A number of key health and fitness
and wellness trends for 2023
have been unearthed by new insight
published in the latest edition of the
Mindbody and Classpass Wellness
Index, as Megan Whitby reports
35 per cent of women aged 18-50 structure their workouts around their menstrual cycle Credit: Photo: Shutterstock/Krakenimages.com
Over 17,000 US consumers were quizzed by researchers on their health, fitness, exercise and wellness priorities and habits as part of the new Mindbody and Class Pass Wellness Index 2023.
This annual report is conducted by the fitness and wellness industry tech businesses to forecast the top trends for the year ahead.
This year, Mindbody and Class Pass condensed the findings into five key areas to watch, identifying woman-power, community, nature, wellness and longevity as areas that currently resonate most powerfully with consumers. Read on to find out more...
Whether it’s going to a female-only gym or optimising the body’s hormonal shifts, Mindbody reported that the data clearly showed American women are tapping into their feminine power as never before
39 per cent of women say they prefer women-only gyms or fitness studios, which may be why the number of women who experience “gymtimidation” has decreased this year.
For those who are too intimidated to work out in public, seeing more real and diverse bodies in fitness promotions helps. 24 per cent of women also said that wearing the right outfit (ie proper fitness attire or sportswear) makes them feel less intimidated – a trend that’s particularly popular with Gen Z and millennials.
While periods used to be a taboo topic, talking about menstrual cycle syncing, or aligning diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits with the stages of the menstrual cycle is now becoming an increasingly mainstream topic. 35 per cent of women between 18-50 structure their workouts based on their cycle, with Gen Z and millennials most likely to do so.
The number of American women who say they’re sexually fulfilled is also on the rise. This could be due to the growing number of women who actively seek to improve their sexual wellness with enhancement therapies, coaching or workshops and the like.
Talking about aligning diet, exercise and lifestyle habits with the menstrual cycle is becoming a mainstream topic
COMMUNITY
Strength in numbers:
the rise of the wellness collective
According to the survey, the past few years have underscored the importance of connection in our day-to-day lives.
Consumers continue to look to fitness, beauty and wellness businesses as a source of community with nearly half (43 per cent) saying that community is a very important part of wellness experiences.
More than a third are likely to choose wellness businesses that are well known for their community-building activities, and nearly a quarter say they’re more focused on their health and wellness as it makes them feel connected to other people.
Consumers who use integrative health services reported feeling more connected to their communities than those who don’t. Similarly, the more active consumers are, the more socially connected they feel.
The more active
consumers are,
the more socially
connected they feel
Consumers look to fitness and wellness businesses as a source of community / Photo: Shutterstock/Fizkes
NATURE
From the ground up: going back to your roots
Respondents also indicated they’re looking to reconnect with nature, with nearly 40 per cent saying they’re embracing a more natural lifestyle
Consumers are turning to nature, rest and the great outdoors to boost their mental health, with nearly 40 per cent saying they spend time outside to support their mental wellbeing, while 24 per cent do nature walks or forest bathing.
They’re also looking to plants and herbs to reduce stress and improve cognitive function, with more than 4 in 10 Americans having either tried or being interested in trying adaptogens – mushrooms that can reduce negative physiological effects of stress – or nootropics – medical-grade supplements that can support brain performance.
The study found that millennials and especially millennial men are most likely to try these options for optimal health.
Consumers are
interested in
trying adaptogens
and nootropics for
optimum health
Consumers are turning to nature in all areas of their lives / Photo: Shutterstock/DimaBerlin
WELLNESS
Gen Z:
‘The Wellness Generation’
Another big trend that kept presenting was that Gen Z and millennials require health and wellness offerings that feel connected, emotional and inclusive.
In almost every way, Gen Z and millennials engage with health wellness more than their mature counterparts, for example, they reportedly spend the most on fitness, salon, spa and wellness services and they’re most likely to work out at least once a week and eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.
These younger generations prioritise their mental wellbeing more than other generations, too.
Gen Z and millennials also expect wellness to be a part of the workplace, as they’re more likely to say wellness benefits or perks are important when choosing an employer than other age groups.
