Monthly visits to gyms from March through August rose more than 18% from the same period in 2019. This shows us that the fitness industry is growing, especially as more health clubs and gyms hope to take advantage of this trend by reconfiguring their spaces. Many fitness clubs have even extended their leases and added accommodations for children and aging baby boomers.
Where did this trend come from? Keep reading below for a look at why fitness is growing.
Recent health crisis
The last few years have seen a global health crisis. Because this virus was immune to antibiotics, people were encouraged to mitigate symptoms instead or strengthen their immune systems through diet and fitness. This created a domino effect of cascading popularity in the home gym and vitamin industry.
Today, survey results show that 62% of Americans believe their health is more important than in 2020. Many are encouraged to take their fitness into their own hands, especially seeing how the health crisis has exposed the fragile healthcare system of America.
Increasing rates of illnesses
The 2020 report from the APA forewarned that a second pandemic could succeed the recent health crisis. This would be the effect of compounding mental and physical stressors that were noted to have been rising since 2007.
This will likely lead to significant, long-term individual and societal consequences, including chronic illness. As more Americans become overweight or display depressive inclinations, many others have taken a proactive approach to their wellness in preparation for this era.
More available resources
Proactivity is enabled by the availability of resources surrounding health and fitness. Fitness is no longer gate-kept by athletes or bodybuilders. Instead, fitness is now known to encompass a holistic approach to wellness tailored for children, the elderly, the sickly, and even regular adults on a busy schedule.
A quick search online can lead you to exercise forums or weight loss apps that personalize their service to the individual. This can better supplement one’s health or motivation for weight loss by providing a community of like-minded people and creating a sustainable approach to health goals. Because scientific data back these approaches, more individuals see fitness as an accessible goal that can be attained in the long run. They are encouraged to stick to their fitness regimen and see this as an aspect of daily life.
Penetration of technology
Online fitness resources are accessible thanks to technology, and more advanced innovations can further augment an individual’s efforts. See the market’s proliferation of fitness wearables — once just fashion items —. These wearables can measure the amount of oxygen carrier hemoglobin in the blood, note your sleeping patterns, and measure irregular heart rate, among many other functions.
This promotes independent care that revolves around technology to formulate at-home workout regimens and monitor progress. Because wearables provide an accurate introspection into your data, they can even be used during virtual consultations with a fitness coach who can help correct or adjust your routine.
Government incentives
More government officials are using effective strategies to increase physical activity in their communities. See the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Livable Streets program or the Des Moines Complete Streets policy that adds more space for biking and walking on neighborhood streets.
This is combined with public education, awareness campaigns in the form of public advertisements, and the Physical Activity Tax Credit, which provides a refundable tax credit of up to $2,000 for families as they look to access sports and recreational activities.
Fitness today is encouraged and is more accessible than ever. This is a positive outlook for the entire community as we brace ourselves for any health uncertainties in the future.
