Let’s take a look at fitness technology trends for 2023 and discover ways to future-proof your fitness business!
Do you ever get the feeling that the second Halloween has passed and we’re suddenly heading into the New Year? As the holiday season begins to roll around the Thanksgiving table, it’s time to review the lessons we’ve learned throughout the year and look ahead to the fitness technology trends that will evolve in 2022.
What will fitness look like in 2023?
This is what the fitness industry has been looking for! Fit technological innovation develops at lightning speed. According to a worldwide consumer study, there has been a 108% increase in the overall conversion rate. This means that more people have joined the gym after the lockdown.
Not only have the old gym-goers made a comeback, but we also see new members ready to sign up.
So with the numbers looking positive as the new year approaches, how can we expect to see the fitness world?
Below, we discuss a few expected fitness trends for 2022. And we reveal three significant developments that will future-proof your fitness business’s growth in the new year.
1. from Health Clubs to Health Hubs
Holistic health is becoming more important to customers who want to nurture both their emotional and physical well-being.
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, we have become more and more aware of the inherent connection between physical and mental health. Now, more than ever, people need greater freedom and flexibility to do both.
This trend will see health clubs evolve into health centers where overall health facilities will continue to expand.
So what else can we expect to see?
Nutrition
The saying goes that:
‘You can’t out-train a bad diet.’
Personalized nutrition plans are nothing new to the fitness industry. But like our understanding of health is growing, if they are not part of your customer experience, you could be missing out.
According to research powered by RunRepeat, the UK will see a 159.4% increase in the number of active UK adults seeing personal trainers and nutritionists by 2021, compared to an 89.4% increase in the US.
It seems customers are looking to take a more personal approach to diet and exercise heading into the new year.
Meditation and Mindfulness
Establishing your fitness business as a holistic brand means providing services that also support mental health.
It’s no surprise that there has been an explosion in demand for relaxation and mindfulness apps. Searches for relaxation apps grew by 437% and mindfulness apps grew by a whopping 2483%!
And demand shows no sign of slowing down!
Recent research has predicted that the mental health app market is expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2027.
Then of course we have a solution for you! Check out our very own MINDVIBE app, which focuses on whole-body health, including the immune system, cardiovascular health, heart health, and more.
Exercise is medicine
Exercise is Medicine (EIM) is a global health initiative administered by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
It is designed to make physical activity part of the treatment and prevention plan for patients at risk for a range of health conditions.
This means that a standard part of the practice may be a referral to a number of health professionals within a number of occupations within the health and fitness industry.
This interest in fitness and sports as part of a more holistic approach to health care and disease prevention is opening new avenues for fitness operators.
The initiative serves as a testament to consumers moving beyond aesthetic exercise goals and toward long-term solutions to improve their lifestyles.
2. Hybrid fitness and fitness technology trends will endure
Whether that means training online, offline, at home, or outdoors, hybrid fitness solutions are here to stay in 2022!
Over the past two years, we have seen how important flexible and hybrid fitness offer is for customers. And there doesn’t seem to be any slowing down of this fitness technology trend!
Most gyms have now reopened around the world, but customer needs have changed drastically.
Similarly, as the workplace becomes more flexible, we can expect the same personalization to take place within the fitness industry. We wish it would fit more comfortably into our daily lives.
And the combination of online, outdoor, and home fitness offerings within the hybrid model will likely continue to grow in popularity for the modern fitness business.
Online fitness
According to The Les Mills 2021 Global Fitness Report, 80% of gym members want to integrate digital fitness offerings into their personal training plans going forward. Technology and fitness now go together!
This requires fitness operators to offer both live and digital offerings in line with the needs of the modern consumer. And not only that.
Implementing a hybrid model, also known as omnichannel fitness, can encourage your customers to do more. Users of digital fitness services exercise 22% more than those who only exercise to stay in a club. In comparison, it is 4.4x per week against 3.6x per week.
But while digital fitness is on the rise, it seems that users will still prefer a mixed approach when it comes to exercise. Therefore, technology can be used as a supplement rather than a substitute.
