The global health club industry is nearing its goal of having 100 million members by the year 2010, and will very likely surpass it, according to a report by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).

In its 2005 IHRSA Global Report, which focuses on the state of the health club industry, IHRSA estimates that there are currently 85 million health club members worldwide – 25 million more than there were five years ago.

Health club membership grew, on average, by more than 7 per cent a year during that period. “Achieving 100 million members by 2010 seems a foregone conclusion,” says Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s director of publishing, adding that it would require less than 4 per cent average annual growth for the industry to reach its goal. He encouraged the association’s members to add another 25 million members in the next five years and increase the industry’s goal to 110 million by 2010 .

The report, which includes commentary from industry leaders across the globe, also estimates that there are more than 82,000 health clubs worldwide, which generated in excess of $39bn (£21.4bn) in revenue last year.

Meanwhile, IHRSA has also released a report detailing the benefits of regular exercise.

The report summarises more than 42 studies – published over the past few years – which extend scientific knowledge about the health benefits of regular activity.

Studies detailed the effect of exercise on a range of conditions including arthritis, diabetes and cancer.

John McCarthy, IHRSA’s executive director, says that all to often this research is taken for granted and few clubs communicate the information to their members, prospective members, the local media or health educators. He said the information underpinned the value of everything the industry does and could provide a foundation for its future growth.