In almost every way, Gen Z and
millennials engage with wellness more
than their mature counterparts
Younger Americans are more likely to work out and eat healthily / Photo: Shutterstock/GuilhermeMesquita
LONGEVITY
Longevity:
functional fitness for a longer, more fulfilled life
Encouragingly, the Wellness Index findings suggest longevity could become the ‘new weight loss’.
Consumers report being less concerned with using exercise to control their weight and more concerned with living longer better. In fact, almost a third of consumers (29 per cent) say they exercise because they want to live a long and healthy life – a significant increase from last year.
One way consumers are optimising their health is functional fitness – a type of strength training that prepares the body for day-to-day activities such as squatting, bending, pushing and lunging.
More than half of general consumers engage in movement that prepares the body for daily living, with millennial men the most likely to do so.
Recovery is also a top priority, with nearly half (47 per cent) of Americans saying practices such as stretching and restorative yoga are very important to them.
More than one-third of general consumers have tried or are interested in trying ice baths, while over a quarter (26 per cent) of Americans practice biohacking for peak physical and mental performance.
Almost a third
of consumers
say they exercise
to live a long and
healthy life
Functional fitness that enables day to day living is growing in popularity / Photo: Shutterstock Goodluz
Altrafit has taken further steps to cement its reputation as a provider of high-quality,
affordable functional fitness equipment that is built to last with the development and
introduction of a new functional fitness keg for luxury gym operator, Third Space. [more...]
In today's rapidly evolving fitness industry, where many online courses promise secret
formulas for entrepreneurial success, the reality is that few provide the necessary
knowledge to thrive in this fast-changing profession. [more...]
A number of key health and fitness
and wellness trends for 2023
have been unearthed by new insight
published in the latest edition of the
Mindbody and Classpass Wellness
Index, as Megan Whitby reports
35 per cent of women aged 18-50 structure their workouts around their menstrual cycle Credit: Photo: Shutterstock/Krakenimages.com
Over 17,000 US consumers were quizzed by researchers on their health, fitness, exercise and wellness priorities and habits as part of the new Mindbody and Class Pass Wellness Index 2023.
This annual report is conducted by the fitness and wellness industry tech businesses to forecast the top trends for the year ahead.
This year, Mindbody and Class Pass condensed the findings into five key areas to watch, identifying woman-power, community, nature, wellness and longevity as areas that currently resonate most powerfully with consumers. Read on to find out more...
Whether it’s going to a female-only gym or optimising the body’s hormonal shifts, Mindbody reported that the data clearly showed American women are tapping into their feminine power as never before
39 per cent of women say they prefer women-only gyms or fitness studios, which may be why the number of women who experience “gymtimidation” has decreased this year.
For those who are too intimidated to work out in public, seeing more real and diverse bodies in fitness promotions helps. 24 per cent of women also said that wearing the right outfit (ie proper fitness attire or sportswear) makes them feel less intimidated – a trend that’s particularly popular with Gen Z and millennials.
While periods used to be a taboo topic, talking about menstrual cycle syncing, or aligning diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits with the stages of the menstrual cycle is now becoming an increasingly mainstream topic. 35 per cent of women between 18-50 structure their workouts based on their cycle, with Gen Z and millennials most likely to do so.
The number of American women who say they’re sexually fulfilled is also on the rise. This could be due to the growing number of women who actively seek to improve their sexual wellness with enhancement therapies, coaching or workshops and the like.
Talking about aligning diet, exercise and lifestyle habits with the menstrual cycle is becoming a mainstream topic
COMMUNITY
Strength in numbers:
the rise of the wellness collective
According to the survey, the past few years have underscored the importance of connection in our day-to-day lives.
Consumers continue to look to fitness, beauty and wellness businesses as a source of community with nearly half (43 per cent) saying that community is a very important part of wellness experiences.
More than a third are likely to choose wellness businesses that are well known for their community-building activities, and nearly a quarter say they’re more focused on their health and wellness as it makes them feel connected to other people.
Consumers who use integrative health services reported feeling more connected to their communities than those who don’t. Similarly, the more active consumers are, the more socially connected they feel.
The more active
consumers are,
the more socially
connected they feel
Consumers look to fitness and wellness businesses as a source of community / Photo: Shutterstock/Fizkes
NATURE
From the ground up: going back to your roots
Respondents also indicated they’re looking to reconnect with nature, with nearly 40 per cent saying they’re embracing a more natural lifestyle
Consumers are turning to nature, rest and the great outdoors to boost their mental health, with nearly 40 per cent saying they spend time outside to support their mental wellbeing, while 24 per cent do nature walks or forest bathing.
