Building a Fitness Community: The Future of Your Fitness Business

In the ever-evolving fitness industry, there is now a clear emphasis on the importance of a holistic, mental health-focused approach to fitness and wellness. Once a fringe aspect of the fitness industry, providing a holistic approach to your members is now the bare minimum for most.

According to our January 2024 Innovation Report, Wellness Lovers and Fitness Explorers (more on those later) make up the majority of the industry’s fitness enthusiasts. What does this mean for fitness business owners? It’s time to start looking at wellness and mental health seriously.  

The pandemic has undeniably accelerated this shift, with people increasingly recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and mental health. The idea of “fitness” itself has been completely redefined. Now, it’s not just about peak physical health, it’s about the chemical and behavioral benefits that well-being can provide.

Later in this article, we’ll show you exactly how to introduce more mental well-being elements into your business. But first, let’s go through the stats.

Emerging Trends in Fitness and Wellbeing

The data from our January 2024 Innovation Report shows a 6% increase in Wellness Lovers and a 4% rise in Fitness Explorers compared to the previous year, with a significant lean toward Millennials and older Gen Z’ers prioritizing “total wellness”. 

This shift points to a growing market segment that views fitness through a holistic lens, emphasizing the balance between physical activity and mental health. These individuals, more than ever, are looking for fitness experiences that provide a sense of community, spiritual fulfillment, and emotional balance, alongside physical health benefits.

In response to this, fitness providers need to diversify their offerings to include wellness retreats, outdoor experiences, and virtual reality fitness. Providing this as a fitness business owner used to be a nice-to-have. Now, it’s essential if you want to be a successful fitness business owner.

Not sure if you have the right tools to create this new experience for your members?

Mental Health and the Wider Fitness Industry

Understanding the demographic shifts and their expectations is crucial for fitness businesses aiming to capture this market. 58% of gym and health club members find it crucial for their chosen fitness facility to support social causes, with mental health support topping the list. This is not just a personal preference but a significant community and societal expectation, influencing where individuals choose to spend their money and time.

Businesses that have recognized this shift and adapted their services to include mental well-being components are experiencing economic benefits. They report increased membership retention, higher client satisfaction rates, and a positive public image that attracts new customers. This isn’t just about the higher societal need of helping to improve the collective mental wellbeing of our communities, it’s also about providing a better service and experience for your members.

What’s the first step in building a better mental health focus in your business?

Community.

Building a tight-knit, engaged fitness community is the core foundation of providing a more holistic health experience for your members.

Not sure how?

We have an in-depth guide on How to Build a Fitness Community that’s available to you, for free.

Mental Wellbeing and Your Fitness Business

To effectively integrate mental well-being into your fitness business, it’s essential to understand the holistic needs of your clientele. It’s about creating an environment where mental well-being is as prioritized as physical fitness. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as offering meditation and yoga classes, providing spaces for relaxation and socialization, and even incorporating nature into the workout experience.

Moreover, technology plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Digital platforms can offer virtual wellness coaching, mental health resources, and online community support, making mental well-being services more accessible to a wider audience. These technological advancements also allow for personalized wellness plans, integrating data analytics to tailor services to individual needs, and enhancing the overall customer experience.

But implementing modern tools and digital compatibility is not an easy task, is it?

It can be, with the right fitness platform.

ABC Glofox is designed to give you a 360-degree view of your fitness business, providing a modern, professional experience to your staff and members.

Want to see how ABC Glofox can help you?

The Future of Fitness: A Holistic Approach

The future of the fitness industry points towards a more integrated approach, where mental and physical well-being are seamlessly blended into one cohesive journey. This trend is expected to continue, with innovative services and technologies emerging to meet the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers. Fitness businesses that prioritize holistic health will not only thrive but also lead the transformation of the industry, setting new standards for health and wellness.

This is already happening, quite rapidly, with many members beginning to prefer smaller, more intimate, and community-focused fitness experiences. As you can see from the stats below, people are moving towards boutique and class-based fitness businesses. This is because many of these smaller businesses provide that stronger sense of community and inclusion, something that is integral to a holistic fitness experience.

How ABC Glofox Gives Members the Complete Experience

The landscape of the fitness industry is not changing, it has already changed. People are looking for a sense of community and belonging just as much as they want to look good or get in shape. As a fitness business owner, you need to provide a complete experience, ensuring that you’re in constant contact with your members.

ABC Glofox is designed to save you time and money as a fitness business owner: simplifying mundane tasks and improving your member experience into a more modern, well-run process. This allows you to focus on what’s more important: providing a more holistic fitness experience to your members.

Want to learn more about all the features that ABC Glofox uses to provide your members with a more holistic fitness experience?