IRELAND IS IN the midst of a fitness boom, but the traditional gym business model is being squeezed with budget and high-price operators attracting more new customers.

That’s what fitness expert Mark McManus says. He is the registrar for the Register of Exercise professionals, as well as health and wellness manager at Leisure World in Cork.

It’s part of a process that has seen the gym go from being a place for muscle-bound weightlifters to fitness being included in the day-to-day lives of more and more people, he says.

“I think there is greater awareness around health. I don’t think people are going into trainers saying they want a body like the person in the magazine…the main thing that’s driving people to be more active is health.”

People used to come to the gym as their past time, but now more and more are coming so they are healthier or more able to take part in other activities like mountain climbing, skiing, tag rugby, five a side.

As the amount of people interested in health and fitness increases, McManus says that  general interest gyms are being squeezed out.

“The type of centres I manage have a gym, pool, aerobic classes, astroturf pitches…that’s the area that’s getting squeezed because you have a fragmentation of the industry because you have more specialist, bespoke stuff.”

People will pay more when they get a better level of service, but at the other end of the scale, you have easy gyms for about €15 a month.

As the industry expands, McManus is hoping to register more fitness professionals to the list, which should give consumers the confidence that their trainer is adequately insured and qualified.

“The fitness profession is one that is growing, and therefore we need to make sure there’s confidence that the person has appropriate training and insurance.”

What do you think is an appropriate level to spend on health and fitness classes a month? Or can you get all the exercise you need without going to a gym?

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