Adults with disabilities and households spend $24 billion on fitness, Pulse report estimates
A Pulse Fitness-commissioned paper estimated that adults with disabilities and their households spent about $24 billion a year on U.S. fitness. The report found higher weekly gym and trainer use among disabled adults who exercised weekly, but said the estimate included spending already in the market.
Athletech News reported November 10 that Pulse Fitness commissioned and funded a white paper prepared by Datagonist. The paper estimated $24 billion in annual U.S. fitness spending by adults with disabilities and their households.1
It drew on a survey of 2,500 U.S. adults and other research. It cited barriers such as inaccessible equipment, crowded gym floors and staff who lacked sufficient training. Among weekly exercisers, 55% of adults with disabilities used an in-person facility weekly, versus 43% of other adults. Weekly trainer or coach use was 32% among adults with disabilities and 18% among those without disabilities.1
The $24 billion estimate included existing household spending, not just potential new revenue. It also identified a $7.2 billion market among more frequent exercisers with disabilities and their households.1
Pulse recommended universal design to make equipment and facilities accessible to people with different abilities. Its paper also included case studies and a 90-day plan for staff training, equipment access and community partnerships. The figures pointed to an underserved group of active fitness users, while access barriers could cost gyms members and revenue.1
