Decades ago, Jane Fonda’s first fitness video sent Boomers dashing to the store for leg warmers and striped leotards. Fonda’s video had perfect timing: the first Baby Boomers were approaching the big four-o, and rethinking their health, wealth, and general lifestyle preferences.
Since then, the health and fitness industry has exploded. Gyms, clubs, and studios are sprouting up all over town, from one-room yoga dens to mega-sized state-of-the-art health clubs. One interesting trivia note, over the past twelve years, the fastest growing segment of health club affecionado is the 55+ age group with female membership growing faster than the male counterpart. This according to Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.,
Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the United States, also ranks fifth among the top ten cities for health and fitness memberships. There are about 6 million people living in Arizona and since the Census Bureau and National Center for Health Statistics, tells us that today’s singles make up 47% of all households in the country, a large percent of the gym’s patrons should also be single.
According to the media, the Baby Boomer generation is prone to “nesting” or “cocooning.” It is a computer-savvy generation working from home offices, entertaining in media rooms or home theatres, and playing on “sport courts” out in the backyard. Do these same people religiously jump in the car and drive to the gym?
Why not work out at home? Could they be seeking more than great shape? How about companionship or romance maybe? The only way to find out is, well, to join a club.
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