Never mind the popular image of Americans as sedentary, housebound, and living on the couch. It turns out a whopping 80% of us are physically active, according to a new report from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. That’s 247 million people getting up and breaking a sweat as opposed to just 20%, or 62 million, who remain exercise averse. It’s a continuation of a recent trend in the U.S.—and it’s fueled in part by the astonishing growth in one sport in particular.
Pickleball saw a 46% increase in players from 2023 to 2024—and a jump of 311% in just the past three years.
The authors of the report surveyed participation in 124 sports and activities from 2019 to 2024, analyzing online interviews with 18,000 people. Far and away, the researchers found, the most popular physical activity Americans choose is walking for fitness—it’s free, easy, and requires no investment at all beyond a comfortable pair of shoes. For more than 115 million active Americans, this is the exercise of choice. Next in line is trail hiking, with 63 million participants; treadmill running, at 56 million; free weights, also at 56 million; and jogging, at 51 million. Also making the top 25 are yoga (37 million), swimming (29 million), and wildlife viewing that requires considerable walking (21 million).
In terms of the fastest-growing physical activities, “racquet sports are number-one,” says Alex Kerman, senior director of research operations and business development at the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. “Tennis has been doing pretty well, and pickleball is at an unprecedented level.” Also growing quickly are pilates, trail running, and golf.
