A third (32 per cent) of US health club members remain unable to attend their regular fitness facility due to COVID-19 closures, as of 30 November – with 18 per cent saying their club has closed permanently.

The figure comes from a recurring study of 2,000 US club members, conducted by research specialist ClubIntel.

Called The US Member Journey in the Era of COVID-19, the study shows that while another third (34 per cent) of members had returned to a health/fitness facility, worryingly, one in five (20 per cent) had stopped exercising entirely.

The research also shows how the pandemic has changed the exercise habits of club members – and how operators are embracing the new hybrid model.

Of those who remain members, 41 per cent were now doing some form of regular exercise outside their club – whether the facility was open or not – while 58 per cent of members say their facility offers digital, on-demand fitness solutions.

So far, women have been less likely to have returned to their former facility than men – but twice as likely to use the digital fitness services offered by their club, when compared to men.

"The COVID-19 pandemic and mandated health/fitness facility closures have resulted in 20 per cent of members no longer pursuing a fitness routine – which is a shocker," ClubIntel said.

"Respondents who have not returned indicated that the leading reason for not returning once fitness facilities re-opened was because of their perceptions of the COVID-19 virus being out of control.

"A lack of confidence in fitness operators or their fellow members adhering to proper safety guidelines were also significant deterrents to returning.

"Meanwhile, 44 per cent of members who indicated digital fitness content was available, report using it at least once a week – in addition to visiting the club."

• To read the full report, click here.