Bay exercise industry booming as more residents find gyms more accessible and attractive

CHANGES: Gyms are no longer the domain of Arnold Schwarzenegger bodybuilder types and are increasing their appeal. PHOTO SUPPLIES

Sport and exercise participation rates are falling across the country, but gyms - once the domain of Arnold Schwarzenegger bodybuilder types - are increasing their appeal, and are more accessible and attractive to the every man and woman.

While many clubs and team sports are struggling for members, the number of gyms and fitness centres in the Bay has grown.

An extra 10 exercise-related business have appeared in the Bay since 2009, according to industry organisation Skills Active, taking the total to 40 businesses across the region. Around 170 Bay workers were employed in the industry, an increase from 130 in 2009.

Equipment-based exercise - lifting weights, running or cycling in a gym or at home - is the third most popular sport or recreation activity in the Bay, with more than 27,000 annual participants, behind walking and cycling.

Sport New Zealand general manager of community sport Geoff Barry said there was an increasing number of people who were time-poor and were unwilling to make season-long sporting commitments.

He said conversely, there has been an increase in demand for casual, time-flexible activities, like running, walking or the gym.

Exercise New Zealand's chief executive Richard Beddie said the discourse around gym-based exercise has shifted significantly in the past few decades, but has accelerated in the last five years.

"What's really different now is that exercise is mainstream. Twenty-five years ago it wasn't," Mr Beddie said.

"The joke was that the only people that had personal trainers were movie stars or elite athletes... Now it's not unusual, and it's a mindset change not only individually but broadly in society."

Mr Beddie said one of the major demographic changes in gyms has been the increase in patronage by older people looking to maintain their health and mobility.

"Now it's very normal for groups of people in their later years to exercise... There's a cliché in our industry that people join for beauty and they stay for health. If you're 20 you're more interested in how you look, but when you're 60 you're more interested in how you feel," he said.

"By going to that class activity every Thursday it might mean you can still pick up your grandkids, or you can still walk to the bus stop. [Older attendees] have completely different drivers and motivations [than younger members]."

Mr Beddie said the vast majority of people find it difficult to make time for regular exercise, but said physical health was possibly the most important asset a person has.

"It's all about priorities. You're investing time now to invest in the future."

CONSISTENCY AMONG CHANGE

Bay City Gym owner and operator Chrissy Newell said the increase in demand for gyms and fitness centres in the Bay has been clear over the past five years.

"There's a definite increase in people using fitness facilities in this day and age - you can see that in the amount of facilities that are around in these smaller districts," Mrs Newell said.

"But it hasn't been a downturn effect for us. It basically means there are more people in the community that are getting physically active."

Mrs Newell, who has owned the Latham St, Napier gym since 2010 with her husband Hamish, said they decided to open it up 24 hours a day, seven days a week two and half years ago to accommodate their busier members.

"People are definitely looking for more flexible options. I think people are more time poor. You just have to look at the dynamics of families these days - often both parents are working and then you're also juggling children and you've got to fit in your own time as well. It was a no brainer for us.

"It's a moving industry. You have to evolve, you have to have different things and you have to keep people motivated to keep it interesting."

Although demands and demographics have been changing, Mrs Newell said one thing has remained constant.

"Everybody just wants to lose weight and look better!"