Asia-Pacific to drive the fitness clothing industry with a CAGR of 7%

The global fitness clothing market has been forecast to hit a market value of US$180.9 billion by the year 2018, primarily driven by increasing awareness regarding health and fitness, westernisation of lifestyle and increasing incomes in developing markets.

In addition, with rapidly aging population, there is a definite emphasis towards healthy lifestyle and activities such as sports, yoga and jogging. This, thereby, offers a strong business case for sports and fitness apparel, and is expected to play an instrumental role in driving future growth.

Blurring lines of differentiation between sports apparel and garments used for casual, business, everyday or street wear, continue to define an ever-changing landscape in the fitness clothing market.

Continuously evolving and heading in diverse directions, the fitness clothing market has found new themes - versatility, growing fashion consciousness, increase in sports participation, particularly among women, emphasis on product performance and comfort, and a focus on healthy life styles - that are propelling its steady growth.

Worldwide, participation in individual and team sports and fitness activities is on the rise, which is expected to provide a significant thrust to sales of sports and fitness clothing in the following years.

At the crossroads of sports, fashion and popular culture, the fitness apparel market boasts some of the best-established brands in the world.

The fitness clothing market is highly dynamic and fragmented in nature. The industry witnessed a growing onslaught of powerful brands ranging from basic to leading fashion names.

Key players currently dominating the fitness clothing market include ASICS America Corporation, adidas AG, Reebok International Limited, Bauer Performance Sports Ltd., Mizuno Corporation, Nike, Inc, Puma SE, and Under Armour, Inc.

The more established brands, popular for genuineness, convenience and sophisticated technology, are continuously striving to maintain their market share. With versatility and functionality largely gaining importance, vendors are responding by introducing sports and fitness apparel in various stylish designs for both men and women.

Europe continues to remain the largest regional market for fitness clothing, while Asia-Pacific represents the fastest growing regional market displaying a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of close to 7%.

For more information on the fitness clothing market, see the latest research: Fitness Clothing Market

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