11 Fitness Industry Trends That Could Define 2021
by: https://www.glofox.com/blog/10-fitness-industry-trends-that-could-define-2020/
It’s that time of year when we like to share our predictions of fitness trends for 2021. Although no one could have predicted 2020 and living in a global pandemic, the fitness industry continues to evolve and adapt. The coronavirus crisis has caused a major shift in how and when we exercise. With a massive growth in digital, connected and social fitness, it’s been a year of community and social distancing. It goes without saying that 2020 has been a tough year but the fitness industry is resilient.
In this article, we take a look at how digital fitness continues to influence the industry and 11 trends to watch out for in 2021.
Fitness Fads vs Fitness Trends
Before we dive into the fitness trends of 2021, let’s break down the difference between a trend and a fad. Often, a fad is a quick fix. It’s an overnight solution that offers a short-term and temporary result. Generally, a fad is considered a short behavior that’s in ‘fashion’ for a brief period of time before falling off the radar.
Whereas a fitness trend is considered long-term. It’s something that alters behavior and changes the way we approach exercise and fitness. While some trends end up being fads, others change the industry forever.
How Consumer Behavior Impacts Fitness Trends
Naturally, some people will always go crazy for new fitness trends. They want to see what all the fuss is about. Each year, we see trends evolve and adapt to the consumer. It will be interesting to see how the pandemic shapes decisions and innovation. Even with a vaccine on the horizon, the digital revolution in fitness is well underway. It’s exciting to see what the future holds, and which trends will stick around or fade away.
Prolonged lockdown periods have had a major impact on the fitness industry. Traditional gym-goers are leaning on technology to support their fitness regime. Consumer behavior is a driving force behind change. As fitness brands continue to innovate and adapt to changing consumer behavior, technology-centered solutions are on the rise.
Why Digital Fitness Will Continue to Dominate Next Year
2020 has seen an explosion of digital solutions as fitness professionals adapt to a new way of delivering fitness services. As nations launched stay at home orders, people began to work from home where possible and limit their movements. COVID-19 has rapidly changed the fitness landscape. With a potential vaccine in the not-too-distant future, technology will continue to significantly influence the fitness industry, here’s why.
Digital is driving growth for gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers. It’s easy to think that digital solutions could edge out in-studio experiences, but this really isn’t the case. Digital solutions like live streams and on-demand fitness platforms can help brands win over online audiences, build brand awareness, and eventually convert digital members to the in-studio experience. Home fitness and digital workouts are becoming essential. But there will always be people who love to go to the fitness studio or gym. Even though you can create a great online experience, there’s nothing quite like an in-person group training class to motivate your members.
Technology will continue to be a key pillar in a fitness brand’s success. As more people look for fully connected experiences, health clubs will need to create digital solutions to serve multiple personas, needs, and expectations. Perhaps it’s incorporating the latest fitness tracker or fitness app – whatever it is, your entire offering, both digital and in-person, will need to be world-class to keep members coming back again and again.
11 Fitness Trends to Watch Out for in 2021
You can’t speak about 2020 without talking about the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has changed the way people work and live. From virtual coaching and outdoor fitness to a new evolution of digital fitness, here are 11 fitness trends to watch out for in 2021.
1. Outdoor Fitness
With strict lockdowns and restrictions throughout the year, the local park or green space has been the go-to spot for many people. Whether it’s an outdoor boot camp or morning yoga class in the park, people are embracing al fresco fitness with open arms. If you’re not offering outdoor fitness options, now is the time to get moving.
2. Remote Personal Training and Wellness Coaching
Remote coaching allows members to work with a personal trainer or well-being coach in a one-on-one setting. The pandemic has forced many businesses to expand their online offering. Often, members use personal trainers and coaches for that extra level of accountability and motivation. Virtual coaching has room to expand in 2021 with it becoming more popular. You have the opportunity to offer virtual coaching in multiple areas of health and fitness and even offer a more holistic approach to training. Form and Fitness offers virtual classes and training sessions!
3. Hybrid Fitness
Squeezing in lunchtime workouts with a quick fitness class has become much more accessible to consumers, and fitness enthusiasts have grown used to the flexibility and convenience of online workouts. Hybrid fitness businesses are showing no signs of slowing down. While some brands had already begun the process of offering digital and in-person services, the pandemic forced the fitness industry to speed up. The year is now ending with a ton of new digital solutions from brands whose online platforms didn’t exist a few months ago. As consumers grow to love the benefit of digital fitness and see home fitness as a sustainable way to workout, a digital online fitness solution will become the norm. Businesses will need to adapt to the consumer mindset and offer options that suit different audiences.
