Another year and another IHRSA show have come and gone, and completely put me in awe of how wonderfully complex and awesome the fitness industry has become.
In part two of this IHRSA recap series, discover additional trends witnessed at this year’s show.
Data tracking is a mandate.
Years ago, there were systems that tracked workouts and results. They were displayed on computers and came in print outs that were cumbersome to read. These days, workout tracking appears on your watch instantly and can be shared across several platforms and applications. Not only are wearable devices improving how that data is being gathered and shared, equipment manufacturers are also sharing that data with their own applications to motivate and track results for members.
Whether the workout is on the road, at your gym or in your backyard, fitness data has never been easier to collect. This also enhances the experience for your members knowing you can keep them accountable remotely. Tracking results is also easier, as many wearables allow inputting body composition and other values to show results. No more writing on workout cards!
More equipment companies but less equipment.
I visited a dozen different manufacturers of fitness equipment, and the one trend I noticed from them all is a move away from traditional weight training machines to functional, multi-use rigs for functional training. Some booths had a smattering of traditional selectorized equipment and cardio offerings, but all of them had elaborate and customizable set ups to run group training or functional circuits. Years ago, the same companies brought full lines of strength pieces that you could test and analyze before you buy. Due to the cost of booth space and shipping, they have gone to select new product offerings and cardio.
Education is king to making money.
With many companies out there selling products and services, the one overarching factor is that education helps generate revenue. With a growing number of new fitness professionals entering and leaving the field in three years or less, we know there is an ongoing need to educate new talent and equip them with the knowledge of how to use these tools on clients and members. Companies like TRIBE Team Training also educate trainers on how to run successful group training programs in a club and generate a profitable return on investment. Education is especially necessary these days to promote the values of services and training to members.
What fitness trends did you notice at IHRSA 2019?
Vic Spatola is a NASM master trainer, martial arts expert, fitness business consultant and educator at Club Greenwood in Denver, Colorado. Email him at vics@clubgreenwood.com.
