It’s safe to say the new decade has been a wild ride so far. The rise of the coronavirus pandemic has caused everyone to alter their daily routine and commit to a lifestyle of quarantining at home and socially distancing. Forced to close their doors during these times, gyms have been obligated to adapt to the digital realm very quickly, joining the thousands of established influencers and dedicated apps already providing various on-demand fitness services.
It hasn’t been easy, but it has opened the door for new exploration, innovation, and discovery that will change the future of the fitness industry forever. So what does the new decade have in store for the fitness industry? Below are my 5 MAJOR PREDICTIONS for the future of the fitness industry!
1. Wearable Technology Will Continue to Grow & Improve
Wearable technology has been a rising trend in the fitness industry for the last few years and counting. With wearables such as Fitbit and Apple Watch, we are now able to track our heart rate, step count, distance covered, calories burned, sleep quality, and more. The amount of options these wearables give you continues to become more advanced as time goes on. So what’s next?
“Smart Clothing” seems to be the next big thing. Companies like Google, Under Armour, Hexoskin, and OMsignal are already experimenting with biometric clothing that measures your body’s vitals. As the fitness industry evolves, wearable clothing will become more mainstream, energy-efficient, and personalized.
2. Virtual Training Platforms Are Here to Stay (At-Home Fitness Revolution)
Technology has already found a way to make exercise and fitness more accessible. Online training programs are continuing to give consumers the option to exercise remotely, yet achieve the same benefits. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, companies like Peloton and NordicTrack were already changing the game by providing a virtual workout experience from the comfort of your own home.
I believe virtual training will continue to rise and become more advanced and personable as time goes on. The advancement in this style of training will create a sense of community through the virtual realm that hasn’t been experienced before.
3. Smaller Gyms Will Begin to Takeover
It’s so much easier to stick with a workout plan when you have a community of like-minded individuals by your side to cheer you on every step of the way! Working out is not always easy and sometimes we need that extra support from our peers to keep us motivated. This is why I feel the new decade will see a rise in smaller-sized gyms taking over the landscape of the fitness industry.
The benefits of becoming a member of a tight-knit fitness facility go way beyond getting in a good workout. You’re not just another member of a gym, but a part of a supportive community. This community gives you a sense of belonging, and social support, and provides a place to share common interests and goals with others.
More and more gyms are looking to create a family atmosphere as they have seen the impact CrossFit gyms have made on their respective communities. I believe as more people begin to experience this family-like atmosphere, smaller gyms will start to become the “better” choice over the larger-sized fitness facilities.
4. Virtual Reality Fitness Equipment Will Become More Common
As a personal trainer, this makes me a little nervous to think about from a safety standpoint. I am picturing clients on stationary bikes and treadmills wearing virtual reality headsets as if they are running on the beach or biking through the mountains.
While it’ll take some time to get used to, the thought of virtual reality fitness equipment sounds intriguing and can be a fun and effective way to get people moving and off the couch! Let’s face it, most of us have found ourselves wanting to escape reality at some point in the middle of a tough workout. That opportunity may be coming soon!
5. Functional Fitness > “No Pain, No Gain”
My final prediction for the future of fitness for the next decade is that functional fitness and quality of movement will take over as the most popular way to train. The rise of technology along with sedentary/highly stressful jobs over time has led to postural deficiencies and poor movement patterns. Now more than ever we continue to see more people suffering from pain, discomfort, and injury due to these sedentary behaviors. That’s why I believe the “no pain, no gain” mentality will continue to dwindle and functional training will become the key focus for the majority of gym-goers.
Fitness professionals will continue to enhance their knowledge of how to improve their client’s general movement patterns and prevent injury. Social media will continue to provide an informative platform for others to grow and learn about exercise techniques and programming. All around creating a world that allows people to move better, feel better, and perform better while being pain and injury-free!
Good luck, be safe, and keep pushing the pace!
-Andrew