Fitness Industry Research Articles

Communication Strategy in Health and Fitness Industry: Case Study of CAMELIFE

The COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, has an impact on increasing awareness of health, one of which is a change in lifestyle to a sedentary lifestyle causes a lack of physical activity including sports. With the increase in exercise, especially sports that aim to increase muscle and lose weight, additional nutrition is needed that can use sports supplements to meet nutritional intakes that cannot be met in daily life. This study aims to determine the right communication strategy to market sports supplement products for business people who are just starting out in the health and fitness industry to increase customer engagement through brand awareness. Using a qualitative approach, this research data was collected by conducting in-depth interviews with 3 types of informant criteria with a total of 7 customer informants, 3 experts where 2 science and fitness and 1 marketing, and 1 health and fitness company. The data collected were analysed using coding and triangulation with validation through experts, companies, and previous research. The results of this study obtained a new research framework where as a new business in the health and fitness industry, the marketing channel does not only consider in terms of online, but also in terms of offline and quality of products. The strategy that can be used on online channels is to carry out activities on social media, e-commerce, and websites. As for offline channels through Personal Trainers and partners in GYM. In addition to marketing strategies, in this industry it is necessary to emphasize product effectiveness which refers to product quality. The results of this study are expected to provide a representation of the most effective communication strategy by looking at the sports experience and knowledge of the nutrition of potential customers as well as their expectations of social media activities provided by sports supplement brands.

National Survey of Fitness Trends in Greece for 2023

A global study is being carried out by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) to determine trends in the health and fitness industry since 2007. The aim of the present study was to identify the most important health and fitness trends in Greece for the second time and to examine any potential changes in this field compared to 2021 nationwide and 2022 worldwide. An online survey was sent to 4,981 professionals who worked in the health and fitness sector using the methodology of similar ACSM's regional and worldwide studies. A total of 809 responses were collected with a response rate of 17.4%. The ten most important in Greece for 2023 were Personal training, high-intensity interval training, small group training, functional fitness training, exercise for weight loss, high-intensity functional training, body weight training, fitness programs for older adults, exercise is medicine, and group exercise training. Health-related trends appear to be popular while technology- and mind & body fitness-related trends seem not to be very attractive. Traditional exercise modes are still attractive and relevant, but digital services are currently experiencing low popularity after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Results also showed that fitness programs widely offered in boutique fitness studios demonstrate exceptional popularity nationwide. The present outcomes of this study are in line with those reported for Greece in 2021, but not for Europe in 2022. Such observations may highlight the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Greek health and fitness industry and show a smooth return to normality.

Marketing strategies of the female-only gym industry: A case-based industry perspective.

Female customers are an important market for fitness centers. This study aims to examine successful fitness training health models used by female fitness clubs. A case study approach and the interview method were used to collect data (i.e., face-to-face interviews) regarding the marketing strategies of female fitness clubs. Purposive sampling was employed to select executives working at the headquarters of a female-only gym, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide a context for fitness behaviors and to discuss the business’ marketing mix. Six managers at Curves (four female and two male) across six different positions were interviewed. This study found that Curves’ most significant difference compared to other private fitness clubs is that it makes women feel comfortable. Through charitable activities combined with promotions, women feel as if the gym empathizes with them. This study is unique in that it is one of the first studies to explore the business model of the female fitness club. In particular, this research suggests that sports organizations should focus their services strategies on female exercise demands. The findings of this study will support the development of marketing strategies to promote the growth of women’s health as a priority within the fitness industry.