According to the majority of consumers (59%), a 60:40 mix between training in the gym and training at home will provide the most optimal results. Almost 80% of respondents said they would continue to exercise at home after the pandemic.
It looks like tech innovation will gain even more traction after the pandemic!
Outdoor fitness
Fresh air, unlimited space, and nature at your feet. What’s not to like about outdoor fitness?
Exercising in the local park has become hugely popular since Covid-19 began, with nearly 50% of active US adults exercising outdoors and more than 65% of Brits sweating it out.
Outdoor group training is also a great way for clients to enjoy the socialization, atmosphere, and inclusivity – especially those who work from home.
While it should come as no surprise that we can expect attendance to drop during the cold winter months, customers are still reaping the benefits! It may be time to consider bringing outdoor fitness into your offerings.
Fitness at home
Home fitness continues to be the fastest-growing fitness trend as the lockdown has forced many of us to go home to work up a sweat.
The percentage of active adults who saw home fitness equipment as their best option for staying fit increased by 49.6% and in the US by 218.3%. We also saw a 155.9% increase in gym goers buying home gym equipment!
It appears that there is an entire market available for hybrid business plans that incorporate home workouts into their subscriber fitness plans. Home training is expected to continue through 2022 with fit tech innovation making it easier and more effective than ever.
Do you have doubts about how to expand your offers?
There are many ways to go digital and give your customers added value.
From branded video training libraries, wearables, and at-home personal training programs to video check-ins, video training, and professional insights from biometric data, the possibilities are endless
3. Get up close and personal
Different people have different abilities, ambitions, and ideas about what it means for them to be ‘healthy’. No one is the same, so fitness should not take a cookie-cutter approach.
Around the world, approximately 1.5 billion people live with visible or invisible disabilities.
And according to a study by the CDC, nearly 41% of American adults struggle with mental health since the shutdown began.
What’s more, factors such as time, cost, transportation, education, feeling unwanted, lack of social support, and wheelchair accessibility are all important barriers that people face on a daily basis.
Health and wellness should not be a privilege but should be accessible to all regardless of background, age, location, or financial means. Fit tech innovation is key to helping everyone enjoy fitness in a way that suits them best.
The modern fitness industry needs both individualization and inclusivity to succeed. Through personalization and technology, the fitness industry could be democratized. Therefore, regardless of ability, welcome more and more individuals into the fitness community.
This means using technology as a force for good. and enable more people to access health and wellness opportunities.
Virtuagym believes in a happy and healthy world where inclusivity should be a priority for all fitness operators.
Recently, UNESCO conducted a survey of health clubs. The purpose of the study was to facilitate safe and successful exercise for diverse populations, including people with disabilities.
Of those in the survey, 72% of clubs reported increased customer loyalty, and 51% experienced increased revenue.
Fortunately, inclusive gyms are on the rise, with the community and mutual support as key principles for customers who may otherwise feel that gyms are not built with their bodies in mind.
Developments in fitness technology as a tool for individual performance
Technology is an incredible tool, regardless of your profession. It has the potential to deliver a hybrid fitness solution to your members by combining both the physical and digital worlds. And then provide personal, meaningful, and diverse experiences for those who want to discover how, when, and where they want.
With support like fitness apps, exercise videos, fitness wearables, and more personalized plans, people can now work towards their health and wellness goals in a way that best fits their lifestyle.
With the growth of fitness technology, Gamification and Exergaming are becoming more and more popular. Savvy fitness entrepreneurs will use this to their advantage to further personalize their offerings.
For example, heart rate monitoring enables real-time competition through group lessons, in-facility, or video training. With wearables and leaderboards, you can put the fun into fitness and have a healthy competition!
This powerful tool also encourages engagement and breaks down barriers that hold people back with confidence, experience, and knowledge.
Takeaway
Local gyms aren’t dead, and that fitness tech trend is increasing. Fit tech innovation is always moving forward.
This is great news for business owners looking to diversify and build their brands in line with emerging fitness technology trends in 2023