Abstract
This chapter outlines the characteristics and structure of the fitness industry in the Republic of Ireland, detailing the key players, the facilities and services provided and recent changes in demand and supply. The industry has been transformed during the past decade due largely to Ireland’s recovery from the economic recession (2008–2013), increased competition in the sector with the entry of international players (mainly from the UK), the promotion of the Irish Government’s ‘Get Active’ campaign in response to recent obesity statistics, particularly among Irish children. Insights on the typology of gyms/fitness centres in Ireland is provided by way of brief case studies and the overlap between sport and fitness is also considered and assessed.
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Notes
- 1.
Players are not paid to play.
- 2.
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) founded in 1884 promotes and governs Ireland’s national games—Hurling, Football, Handball and Rounders.
- 3.
Obesity Hub, Part of the Health Well, 2016, http://obesity.publichealthwell.ie/highight/lancet-study-shows-ireland-set-become-most-obese-country-europe-2025.
- 4.
As at 2017, almost 2.5 million people in Ireland participate in recreational walking regularly.
- 5.
SSPE 2003 and ISM 2015. The Survey on Sport and Physical Exercise (SSPE) 2003, was a baseline survey on sports participation conducted by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRI) on behalf of the Irish Sports Council, using face to face interviews with 3000 participants aged 18+.
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Bourke, A. (2020). The Shape of the Fitness Industry in Ireland. In: Scheerder, J., Vehmas, H., Helsen, K. (eds) The Rise and Size of the Fitness Industry in Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53348-9_12
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