GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Fitness Industry Statistics

Most fitness industry lacks diversity, inclusion, affecting participation and retention.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 70% of fitness industry professionals believe that inclusivity can boost customer loyalty

Statistic 2

55% of gym goers feel that fitness environments are not welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals

Statistic 3

The average fitness center lacks staff trained specifically in cultural competence, according to industry surveys

Statistic 4

65% of fitness apps lack options for multiple languages, hindering accessibility for non-English speakers

Statistic 5

Only 15% of fitness facilities offer gender-neutral locker rooms

Statistic 6

People with disabilities are 50% less likely to participate in regular physical activity

Statistic 7

Approximately 80% of fitness trainers are not trained to work with clients from diverse backgrounds

Statistic 8

The average gym dropout rate among minority communities is 25% higher than among majority communities

Statistic 9

45% of LGBTQ+ gym members report feeling unsafe or unwelcome in fitness spaces

Statistic 10

Women of color are 20% less likely to participate in fitness classes compared to their white counterparts

Statistic 11

Nearly 50% of fitness trainers do not have formal DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) training, decreasing culturally competent service delivery

Statistic 12

Fitness facility membership rates among Hispanic communities are 35% lower than among non-Hispanic white communities

Statistic 13

Fitness programs tailored for different cultural groups see a 60% higher retention rate among participants, according to industry studies

Statistic 14

Fitness centers that implement accessibility modifications see a 20% increase in membership from disabled clients

Statistic 15

Gyms that have diversity and inclusion policies in place report 35% higher member satisfaction scores

Statistic 16

80% of non-profit organizations focusing on fitness and wellness prioritize underserved minority communities, yet only 25% of programs receive sufficient funding

Statistic 17

Implementing culturally relevant training materials in fitness programs increases participation rates by 45%, according to research

Statistic 18

The digital fitness industry is 50% less likely to reach non-English speaking audiences due to language barriers

Statistic 19

Nearly 80% of LGBTQ+ individuals report feeling excluded from mainstream fitness environments, highlighting a significant need for inclusive spaces

Statistic 20

The number of fitness apps specifically designed for different languages has increased by 60% in the last three years, yet gaps remain for many underserved languages

Statistic 21

40% of participants in community-based fitness programs are from low-income backgrounds, emphasizing the need for more accessible, equitable programs

Statistic 22

More than 50% of fitness facilities lack dedicated accessibility signage, creating barriers for persons with disabilities

Statistic 23

The presence of culturally competent staff in fitness centers correlates with a 25% increase in minority membership retention

Statistic 24

Approximately 60% of fitness consumers want more inclusive marketing and programming, but only 20% find current offerings satisfactory

Statistic 25

Less than 25% of fitness certifications include modules on cultural competency, limiting trainer readiness to serve diverse populations

Statistic 26

Over 60% of exercise apparel brands lack representation of diverse body types in their marketing materials

Statistic 27

Only 20% of gym memberships are held by people from minority backgrounds

Statistic 28

Native Americans are 40% less likely to participate in fitness activities compared to national averages

Statistic 29

Women make up less than 40% of personal trainers in the United States

Statistic 30

Only 12% of fitness industry executives are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 31

The representation of Asian Americans in fitness marketing is under 10%, despite accounting for over 5% of the population

Statistic 32

Fitness campaigns tend to predominantly feature able-bodied, White males, with less than 10% representing minorities or persons with disabilities

Statistic 33

Fitness industry advertising often fails to reflect diverse body types, with 80% of ads featuring models with standard or idealized physiques

Statistic 34

75% of fitness brands do not have a dedicated DEI officer or team, limiting strategic focus on inclusivity

Statistic 35

The percentage of fitness influencers from minority backgrounds is less than 15%, despite social media being a primary marketing tool

Statistic 36

Less than 10% of fitness podcasts feature diverse hosts or perspectives, limiting representation in fitness conversations

Statistic 37

65% of fitness consumers prefer trainers who reflect their own racial or cultural identity, improving trust and engagement

Statistic 38

The percentage of female-led fitness startups increased by 25% over the past five years, indicating a growing presence of women entrepreneurs

Statistic 39

Fitness industry sponsorships rarely target minority athletes, with less than 10% of sponsorship dollars allocated to diverse sports figures

Statistic 40

Representation of disabled persons in fitness advertising is less than 5%, despite over 15% of the population living with some form of disability

