Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers

News Release

AFIRM Announces Research Package Benefit

Up to 8 Free Reports Annually for Members

            SILVER SPRING, MD – April 8, 2010 – AFIRM, the Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers, today officially announced its research package benefit for member companies – a package that will deliver up to eight cutting edge reports annually.

AFIRM members now have FREE access to research from both AFIRM and SGMA, providing timely and accurate data to enhance member’s ability to make sound marketing and strategic planning decisions.  The research benefit package includes access to:

• Tracking the Fitness Movement–identifying trends in fitness participation, manufacturer sales, demographic insights, and special sections
• State of the Industry for Manufacturers– tabulating sales in 15 different categories in the multi-billion dollar sporting goods and fitness industries
• Sports Participation in America – monitoring key trends in sports, fitness, and recreation participation in the US
• Non-Profit Fitness Facility Benchmark Study– new, proprietary study from AFIRM, benchmarking the non-profit sector by market share buying trends, and future purchase intentions
• 4 Mini-Reports
• Two reports based on data from the SGMA’s Annual Study of Sports & Fitness Participation Trends
• Two in-depth reports from Non-Profit Fitness Facility Benchmark Studyscheduled for later in the year

“This research package is a major benefit for AFIRM members,” said AFIRM executive director Chuck Leve.  “Not only will this research help companies understand where the various markets are headed, they will be able to base strategic thinking on targeted market data.  I can’t imagine anybody doing business in fitness without this information.  And it’s totally free to AFIRM members.”

SGMA Research, which is powered by the by the research staff at Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS), will provide the data, analysis and reports.  SMS specializes in providing market insight and strategic consultancy in the sports and leisure industries.

“We feel very confident that we will be able to provide AFIRM members with critical data to help them make better decisions in this changing environment,” said Neil Schwartz, New Business Development Director at SGMA Research.  “Based on some of the research that we have already conducted we are seeing some interesting trends develop among those consumers that opt to work out in their homes as well as those that are working out in clubs and other fitness facilities. 

“Frequent use of weight resistance machines is up in the low double digits for frequent users and almost 4% overall. In addition the use of home gym equipment is up in the low single digits.  What these trends mean and the implications down the road for equipment manufacturers are critical issues to the long term success of their businesses.”

The most current top line participation data on fitness (and other sporting and recreational activities) in the US can be found in SGMA's Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Participation Overview(2010 edition) which contains overall participation figures for 117 sports in 14 different categories, including fitness activities, equipment, team sports, racquet sports, indoor sports, wheeled sports, and other sports/activities.  Copies of the Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Participation Overview are available from www.sgma.com.

For further information on AFIRM, please contact:

Chuck Leve, Executive Director
AFIRM - Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers
8505 Fenton St., Suite 211
Silver Spring, MD 20910

847-480-1818 x5599 (office)
847-204-7240 (cell)
cleve@afirmfitness.org

www.afirmfitness.org

About AFIRM

The Association of Fitness Industry Retailers & Manufacturers (AFIRM) is dedicated to developing benefits, products, and services specifically for fitness industry manufacturers and retailers. AFIRM will address fitness industry issues, help raise revenue and reduce expenses on behalf of its members, lobby Congress for pro-fitness legislation, and develop appropriate research.  AFIRM will disseminate information through educational events, publish a bi-weekly newsletter for its constituents, and develop money-saving programs for its members.  For more information, please visit www.afirmfitness.org.

About SGMA

The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the #1 source for sport and fitness research, is the leading global trade association of manufacturers, retailers, and marketers in the sports products industry.  SGMA helps lead the sports and fitness industries by fostering participation through research, thought leadership, product promotion, and public policy.  More information about SGMA membership and SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day can be found at www.SGMA.com.

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