How Large is the Fitness Industry in India?

The Indian fitness industry is poised for massive growth in the very near future. As of now, the current scenario in the industry in India can be described as largely unorganized. But when you compare this industry to the last decade, there has been a huge demand for fitness products and services. 

With the growing awareness in health and fitness and with the advent of technology that has helped spreading of crucial information across the nation, one can expect major changes in this industry in the coming years. Consumers today are taking a greater interest in fitness and seeking products that help them remain fit. 

Fitness industry can be categorized into fitness workouts in gym, health supplements and exercise gear and equipment. The rise in fitness awareness has led to a rise in gym memberships, demand for trainers, and demand for exercise clothes and equipment and also in health supplements. Currently, the fitness industry in India is enjoying a major and rapid expansion and very soon it can compete with the more developed nations.

Fitness workouts are not only limited to cardio or weight training, but exercise enthusiasts are trying different forms of fitness such as Zumba, MMA, Pilates, kickboxing and aerobics. Simultaneously, the rise of professional sports has also lead to the supply of fitness products and solutions in the market depicting a substantial opportunity for emerging fitness seekers and sportspeople. 

Evolution of Indian Fitness Industry

Rise in technology and awareness in consumers are the two main reasons for the evolution of Indian Fitness Industry. A decade back, this industry was mostly dominated by athletes and sportspeople be it in gym or fitness centers. Only these people demanded fitness gear, sports equipment and supplements. But now, as more and more people know about the benefits of fitness for overall health, the demand has increased. 

Today, manufacturers and suppliers are leveraging technology to create and deliver fitness products to consumers. Several fitness startups are targeting urban consumers for their products and services. This sector is increasingly stressed today with work load and engaging in fitness for well-being and happiness has become crucial. The market for such devices and products is quite large ranging from wearable fitness devices, digital platforms to sign for gym memberships, state-of-the-art fitness equipment and a lot of health supplements. 

With the entry of technology and digitization, the Indian fitness industry is soon going to witness a major overhaul. With a number of fitness apps being available for smart phones, the fitness industry is going places. These apps allow people to schedule their workouts and trainings at the gyms, thereby giving them flexible time shifts and also ease in management. The level of flexibility and easy availability is prompting more and more individuals to get involved in fitness today despite their busy office schedules. A conventional gym membership would charge them more than such flexible fitness training shifts today and this is also one of the reasons for the major surge in demand. Urban men and women have also seen a change in their body stamina, energy and strength by working out regularly, and hence motivating them to continue with their fitness regimen.

How large is the Fitness Industry in India currently?

By the end of 2018, the total revenues collected from the Indian fitness industry amounted to USD 908 million. Further growth is expected at a rate of 9.3% by 2022. But a major portion of these revenues collected will arise from the consumption of fitness wearables. 

There are a large number of upscale fitness centres coming up in urban localities, encouraging more and more men and women to join the bandwagon just to be noticed in the urban crowd. Majority of these customers belong to the disposable income group between age group 20 to 45.  

A large number of cases of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in India has also triggered a rise in demand for fitness. This is one of the key reasons for the sudden surge in the number of weight loss products and also in the amount of gym memberships. People earlier considered spending money on gym memberships as a luxury, but today, these people perceive fitness as a compulsory part of their lives, with most people opting for muscle-building exercises and cardio-vascular health promoting training. Women are also participating in strength building exercises. 

The future of fitness in India

The near future would find a lot of fully-equipped gyms in corporate offices and big companies as more and more people are giving importance to employee wellness and health. This will enable employees to look after their fitness with a different perspective and a fun way to distress from their workload. 

Hospitality industry has been following this trend since long, but fully-equipped gyms were found more in big properties of the 5 star range. In near future, gyms and health centres will be found in every hotel. Residential complexes are also providing health clubs and gyms to the residents. Many fitness enthusiasts are also demanding home gym equipment and services and so the demand has risen considerably. Services such as personal trainers, nutritionists and fitness experts are also available on online portals and mobile apps.

In the coming years, one can find a rise in more fitness start-ups and big companies exploring Indian boundaries for a very potential fitness market. Indian consumers today have greater access to tech-driven services, wearable gym gear, fitness equipment and other such services, which were initially available only abroad. Soon, all these sectors will open up their branches in India. 

Indians have realized the importance of fitness not only for bodily strength and well-being but also in curbing various diseases such as anxiety, depression and others. With the increase in awareness, there is a better scope for fitness industry in India today and it is bound to increase substantially in the coming years.

For more interesting articles like this, keep reading Indian Fitness Mantra.