The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released its findings from its annual Health and Fitness Journal worldwide survey into global fitness industry trends. As usual, there are some unsurprising but also very surprising results that will impact some of the decisions that gym owners, gym managers, equipment manufacturers and fitness professionals will make in 2024.
This year’s ACSM study showed results encompassing the global market, as well as a break-down of a range of key nations. The results revealed some discrepancies between the Australian market and the trends seen overseas. As a result, we’re breaking down the top five Australian fitness industry trends and comparing them against what’s hot in the fitness world abroad.
Australian Top Five
1. Exercise for Mental Health
Australians are increasingly recognising the connection between fitness and mental wellbeing, and this is a trend that is expected to continue to be impactful for fitness industry professionals in 2024.
Topping our local list, and placing ninth globally, training for mental health might be a new way to attract new clients to your facilities. Research continues to show the mental health benefits of exercise, proving in many cases to be more effective than medication.
Does this have implications for how we sell fitness to the market, rather than how it might influence programs, facilities and products? Research has shown that industry professionals and facilities often compete on physical health and fitness outcomes, facility and program features, program enjoyment and price. As an industry there may be enormous potential in telling powerful stories that link training with improved mental health outcomes.
2. Ok, Fit Boomer
Also a feature in the global top three, more options for older adults in the fitness scene is a growing area for the industry in Australia. Coming in at number two on the local list, this is yet another move up for this category which placed fourth in 2023.
With more seniors recognising the link between longevity, quality of life and physical fitness, keeping our aging members active and engaged could be a strategic key.
Popular among this cohort of trainees appears to be aerobic classes, and also avenues for resistance training and muscle-building. Ensuring you have training areas and skilled and experienced fitness professionals ready to assist our older members is likely to be a recipe for success.
3. Fitness Loves Company (in Australia at least)
Dropping out of the global top 20, but hanging tough on the local scene and taking third place is Group Training. According to the research, Australians love training together, be that for cardio-based classes, HIIT or circuit-based strength programs.
Facilities overseas might be looking to repurpose their group training areas based on the current global results, however continued investment and promotion of group training spaces and facilities are likely to be a mainstay in the Australian fitness market for the foreseeable future.
4. Functional Fitness
Linked to Group Training, and similarly slipping on the global trends list to 14, Functional Fitness is another area that Aussies continue to value. With much of the Group Fitness market focusing on functional training means that this result is not surprising.
Active Aussies are seeking out exercises, movement patterns and muscle groups that will aid their real-world activities. Providing facilities that give trainees plenty of lifting, pushing, pulling, and twisting movements like the Life Fitness Synrgy Training System are likely to perform well in gyms across the country
5. A workout a day keeps the doctor away
Moving into the Australian top five is Exercise is Medicine, the idea that the health care sector should and does increasingly recognise physical activity as a means for health assessment and also treatment of a range of conditions.
This trend of fitness as a critical tool in health care stresses the importance of employing exercise programs built on evidence that has come from research. Not only this, but that they are delivered by adequately qualified and registered exercise professionals. This is something that we can also see emerging in industry trends overseas.
Which brings us to…
The global top five:
1. Wearable Tech:
And coming in at the top of the list worldwide, wearable tech remains the rockstar of fitness industry trends this year. Gathering user data for millions of fitness enthusiasts around the world since 2016, in 2024, that trend is set to continue.
We’re talking smartwatches and fitness trackers hooked up to your phone, giving you the low-down on your heart rate, daily steps, stress levels and even your sleep quality. And the fitness equipment that allows trainees to connect their wearable devices to the console of the exercise equipment they’re using, such as the Life Fitness SE4 Console, will be incredibly beneficial for facilities.
In 2022, the wearable tech industry was reportedly worth a whopping USD 61.3 billion, with an expectation that it will grow to almost USD150 billion by 2030. As a result, incorporating wearable tech into your offering is a smart play to future proof your business or facility.
2. Fit at work:
Workplace health and fitness promotion is this year’s bullet, appearing on the list for the first time and rocketing to the number two spot. The researchers speculate that employees are moving to a mentality where all aspects of their life contribute to or detract from a sense of wellness and fulfilment.
As a result, employers are increasingly looking for ways to incorporate fitness, health and wellbeing into workplaces, and this is only expected to grow. These include fitness facilities at work, work-based sporting competitions, and health education classes.
As companies seek to bring people back to offices, offering more health-based benefits in the workplace seems a valuable investment.
3. Fitness Programs for Older Adults
Here’s where the Aussie market and the global fitness market are in agreement. The ageing fitness community is one to pay very close attention to.
4. Sweat it Out for Weight Loss:
Exercise for weight loss grabs spot number four. With a growing list of options for trainees to engage with in any gym or facility worldwide, and bringing with them a wide range of goals as well, it appears that excess weight loss is back at the top of the list for many.
And encouragingly, it appears that most trainees understand that improved body composition is the bi-product of a program that includes aerobic work, resistance training and good nutritional planning. The moral of the story for fitness professionals is continue to offer a balance of strength and cardio options, along with the best information around training and nutrition.
5. Money Talks for Fitness Pros
At number five, the global fitness industry is recognising a push for increased salaries for fitness professionals, at a time when the industry’s value aligns with positive health care outcomes of both a physical and mental nature.
Although much of the talk surrounds licensing and accreditations, much is also being made about the unique skillsets that many fitness professionals are bringing to the table. Could we see a medicare-style bulk-billing program for fitness professionals in the future?
The fitness industry continues to evolve and change, but most importantly, it continues to grow and diversify. Ensure you stay ahead of the trends so that you are best placed to deliver what the market demands.
Australian Top 10
1. Exercise for Mental Health
2. Fitness Programs for Older Australians
3. Group Exercise Training
4. Functional Fitness Training
5. Exercise is Medicine
6. Traditional Strength Training
7. Employing Registered Exercise Professionals
8. Pilates
9. Wearable Technology
10. Inclusive Exercise Services
Global Top 10
1. Wearable Technology
2. Worksite Health Promotions
3. Fitness Programs for Older Adults
4. Exercise for Weight Lossealth
5. Reimbursement for Qualified Exercise Professionals
6. Employing Certified Exercise Professionals
7. Mobile Exercise Apps
8. Exercise for Mental Health
9. Youth Athletic Development
10. Personal Training
