Fitness Industry Roundup: New Memberships & Visits on the Rise

After a year of doom and gloom, the fitness industry notices an upward trend in membership sign-ups and facility visits. It appears that the significance of exercise and physical activity is gaining global attention! In other news, research provides insight into technology’s impact in the fitness industry—now and in the future—and one of the world’s oldest salt mines is offering salt therapy for COVID-19 patients.

Let’s not waste any time and get straight to the upbeat stories in this week’s Fitness Industry Roundup.

Fitness Brand Reaches Record-breaking New Membership Numbers

“It would seem that more people than ever are seeing the importance of their own personal health, having come through such a challenging year,” said Neil Randall, CEO of Anytime Fitness UK. Randall told Health Club Management that April was the company’s busiest month ever, adding tens of thousands of new members across its independently owned clubs. The surplus of new memberships comes as many clubs across the UK were shuttered for most of April, opening as early as mid-month. With the nine Anytime Fitness UK locations opened in 2021, the brand’s total number of health clubs has surpassed 180.

Learn more.

Equinox Membership Grows as Restrictions Let Up

As mask restrictions are lifted in regions across the nation and vaccinations rise, gym-goers file into fitness facilities. Harvey Spevak, executive chairman of Equinox Group, an IHRSA member, told CNBC in an interview, “We’ve been waiting for this day for 14 months, and what we are seeing is a tremendous amount of pent-up demand.” Spevak noted a 55% membership increase in New York City alone and, at the time of the interview, reported that Tuesday, May 18, marked the company’s highest utilization since it closed last March. Equinox has removed the mask mandate for vaccinated gym-goers—unless state or local guidelines require them—and will continue to offer online training.

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ClassPass Reports Sharp Rise in New Gym Members

Although there is high demand for virtual training options, ClassPass, an IHRSA member, revealed a 600% week-on-week increase in new health club members following the ease in restrictions. According to The Guardian, since the return of indoor exercise classes, two of ClassPass’s top London studios have clocked in ten times more in-person classes than virtual reservations. ClassPass also noted a 12% increase in its European partner network during the pandemic. Chloe Ross, ClassPass vice president of international, said, “In the short-term, many studios will continue to offer online classes but there is no doubt that studios and gyms are shifting focus back to in-person sessions.”

Read the full article.

Research Provides Insight to the Role of Technology in Fitness During & After COVID

Virtuagym released survey results—from gyms, studios, and personal trainers—that discloses technology’s extensive role in fitness-related business and activity during the pandemic. Club Industry reports that 45% of gyms, 36% of trainers, and 32% of studios used technology to offer at-home fitness training and content.

Additionally, 51% of gyms and 45% of trainers used fitness trackers—in the form of wearable technology—to help clients achieve their fitness goals. “[Technology] can enable operators big and small to deliver varied and personalized experiences to keep clients feeling motivated, ultimately really improving their physical and mental wellbeing,” said Hugo Braam, CEO and co-founder of Virtuagym. Technology assisted in maintaining a community aspect, as 60% of gyms and 54% of studios offered online group classes and half of gyms utilized in-app community features.

Check out more of the results.

13th Century Salt Mine Offers Rehabilitation to COVID Patients

More than 400-feet underground in Wieliczka, Poland, a tourist attraction and health resort, is helping COVID patients recover with salt therapy. While in the Wieliczka salt mine, patients participate in breathing and stretching exercises under doctor supervision. After completing rehabilitation at Wieliczka, “former Covid sufferers can regain their normal health. On average, there is a 60- to 80-percent improvement in their physical tests," said Agata Kita, a physiotherapist. Although there is debate over salt therapy’s effectiveness, Lucyna Szulc, who spent 20 days on a ventilator, said the salt mine improved her breathing and physical condition. France 24 reports that Wieliczka is one of the world’s oldest salt mines, and UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage Site.

Learn more about Wieliczka’s salt therapy to fight COVID.

Has your health or fitness-related business been featured in the news recently? We want to know! Send a link to any news article or video that highlighted your business to pr@ihrsa.org, and we may include it in a future issue of the Fitness Industry Roundup.