Partnerships & Adaptation Push Fitness Industry Through 2021

Can you believe another—COVID—year has passed by? I, personally, can’t wait to get back to a world more similar to where we were pre-pandemic. But, with all the bad and devastating stories we’re seeing, there’s just as much positivity spreading globally.

There’s a lot we can discuss about 2021, but we’re going to keep this uplifting. So, put your rose-colored glasses on and join me in reviewing some of 2021’s highlights for the fitness industry.

Fitness Industry Growth in 2021

Throughout 2021, there were many uncertainties. One crucial factor to push through the crises was unifying the fitness industry—establishing one powerful voice and forging partnerships. In 2021, the global fitness industry formed an alliance to support the growth and provide innovative solutions for the industry. Plus, meeting the needs of club operators in Mexico and China became possible with the addition of new IHRSA representatives and services.

Record growth hit FITBENCH for its five-year anniversary, as World Gym commemorated its 45th anniversary. Inspire360 reached a huge milestone, delivering over 25 million continuing education units (CEUs). And the Fort Athletic Club opened its doors for the first time.

More examples of industry growth include:

• Snap Fitness Adds New Talent as it Gears Up for Aggressive Growth Strategy

• CorePower Yoga, Zenoti Partner to Deliver Premium Technology Solutions

• World Gym International Selects Life Fitness as a Preferred Partner

• Mountainside Fitness Joins the Pickleball Revolution

• IHRSA & Fitness Brasil Formalize Event Partnership Through 2026

• Jetts 24 Hour Fitness Continues Thailand Expansion

• Junckers and FIBA Announce Long-term Partnership

• Mayfair Equity Partners Invests in EGYM

• Crunch Fitness Announces Milestone of 400th Franchise Club Opening

• Gold’s Gym SoCal Plans to Substantially Grow & Elevate Network by 2025

Fitness Industry Innovation in 2021

Growing or developing hybrid fitness options continues to increase in popularity and necessity for the fitness industry. Glofox and Intelivideo teamed up to provide global on-demand, livestream, and digital fitness platform offerings. World Gym International expanded its on-demand training platform with SoulBody Fitness workouts. Software and technology to assist operators in managing the day-to-day business are taking off—Plan2Play launched a software solution.

Various innovations from clubs throughout the year:

• SportsArt Expands Energy Producing Equipment ECO-POWR, Adds Elite Series

• TRUE Fitness Announces New Stryker Slat Treadmill

• New Endless Rope Trainer from Torque Fitness

• Innovative Course Equips Exercise Professional to Take Their Business Virtual

• All New ICG Connect System Brings Experiential Fitness to Group Cycling

• The Motion Project Foundation Selects SportsArt to Provide ICARE to New Rehab Facility

• YBell Fitness Introduces Arc Series and Pro Series

• Life Fitness Unveils Mobile App to Provide the Ultimate Workout Experience

• Boxx launches punchbag with smart tracker

• Freeletics adds 'strength gaming' experience featuring AI camera

Fitness Industry Good Deeds in 2021

Supporting the entire health and fitness industry and forging relationships was a crucial piece of 2021. Promoting minority- and women-owned businesses, spreading diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, and delivering educational content were some of the ways the industry worked together this year.

Per usual, even an ongoing pandemic couldn’t keep the fitness industry from helping their community. Myzone teamed up with the Women in Fitness Association (WIFA) for its Run the World campaign to empower women in the fitness industry and raise money for charity and Planet Fitness commits to expand accessible exercise equipment in its facilities.

More generous contributions from fitness facilities:

• Myzone & the Physical Activity Alliance Challenge Congress to One Month of Movement

• Precision Nutrition, American Council on Exercise Join Forces to Educate Exercise Professionals

• ‘I like helping’: Mississauga teen with disability starts fitness community in pandemic

• Orangetheory Fitness Offers Memberships to NCAA Softball Championship Teams in Response to Most Recent Disparities for Female Athletes

• Planet Fitness Awards Scholarship to Rochester High Graduate for Antibullying Initiatives

• The Power of Sports: Bay Area nonprofit brings adaptive sports to people with physical disabilities

• Eleiko Partners With Barbells for Boobs to Support Those Impacted by Breast Cancer

• Fitness fundraiser helps vets with PTSD transition back into normal life

• Alloy Personal Training Franchise Partners With Books for Africa

• Genesis Health Clubs Foundation Raises Over $250,000 at Annual Gala to Provide Shoes, Beds, and Athletic Grants for Kids in Poverty

Fitness Industry Reach in 2021

To address the financial impact COVID-19 has had on the fitness industry, more than 150 members of Congress signed on to support the bipartisan GYMS Act in 2021. We can’t forget that governments worldwide are slowly understanding our industry’s importance. Moving forward, the industry will continue to foster collaborations with medical, science, and health professionals to collaborate and expand the critical role of exercise for overall health and well-being.

After the pandemic’s negative impact on mental health, fitness brands are utilizing this opportunity to prove how exercise can improve mental wellness and are focused on equipping fitness professionals with knowledge and resources. Hyperice and Core joined forces to offer a holistic approach to mental and physical wellness. And the 5th annual World Wellness Weekend focused more on mental health and immunity.

This year, the fitness industry was also recognized for the following:

• 9Round Ranked a Top Franchise in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500

• Expresso Fitness Appoints Jeff Veldhuizen Chief Executive Officer

• Alex Peacock Joins SweatWorks as Chief Commercial Officer

• Upper Hand Named Most Innovative Tech Company at American Business Awards

• 2021 IHRSA Global Report: Fitness Industry Seeks Relief, Recovery

• The Next Fitness Consumer Demands Optionality & Personalization

• Intelivideo Named by Inc. Magazine as One of America’s Fastest-growing Private Companies

• YBell Fitness Wins 2021 Women’s Running Fitness Award

• VFPnext Chosen as Franchising USA Magazine CRM of 2021

• Kevin McHugh Receives 2021 MFA’s Hank Boerner Pioneer Award

• TRAINERIZE Announces Best Fit Pros of 2021

Although thousands of health and fitness facilities were forced to close their doors over the past two years due to the pandemic, there’s still hope. The industry is resilient and slowly but surely our unified voice is catching up to Congress and government officials. As we close the door to 2021, here’s a review of advocacy accomplishments that lay the groundwork for success in 2022.