Athleisure and sports habits in the US - Appinio Hype Tracker

Appinio Research · 07.02.2023 · 33min read

Athleisure and sports habits in the US | Appinio Hype Tracker

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The first Appinio Hype Tracker Report of the year looks at sport, exercise, and sportswear among Americans. With this piece of research, Appinio wanted to understand how attitudes vary across different age groups, what motivates people to get out there and establish healthy habits, but also what kind of equipment they own and what is their opinion of sports clothing.

Exercising regularly has become an essential part of daily life for many people, and it's easy to see why, not only does regular exercise help improve physical health, but it also boosts mental health too.

Sports and how consumers approach sports are also changing rapidly, with new trends such as athleisure becoming increasingly popular, Appinio took a closer look to find out which sports practices Americans engage in and how they use workout gear and sportswear by asking a nationally representative sample of 1.000 Americans between 16 and 65 years old.

Appinio has summarised the entire study results in our Hype Tracker Report in 10 pages, download your copy of the report for free!

How do Americans work out?

Working out regularly is everyone's dream, no wonder it is always one of the most popular New Years resolutions. You know the gist: new Year, new me, new healthy habits, picking up good habits like working out, eating a lot of veggies, and dropping bad ones like smoking, or locking the sweets cabinet.

But working out is difficult, it requires motivation, effort, commitment, routines, rewiring the brain to pick up the positive habits.

Lacking motivation is actually one of the most common reasons why people do not work out, so it’s no surprise that some people need to device multiple tricks to force themselves to move, i.e. going to bed in workout clothes in order to be ready for the morning run, or watching an episode of their favourite dating show only when they're on the treadmill.

The Appinio Hype Tracker report actually paints a nice picture for the US and its sports habits.

When looking more closely, only 13% of Americans claim to never ever work out and they are more likely to fall into the 55-65 years-old age bracket.

So, whether it's a home workout, playing team sports or going to a Pilates studio, 87% of Americans exercise, with 16% exercising every single day of the week, Millennials being the most consistent among age groups (19%).

This is certainly good news as exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but this can also be seen as a direct product of the pandemic. In the last years people have been focusing on strengthening their immune system and trying to make themselves more resilient, it is common knowledge that regular physical activity boosts also the immune system, making us more resistant to a plethora of health conditions, not only Covid-19.

In most cases, Americans work out without a proper training plan (46%), one fourth (26%) uses YouTube videos as a guidance, and 21% work out with an app.

Using YouTube videos or apps to exercise can be a convenient and cost-effective way to stay active and reach fitness goals. These resources can offer a wide variety of workout and training options, from beginner to advanced, and can be done in the comfort of one's own home. They also provide the flexibility to choose the workout that best suits people's needs and goals.

However, it's important to note that while being a great resource, they may not be suitable for everyone.

These data, taken all together, paint a very specific picture: the majority of Americans work out with minimal or close to zero guidance.

Using YouTube videos, apps or trying to remember what you did during the PE hour can be a great way to supplement your workout routine and provide variety, but it's not a replacement for guidance and monitoring from sports professionals, so it's important to be cautious.

Check out the full data set free of charge on our Analyzer!

To the Analyser

Why do Americans exercise?

People work out for a lot of reasons such as to improve their physical health and fitness, to increase muscle mass and strength, to lose weight and body fat, to improve their overall appearance, and to boost their energy levels and mood. Some people may also work out for specific goals such as to prepare for a sports event, to recover from an injury, or to improve their performance at work or in other activities. Additionally, working out can also be seen as a way to reduce stress, improve sleep and mental health.

So what gets Americans out of their suits or pajamas and get them to their training session?

Almost two thirds (59%) of Americans who regularly exercise, do so in order to improve their health.

We already mentioned above that this is part of a mindset shift that started already a couple of years ago, going to gym and exercising is not only a way to achieve a specific body ideal but it is first and foremost a way to feel good and stay health.

Furthermore, a 41% work out in order to lose weight, most likely women (48% vs. 34% of men) and 39% work out to build strength and muscles, most likely men (43% vs. 34% of women).

Stereotypes, right?

Where do Americans work out?

There is no such a thing as the best place to work out, it depends on an individual's personal preferences and needs. Some popular options include:

Gyms, a very common option as they have a wide variety of equipment that people can't really access elsewhere, e.g. weightlifting machines, cardio equipment, and free weights, furthermore, gyms often provide users with personal trainers and sports professionals to give guidance and support.
Home, a convenient option for people who prefer to work out in the privacy of their own home or have busy schedule. People can exercise and progress at their own pace, without the fear of somebody else picking apart everything they do and without having to spend a lot to get the newest and shiniest workout clothes (even if proper attire is recommended when exercising).
Outdoor, activities such as running, cycling, hiking or swimming can provide an opportunity to enjoy nature, fresh air and sunshine while working out.
Studio classes, such as yoga, Pilates, or dance, can provide a fun, social, and high-energy workout.
Online workout classes and programs, they have become increasingly popular, especially during those lockdown months, allowing individuals to access professional guidance and workout plans from the comfort of their own homes.

But Americans' favourite place to work out is their home. Over two thirds (65%) work out mostly at home, while 39% work out outdoors as well as another 37% at a gym.

Kudos to all those that work out outdoors as they dare to defy the proverbial British weather!

