It should come as no surprise that the fitness industry is not only growing, but it is booming, and indeed it has been for well over a decade. These days, a new emphasis has been placed on being healthy and strong rather than just shedding pounds, which helps to account for this new level of enthusiasm. As a result, health clubs are springing up everywhere, and there are countless television shows and podcasts about staying mindful of what you eat and how you treat your body. In this article, we will cover a few key factors clearly driving the growth of the fitness industry.
Demand for Healthy Food
A few decades ago, people were interested primarily in overly processed food with high levels of sugar, fat, and salt. Even when the food was marketed as “healthy,” it was loaded up with all sorts of chemicals to help mimic the taste of the traditional junk we love, such as cookies and ice cream. No one really focused on protein intake or vitamins so long as the calorie count was super low.
That has all changed, with consumers opting for healthier, more natural, or organic foods, which has had a direct effect on making people more interested in fitness and maintaining a healthy physique.
The Perks of Health Insurance
Obviously, having health insurance is a great and much-needed asset. Luckily, employers are beginning to realize this, and they also know that healthy individuals cost much less to insure. Therefore, health insurance companies have become more willing to subsidize people’s healthy lifestyles by trimming the costs of gym membership – if not covering them altogether. While this might account for only a fraction of the industry’s growth, it has undoubtedly had a positive effect on this sector of the business.
The Benefits of Technology
Nowadays, instead of using pen and paper, we resort to technology to keep track of every aspect of our lives. This applies to the fitness industry as well; the emergence of calorie counter apps has made it a breeze for anyone to be more fitness oriented. Not only do these apps allow anyone to track their calorie intake, it makes them more knowledgeable about nutrition at the same time. There are quite a few important tools utilizing the latest technology that has made staying healthy a bit easier than it was in the past. Apps, motivational podcasts, and audio books, in addition to streaming exercise classes, have all become mainstream. For those who cannot afford or have the time to go to the gym or a health class, these tools are a godsend.
Gyms for the Budget-Conscious
Going to the gym is no longer a privilege afforded only to the wealthy. There are plenty of gyms that have very low monthly fees while providing excellent services and classes. Because of the rock-bottom prices, many people have signed up, contributing to the booming fitness industrial complex.
Another slightly related point is the rise of hipster-y, “boutique” style fitness studios in more affluent areas. While these gyms tend to be small and hyper-specialized, they do appeal to today’s millennial-pink, wellness-minded aesthetic. People enjoy having a space that feels tailor-made to them and therefore don’t mind plunking down a lot of money for this kind of gym.
It seems that there is little stopping the growth of the fitness industry. As this generation becomes more concerned with developing healthy habits and eating fresh, local foods, exercise has not only become an important aide in one’s weight loss journey, but a key step in ensuring their overall well-being.