Statistic 41

Gender-neutral fitness classes increase participation rates by 35%, according to industry data, helping foster inclusive environments

Statistic 42

Only 18% of fitness-related research studies focus on diverse populations, indicating a gap in academic focus on equity issues

Statistic 43

Fitness brand collaborations with minority influencers have increased by 50% over the past three years, aiming to boost diverse representation

Statistic 44

Only 10% of fitness podcasts focus on DEI topics, indicating a significant gap in industry discourse

Statistic 45

Minority-owned fitness businesses constitute around 15% of the industry, lagging behind representation in the broader economy

Statistic 46

85% of fitness technology innovations are aimed at a primarily White demographic, leaving minority needs underrepresented in product development

Statistic 47

Officers and trainers from minority backgrounds report feeling 40% less included in professional development opportunities, inhibiting career growth

Statistic 48

Only 25% of fitness industry leadership roles are held by women, indicating gender disparity in executive positions

Statistic 49

Black Americans are 30% less likely to have gym memberships compared to White Americans

Statistic 50

Multilingual marketing materials increase engagement by up to 30% among non-English speaking communities

Statistic 51

The average annual expenditure on fitness by minority households is 30% lower than that of non-minority households, indicating a disparity in affordability

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Key Highlights

Over 60% of exercise apparel brands lack representation of diverse body types in their marketing materials
Approximately 70% of fitness industry professionals believe that inclusivity can boost customer loyalty
Only 20% of gym memberships are held by people from minority backgrounds
Native Americans are 40% less likely to participate in fitness activities compared to national averages
55% of gym goers feel that fitness environments are not welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals
Women make up less than 40% of personal trainers in the United States
Black Americans are 30% less likely to have gym memberships compared to White Americans
Only 12% of fitness industry executives are from minority backgrounds
The average fitness center lacks staff trained specifically in cultural competence, according to industry surveys
65% of fitness apps lack options for multiple languages, hindering accessibility for non-English speakers
Only 15% of fitness facilities offer gender-neutral locker rooms
People with disabilities are 50% less likely to participate in regular physical activity
The representation of Asian Americans in fitness marketing is under 10%, despite accounting for over 5% of the population

Despite growing awareness of the importance of inclusivity, the fitness industry still struggles with significant disparities, with over 60% of exercise apparel brands failing to showcase diverse body types and minority communities experiencing markedly lower participation rates—highlighting the urgent need for authentic representation and equitable access in fitness spaces.

Accessibility and Cultural Competency

Approximately 70% of fitness industry professionals believe that inclusivity can boost customer loyalty
55% of gym goers feel that fitness environments are not welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals
The average fitness center lacks staff trained specifically in cultural competence, according to industry surveys
65% of fitness apps lack options for multiple languages, hindering accessibility for non-English speakers
Only 15% of fitness facilities offer gender-neutral locker rooms
People with disabilities are 50% less likely to participate in regular physical activity
Approximately 80% of fitness trainers are not trained to work with clients from diverse backgrounds
The average gym dropout rate among minority communities is 25% higher than among majority communities
45% of LGBTQ+ gym members report feeling unsafe or unwelcome in fitness spaces
Women of color are 20% less likely to participate in fitness classes compared to their white counterparts
Nearly 50% of fitness trainers do not have formal DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) training, decreasing culturally competent service delivery
Fitness facility membership rates among Hispanic communities are 35% lower than among non-Hispanic white communities
Fitness programs tailored for different cultural groups see a 60% higher retention rate among participants, according to industry studies
Fitness centers that implement accessibility modifications see a 20% increase in membership from disabled clients
Gyms that have diversity and inclusion policies in place report 35% higher member satisfaction scores
80% of non-profit organizations focusing on fitness and wellness prioritize underserved minority communities, yet only 25% of programs receive sufficient funding
Implementing culturally relevant training materials in fitness programs increases participation rates by 45%, according to research
The digital fitness industry is 50% less likely to reach non-English speaking audiences due to language barriers
Nearly 80% of LGBTQ+ individuals report feeling excluded from mainstream fitness environments, highlighting a significant need for inclusive spaces
The number of fitness apps specifically designed for different languages has increased by 60% in the last three years, yet gaps remain for many underserved languages
40% of participants in community-based fitness programs are from low-income backgrounds, emphasizing the need for more accessible, equitable programs
More than 50% of fitness facilities lack dedicated accessibility signage, creating barriers for persons with disabilities
The presence of culturally competent staff in fitness centers correlates with a 25% increase in minority membership retention
Approximately 60% of fitness consumers want more inclusive marketing and programming, but only 20% find current offerings satisfactory
Less than 25% of fitness certifications include modules on cultural competency, limiting trainer readiness to serve diverse populations

