64% of women say they prefer clubs that offer a variety of workouts Credit: photo: ndab creativity/shutterstock
Consumers and wellness brands have been surveyed to understand how the industry has shifted over the past year and a half and more importantly, where it’s headed in the months to come.
The data gathered has been published in two studies: the Mindbody 2021 US Consumer Survey which was compiled from 1,232 responses and the Mindbody 2021 US Business Study, which received 1,200 responses.
“For fitness operators, knowledge is innovation waiting to happen,” says Mindbody CEO, Josh McCarter. “We hope these data points help inform operators’ business strategy, at a time that calls for you to adapt more rapidly than ever.”
Consumers are open
to trying out something new in their routines
52 per cent of respondents shared that they’re more open to new workouts than they were before the pandemic.
In the US, some consumers are reluctant to return
Some consumers are still reluctant to return to the studio. The top five reasons are cited as feeling uncomfortable knowing not all attendees are vaccinated (29 per cent), not being comfortable near others (24 per cent), not being vaccinated yet (23 per cent), feeling too intimidated because they are out of shape/gained weight (19 per cent) and having established a new at-home virtual routine (17 per cent).
Cost and location matter to consumers, but they’re not everything
When it comes to choosing a fitness business, US consumers still cite location (37 per cent) and cost (36 per cent) as top considerations – and when motivating people to return, 37 per cent credit lower costs as a winning strategy. Unsurprisingly, cleanliness has also emerged as a key factor.
When it comes to other important factors, consumers also cite atmosphere (30 per cent), the time of classes (26 per cent), the variety of classes (25 per cent) and reputation (23 per cent), as well as instructors (23 per cent) and amenities (22 per cent).
The trend for
bookings is upwards
Researchers found that studio bookings are recovering in the US. While the volume continues to vary considerably by state, the overall trend line for bookings is heading toward pre-pandemic levels and once restrictions were lifted or relaxed, state-by-state, pent-up consumer demand was, and continues to be, the driver for recovery.
Offering workout variety is a big advantage
69 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women stated they prefer a fitness studio or gym which have a variety of workout types available.
Men are working out more than women, both in-person and virtually
59 per cent of men are attending in-person classes compared with 40 per cent of women in the US. Furthermore, 52 per cent of men are attending in-person classes at boutique studios versus 37 per cent of women.
As we see virtual fitness continue in popularity, men in the US are also attending virtual classes significantly more than women (59 per cent versus 43 per cent of women).
The industry is clear about the challenges it’s facing
Franchise organisations state their top three obstacles to growth as learning how to more effectively optimise their business (45 per cent), getting new/more customers (45 per cent), and ‘keeping, engaging and retaining existing customers' (43 per cent).
Similarly, non-franchise organisations reported that their largest roadblocks are getting new/more customers (54 per cent), learning how to more effectively optimise their business (42 per cent) and optimising their use of technology and software (39 per cent).
Reinstating growth is a vital part of recovery
31 per cent of business owners said their goal is to maintain the business for the foreseeable future and 44 per cent say they’re ready to start growing again.
Diversifying services is key
88 per cent of fitness businesses have already added something besides fitness classes or training sessions to their roster of services. The top five supplemental services are wellness (45 per cent), nutrition (40 per cent), massage therapy (36 per cent), physical therapy (35 per cent) and meditation (31 per cent).
Technology continues to become more fundamental to success
The majority of franchise and non-franchise businesses have implemented, or plan to implement the following tech: livestreaming, video on demand, custom mobile apps and AI chatbots.
Drilling into the numbers (Table 1) shows a difference of approach to technology between non-franchise and franchise operators, with a total of 86 per cent of non-franchise operators using or planning to use livestreaming and a higher number – 92 per cent – of franchise operators going down this road.
Video on demand is also more popular with franchise businesses, with 85 per cent of non-franchise operators using or planning to use it, vs 94 per cent of franchise operators.
The opposite is true of custom mobile apps, with 94 per cent of non-franchise operators using or planning to use them vs 86 per cent of franchise operators.
The adoption of AI is further behind the curve, showing the potential for growth in this area. Again franchises showed greater interest, with only 77 per cent of non-franchise operators saying they are using or planning to use AI chatbots, against 86 per cent of franchise owners.
31 per cent of health clubs have added meditation to their roster of services Credit: photo: fizkes/shutterstock
As one of the most energy-intensive industries in the UK, leisure facilities face a critical
challenge in balancing net zero goals, funding and increased costs. [more...]
Study Active has legally acquired the name “Premier Global” and select Premier Global
branding assets from Assessment Technologies Institute LLC, part of Ascend Learning in the
US.
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Everyone Active
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64% of women say they prefer clubs that offer a variety of workouts Credit: photo: ndab creativity/shutterstock
Consumers and wellness brands have been surveyed to understand how the industry has shifted over the past year and a half and more importantly, where it’s headed in the months to come.
The data gathered has been published in two studies: the Mindbody 2021 US Consumer Survey which was compiled from 1,232 responses and the Mindbody 2021 US Business Study, which received 1,200 responses.
“For fitness operators, knowledge is innovation waiting to happen,” says Mindbody CEO, Josh McCarter. “We hope these data points help inform operators’ business strategy, at a time that calls for you to adapt more rapidly than ever.”
Consumers are open
to trying out something new in their routines
52 per cent of respondents shared that they’re more open to new workouts than they were before the pandemic.
