Keeping up with Important Fitness Trends

      The members and guests at your fitness center are more sophisticated than they used to be, and may request the newest and latest from the fitness world. These requests can include more equipment or the latest group exercise programs. If you are not proactive, you will find yourself inundated with requests, and soon, what was once a great added value can become a service problem.

      Success, be it measured in membership satisfaction, membership retention, membership growth or revenue growth, can be more easily achieved if you are current with the fitness trends, and able to introduce the newest and greatest to your members.

Equipment trends

      The trends in fitness equipment have been influenced by the baby boomers and their needs to remain healthy and look younger; yet also protect their bodies from high impact activities.  As a result, equipment trends are as follows:

•       Treadmills. Treadmills are the No.1 cardio piece, used primarily by walkers.

•       Elliptical machines. Elliptical trainers allow for a low-impact, yet vigorous, workout.

•       Recumbent cycles. Recumbent cycles help take the stress off the lower back.

•       Bands, tubes, exercise balls, core boards, etc. These are functional fitness props used by many trainers with older populations and young athletes alike.

•       Free weights. Free weights include dumbbells and barbells, along with their accompanying benches.

•       Pilates equipment. Get familiar with pilates lingo: reformer, trapeze, tower, etc.

•       Entertainment systems. Entertainment systems include personal viewing screens, audio-visual systems, etc.

Facility trends

      Two large demographic groups – the boomers and the echo boomers – are now driving facility trends. They are pushing the envelope of what is expected in a fitness or lifestyle option. The most significant facility trends include the following:

•       Aquatic centers. Aquatic “entertainment” areas include zero-depth-entry pools, water slides and water features.

•       Mind/body studios. Yoga, pilates and related activity rooms all fit into the mind/body category.

•       Day spas. Massage, facials and related service rooms are essential.

•       Children’s activity rooms. Parents want their children to have a separate play area.

Program and service trends

      Equipment and facilities without programs will not last. Members expect great programs and services. The same populations drive theses areas as they do equipment facilities. The most significant trends include the following:

•       Functional fitness training. Functional fitness includes exercise programs focused on balance, the “core” and movement for life activities.

•       Yoga. Yoga is the hottest group exercise program.

•       Pilates. Pilates is the second hottest group exercise program, behind yoga.

•       Sports-specific training. Sports-specific training includes golf fitness, tennis fitness, etc.

•       Weight-loss programs and packages. People will pay for expert advice on nutrition and weight loss.

•       Specialty classes. Examples of specialty classes are boot camp, yoga, Pilates, self-defense and group cycling.

•       Group personal training. Groups of one instructor and two to three members allows you to offer personal training at a lower rate.

•       Spa treatments. People seek out massages, facials and pedicures.

      This is a starting point for deciding which fitness trends to consider to keep your fitness center current, and to help the center continue to contribute to the overall success of the club.                                                   

 

Written by Stephen Tharrett