The infographic illustrates the proportion of European people of different age categories going to the gym at least once a month between 1990 and 2010, at 4-year intervals.
Overall, while all categories followed an upward trajectory, all figures followed a similar pattern: as people grew older, they became less willing to exercise. Of particular note, while the youngest age group (18-24) dominated in fitness-related exercises, with 25-34 and 35-44 aged people following the previous age category, people of 45 and over came at the lowest end of the spectrum.
The breakdown of records revealed that the 18-24 age group demonstrated a significant growth within 20 years: starting with 10% in 1990 and reaching 60% in 2002 albeit a downfall to 50% in 2006. Following this pattern, while only 10% of 25-34 aged people exercised in 1990, as their younger counterparts did at the same time span, the trajectory underwent growth up to 50% in 2010, though with fluctuations over the period.
A similar yet less pronounced development can be observed in two other age groups’ attendance to the gym. Particularly, 35-44 age group’s rise was stable, starting the year 1990 just above the lowest point, it demonstrated an upward trajectory reaching the 40% mark in 2010. However, the percentage of the oldest age group reached 10%, demonstrating a steady growth throughout the years yet being the least active age group among all categories.