Weight Bias Concerns In The Fitness Industry

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of a fitness professionals’ social identity and industry role(s) on their weight bias. METHODS: Fitness professionals working in a variety of settings (personal trainers, n = 30; group fitness instructors, n = 107; those with multiple roles, n = 189) were recruited via word of mouth, email, and social media. Participants completed an electronic survey which included demographic questions (e.g., age, gender, race) and questions pertaining to their weight bias (Anti-Fat Attitudes Test) and body dissatisfaction (Contour Drawing Rating Scale). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in total AFAT scores between age groups, gender, levels of body dissatisfaction, and industry roles. Black (4.01 ± .48) and Hispanic (3.82 ± .42) participants reported significantly greater total AFAT scores compared to White (3.56 ± .23) participants (p < .001 and .037, respectively). For both black and mixed-race participants (p < .001), individuals reporting larger body sizes (e.g., 6 or 7 compared to 5 on a 1-9 scale) report greater anti-fat bias. Across all independent variables, the AFAT subscale scores were highest for the social subscale and lowest for the physical subscale. The differences between age groups (p = .228) and industry roles (p = .756) on AFAT subscales were not statistically significant; however, significant differences (p < .05)in AFAT subscale scores were found between different levels of gender, body dissatisfaction, and race, with greater anti-fat physical bias. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide insight into the current fitness industry culture advances the limited current literature on weight bias concerns in the health and fitness industry. Dissemination of findings may assist fitness professionals in the first step of breaking the cycle of socialization: self-awareness.

Five Strategies to Enhance Your Professional Development

Patrick Freeman, B.S., CSCS, NCSF-CPT, has 25 years of experience in the fitness industry in the commercial and corporate arenas. His education includes a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Rhode Island and certifications in personal training (NCSF), nutrition (Precision Nutrition), and strength and conditioning (CSCS). He has worked in various fitness leadership roles — program manager, personal training manager, and regional director. Principle areas of focus include business expansion, client satisfaction, and operational excellence within his accounts. He currently is a director of Client Operations for Premise Health. Disclosure:The author declares no conflict of interest and does not have any financial disclosures.

“POSTERIOR SUB CAPSULAR CATARACT WITH BULKING AGENT USE IN YOUNG MALES.”

Fitness and aesthetics industry has seen a ne boom in the last two to three decades. More and more people are awakening to taking care of their health, both for their inner peace as well as outer looks. There has been an increased focus on the aesthetics and with the advent of social media and e-commerce companies, there is an easy availability of food and supplements which are suggested for the same. However, the consumer needs to be aware of the source and authenticity of the products being consumed and take it responsibly. Here, we present a case series of three young males between the age group of 20-30 years who presented to us with a black dot appearing in front of their eyes. On examination, all three were found to have a posterior sub capsular cataract as the only positive nding. They had no other signicant history apart from the fact, that they had consumed a bulking or a mass gaining or a weight gaining supplement at some point in their lives. All three of them were unaware of the source, the brand or the side effects of any of the ingredients. They had consumed either on the advice of, a well meaning but themselves unaware acquaintances, or through some online platforms' guidance and no proper guidance or a coach for the same. We intend to highlight the importance of consuming any such product with caution and under the monitoring of a trained professional and a doctor. This particular case series was however limited by the fact that none of these patients were consuming these products at the time of presentation so we couldn't nd the exact product and hence had to rely on the patient's history. At no point do we intend to malign or condemn health supplements. Instead we want to emphasise on the authenticity and contents of the products and a guidance on the duration of consumption of the same and a further study with a higher sample size and a specicity of the consumed product would be needed to further validate this result.

Quality of life of fitness professionals in Portugal: Comparative and correlation study.

Fitness has been revealing a positive impact on the quality of life (QoL) of practitioners and fitness professionals (FPs) represent a role model for their customers in the fitness industry, emphasizing the need to know their QoL indices. The purpose of this study is to characterize the QoL of FPs in Portugal, compare it between groups and correlate QoL with sociodemographic and work-related variables. A total of 388 FPs answered an online survey about sociodemographic and work-related variables and the Portuguese version of the World Health Organization Bref QoL Assessment. Descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson and Spearman were used for statistical analysis. The results suggest that FPs in Portugal have different levels of QoL, considering the high standard deviation, with lower average indices than other countries. The lowest scores of QoL were verified in the environment domain. The results of the comparison between groups suggest that being male, married and having a master’s degree or higher were the characteristics with better indices of QoL. Age, professional experience and net salary reveal a positive relation/association with QoL. Body&mind group classes (GC) per week, maximal GC per day, paid and unpaid working hours per week and annual expenses related to the profession reveal a negative relation/association. Maximal GC per day results could be an important finding to help minimize the physical problems among FPs and body&mind GC per week results could be an indicator of the FPs adaptation that allows them to remain on the profession. Unpaid working hours per week has the highest number of significant relations/associations with QoL. These findings could be important to improve the QoL of FPs. Thus, they could result in better work capacity and, therefore, fewer professionals would abandon the profession. It would also have a positive impact on the fitness industry and on the promotion of physical activity for a healthier society. More research is needed regarding the QoL of FPs.

