People Abandon Fitness Routines as They Get Older, Study Finds

June 1, 2026

It’s no secret the fitness and wellness industry obsesses over acquiring younger members, but a new longitudinal study makes the case that what happens to the 55-year-old deserves equal attention, and reveals the opportunities that exist for fitness operators.

So finds the HABITAT study (How Areas in Brisbane Influence Health and Activity), which tracked 10,997 adults in Australia aged 40 to 65 across three survey waves in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Participants reported their frequency of engagement across 12 activity types: weights, running, cycling, yoga and tai chi, swimming, golf, tennis, exercise classes, team sports, park-based activities, lawn bowls and home-based exercise. Researchers defined meaningful participation as at least once per week, aligning with public health standards.  Athletech News