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 headed 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 over the year and look ahead at the fitness tech trends that will evolve in 2022.

How Does Fitness Look in 2023?

This is what the fitness industry has been looking for! Fit technological innovation is developing at lightning speed. According to a worldwide consumer survey, there has been a 108% increase in the overall conversion rate. That is, after the lockdown, more people have joined the gym.

Not only have the old gym goers made a comeback, but we are also seeing new members ready to join the fray.

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 divulge three essential developments that will future-proof your fitness business’ growth in the new year.

1. from Health Clubs to Health Hubs

Holistic health is becoming more important to customers who are looking to nurture both their emotional and physical well-being.

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, we are becoming increasingly aware of the intrinsic link 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 healthcare facilities will continue to expand.

So, what more can we expect to see?

Nutrition

The saying goes that:

‘You can’t out-train a poor diet.’

Personal nutrition plans are nothing new to the fitness industry. But as our understanding of health grows, if they’re not part of your customer experience offering, you could be missing out.

According to research run by RunRepeat, the UK will see a 159.4% increase in active UK adults seeing personal trainers and nutritionists in 2021, compared to an 89.4% increase in the US.

It seems that customers are looking to take a more personalized 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 support mental health as well.

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 signs of slowing down!

Recent research has predicted that the mental health apps market is expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2027.

Well then of course we have a solution for you! Check out our very own MINDVIBE app, which focuses on total 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 a 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 range of healthcare professionals in a range of occupations within the health and fitness industry.

This interest in fitness and sport as part of a more holistic approach to healthcare and disease prevention opens up new avenues for fitness operators.

The initiative serves as a testament that consumers are moving beyond aesthetic gym goals and towards long-term solutions to improve their lifestyles.

2. Hybrid Fitness and Fitness Technology Trends Will Endure

Whether this means training online, offline, at home, or outdoors, hybrid fitness solutions are here to stay in 2022!

Over the last two years, we have seen how important flexible and hybrid fitness offerings are to customers. And there seems to be no slowing down of this fitness technology trend!

Most gyms have now reopened across the world, but the needs of customers have changed drastically.

In the same way, 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 with 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 workout plans going forward. Technology and Fitness Now Go Together!

This calls for 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 incentivize your customers to do more. Users of digital fitness services train 22% more than those who only train to live in a club. For comparison, that’s 4.4x per week versus 3.6x per week.

However, while digital fitness is on the rise, it appears that users will still prefer a mixed approach when it comes to training. Therefore, technology can be used as a supplement rather than a substitute.

According to the majority of consumers (59%), a 60:40 mix between working out in the gym and working out at home will yield the most optimal results. Nearly 80% of the respondents said that they would continue training at home post the pandemic.

It seems fit tech innovation will gain even more traction post the pandemic!

Outdoor Fitness

Fresh air, limitless space, and nature at your feet. What’s Not to Like About Outdoor Fitness?

Working out in the local park has become hugely popular since Covid-19 began, with almost 50% of active US adults getting in an outdoor workout and more than 65% of Britons sweating it out.

Outdoor group training is also a great way for clients to enjoy the socialization, atmosphere, and inclusivity – especially those working from home.

While it should come as no surprise that we can expect attendance to drop over the cold winter months, customers are still reaping the benefits! It might 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 viewed at-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 workouts are expected to continue through 2022 with fit tech innovation making it easier and more effective than ever.

Not sure how to expand your offers?

There are many ways to go digital and provide added value to your customers.

From branded video workout libraries, wearables, and personalized at-home workout programs to video check-ins, video training, and professional insights from biometric data – the options are endless

3. Getting Up Close and Personal

Different people have different abilities, ambitions, and ideas of what it means for them to be ‘healthy’. No one person is the same and therefore 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 survey conducted by the CDC, nearly 41% of American adults are struggling with mental health since the lockdown began.

What’s more, factors such as time, cost, transportation, education, feeling unwanted, lack of social support, and wheelchair accessibility are all major barriers that people face on a daily basis.

Health and wellness should not be a privilege but should be available to everyone regardless of background, age, location, or financial means. Fit tech innovation is the key to helping everyone enjoy fitness in a way that best suits them.

The modern fitness industry needs both individualization and inclusivity to succeed. Through personalization and technology, the fitness industry could be democratized. Hence, regardless of ability, welcome more and more individuals into the fitness community.

It means harnessing technology as a force for good. and enabling 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 study of health clubs. The objective of the study was to facilitate safe and successful exercise for diverse populations, including people with disabilities.

Of those in the study, 72% of clubs reported increased customer loyalty and 51% saw increased revenue.

Thankfully, inclusive gyms are on the rise, with the community and mutual support as central tenets for the clientele, who may otherwise feel gyms aren’t built with their bodies in mind.

Developments in Fitness Technology as a Tool for Individual Achievement

Technology is an incredible tool, regardless of your occupation. It has the potential to provide a hybrid fitness solution to your members by combining both the physical and the digital worlds. And so provide personalized, meaningful, and diverse experiences for those who want to discover how, when, and where they want.

With support like fitness apps, workout 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 tracking enables real-time competition through group lessons, in-facility, or video workouts. With wearables and leaderboards, you can put the fun into fitness and have some healthy competition!

This powerful tool also encourages engagement and breaks down barriers that hold people back with confidence, experience, and knowledge.

The Takeaway

Local gyms aren’t dead, and the fitness tech trend is on the rise. Fit tech innovation always moves forward.

This is great news for business owners looking to diversify and build their brands in line with growing fitness technology trends in 2023