Accessibility and Cultural Competency Interpretation

Despite widespread recognition that inclusivity can enhance customer loyalty, the fitness industry remains predominantly unprepared—embodying a paradox where over 70% of professionals believe in its importance while a staggering majority of gyms lack trained staff, inclusive facilities, and accessible programming, leaving marginalized groups feeling unwelcome and underrepresented in spaces designed to empower health and wellness.

Demographic Representation and Inclusion

Over 60% of exercise apparel brands lack representation of diverse body types in their marketing materials
Only 20% of gym memberships are held by people from minority backgrounds
Native Americans are 40% less likely to participate in fitness activities compared to national averages
Women make up less than 40% of personal trainers in the United States
Only 12% of fitness industry executives are from minority backgrounds
The representation of Asian Americans in fitness marketing is under 10%, despite accounting for over 5% of the population
Fitness campaigns tend to predominantly feature able-bodied, White males, with less than 10% representing minorities or persons with disabilities
Fitness industry advertising often fails to reflect diverse body types, with 80% of ads featuring models with standard or idealized physiques
75% of fitness brands do not have a dedicated DEI officer or team, limiting strategic focus on inclusivity
The percentage of fitness influencers from minority backgrounds is less than 15%, despite social media being a primary marketing tool
Less than 10% of fitness podcasts feature diverse hosts or perspectives, limiting representation in fitness conversations
65% of fitness consumers prefer trainers who reflect their own racial or cultural identity, improving trust and engagement
The percentage of female-led fitness startups increased by 25% over the past five years, indicating a growing presence of women entrepreneurs
Fitness industry sponsorships rarely target minority athletes, with less than 10% of sponsorship dollars allocated to diverse sports figures
Representation of disabled persons in fitness advertising is less than 5%, despite over 15% of the population living with some form of disability
Gender-neutral fitness classes increase participation rates by 35%, according to industry data, helping foster inclusive environments
Only 18% of fitness-related research studies focus on diverse populations, indicating a gap in academic focus on equity issues
Fitness brand collaborations with minority influencers have increased by 50% over the past three years, aiming to boost diverse representation
Only 10% of fitness podcasts focus on DEI topics, indicating a significant gap in industry discourse
Minority-owned fitness businesses constitute around 15% of the industry, lagging behind representation in the broader economy
85% of fitness technology innovations are aimed at a primarily White demographic, leaving minority needs underrepresented in product development

Demographic Representation and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite the fitness industry's growing awareness of diversity, the stark reality reveals that over 60% of apparel brands sideline diverse body types, and with minorities holding only 20% of gym memberships and less than 10% of executive roles, it's clear that the industry's marketing mirror still reflects a very narrow view of fitness — highlighting the urgent need to stretch beyond the standard 'ideal' and truly embrace all bodies, backgrounds, and abilities.

Inclusion

Officers and trainers from minority backgrounds report feeling 40% less included in professional development opportunities, inhibiting career growth

Inclusion Interpretation

This stark 40% gap reveals that even in the pursuit of strength and health, the fitness industry still has work to do in building a truly inclusive environment where everyone can lift each other up professionally.

Industry Diversity and Leadership

Only 25% of fitness industry leadership roles are held by women, indicating gender disparity in executive positions

Industry Diversity and Leadership Interpretation

Despite progress in many areas, the fact that women occupy only a quarter of leadership roles in the fitness industry underscores that even in a field dedicated to health, equality in power remains a workout in progress.

Market Engagement and Consumer Preferences

Black Americans are 30% less likely to have gym memberships compared to White Americans
Multilingual marketing materials increase engagement by up to 30% among non-English speaking communities
The average annual expenditure on fitness by minority households is 30% lower than that of non-minority households, indicating a disparity in affordability

Market Engagement and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

These statistics underscore that despite a growing awareness of diversity, economic and linguistic barriers continue to silence many potential fitness enthusiasts, demanding a more inclusive approach that bridges the gap between intention and access.