Inside the Club: Did Zumba Start a Fitness Craze?

Are we seeing a wave of fitness consciousness? I know we still have an obesity epidemic, but are we also, at the same time, seeing a trend of extreme fitness?

In the early 2000s we saw a slow grow of boot camps and boutique fitness facilities. However, in the past five years or so we have seen that slow grow ramp up to a tremendous onslaught.

Practically every street corner has some type of fitness element. There are boot camps popping up in neighborhoods, parks and parking lots. Concepts such as CrossFit, pure barre, Bikram yoga and others are taking over the fitness landscape. Additionally, traditional fitness clubs that once boasted strengths in fitness components, must now follow these group trends and specialized equipment.

Is it just me, or are people looking to get fit in any way possible? Is there a chance some people have bailed on the idea that a pill will be invented to help them get six-pack abs and actually taken up movement?

I like to be one of those glass-half-full sort of people. I get excited about new trends and the hope that society is making a shift. I’m not suggesting that people will be pounding down your doors to get in shape, but I am saying that I feel like there is more of a fitness discussion ongoing in our world, which is sort of shocking.

Anymore, my news feed and social media are stacked with story after story of someone dropping a ton of weight, getting in better shape, changing old habits or simply discovering fitness. Could it be that I’ve successfully programmed my social media feed to ignore Angry Cat and focus on fitness, or is our world really changing?

I like to believe that these new concepts would fall flat on their face if people weren’t interested. It seems that people are truly engaged in discovering new concepts, new ways to get active and have fun with fitness.

I like to believe that these new trends are a sign that people are more engaged in fitness now than ever before. Is it possible that Zumba exploded our industry into a fun-fit movement?

No longer do average people see a gym and think about hours of cardio on a treadmill feeling like a hamster on a hamster wheel, but instead they see a fitness club and a sign that says, “Zumba,” “Air Yoga,” “Les Mills” and others, and they sign up. They get moving, have fun and get fit!

It’s a very interesting time in fitness. I don’t think we are really seeing a drastic change, yet. But I believe what we are really experiencing is the early days of the dawn of the golden age of fitness. Now, to the difficult question, are you ready for when the customer puts down the cupcake and comes strolling into your facility?

Tyler Montgomery is the Editor-in-Chief of Club Solutions Magazine. For thoughts on his blog, the print issue or the industry, reach out to him at tyler@peakemedia.com.