Online Fitness Research Articles

Research on the Influence of User Relationship Strength on Value Co-Creation Behavior of Online Fitness Community

ABSTRACT Purpose The factors that drive user value co-creation behavior are unique to China due to the country’s unique economic, political and cultural influences. However, few scholars have paid attention to the driving factors of user value co-creation behavior in the Chinese context. In this study, the authors deepen their understanding of the drivers of user value co-creation behavior by exploring the impact of relationship strength, a variable with Chinese characteristics, on value creation behavior. Design/methodology/approach The article takes the relationship strength of online fitness users as the research object from the user’s perspective, uses literature and questionnaires to establish a model of the influence mechanism of online fitness users’ relationship strength on value co-creation behavior, use AMOS to test the model empirically based on the data of 471 senior Chinese online fitness users. Findings The findings confirm that all dimensions of relationship strength, except duration, have a significant positive impact on value experience. Each dimension of relationship strength has a significant positive impact on demand satisfaction. Value experience and demand satisfaction have a significant direct positive impact on value co-creation behavior. Research Implications This study introduced the variable relationship between strength, explore the user relationship strength with Chinese characteristics variables influence on value creating behavior, follow the “stimulus → psychological perception → value co-creation behavior” logic, build the user relationship strength of value creating action mechanism model, and carries on the empirical test, it broadens the research perspective of driving users to produce value co-creation behavior. Practical Implications The results of this study show that managers need to enhance the relationship strength of users in online fitness communities, especially to improve users’ perception of reciprocity, and to focus on users’ needs and experiences to achieve value co-creation. Originality This study makes two main contributions. It examines the impact of online fitness user relationship strength on value co-creation behavior in the Chinese context, enriching the research on the drivers of value co-creation behavior. Additionally, this study reveals the influence mechanisms of online fitness user relationship strength on value co-creation behavior and provides theoretical guidance for online fitness company to drive users to generate value co-creation behavior.

8-Week Online Fitness Intervention on Muscle Strength, Flexibility, Body Composition and Physical-Self Perception: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This research examines the effect of an online physical fitness intervention plan on health-related components, and self-perception with randomized controlled trial. A total of 43 individuals completed the study, 21 of them were in the experimental group, and 22 were in the control group. Muscle strength was assessed using push-ups and sit-ups, while flexibility was determined through sit-and-reach tests. Fat and muscle mass in the arms, legs, trunk, android, gynoid regions, and total body were measured in grams by using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry. Health, body fat, strength, flexibility, endurance sub-dimensions of Marsh Physical Self-Description Inventory was used for self-perception. Results showed that group and time interaction had a significant effect on self-perception of body fat and push-ups, flexibility left and right, total fat, body fat mass in the arm, leg, and gynoid regions. Although the muscle mass of the experimental group increased in the 8-week period, this situation was not statistically significant. The implemented physical fitness intervention program has a significant impact, particularly in terms of fat burning. The findings obtained in strength tests can be associated with a decrease in fat mass, especially in the upper body. In conclusion, these findings underscore the potential of online fitness interventions in achieving positive health outcomes, emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of such programs on both perceived and measured physical well-being.

A Study of User Continuance Intention on Online Fitness Platforms: A Perspective from TAM Theories

A Study of User Continuance Intention on Online Fitness Platforms: A Perspective from TAM Theories

Conducting Online Fitness Assessments in Exercise Oncology

Conducting Online Fitness Assessments in Exercise Oncology

Effective Motion Self-Learning Genre Using 360° Virtual Reality Content on Mobile Device: A Study Based on Taichi Training Platform.

Online fitness training, with its affordability and flexibility, offers a convenient way for individuals to engage in regular workouts that promote physical and mental health. Yet, learning fitness motions in this way presents various challenges and may not always be as effective as in-person training. To address the practical demands of motion learning, we conducted a systematic survey and accordingly proposed a four-stage self-learning genre that integrates immersive virtual reality (VR) environments with motion skill learning theories, strategies, and expert experience. Herein, we merged progressive structures and multi-level visual cues to enhance instruction, and proposed a fine-grained motion analysis method to provide adaptive correction feedback during training. Utilizing a Taichi training platform with the genre embedded, we systematically validated the effectiveness of the genre, and examined the potential impact of VR content presentation form on motion learning among different age groups, as well as their preferences and focus on VR fitness training genre design. Results from the quantitative analysis, qualitative evaluation, and case study showed that the 360° video-based VR content brought more positive motion learning performance and user experiences than the fully-simulated VR used in many previous studies. The proposed genre demonstrated outstandingly performance, experience, and usability, with each stage and design playing an effective role. Moreover, we offer several design considerations for VR fitness systems targeting diverse age groups, providing beneficial insights for VR development in the sports and health-related fields.

