So, you thought youd make your annual return to the gym, right? Wrong! In case you hadnt noticed, the last 9 months have completely transformed the fitness landscape, along with the rest of life as we knew it.
With our newfound fear of breathing indoors in public, its no surprise that things have become rocky for gym-goers and group fitness fanatics. And without gyms, those who live in small spaces have had to get creative in getting their fitness on.
A lot is still up in the air. If urbanites continue to flee to suburbia and more jobs go remote, then the decline of boutique and big-box fitness memberships could continue. But even with the health club industry reporting billions in losses, die-hard gym-goers insist theres nothing like the in-person experience.
One things for sure: Americans want to be healthier. And for once, time may not be the biggest hurdle.
Calorie counting, restrictive diets, and pining for a photoshopped physique may be losing some appeal too. For many, the pandemic has revived the joys of cooking and eating for strength, performance, happiness, and health. Diet and exercise practices that promote optimal nutrition, restoration, and prevention of illness and injury now have the most allure.
So where does this leave us as we head into the biggest fitness month of the year? With a fresh outlook and a renewed interest in science-backed, realistic, and smart wellness. In fact, this may actually be the year that our resolutions survive to see spring.
And thats a New Years glow-up we can get behind.
Maybe you or someone you know worships in the church of SoulCycle, CrossFit, Peloton, Barrys Bootcamp, or Les Mills. Fitness as religion isnt a new concept, but its one thats been gaining steam for years, persisting through the 2020 switch to digital.
Group fitness classes create a sense of community with a place to gather, socialize, show off, practice rituals (hello, burpee tuck jumps), and even cry (have you attempted a triple-under?). The isolation over the past year has only increased our need to connect with others thus the surge in digital fitness innovation, aka the Netflix of Fitness.
Training apps, wearable tech, and smart equipment provide unparalleled convenience and a social media-esque community. Therefore, theyre here to stay.
But lets be real: Just as streaming a church service on a laptop isnt the same as sitting in the Vatican, rolling out of bed to compete with faces on a leaderboard isnt the same as feeling the vibes and the friendly competition from in-class sessions. (And whos going to see your cute new leggings if you never leave the house?)
Our prediction:
Gyms and boutique fitness studios will invest in group fitness and fine-tune the experience by partnering with local orgs, offering virtual add-ons, and investing in top-notch trainers.
If theres one thing weve learned from 2020, its the value of rest, recovery, and repair. (Live, laugh, love is so 2019.) As we look for ways to unplug from our increasingly digital lives to combat burnout, anxiety, and loneliness, some of us are also looking to disconnect from digital health routines.
The wellness market is experiencing a boom in sleep and restorative health innovation, and its driving a lot of investment dollars. Enter holistic health clubs, meditation studios, and stretch and recovery labs. The future of fitness may be more like a spa.
Some key players earning street cred from investors and early enthusiasts:
Wearable tech is already getting in on the action. Instead of tracking calories, the WHOOP wristband measures how recovered you are and puts a premium on training optimally and preventing injury.
Surprise, surprise: The pandemic poured fuel on the already-blazing vitamin and supplement industry. Because this field is getting hella crowded, consumers and investors have their eyes on the best of the best. That means FDA-authorized, personalized, clean-label, clinically backed formulas.
The people have spoken: We like sleep, and we want more of it. Sleep supplements are expected to grow this year, with melatonin alone getting a boost due to an increase in public awareness. Clearly, stress-relieving and mood-boosting supplements are having a moment.
Some buzzworthy and trending players in the supplement space:
Nutritional science is shifting the focus to personalized practices and continuous glucose monitors as the key to better health.
Theres a lot of exciting innovation in using blood tests, the gut microbiome, DNA, and AI to craft bespoke diets fancy!
Some buzzworthy brands in this space:
The Amazon takeover, the COVID shutdown, and the economic recession continue to pressure brick-and-mortar industries to get creative. Expect to see local gyms bundling with retail and community experiences to offer sponsored events, branded apparel, equipment, supplements, and even delivery services.
Some examples already taking shape:
Plant-based products and alternative meats were having a moment pre-COVID and have only gained momentum since.
The pandemic has shed light on the nasty practices and working conditions of meatpacking. Whats more, the growing climate crisis, animal welfare concerns, religious beliefs, and evolving personal health interests are tipping the scale in favor of meatless meat.
A global shift to plant-based eating could save an estimated 8 million lives and reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to two-thirds by 2050.
A lot of us have become more burned-out, anxious, and lonely over the course of 2020 (not to be a buzzkill). But this year did remind us to sleep more, to eat for strength and resilience, to take more time for ourselves, and to appreciate our time with others in person or online.
These habits have been a rare source of comfort and are thus likely to carry into our fitness and nutrition practices in 2021 and beyond.
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Fitness and Nutrition Trends of 2021 - Greatist
