The Rise and Size of the Fitness Industry in Europe - Fit for the Future?

This book explores the rise, size and shape of the European fitness industry by using harmonised data as well as in-depth analyses of national surveys in fifteen European countries. Following an introduction to the socio-historical and conceptual aspects of fitness, the collection presents the scope of fitness as a business and participatory activity. Furthermore, both policy and governance issues as well as community and supply angles are considered.



Drawing on this unique material, the book will appeal to students and scholars of sport business, sport economics, sport management, and social sport sciences, but also to administrators, policymakers and entrepreneurs in the international and national sport and health community.



Jeroen Scheerder is Professor in Sport Policy and Sport Sociology, and Head of the Policy in Sports and Physical Activity Research Group at KU Leuven, Belgium. He was President of the European Association for Sociology of Sport (EASS), and currently acts as Promotor-coordinator of the Policy Research Centre on Sports on behalf of the Flemish Government.
Hanna Vehmas is Senior Lecturer in Sport Sociology and Sport Management at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Currently, she acts as the Secretary General of the European Association for Sociology of Sport (EASS).
Kobe Helsen is Scientific Researcher within the Policy in Sports and Physical Activity Research Group at KU Leuven, Belgium. His main research interests are in the field of the societal impact of sport events and governance issues in local football clubs and sport federations.