The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSW), reports that the already $30 billion health and fitness industry shows no signs of slowing down. In the U.S. it has grown 3 – 4% annually for the last ten years. According to their statistics 20% of Americans pay for a fitness club membership. This figure is expected to double in the next 10 to 15 years.
“Boston — March 16, 2018 — Health clubs attracted more than 70 million consumers in 2017, a record-high since IHRSA began tracking health club consumer statistics in 1987. The number of individual members totaled 60.9 million, up 6.3% from 57.3 million in 2016. Of the 298.3 million Americans age 6 and older, 20.3% were health club members in 2016.” – IHRSW
A variety of factors play into the health of this robust fitness industry, here are four of the more interesting current trends:
- RISING HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS have made employers, insurers, and consumers realize that investing in a healthy lifestyle is worth the time and expense. It is easier to to stay healthy than to get healthy. Some employers and insurers cover the costs of health club memberships or even provide onsite opportunities for exercise.
- The WRISTBAND WEARABLE market continues growing; now more popular than ever. Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple Watch are just a few of the better known devices. Fitbit alone generated 1.51 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. The fact that we have personalized biometric health statistics at our fingertips – such as; the number of steps we take, the calories we burn, and our heart rate – to name a few – makes us all more aware. The digital feedback encourages us to make healthier decisions. Part of those ‘changes’ or decisions includes an increase in demand for health clubs or studio market.
- Busy, hectic lives have taken to STREAMING EXERCISE CLASSES like fish to water. With the proliferation of subscription, online exercise programs, people can squeeze in time for fitness.
“Whether you’re looking for a program to lose weight, deepen your yoga practice, or even a fitness site that includes guided meditations to help you become more mindful and exercise your brain, there are online fitness programs available for whatever your body and mind are craving.” VeryWellFit article “The 8 Best Online Exercise Classes of 2019 gives us the scoop on their favorites” .
Chris Freytag, whom we have showcased a few times on Kuel Life, is the founder of Get Healthy U and Get Healthy U TV, an online workout streaming service where members can access workouts from any device, at any time. She and her team of professionals have hundreds of workouts online – at the ready, for when we are ready. She even offers various FREE 10 Minute Workouts – so it’s a no-brainer to try.
Streaming classes is one way to stay fit at home. However, we can also design our own exercise routines using the many and sundry online resources currently available. Recently, I ran across this fantastic article detailing many non-gym alternatives; No Gym Workouts. to help us find new and interesting ways to stay active.
4. POP-UPS! People are expecting more from their fitness classes these days. What makes it worth the while to get out of the house? There’s an uptick in demand for experiences. This can be seen in the rise of the boutique fitness studios and pop-up fitness events and classes. The pop-up offers more than just a workout; it’s the whole setting and experience that makes them so popular.
One of Kuel Life’s guest bloggers, Margeaux House, has recently launched Brooklyn Maison. Brooklyn Maison is a wellness collective curating unique pop-up fitness experiences for those lucky enough to live in Brooklyn. She and her partners have already created and scheduled some unique experiences.These women have married movement and sweat with breaking bread and sharing cocktails. Their up and coming experiences are: AFRO FLOW YOGA W/ LIVE DRUMMERS BALL METHOD (MAT PILATES) Saturday, June 15, 2019.
The Pop-Up movement goes beyond the local. Pop-Up Retreats are quickly generating popularity. Combing hardcore fitness with rejuvenating relaxation, the destination doesn’t go ignored. Olivia Cooney, founder of Pop-Up Fitness, can take you to Mauritius, Ibiza, or the South of France for your exercise. These ‘work-outs’ include food and drink (even champagne) at the selected resort. The destinations are exquisite and you can be pampered and STILL healthy.
With rising health insurance costs, staying healthy has become more of an imperative. Our just in time metrics from wearables plays into our desire for instant gratification. We are not slowing down our consumption of fitness. This demand is giving birth to new and exciting ways to participate. For now, at least, it seems like we are insatiable in our appetites – choosing the AND versus the OR when it comes to exercise opportunities. Gym on Monday, living-room yoga Tuesday, a NYC loft Wednesday, and the South of France for the weekend. Guess I need to dust off my passport and pack an extra pair of socks.
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