Exercise walking is number one. According to a survey by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), exercise walking has been the most popular activity since 1990. It grew 1.5% in 2005, with 86 million Americans doing it.

Swimming is back up in second place, followed by exercising with equipment, camping and bowling. Weightlifting is the fastest growing fitness activity, up 35.4% last year. This word comes from the NSGA: "On top of 2004's increases in fitness participation, we're seeing a trend that Americans are taking their health and fitness much more seriously," NSGA Vice President of Information & Research Thomas B. Doyle said. "Five of the top 14 activities in our survey are fitness related, and it shouldn't be too many years before exercise walking becomes the nation's first 100-million-participant activity."

Team sports are continuing to grow too, with increases like these:

Tackle Football, 15.5% increase in participation in 2005!
Softball, +12.7%
Volleyball, +11.9%
Basketball, +7.3%
Soccer, +6.4%

So? So, every year, millions of people want sports and exercise equipment, and every year, millions more need more sporting goods. In 2005, consumer retail purchases increased:

Equipment, +3%
Footwear, +7%
Clothing, +4%
Bicycles, pleasure boats, recreational vehicles and snowmobiles, +5%

You can help these people! Find out how you can land a Sporting Goods career in wholesale and retail, and follow the Links we have here for the leaders and the organizations that are there to help you provide the best equipment for sports, athletics, exercise and recreation.

If you can land a job 'repping' for one or more sporting goods companies, then you'll find the pay potential to be excellent. You clientele will range from retailers to teams and athletes. If you have been looking at sales rep jobs then definitely consider sporting goods. Read on!

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