“Competing personas”: aesthetic labor in the Chinese fitness industry

Given the proliferation of lifestyle consumption, industries such as the fields of fitness, fashion, and beauty and makeup have experienced rapid growth in terms of employment numbers, leading to fundamental challenges to working patterns. Based on ethnographic data concerning two fitness clubs in Shanghai collected over 13 months and 35 in-depth interviews with managers, fitness trainers, and customers, this article draws on the concept of aesthetic labor to examine how a “persona,” a combination of an ideal physique and a desirable personality in line with the aesthetic tastes of socioeconomically diverse clientele, is developed through the labor process of the fitness trainer. The author introduces the term “competing personas” to characterize shopfloor politics in the fitness industry. By understanding the process of packaging and selling their bodily, gendered, and affective resources as a “game,” fitness trainers draw symbolic boundaries to distinguish themselves from each other, thereby justifying their aesthetic competencies and self-identities. This article distinguishes three types of personas: advisor, friend, and idol, and these types are characterized by different corporeal and affective strategies. The article reveals how the exercise of agency by both male and female workers in the process of persona-building fuels the symbolic reproduction of class and gender inequalities by naturalizing the domination of an ostensibly legitimate taste.

Design of Hybrid Teaching System for Aerobic Exercise Class of Recreational Sports Major

In recent years, the social economy has achieved remarkable development, and the income of residents has increased substantially. With the increasing income, residents begin to pursue a high quality of life, and the ways of entertainment also begin to become diversified. In this context, leisure sports have gradually come into the public’s view, and more and more people have started to participate in leisure sports. Aerobic gymnastics, as a popular form of fitness, is an important carrier to carry out national fitness sports and promote national health, and the development of national fitness sports cannot be carried out without scientific and effective aerobic gymnastics teaching, training, and guidance. At the present stage, the traditional aerobics teaching content and teaching methods of leisure sports majors are difficult to meet the needs of students learning. Therefore, the hybrid teaching system of aerobics classes based on cloud computing and neural networks is proposed, which combines the advantages of a network teaching and traditional teaching to comprehensively and effectively improve the efficiency and quality of aerobics teaching and improve the classroom teaching effect. At the same time, it promotes leisure sports students to systematically master the basic theoretical knowledge, skills, and methods, improve the comprehensive ability of independent learning and inquiry learning, have the ability of leisure sports program guidance and aerobics teaching organization, enhance their employability, and cultivate “multidiscipline” students who can adapt to the needs of the times and engage in technical guidance of aerobics and participate in leisure sports market services in leisure fitness clubs, industry associations, and educational institutions. This course aims to cultivate “multidiscipline” applied talents who can work in leisure and fitness clubs, industry associations, and educational institutions.

