Last week I read an article connecting the childhood obesity epidemic to the canceling of gym classes in the U.S. Not only did they discuss the removal of P.E., but the article also reminded us that, over the past 10 years, many school districts have also removed music, art and other non-science or non-math courses. Essentially, we’ve become a society of traditionalism in our schools.
While I read the article I felt that I was beginning to peer inside my Magic 8 Ball. I asked the question: “What does this mean for the health and fitness industry in the next 25 to 50 years?”
The response was a bit murky: “Ask again later.” A Magic 8 Ball never provides you with the information you want at that moment. However, as I peered further I started seeing a society that had high computer skills, but not so much experience in physical fitness.
As we continue as a society to remove P.E. from our early school systems, we will see more and more children develop into overweight and sedentary lifestyles. What does this mean for your business? You might have a bigger market, but also you might be fighting the lack of knowledge and necessity for fitness.
If people grow up without understanding the importance of physical fitness, they will become a much harder sale for you in the future. Additionally, you could see a time when less and less people attend fitness clubs to better their health. Currently we don’t reach 80-85 percent of the population. What happens if that number jumps to 90-95 percent of the population?
In our June issue of Club Solutions Magazine, John Kersh, the vice president of international development, said that Japan only penetrates about 3 percent of the market. Could you imagine if only 3 percent of America exercised in a fitness club?
I’m sorry to paint a negative picture for you on Wednesday, but I believe as an industry devoted to fitness, it’s our responsibility to help reinstall physical exercise inside the school system. We continually lobby for partnerships with health insurance providers, but if we continue to ignore the growing lack on physical education, we won’t have people looking for fitness in our future.
What can you do to alleviate some of my fears about the future of our industry? Become more involved in our local community. Create youth programs, even if it’s simply entering the school with a couple of trainers throughout the week to get kids moving. Every little bit you can do for our youth, the better.
The youth will be the future of our society, as well as the future of your business. If you don’t build the connection now, in 20 or 25 years, when these kids are in their 30’s, they won’t think to you for improving fitness. It’s not a difficult task, but it will take some foresight to get your company in-tune with the local schools. Just remember, get kids exercising today and they’ll exercise with you for a lifetime.
Tyler Montgomery is the editor of Club Solutions Magazine. Contact him at tyler@clubsolutionsmagazine.com.