4. Impeccable Hygiene Standards at Gyms
As restrictions change and cities go in and out of lockdowns, members are looking for safe ways to work out. This will mean that gyms will have to meet impeccable hygiene standards. We will see this grow well into the future. Consumers have a new awareness of how germs and disease spread. It’s not only relevant for COVID-19 but future pandemics and even the common cold. Governments have reiterated time and time again how easy it is to transfer the coronavirus, especially in high-touch points and fitness facilities that deal with multiple people. This could have a lasting effect on how consumers look at gyms and fitness studios.
5. Specialized Fitness Programs for Risk Groups
The pandemic has put people in new boxes. All of a sudden, you’re having conversations about people who are at risk. Whether’s it’s health concerns or older adults, some people are at higher risk of developing a serious case of COVID-19. This could lead to a fitness trend focusing on specific groups. These could be either individual or small group fitness classes in a controlled environment or a special digital class. It’s important to take into account that not all members are comfortable returning to the gym until the vaccine has been rolled out.
6. Connection of Mind and Body
When talking about fitness, we often think of physical activity and health. But mental health is just as important and fitness goals now extend beyond physical activity alone. With lockdowns across the nation and feelings of isolation rising through multiple age groups, mental health is a big focus this year, and for a good reason. The line between mind and body is merging with people looking for ways to exercise both at the same time. Mind-body exercises like yoga and Pilates will continue to be huge.
7. At-Home Workouts
It’s no surprise that home fitness is on the list of trends for 2021. At-home fitness technology and equipment will continue to offer innovative ways for people to exercise from the comfort of their own living room. While home workouts don’t replace the gym for most people, they do complement their fitness routine. It looks like home fitness will continue to be a dominant trend in the year to come.
8. Inclusive Fitness for All
Although there’s still a long way to go, fitness influencers and brands are showing people of different shapes, sizes, and colors that fitness is for all. Consumers are more aware of social issues and looking to brands to see what they plan on doing and where they stand. What’s considered the ideal body type is changing as fitness brands and influencers lean away from perfect visuals to something more true and relevant for today’s consumers. There is a collective effort to be more inclusive in fitness. We hope to see this movement continue well into 2021 and beyond.
9. Wearables and Fitness Tech
Wearable technology, fitness trackers, and fitness tech continue to play a big role in shaping the fitness industry. Consumers are sharing more health data from smart watches and have access to a ton of information. With AI coaches, personal training assistants, and fitness innovations in augmented and virtual reality, the future of fitness tech looks exciting. Fitness brands that don’t integrate technology into their offerings will struggle to compete in a world of data and personalization.
10. High Intensity Interval Training
Every year you’re probably thinking how can high-intensity interval training still be a trend? But the buzz isn’t going anywhere. In 2020, HIIT came in at number two on ACSM’s (American College of Sports Medicine) Health and Fitness Journal Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. It looks like HIIT remains to be one of the top ways to work out. A major benefit of HIIT is that you can burn a lot of calories through a combination of active bursts and a short period of rest. This makes it ideal for a population that’s busy and lacking in free time. Popular HIIT workouts include a combination of cardio, bodyweight exercises, and free weights.
11. Corporate Wellness is Essential
This year, we’re likely to see an increase in companies with a renewed focus on wellness. With mental and physical health being so important in the workplace, corporate wellness will become a necessity and potentially a decider when a person is looking to work for a new company. Exercise is medicine. Healthy employees who exercise regularly and manage stress in a positive way tend to be more productive, less stressed, and require fewer sick days. Corporate wellness is an investment into a happier, more productive workforce with a healthy lifestyle.
In Summary
As consumers lean on technology for connection and experience, gyms and studios will need to create incredible digital and in-person experiences. Personalization and technology often remain at the core of innovation, especially in the fitness industry. As interest in fitness continues to rise, members are seeking ways to exercise that fits in with their new way of living. No doubt, 2020 has been a strange year but we can look toward the New Year as an opportunity to grow and expand. No one really knows what’s in store for 2021 but you can be sure that the fitness industry is resilient enough to take it on.
