A new report provides robust data on the Spanish health and fitness market. Kristen Walsh, associate publisher for IHRSA, reports

Published in September 2016 by Management Around Sports, in conjunction with the University of Alcalá de Madrid, The Market Report on Spanish Health Clubs is the most comprehensive survey and overview of the Spanish health club market available.

The new report – based on a survey of Spanish clubs completed in early to mid-2016, looking back on data for 2015 – contains information and analysis on the total number of health clubs in Spain, membership structures, pricing information, facility size, amenities offered, health club consumer demographics and much more.

Key findings
According to the comprehensive report, Spain is home to 4,350 health clubs, with an average size of 3,859sq m including outdoor activity space. On average, each club has 3,037 members with an average age of 36.5 years.

Spanish health club members are slightly more likely to be female (50.6 per cent) than male (49.4 per cent), with an average monthly cancellation rate of health club membership coming in at 6.7 per cent.

The average monthly membership fee of health clubs in 2015 was €35.10 (plus VAT), while the average monthly income was valued at €42.15 per member including secondary spend (plus VAT) – a 10.4 per cent and 11.6 per cent increase respectively.

The results show that in 2015, health and fitness clubs in Spain increased their revenue from monthly membership fees to €1,186,813, up by 3.8 per cent compared to the revenues in 2014. Total income per health club has grown by 3 per cent from 2014 to €1,405,112 in 2015.

In 2015 the average EBIT per club was €181,346 – a 6.18 per cent increase from 2014. The amortisation ratio, plus financing (leasing and rentals) over the total income, was 16.1 per cent in 2015. This is similar to 2014, when the figure was 15.5 per cent.

In 2015, Spanish health clubs spent, on average, 37.7 per cent of income on personnel salaries, 9.9 per cent on supplies, 3.5 per cent on marketing and promotions, and 1.3 per cent on education and training.

Evolving market
“The fitness and health club industry in Spain is undergoing a very interesting evolution,” says Maria Ángeles de Santiago, CEO of Management Around Sports. “There are business models that are strongly consolidating in the market and others that are emerging as totally innovative.”

So which business models are emerging strongly in Spain? “A number of sectors are currently experiencing growth,” she says. “Each of these has a specific competitive advantage.

“These include specialist clubs or boutiques: small facilities where members pay per visit. The greatest advantage is the unique experience they provide the user/member. They address specific objectives and the activity is in a group setting.

“Another growth sector is the personal training studio: facilities that offer one-to-one activities or small group training, with a strong focus on the members' results.

“Finally, neighbourhood gyms that are open longer hours – even 24/7 – with a slightly smaller footprint than the typical low-cost gym, and a small number of staff.”