-4x recommended vigorous activity (150-299 min/week): 21%-23% lower risk.
- Cardiovascular Disease Mortality (High Activity):
- High Moderate: 28%-38% reduced risk.
- High Vigorous: 27%-33% lower risk.
- All-Cause Mortality (Moderate-High): 20% lower risk.
- WHO-Recognized Benefits (Adults):
- Disease prevention/management (cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes).
- Reduced anxiety/depression symptoms.
- Improved cognitive function and overall health.
- WHO-Recognized Benefits (Children/Adolescents):
- Improved bone health.
- Healthy muscle development.
- Improved motor skills and cognitive function.
VI. Technology and Fitness: A Growing Intersection
The increasing role of technology in tracking, personalizing, and enhancing fitness.
- Wearable Technology Market:
- 2024 Global Value: Approximately $178.72 billion.
- 2033 Projected Value: Over $572 billion.
- “Smart Ring” Search Increase: +132% over the last 5 years.
- “Biohacking” Search Increase: Up 394% over the last 10 years.
- Online Personal Fitness Industry:
- 2019 Value: $6.046 million.
- 2027 Projected Value: $59.231 million.
- Fitness App Preferences:
- Key Attribute: Credibility (especially for women).
- Female Users: Value information quality.
VII. Fitness Goals and Aspirations: What People Want
Understanding the motivations and desires behind people’s fitness efforts.
- Aspiration vs. Reality Gap:
- 76% *want* to be fit and healthy.
- 65% *admit* not prioritizing health enough.
- Beyond Weight Loss:
- 32% want to increase flexibility/range of motion.
- 30% seek improved mobility/functional movement.
- Elderly Fitness Clients – Information (Thailand Study):
- Owned media (Facebook): 56.3%
VIII. The Personal Training Industry: Business and Career Data
Economic and professional aspects of the personal training sector.
- US Market Size (2020): $10.4 billion revenue.
- US Growth Rate (2015-2020): 2.4% annually.
- US Market Size Growth (vs. 2020): Expected 1.4% growth.
- US Trainers (2019): 373,700.
- UK Market Value: £684 million.
- UK Revenue Growth (2014-2019): 2.3%.
- UK Trainer Location: 47% in Greater London/South East London.
- UK Trainer Pay:
- Freelance (Traditional): £20-£40/hour.
- Freelance (High-End): £50-£100/hour.
- Employed: £14,000-£16,000/year.
- COVID-19 Risk Perception (Trainers):
- 27% believed gyms were safe to return to.
- Male Trainers: 31% considered gyms safe.
- Female Trainers: 20% considered gyms safe.
- Trainer Skill Gaps: Observation limitations in large groups, foreign languages, marketing, persuasion, music.
IX. Professional Standards and Education in Fitness
Developments in training and standards for fitness professionals.
- New Ukrainian Standard: “Personal Fitness Trainer” standard: 60 actions, 9 functions.
- Addressing a Gap: Previously, no standards for fitness workers in Ukraine.
- Planned vs. Perceived Intensity (Study): Clients reported higher intensities than trainers planned.
X. Emerging Fitness Trends: The Future of Fitness
Looking ahead at upcoming developments in fitness and personal training.
- Personal Training 3.0: Deeper wearable integration.
- Mainstream Biohacking: Increased interest in evidence-based optimization.
- Hybrid Training: More in-person/remote coaching flexibility.
- Customized Apps: Tailoring digital experiences to users.
- Targeted Education: Growing demand for demographic-specific training (e.g., seniors).
- Older Adults – Fitness (Thailand Study):
- Exercise: 1-3 days/week.
- Sessions: 1-2 hours.
- Service Use: 7+ times/month (majority).
Key Takeaways
- Any amount of exercise is better than none at all.
- Try higher-intensity workouts, but listen to your body.
- Identify your “why” for motivation.
- Apps and wearables can help you stay on track.
- Consistency is more important than intensity.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
Fitness is essential for health and longevity, but it doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Small, consistent steps are key. Find an activity you enjoy, set realistic goals, and build from there.