Obese customers’ fitness goal disclosure on social media: exploring weight-loss image sharing on emotions and healthy lifestyle aspirations

PurposeObesity is today’s most neglected, yet blatantly visible, public health problem. This study aims to examine the role of social media and goal-directed behavior in motivating healthy lifestyle intentions for customers experiencing obesity. It investigates the distinct roles of self-conscious emotions (shame and pride) and weight-transformational posts shared by others on social media as moderators of these relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual model uses the goal-directed behavior theory and social comparison theory, tested using data collected from 804 obese customers in Fiji through an experimental design.FindingsWeight-loss transformation posts by others on social media, elicit distinct emotions for obese customers. Obese customers who felt guilt and shame due to shared weight-loss transformation posts showed a stronger association between goal disclosure and healthy lifestyle intention. In addition, the association between goal disclosure and healthy lifestyle intention is conditionally mediated by goal commitment, specifically for those obese customers that elicited guilt over shame due to shared weight-loss transformation posts by others on social media.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the adoption of an experimental design using a fictional stimulus being a commonly used method in marketing studies, external validity issues are likely. Also, this study examines obese customer behavior relating to Facebook. In addition, data collection for this study has been done from a single country perspective. Therefore, caution needs to be exercised when generalizing the findings of this study.Practical implicationsThe findings assist businesses and marketers in the health and fitness industry to better leverage social media and goal-directed behavior and understand the emotions of obese customers to undertake data-driven precision marketing strategies.Originality/valueThe findings provide novel insights into goal disclosure and commitment, electronic word-of-mouth on social media platforms, self-conscious emotions and healthy lifestyle intentions for customers experiencing obesity.

Anabolics coaching: Emic harm reduction or a public health concern?

This article investigates the phenomena of ‘anabolics coaching’, which describes the practice of providing support and guidance on the appropriate and effective use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs), either as part of a more general PT relationship or as a stand-alone service. Building upon van de Ven and Mulrooney's (2017) notion of the ‘steroid mentor’, we utilise digital and offline ethnographic data as well as interviews with several anabolics coaches and their clients to shed light upon this practice and interrogate the nexus of harm-reduction, IPED normalisation, and the health and fitness industry. The article first examines the anabolics coaching market, before addressing coach and client motivation, as well as the troubling crossover between coaching and supply of IPEDs. It concludes by posing the question of whether anabolics coaching represents an ‘emic’ form of harm reduction, or whether it undermines and contradicts the public health efforts to promote safe consumption practices, where we ultimately argue that, although not unproblematic, anabolics coaching has the potential to bolster safer consuming practices and reduce IPED-related harm.

Let's (Tik) Talk About Fitness Trends.

Several factors that follow the development of society affect physical inactivity, which primarily includes the development of technology and digitalization and the increasing choice of unhealthy lifestyle habits. However, certain shifts in the fitness industry have been noted in the last decade. The development of wearable technologies and artificial intelligence is one of the leading fitness trends and undoubtedly represents the future of the fitness industry. On the other hand, the significant influence of social media and networks affects the development and attitudes of people related to physical activity. Therefore, this review paper evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of wearable technologies and artificial intelligence, the positive and negative effects of social networks, and points out the problems accompanying these new fitness trends. The development of fitness trends follows humanity's needs, and one of the biggest challenges is incorporating these novelties in a mission to improve physical activity levels worldwide.

The relationship between the factory remodeling hall and the sports park planning and design and the national fitness industry

National fitness has become a national strategy. How to realize the efficient supply of national fitness venues and facilities has become an important factor in the realization of national fitness. In the 21st century, China's urbanization process is accelerating. With the growth of economic level and the restriction of people's leisure distance, a large number of outdoor sports leisure places and facilities need to be built. The demand for venues for national fitness is the institutional incentive for the sports industry policy. The favorable policy has become the institutional guarantee for the development of sports parks. The two support each other and will provide an institutional basis for the development of sports parks. In the case that the national physical quality needs to be improved urgently, the positive energy brought by sports and fitness will have a good effect. Moreover, in a beautiful and pleasant green environment, breathing the negative ion gift of nature, interacting with animals and plants rather than looking at the electronic screen, the body will be exercised and the mood will become cheerful. This paper is of great significance to study the planning and design of the factory reform hall and the sports park.

