Revenue and membership figures for the past year indicate health and fitness clubs in the US are successfully weathering the new economic environment, according to an industry survey.

The International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) surveyed 99 US companies representing 3,256 facilities in its annual Industry Data Survey.

Figures show growth of 3.6 per cent in revenue and 3.1 per cent in membership amongst survey participants.

Member retention of 71.9 per cent was up modestly, compared with 70 per cent in 2011, with fitness-only clubs showing the highest retention rate of 82 per cent.

Across all clubs the median number of visits was 59, up from 54 last year.
The median revenue brought in by each individual member was $867.50 (662.79 euro, £538.44) and this rose to more than $1,000 (764.01 euro, £620.67) at independent and large clubs.

About 5 per cent of revenue was derived from spa services at multipurpose clubs.
IHRSA executive vice president of global products Jay Ablondi said increased profitability may have favourably affected capital expenditure by club operators, with 5 per cent of total revenue going towards fitness and office equipment and grounds, up from 4 per cent last year.