As of July 1, 2006, the IHRSA reported that there were 29,000 commercial fitness centers/health clubs in the U.S.

Now, this is a few years old – and we’re in a growing industry (this number had more than doubled since 1995). So, just for the heck of it (and because I’m not going to search around too hard to find the new info), let’s say that there are 32,000 now – plus another 3,000 hotel gyms.

Next, assume that of these 35,000 exercise facilities in the US, 80% have purchased Smith machines; that’s 28,000 Smith machines in the country. I’ve seen these retail at anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 – so let’s just say that retail at $1,500. Figure a 30% profit on each one, and here’s what you get:

28,000 x $1,500 = $42 million

$42 million x 30% = $12.6 million

Let’s assume that these gyms replace their Smith machine, on average, every three years.

$42 million / 3 years = $14 million
$12.6 million / 3 years = $4.2 million

So what does this tell us?

Smith machines are a $14 million/year industry in the U.S alone.

There may be 42 people in the U.S. grossing six figure incomes from Smith machines alone.

Scary thought….

Now, just imagine: leg extensions are even more popular than Smith machines.

Scary thoughts, indeed.