From e-service quality to behavioral intention to use e-fitness services post COVID-19 lockdown: When a crisis changes the social mindset

Lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic forced fitness centers to quickly adapt their entire offering to an online format. The subsequent health situation facilitated the maintenance of the online offer and has been a paradigm shift for sports centers. Success in the nowadays situation requires a proper understanding of what factors influence e-service quality and how these factors behave in relation to consumer satisfaction, attitudes toward online fitness services, and behavioral intentions. This research was conducted in April 2020, with 745 participants (492 women, 253 men) completing the Carlson and O'Cass e-service quality evaluation battery. The results showed that e-service quality during the lockdowns predicted attitudes toward the digital platforms and behavioral intentions, and e-service quality predicted attitudes and behavioral intentions. However, attitudes did not predict behavioral intentions; the possible influence of subjective norms and low perceived control in this particular situation is discussed. When offering services on digital platforms, fitness service managers must take into account the importance of the quality of the e-fitness service, but also the social context in which it is offered. Psychosocial functioning in times of crisis influences users' perceived control and their future intention to use online services.

Fitness or socializing - A multi-dimensional analysis of online fitness communities users

The digital and social network revolution in the fitness industry will provide consumers with opportunities to achieve their healthy and active lifestyle goals both online and offline. The online fitness communities provide us an ideal context for the health behavior research with behavioral logs and user-generated content. Enhanced user profiles can empower platform operators to implement more tailored recommendations, thereby enhancing the efficiency of precision marketing and fitness promotion. This study aims to accurately construct user profiles for Chinese online fitness community users and provide future health promotion strategies accordingly. We propose a novel approach that integrates explicit behavior logs and implicit user preferences to accurately construct user profiles. Our findings indicate that users primarily prioritize fitness benefits, incentives, and decision-making. Our results demonstrate the relationship between fitness behavior and implicit preferences, suggesting that promoting fitness behavior can be achieved through streamlining decision-making processes, establishing incentive communities, and emphasizing benefits.

Move and Thrive: Development of an Adolescent Friendly and Inclusive Online Fitness Resource.

While physical activity (PA) is a strong protective factor for adolescents, many youth experience discrimination and intimidation in traditional fitness spaces. This is especially true for youth of color, youth in larger bodies, and transgender youth. This manuscript describes the development of Move and Thrive, an online resource for PA promotion designed specifically for adolescents prioritizing inclusivity and diversity. Working with Community and Youth Advisory Boards, we developed guiding principles of Move and Thrive: to create resources that are 1) youth and community driven; 2) inclusive of diverse representation; 3) body and weight neutral; 4) trauma informed; and 5) accessible. We developed a guide for PA instructors to use trauma informed approaches; avoid mention of weight talk or physical appearance; use gender inclusive language; and offer multiple options to improve accessibility. Specific care was taken to hire instructors diverse in body size, race, ethnicity, and gender identity. The first iteration of Move and Thrive was launched in March 2021, and the current resource contains 72 PA videos. Over the course of 12 months, the site had more than the site had over 9,000 views in over 40 countries, including six continents. Users have reported high levels of satisfaction with Move and Thrive, and physicians have responded enthusiastically to sharing Move and Thrive as a free resource for adolescents. University of Minnesota Move and Thrive Project is currently available on an ad-free YouTube Channel. We believe that Move and Thrive has the potential to reach populations historically excluded from PA resources.