Almost two thirds (60%) of those that usually work out at a gym, studio or club, have a regular membership to access only one gym or studio, while 29% have a membership that grants them access to multiple gyms and studios, another 24% chose a pay-as-you-go subscription (we all know motivation weavers from time to time).

Two in five (40%) spends less than $50, older segments being more likely to go to a gym on a budget.

While one third (31%) spend between $50 and $100 and the remaining 30% spend over $100, with 7% spending over $200 a month for their gym needs.

Curious to see which age group spends the most at a gym? Check it out on the Appinio Analyzer.

To the Analyser

Who do Americans work out with?

Do Americans like to work out alone or do they prefer having company?

Our Appinio Hype Tracker report was clear, Americans work out on their own (71%), working out with partners as well as friends happens less often (both at 20%), even if having a gym-buddy is more popular among the younger demographics.

There are advantages and disadvantage for both cases.

Working out alone can be a great way to focus on one's own goals and progress, without the distractions or pressures of others. People can set their own pace and work at their own level, and they can focus on their own form and technique without feeling self-conscious.

Additionally, working out alone can also be a great way to develop discipline and self-motivation, as the person is the only one responsible for keeping themselves on track. It can also be a great way to improve performance and mental focus, as there are no distractions.

Working out on alone can also be a great way to save time: no need to coordinate with others, work out whenever & wherever, and no need to wait for anyone.

However, working out with a partner or friends can be a great way to stay motivated and accountable to the set fitness goals. Having a workout buddy can provide a sense of accountability, as well as social support and motivation.

Working out with a partner or friends can also make the workout more enjoyable, as buddies can share the experience, push each other to work harder, try new exercises and have fun together.

What is the most popular way of exercising?

According to our survey respondents, running is the most popular type of exercise in the US with 45% of people engaging regularly in it. As expected, men are more likely to run than women (53% vs. 36%), and younger segments being more likely than older segments to prefer this type of exercise over other, Gen Z seem the age bracket with most runners (57%).

This could be explained by the fact that running doesn't need a lot of equipment, it can be done anywhere, any time and with little costs.

Weight lifting ranks second at 30%, more men than women lift weights (49% vs. 26%) and unsurprisingly, and Gen Z seem the most likely age group to engage in this type of training, at 51%.

Third place goes to yoga at 29%, unsurprisingly this seems more popular with women than men (36% vs. 22%), with respondents aged 35-44 years-old and Millennials being the more likely to engage in this sport, respectively at 34% and 33%.

Athleisurewear: are Americans following the latest trends in sportswear?

Sportswear can be a useful tool to enhance the workout experience, by providing comfort, breathability, flexibility, and motivation. However, it's not a requirement and it's more important to wear clothes that allow fitness enthusiasts to move freely and safely.

The sportwear industry has become huge, the athleisure market is projected to hit US$ 793.46 billion globally by 2028 at 9.9% CAGR.

Let's also consider the immense push that the pandemic has given to this industry, when there was no need for office / business attire as the workforce was working from home, comfy but stylish clothes became the norm and athleisure came to be.

But what is athleisure?

Athleisure is a trend in fashion that combines athletic and leisure wear.

It includes clothing such as workout leggings, sports bras, and athletic shoes that can be worn both during physical activity and in everyday casual settings. The trend has become increasingly popular in recent years as people seek comfortable and functional clothing that can be worn both in and out of the gym.

One benefit of athleisure is that it allows people to seamlessly transition from a workout to other activities or errands, without needing to change clothes. It also promotes an active lifestyle and a healthy attitude, as it encourages people to stay active and be comfortable while doing it.

Athleisure can also be seen as a way to express personal style and make a fashion statement. It's a way for people to express their individuality, or even just to recreate that off-duty model look.

But let's deep dive into the data from the Appinio Hype Tracker Report.

When it comes to sportswear, 37% of all Americans think of Nike, followed by Adidas at 17% and Under Armour ranks third but only at 12%.

Three in four (76%) of all Americans own sportswear and when considering the purchase of sportswear they consider comfort as the most relevant criteria (70%), however Americans are also price sensitive, 53% consider price when choosing sportswear, lastly 42% takes into account the material and fabrics.

And almost three quarters (51%) wear workout clothes also when they are not working out.

The main reason to do so is comfort (92%), followed by easy to throw on when nothing to wear (49%) and because they are stylish (37%).

Those who don't embrace the athleisure wear trend say that sportswear is not appropriate outside of the gym (44%), they'd feel underdress otherwise (18%) or they'd feel too cold or hot wearing sportswear only (13%).

It's difficult to predict the future of any trend, including the athleisure wear trend. However, the athleisure wear trend has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it's likely that it will continue to be a significant part of the fashion and sportswear industry.

Appinio has summarised the most interesting take-aways in just a few pages. Have you downloaded the Hype Tracker report yet?

Final thoughts

In this blogpost we have gone through the results collected in our Appinio Hype Train on sports habit in the US and preferences on workout gears.

We have learned that Americans are quite a sporty bunch, but prefer working out in the comfort of their homes, but they like running outdoors the most.

We have also learned that the three quarters of Americans own sportswear, even those that do not work out and many wear sportswear also outside of a sporty setting because workout gear is comfortable and that many Americans are embracing the athleisure trend, a trend that is set to keep growing in the future.