In the US, some consumers are reluctant to return
Some consumers are still reluctant to return to the studio. The top five reasons are cited as feeling uncomfortable knowing not all attendees are vaccinated (29 per cent), not being comfortable near others (24 per cent), not being vaccinated yet (23 per cent), feeling too intimidated because they are out of shape/gained weight (19 per cent) and having established a new at-home virtual routine (17 per cent).
Cost and location matter to consumers, but they’re not everything
When it comes to choosing a fitness business, US consumers still cite location (37 per cent) and cost (36 per cent) as top considerations – and when motivating people to return, 37 per cent credit lower costs as a winning strategy. Unsurprisingly, cleanliness has also emerged as a key factor.
When it comes to other important factors, consumers also cite atmosphere (30 per cent), the time of classes (26 per cent), the variety of classes (25 per cent) and reputation (23 per cent), as well as instructors (23 per cent) and amenities (22 per cent).
The trend for
bookings is upwards
Researchers found that studio bookings are recovering in the US. While the volume continues to vary considerably by state, the overall trend line for bookings is heading toward pre-pandemic levels and once restrictions were lifted or relaxed, state-by-state, pent-up consumer demand was, and continues to be, the driver for recovery.
Offering workout variety is a big advantage
69 per cent of men and 64 per cent of women stated they prefer a fitness studio or gym which have a variety of workout types available.
Men are working out more than women, both in-person and virtually
59 per cent of men are attending in-person classes compared with 40 per cent of women in the US. Furthermore, 52 per cent of men are attending in-person classes at boutique studios versus 37 per cent of women.
As we see virtual fitness continue in popularity, men in the US are also attending virtual classes significantly more than women (59 per cent versus 43 per cent of women).
The industry is clear about the challenges it’s facing
Franchise organisations state their top three obstacles to growth as learning how to more effectively optimise their business (45 per cent), getting new/more customers (45 per cent), and ‘keeping, engaging and retaining existing customers' (43 per cent).
Similarly, non-franchise organisations reported that their largest roadblocks are getting new/more customers (54 per cent), learning how to more effectively optimise their business (42 per cent) and optimising their use of technology and software (39 per cent).
Reinstating growth is a vital part of recovery
31 per cent of business owners said their goal is to maintain the business for the foreseeable future and 44 per cent say they’re ready to start growing again.
Diversifying services is key
88 per cent of fitness businesses have already added something besides fitness classes or training sessions to their roster of services. The top five supplemental services are wellness (45 per cent), nutrition (40 per cent), massage therapy (36 per cent), physical therapy (35 per cent) and meditation (31 per cent).
Technology continues to become more fundamental to success
The majority of franchise and non-franchise businesses have implemented, or plan to implement the following tech: livestreaming, video on demand, custom mobile apps and AI chatbots.
Drilling into the numbers (Table 1) shows a difference of approach to technology between non-franchise and franchise operators, with a total of 86 per cent of non-franchise operators using or planning to use livestreaming and a higher number – 92 per cent – of franchise operators going down this road.
Video on demand is also more popular with franchise businesses, with 85 per cent of non-franchise operators using or planning to use it, vs 94 per cent of franchise operators.
The opposite is true of custom mobile apps, with 94 per cent of non-franchise operators using or planning to use them vs 86 per cent of franchise operators.
The adoption of AI is further behind the curve, showing the potential for growth in this area. Again franchises showed greater interest, with only 77 per cent of non-franchise operators saying they are using or planning to use AI chatbots, against 86 per cent of franchise owners.
31 per cent of health clubs have added meditation to their roster of services Credit: photo: fizkes/shutterstock
Norwegian health club operator, Treningshelse Holding, which owns the Aktiv365 and Family
Sports Club fitness chains, has acquired fellow Norwegian operator, Aktiv Trening.
The HCM team were busy at the recent FIBO Global Fitness event in Cologne, Germany,
distributing a special FIBO edition of HCM in support of the event as its global media
partner.
The fitness sector’s pivot to active wellbeing is being discussed in a new weekly podcast, called
The Conveners, and hosted by chair of GM Active and director of Miova, Andy King with
industry veteran, John Oxley, as a guest presenter.
Basic-Fit has signed up to trial the Wellhub network across its recently expanded Spanish
network, giving access to subscribers and enabling them to use all 152 of its Spanish clubs.
Having redefined the model of public-private collaboration in Spain, Go Fit is now expanding
into Italy and has ambitious plans to grow its estate, memberships and profits.
Planet Fitness has become the subject of a hate campaign by certain groups of consumers and
seen share values slide, in the wake of a trans person having been photographed using the
women’s locker room at an Alaskan gym.
Industry experts are gathering in Cologne for today's European Health & Fitness Forum
(EHFF),
followed by FIBO from 11-14 April, which will feature almost 1,000 exhibitors.
Jason Worthy has been appointed group CEO of Myzone to lead the 'next stage of growth', with
current group CEO, David Stalker, stepping back to take up an advisory role.
Global publishing outfit, Leisure Media, has announced details of its new annual conference for decision-
makers across the health, fitness and wellness markets. The event – the HCM Summit – will be held at the
QEII Conference Centre in Westminster, London on 24 October 2024, with pre-summit events the day
before.
As one of the most energy-intensive industries in the UK, leisure facilities face a critical
challenge in balancing net zero goals, funding and increased costs. [more...]
Study Active has legally acquired the name “Premier Global” and select Premier Global
branding assets from Assessment Technologies Institute LLC, part of Ascend Learning in the
US.
[more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Everyone Active Everyone Active operates leisure centres in partnership with local councils across the UK. Today, Ev [more...]