P-047 The effects of dietary branched-chain amino acids on mice semen parameters and plasma amino acids profile

Abstract Study question Are there any differences between the effect of each member of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on sperm parameters and plasma amino acids profile? Summary answer Valine supplementation had destructive effects on sperm parameters and viability. However, blood amino acids profile were similar among treatments. What is known already BCAAs, a group of three essential amino acids, have a crucial role on protein synthesis, besides being strongly associated with impaired glucose and fat metabolism. Although BCAAs supplements are one of the most demanding products for the fitness industry to increase the lean body mass and boost exercise performance, little information exists on the advantages and disadvantages of dietary BCAAs on male fertility. Study design, size, duration Fifty NMRI mature male mice were divided into five groups and were fed diets as follow: Control (CTR): 2.4% Beta-alanine, Leucine (Leu): 1.18% Leu + 1.2% Beta-alanine, Isoleucine (Ile): 0.58% Ile + 1.8% Beta-alanine, Valine (Val): 0.65% + 1.7% Beta-alanine, and BCAAs (Leu:Ile:Val ratio of 2:1:1): 2.4% BCAA: 1.18% Leu + 0.58% Ile + 0.65% Val. After 5 weeks, testes and epididymides were dissected, and sperm parameters and plasma amino acids profile were assessed. Participants/materials, setting, methods Semen parameters were evaluated by a Computer-Aided Semen Analysis (CASA) system. Plasma amino acids concentrations were determined by HPLC. Data were analyzed using SPSS and statistical differences among various groups were determined by ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test. Main results and the role of chance Higher BCAAs intake, particularly Val, increased the destructive mechanisms on sperm viability. The results showed no significant difference on body weight after 40 days. Sperm concentration (8.4 vs. 4.5 ×106), progressive motility (51.5 vs. 27.2 %), and viability (67 vs. 56 % for CTR and Val group, respectively) decreased dominantly in the Val group compared to CTR (p≤0.05). The immotile parameter was significantly higher in the Val group compared to the CTR (p≤0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences on plasma amino acids profile. Limitations, reasons for caution The current study's limitation is that only one level of BCAAs was used. Given the potential role of Val on sperm cell death, further data on different levels of all BCAAs, especially Val administration and evaluation of the related mechanisms are needed. Wider implications of the findings The findings of our study show, for the first time, that individual levels of Ile and Leu have different effects on sperm parameters compared with all BCAAs or Val. More attention should be given to BCAAs supplementation and semen quality that was previously ignored. Trial registration number not applicable

Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior in Omni-Channel Marketing of the Fitness Industry

The Online to offline (O2O) model has been used as an important strategy for marketers to rethink their Omni-Channel marketing recently. Perceived factors have been studied to investigate the factors that really influence consumers’ attitudes towards channel adoption and their behavioral intentions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the various dimensions of the O2O marketing model. The research model was conducted to test data collected from the survey questionnaires on 303 subjects. Two key factors of the O2O model, namely searching experience and purchasing experience, were believed to have a significant impact on consumers’ behavioral intentions for channel adoption. The findings of this study could verify the factors that influence the determinants of consumer adoption of O2O channels. The results could strengthen body of literature and provide fitness marketers with further insights into O2O strategy formulation.

Emotional approach to fitness club brand design

Public demand in recent decades for healthy lifestyles, improving its quality and preservation of active longevity has found an echo in the form of the dynamic development of the global fitness industry. Our country is no exception and since the 1990's, domestic fitness has made a rapid spurt from zero position: according to the national community of professional participants of sport and fitness industry, fitness in Russia engages regularly up to 7 million people. The paper presents the author's statement of possible scenarios for the development of the fitness industry highlighting the factors that can transform consumer demands in post-covid economy. The hypothesis is put forward that the competitiveness and economic stability of fitness clubs in the medium term will be determined by the level of customer retention rate and by increasing their loyalty, the effective formation of which is possible by stimulating through marketing communications a positive mental and emotional response in target audiences to the potential and actual satisfaction of certain primary biological needs through fitness services. To prove the hypothesis the corresponding methodology of fitness club brand design based on the emotional approach of M. Lindstrom and K. Roberts was developed. Its verification and testing was carried out. The results obtained testify to the correctness of the author's statements and actualize the continuation of research in the field of emotional branding.

