A study of gym visit data from the US suggests that health clubs and fitness facilities are not contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

An analysis of 49.4 million member check-ins across 2,873 gyms in the US over three months studied the “visit-to-virus” ratio data from health and fitness clubs.

It showed that, out of the nearly 50 million visits, only 0.0023 per cent had tested positive for COVID-19 – a result deemed statistically irrelevant.

Undertaken by member experience specialist, MXM and IHRSA, the study examined and compared member check-in data (number of gym visits) from operators including major Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Life Time, and Orangetheory.

Over the course of the study, clubs provided their total check-ins and number of locations across all states, as well as self-reported on the total number of positive COVID-19 cases documented between employees and members who had been in their club.s

A separate study conducted by UK trade body, ukactive, found an estimated 0.020 positive cases per 10,000 gym visits.

"The check-in data proves that health clubs – when following strict cleaning and safety protocols – are safe," said Brent Darden, IHRSA interim president and CEO.

"The data shows that, with proper sanitisation protocols in place, people can safely return to their workout routines. Working out has never been more important to help boost immunity and improve mental health. It's time to acknowledge that gyms are safe," he said.

MXM CEO, Blair McHaney, added: "As recently as a few months ago, the data correlating fitness facility visits and mitigating risk was practically nonexistent.

"It's become abundantly clear that the safety measures gyms, sports clubs and boutique fitness centres have in place are not only incredibly effective at keeping members safe, but are also curbing the spread of COVID-19."

To find out more about the study and how the data was collected, click here.