The Gym Industry in Brazil
Brazilian gym industry is the second largest in the whole world. In this article we will show you more information about this important sector of economy.
For the third time in a row, Brazil occupies the second position on the list of countries with the largest number of fitness centers in the world. Concerns regarding health and the pursuit of the perfect body put Brazil in the top 3 nations, with over 23,6 thousand establishments opened in the country, only behind the 30 thousand fitness centers in United States.
According to the Latin American Report 2012, made by International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), only in 2011, the number of fitness centers increased 30% and the income of the fitness and well-being sector increased 10%, reaching BRL 2,45 billion. With this income, Brazil is in the third place of the ranking of gym industry in America, behind the United States and Canada.
The Brazilian association of fitness centers named "Associação Brasileira de Academias", also known as ACAD, claims that over 5 million Brazilian – which correspond to 3% of the country's population – attend to fitness centers. They also say that this number can increase even more, considering that nations like the Netherlands and Denmark have 40% of their population as members of such establishments.
São Paulo is the state with the largest number of fitness centers in Brazil: over 6,400 establishments, one for every 6,445 inhabitants. Santa Catarina is state with the second largest density of fitness centers; over 1,700 of them, one for every 3,487 people.
Increasing sector
The gym industry attends a small part of the population, if you consider that Brazil has almost 200 million inhabitants. However, this sector has been gaining ground and investments, mostly because people are growing aware of the importance of doing exercises to have a healthier life.
According to a research made by Instituto Data Popular (Popular Data Institute), 79 million Brazilians declared to have interest in practicing any physical activity, being 54,2% of them from C social class. This class is responsible for a good share of the rise in the market; now that their incomes are higher, they can afford fitness centers – something that used to be a luxury –, aiming at a better quality of life.
Big companies and the rise of class C
Big groups of the sector are opening low cost establishments to attend these new people interested in exercising. In 2009, Bio Ritmo lauched Smart Fit, which offers a monthly plan with prices ranging from BRL 50,00 to BRL 60,00. The usual monthly plan of Bio Ritmo costs approximately BRL 250,00. With Smart Fit, Bio Ritmo reached 200 thousand members, being 130 thousand of them from the more affordable new line.
The Bodytech group also started a new line to attend people with lower incomes. Fórmula offers plans from BRL 89,00 to BRL 180,00. Their usual plans costs BRL 300,00.
The elderly go to the gym
Approximately 30% of the people who go to fitness centers in Brazil are over 60 years. One decade ago, this number was estimated in only 5%. Third age people contributes to the sector's rise because they tend to be more faithful to the fitness centers. More than that, they understand that the practice of physical exercises is important to have a better quality of life.
Physical exercises, along with other benefits such as muscular strengthening, helps controlling diabetes, arthritis and cardiac diseases, and improves the reflexes and the flexibility of the body. It's also important for controlling the blood pressure.
When you exercise, your body stimulates the production of serotonin, which is a brain chemical that carries messages throughout the nervous system. Serotonin regulates appetite, sleeping and mood. Practicing exercises provides people a better mood and prevents them to have depression. Also, if the exercises are made in a group, it helps socializing – which is as important as any other of the benefits.