If you’ve been to a local path or ski hill recently, it’s most likely not a surprise that the popularity of individuals getting active outdoors is not decreasing. A new year-end survey from the Sports & Physical Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), validates that the current boom in hiking, camping, browsing, skiing, and more is a pattern that appears here to stay.
SFIA is a company focused on the sporting products market, and deals with producers, merchants, and others who launch a yearly report on the industry. They state considering that 2019, they have actually seen a sharp increase in outside activities, which flourished in 2020, with 2021 creating new highs in sports and fitness activities.
The 2023 report focuses on data from the previous year. The company says while 2022 didn’t view as big of a boost as it performed in 2021, sports equipment sales still increased 4.3% year over year.
More People Getting Outdoors
Topping the list for individuals in 2022 are numerous nature-focused activities like hiking, running, bike riding, and fishing. However, a few of the biggest surprises originate from private sports that have greatly increased in the last few years. Given that 2019, alpine snowboarding increased 91.3%. That’s almost double the number of people skiing in the backcountry and finding their own locations to ride the slopes. Other winter sports like fat biking and snowboarding likewise saw steep boosts.
The list of those wanting to be outdoors increased in other methods, with some heading to the beach. Surfing jumped nearly 25% in 3 years. Some more simple hobbies to easily get you outside, like outdoor camping, path running, and bird watching, likewise grew more than 20%.
| Sport | Boost from 2019 to 2022 |
| Alpine Touring | 91.3% |
| Winter Season Fat Biking | 55.7% |
| Snowboard Touring | 45.2% |
| Camping | 32.8% |
| Browsing | 24.6% |
| Bird Watch | 23.4% |
| Trail Running | 20.5% |
| Cycling (BMX) | 14.6% |
| Climbing | 12.3% |
From the 2023 SFIA State of the Industry Report
“The number of physically active Americans grew for the 5th successive year, both at the total and CORE measurement levels, with 77.6% of all Americans reporting participating in one of the 124 sports and fitness activities that SFIA keeps an eye on throughout the year,” says SFIA President and CEO Tom Cove. “This is an impressive truth offered the absolute roller coaster/disruption of routines, practices, and lifestyles our country has actually experienced given that 2018. Essentially, this trend reflects a demonstrable uptick in the awareness Americans have today for the physical, psychological, and social benefits of an exercise.”
More People is Good News
The report is great news for the general well-being of the country, as other reports suggest walking locally in communities may be down, but there has actually still been a boost in cycling.
The data accompanies numbers from natural spaces like national forests that have actually continually reported increases in the last couple of years. In some areas, this has actually triggered new entry systems in places like Yosemite to require reservations. Lots Of National forest Service authorities state the increase is excellent, even if it means longer lines.
What’s your preferred way to get outdoors?
The pattern of more individuals getting outdoors to enjoy activities shows no signs of slowing down. A brand-new study reveals the outside sports boom is here to stay.