Fitness Industry Roundup: Fitness Gaming Meets Virtual Reality

Innovation in technology is not the only thing changing the industry—research is shining a light on what's behind people’s motivation (or lack thereof) to exercise and which workouts make people the happiest.

London Boutique Studios Highlight Innovation

Some top-notch gyms and suppliers are named in Forbes’ “best boutiques fitness classes and clubs in London.” Some of the standout gyms use IHRSA suppliers, like SportsArt and Technogym, to help build their brand. Innovation is a key component in the list, with cycling classes that take place in a room with oxygen levels simulating high altitudes and fitness trackers that gamify the workout experience. HIIT, yoga, cycling are popular go-tos for fitness needs, and some boutiques are combining aspects of those workouts to attract and keep members coming back.

Read about London’s innovative gyms.

All Aboard! New Fleet of Cruises Set Sail

Sure, ClassPass just announced its first Getaway to the Hamptons, but if you’d rather hit the seas for your next vacation, Blue World Voyage and WOD on the Waves may be a better fit. The Gear Diva at Forbes takes a look at two new cruises that incorporate the needs and wants of the fitness-minded. The Blue World Voyage is a brand new cruise that has whole decks dedicated to various workouts and recovery, while WOD on the Waves offers CrossFit “workouts of the day” and everything else cruise ship lovers have come to expect. But your members don’t have to set sail to work out on the road. If you enroll in the IHRSA Passport Program, your members can enjoy guest access at more than 1,700 clubs worldwide when they travel.

Read more about workouts on the sea.

VR Bringing Fitness and Gaming Together

Fitness gaming is moving beyond the Wii Fit and into new untapped areas with the help of virtual reality. VR Fitness Insider reviews some top VR games that help bring heart rates up. The Thrill of the Fit, Virtual Boxing League, and BoxVR take users to the boxing ring, where throwing punches earn points. Beyond boxing, there are running, archery, and rhythm games, giving gamers and those curious about VR plenty of options. As many health clubs are learning to incorporate technology into member experience, it’s not too far-fetched to believe VR will make a larger impact on the industry. VR is already making its presence known as evidenced at this year’s IHRSA / Fitness Brasil Trade Show.

Read more details about the new VR games.

Study: Team Sports Makes People the Happiest

Team sports have a positive mental effect on participants, the most out of several different types of exercise, according to a new study. Researchers asked 1.2 million respondents how they felt days after doing certain types of physical activity and ranked the answers. The study based the ranking on answers from respondents about how many happy days they experienced after the exercises; for example, participants of team sports reported having 22.3% fewer bad days than someone who didn’t exercise at all. After team sports, cycling, gym exercise, running, recreational sports, winter/water sports, walking, and household chores were named on the list as activities that have a positive impact on mental health. This study also supports research suggesting that social activities help mental health.

Read more about the study.

How P.E. Affects Feelings on Fitness

A study published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine found a connection between past experiences in physical education classes and motivation to exercise as an adult. The study showed that people’s memories of gym class were “emotionally charged,” and those who remember disliking P.E. were more likely to stay away from exercising now. Respondents cited memories of discomfort from changing in locker rooms, fitness testing, being picked last, or being less physically skilled than other students. “It was a bit surprising just how strong people’s memories were,” said Matthew Ladwig, who conducted the study. “It would be great if P.E. classes could teach kids that moving is fun.”

Read The New York Times story on P.E. memories.