A report by research company Nielsen has predicted rapid changes in the way the fitness industry operates over the next few years.
The white paper – called The Future of Fitness and commissioned by Les Mills – suggests that to survive in the future, health clubs must ensure that they get 'closer' to their members and to other health-related businesses within the community they operate.
Nielsen claims that changes will be so profound that in future young adults may find the concept of 'going to the gym' completely alien.
The authors of the paper say that "tweaks to existing models are unlikely to match the pace of transformational change".
The report has already resulted in lively internet-based debate among fitness professionals and club owners and employees.
To read the complete article outlining the report's findings and experts' reaction to it, see Health Club Management April 2010 issue, pp. 30-32.
