Chapter 10: The Mexico Fitness Industry

Mexico’s socioeconomic status as a country is generally described as middle-high-income, however, the distribution of wealth is not equitable as the social classes are very defined and distant from each other. Essentially, the rich are extremely wealthy, and the poor live in extreme poverty. In fact, in Mexico currently 43.6% of the total inhabitants are in poverty, which is about a third of the nation. The average salary of a Mexican according to National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI, 2018) is 14,300 Mexican pesos or 700 US dollars.¹

Mexico is a country with a very large cultural diversity, influenced by the Spanish colonial presence and by its proximity to the United States in addition to its native roots. Moreover, a study conducted by Figueroa-Rodríguez, Figueroa-Sandoval, Figueroa-Rodríguez, and Hernández (2012) defines Mexicans as honest and hardworking, in addition to being faithful to their customs and traditions, such as September 16 (Mexican Independence Day), or November 2 (celebration of the day of the dead), dates celebrated throughout the country. Essentially, the Mexican has always been proud of their homeland and its symbols.