Gym-Goers' Self-Identification with Physically Attractive Fitness Trainers and Intention to Exercise.

Gym-goers often socially compare themselves with their trainers as they strive to look as attractive as their fitness trainers. The aim of this study was to better understand this phenomenon in the fitness industry. Relying on social comparison theory and social identity theory, self-identification with a physically attractive fitness trainer was posited to have a strong mediating effect on the relationship between appearance motive, weight management motive and gym-goers’ intention to exercise. The moderation effects of gym-goers’ age and gender in the direct relationships between appearance motive, weight management motive and exercise intention were also examined. The primary outcome of this study revealed that gym-goers who were influenced by appearance and weight management motives are more likely to identify with physically attractive fitness trainers. Additionally, gender significantly moderates the relationships between appearance motive, weight management motive and exercise intention. Appearance and weight management motives are the primary factors that influence the exercise intention of female gym-goers as compared to their male counterparts. This study sheds new insights into understanding the influence of the physical attractiveness of fitness trainers and its impact on gym-goers’ exercise intentions via self and social identification process.

A Review on Musculoskeletal Pain and Injuries among Fitness Instructors

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are very common among gym/fitness instructors. Through their personal sessions or while supporting their clients during their training sessions, gym instructors do high intensity work. This may be the most common causes of injuries and pain. Moreover, high prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders has been reported among them. Objective: This literature review aims to describe previous studies and its findings of musculoskeletal pain and injuries among gym/ fitness instructors. Methods: In this study, the authors explored 10 related articles from different databases including Pub Med, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Research Gate. The selected keywords were classified into two categories as follows: - 1. Related to Ergonomics, exercises, Fitness/Gym Instructors,2. Related to MSDs such as Musculoskeletal Disorders, musculoskeletal pain, and occupational injuries. Results and conclusion: The prevalence of symptoms varies among different body regions and commonly affected areas were low back and knees. Also, prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries is higher in male instructors than in females.gym/fitness instructors job has several risk factors that may be related to ergonomics, high intensity, weight lifting, environment, nature of work, repetitive movements. So, they are prone in musculoskeletal pain and injuries and there is scarce in literature also. From this literature review, authors suggest the fitness industries to follow ergonomic principles and to adapt MSDs prevention strategies. To fill the research gap, further studies can conduct on prevalence of symptoms on musculoskeletal disorders among gym goers. Keywords: Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal Disorder, Gym instructors, Fitness, Occupational Injuries.

Are Your Fitness Trainers Making the Grade? Best Practices to Drive Universal Quality

Patrick Freeman, B.S., CSCS, NCSF-CPT,has 24 years of experience in the fitness industry in the commercial and corporate arenas. His education includes a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Rhode Island and certifications in personal training (NCSF), nutrition (Precision Nutrition), and strength and conditioning (CSCS). He has worked in various fitness leadership roles — program manager, personal training manager, and regional director. Principle areas of focus include business expansion, client satisfaction, and operational excellence within his accounts. He currently is a director of Client Operations for Premise Health. Disclosure:The author declares no conflict of interest and does not have any financial disclosures.

Augmented Reality Based Fitness Website: ProFIT-AR

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11th March 2020. COVID-19 spread has its origin from the wet markets of Wuhan city of China. With corona virus spreading in the world, everything has changed its track and went online, whether it is work or fun. So in this race, how can the fitness industry be left alone in the market? Workout from home started trending on every social media platform and people started performing exercises at home. Often, it happens that when someone starts something new without any proper guidance, then there are high chances of getting backfalls. Hence, so is the case with working out from home. Workout from home can lead to many dangerous injuries if not done under the proper guidance and safety measures. But this is just not one problem of concern. Another point to be noted is that users tend to leave workout at their home due to lack-lustered interaction with the website. We have fulfilled this gap by introducing the technology of Augmented reality in the picture Key Words: Posture detection, Rep counts, Augmented reality, Workout from Home