They’re also looking to plants and herbs to reduce stress and improve cognitive function, with more than 4 in 10 Americans having either tried or being interested in trying adaptogens – mushrooms that can reduce negative physiological effects of stress – or nootropics – medical-grade supplements that can support brain performance.
The study found that millennials and especially millennial men are most likely to try these options for optimal health.
Consumers are
interested in
trying adaptogens
and nootropics for
optimum health
Consumers are turning to nature in all areas of their lives / Photo: Shutterstock/DimaBerlin
WELLNESS
Gen Z:
‘The Wellness Generation’
Another big trend that kept presenting was that Gen Z and millennials require health and wellness offerings that feel connected, emotional and inclusive.
In almost every way, Gen Z and millennials engage with health wellness more than their mature counterparts, for example, they reportedly spend the most on fitness, salon, spa and wellness services and they’re most likely to work out at least once a week and eat the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.
These younger generations prioritise their mental wellbeing more than other generations, too.
Gen Z and millennials also expect wellness to be a part of the workplace, as they’re more likely to say wellness benefits or perks are important when choosing an employer than other age groups.
In almost every way, Gen Z and
millennials engage with wellness more
than their mature counterparts
Younger Americans are more likely to work out and eat healthily / Photo: Shutterstock/GuilhermeMesquita
LONGEVITY
Longevity:
functional fitness for a longer, more fulfilled life
Encouragingly, the Wellness Index findings suggest longevity could become the ‘new weight loss’.
Consumers report being less concerned with using exercise to control their weight and more concerned with living longer better. In fact, almost a third of consumers (29 per cent) say they exercise because they want to live a long and healthy life – a significant increase from last year.
One way consumers are optimising their health is functional fitness – a type of strength training that prepares the body for day-to-day activities such as squatting, bending, pushing and lunging.
More than half of general consumers engage in movement that prepares the body for daily living, with millennial men the most likely to do so.
Recovery is also a top priority, with nearly half (47 per cent) of Americans saying practices such as stretching and restorative yoga are very important to them.
More than one-third of general consumers have tried or are interested in trying ice baths, while over a quarter (26 per cent) of Americans practice biohacking for peak physical and mental performance.
Almost a third
of consumers
say they exercise
to live a long and
healthy life
Functional fitness that enables day to day living is growing in popularity / Photo: Shutterstock Goodluz
Sector leaders in the UK have collaborated to create the Physical Activity Leadership
Network that
aims to raise physical activity levels, address inequalities and create an Active Wellbeing
Service.
Female health expert, The Well HQ has teamed up with training provider, The Fitness Group, to
launch education courses aimed at upskilling PTs in female health.
Fitness-focused hospitality brand and management company Equinox Hotels has announced
plans to open a modern new resort on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba in northwest Saudi Arabia.
The venture is part of the ambitious US$500 billion (€462.7 billion, £396 billion) Neom* giga-
project.
UK Active has unveiled the finalists for the UK Active Awards 2024. Winners from across the 14
categories will be announced at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham
on 3 October.
US health and fitness giant, Planet Fitness, has today (22 July) officially announced the launch of its first Spanish
club in the Via Sabadell shopping centre in Barcelona.
Urban Gym Group CEO, Neil Randall, talks in this month’s HCM about how being passed
over for promotion taught him the resilience to power through the rest of his career.
Fitness International has announced the acquisition of XSport Fitness, adding it to its portfolio
of brands which includes LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club and Club Studios.
Gymbox has partnered with Haringey Council and not-for-profit organisation, Raza Sana, to
give opportunities to those living in disadvantaged communities.
Sport for Confidence CIC has received a national award for its pioneering work hardwiring
occupational therapy driven services into community sport and leisure settings.
Altrafit has taken further steps to cement its reputation as a provider of high-quality,
affordable functional fitness equipment that is built to last with the development and
introduction of a new functional fitness keg for luxury gym operator, Third Space. [more...]
In today's rapidly evolving fitness industry, where many online courses promise secret
formulas for entrepreneurial success, the reality is that few provide the necessary
knowledge to thrive in this fast-changing profession. [more...]