The fitness industry is looking up as 2023 begins. While many facilities are still feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and are navigating challenges like staffing, membership sales and operational costs, things are trending in a positive direction.
As operators set their focus forward, they are looking for what to watch when it comes to programming, trends and operations.
Fitness experts across Canada are predicting more focus on personalization, physical and mental wellness, and a return to foundational moves designed to build strength and prepare members for daily life. These predictions come from the canfitpro Fitness Trends Report 2022, which is based on responses from more than 1,500 fitness professionals across Canada.
“We’re seeing more interest in the role fitness plays in supporting better physical and mental health and wellness,” said Maureen Hagan, the COO of canfitpro in a press release. “More people than ever are approaching fitness as a tool to take better care of themselves, so there is a renewed focus on the fundamentals like primal movements, active recovery exercises, and unique and effective group fitness classes.”
The following are the top 10 fitness trends predicted for 2023 from the report:
- Functional fitness. This includes bodyweight training, core-central, balance-stability training and primal movement training.
- Active aging/older adult programs.
- Freestyle group fitness classes such as small group, bootcamps, circuit training, cycling and dance.
- Upskilling for fitness professionals through education, learning, research, self-study, training, etc.
- Active recovery including yoga, hot yoga, tai chi, Pilates, etc.
- Express/mini workouts that are 10 to 30 minutes long.
- Fusion-style group fitness that cross-experience training with varying modalities such as yoga/HIIT, boxing/Pilates, etc.
- Pre-choreographed group fitness classes.
- Becoming a fitness professional or starting a fitness career both in-person and/or online.
- HIIT.
Functional Fitness
It’s no surprise functional fitness is at the top of the list. The offering has been ramping up in popularity the last few years. Because of this many facilities have been creating specific spaces designated to the offering.
The Houstonian recently added a new indoor turf space featuring updated equipment and 4,100 feet of additional training space as part of Phase II of its $23.5 million-dollar renovation
Shannon Cauley, the fitness director at The Houstonian Club, shared talking to other facilities that have a functional space and including your trainers in the layout process is key.
If you are interested in adding a functional fitness space, ensure it is an open space with equipment on the perimeter. Keep in mind what you want members to use the space for — solo workouts, personal training, etc. — and set the area up to reflect that.
Upskilling for Fitness Professionals
In 2021, 47.4 million people voluntarily quit their jobs, a phenomenon dubbed “The Great Resignation.” The effects of this are still being felt going into 2023. In fact, the majority of the Club Solutions Advisory Board deemed staffing as one of their greatest challenges.
A great way to attract new staff members and retain your current ones is to invest in them.
This can be done by paying for staff to receive certifications, encouraging them to attend educational roundtables, paying their way to go to industry events such as the Club Solutions Leadership Retreat, IHRSA Convention and Trade Show, IDEA Fitness Expo, and more.
What other trends do you think operators should watch in 2023? Email taylor@peakemedia.com. You can find the full canfitpro Fitness Trends Report 2022, here.