RESEARCH ON THE SUSTAINED USAGE INTENTION OF USERS ON ONLINE FITNESS PLATFORMS: A PERSPECTIVE BASED ON THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL (HBM)

This study focuses on the online fitness industry, exploring the motives and sustained usage behavior of users on online fitness platforms within the online network environment. The research background is rooted in the health issues arising from insufficient physical activity in real-world society, especially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study uses ideas from the Flow Theory and the Health Belief Model (HBM) to build a research framework to look into how platform incentives, content quality, subjective norms, perceived usefulness, flow experiences, exercise self-efficacy, health awareness, and other things affect users' plans to keep using the platform. Through the collection of 606 valid questionnaires and employing SPSS and AMOS software for differential analysis, regression analysis, and path analysis, all research hypotheses are successfully validated. Results indicate that content quality, platform incentives, and subjective norms significantly positively influence users' perceived usefulness and flow experiences. Furthermore, perceived usefulness and flow experiences have a significant positive impact on users' sustained usage intentions, playing crucial mediating roles in users' sustained behavior. The study also reveals that exercise self-efficacy positively moderates the relationship between users' perceived usefulness and sustained usage intentions, and health awareness serves as a positive moderator in the relationship between users' flow experiences and sustained usage intentions.

An Empirical Investigation into the Impact of Social Media Fitness Videos on Users' Exercise Intentions.

Social media fitness influencers are driving the maturation of online fitness, which is especially significant in the current era of globally decreasing levels of physical activity. However, there is a paucity of research on online fitness videos, and the mechanism of influence of fitness videos on exercise intention is not well understood. Therefore, based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theoretical framework, this study extends the source credibility theory to the field of fitness and adds an examination of the content quality and electronic word-of-mouth of fitness videos to explore how fitness videos motivate users to participate in physical exercise. Through an online survey, 367 valid samples were collected and validated using a structural equation model. The results showed that the three elements contained in source credibility theory have inconsistent importance in the fitness field, with trustworthiness being the most important, followed by attractiveness, and the influence of expertise is not significant. In summary, the attributes of social media fitness influencers, including trustworthiness and physical attractiveness, as well as the content quality and electronic word-of-mouth of their fitness videos, may lead to viewers' trust and perception of the usefulness of the videos and, furthermore, lead to exercise intention.

Pengaruh Instagram Konten Marketing terhadap Purchase Intention Membership Fitness Center yang Dimediasi Brand Engagement

Utilization of content marketing through social media Instagram as a marketing strategy to create and distribute unique, interesting, understandable content to engage the audience. The reasons why a brand decides to produce content marketing is to increase brand awareness, consumer intention towards products/services, turn audiences into potential consumers, increase brand image, customer engagement, website traffic and direct sales. Digital marketing is in demand by the sports industry because fitness center, gym memberships, online fitness and fitness applications are expected to increase by 171.75% in 2028. This phenomenon is a stimulus for the sports industry sector to utilize digital marketing strategies. This is increasingly being implemented by fitness center in Bandung, because since the pandemic and the PPKM period, all activities in the fitness center have been restricted and have had an impact on a significant decrease in the number of members and turnover. This research is expected to provide information for fitness regarding purchase intention and brand engagement via Instagram to support the sustainability of their business. The research was conducted using quantitative methods on 110 respondents using a Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The results indicated that content marketing had a 71,4% significant effect on brand engagement, and had no significant effect on purchase intention. However, brand engagement had a 73% significant effect on purchase intention and brand engagement 52,1% a mediated content marketing on purchase intention for fitness center services.

Learning Engagement of Adult Females in Remote Physical Fitness Program Through Mobile App Intervention

The use of digital devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants, and mobile phones as learning tools has gained prominence in formal education, generating increased research interest in potential growth areas. According to Jeong and So (2020), there seems to be inadequate empirical evidence from extensive research to support its learning effectiveness in the fitness domain, especially among women who have been underrepresented in economically stressed areas. One of the several explanations for this disparity is the failure to consider women’s intersecting cultural identities or potential for social impact. This paper focuses on addressing this issue by conducting a qualitative study. It involves a focus group comprising 15 adult females aged 24 and above. The primary objective is to assess how virtual learning influences the learning perception of adult female learners at a yoga and fitness studio. Interactive self-paced mobile-assisted learning modules were facilitated through the use of mobile phones. An open-ended questionnaire was designed using online resources for primary data collection. The findings were derived by cross-referencing data collected from recordings, interviews, and questionnaires. The study revealed that participating in online fitness classes could enhance women's involvement in fitness-related activities.

India's Fitness Industry Amid COVID-19

Since ancient times, fitness has been a part of the Indian culture. However, with increased western influence and changing lifestyle, the quest for fitness has also become modern and new trends are gaining importance. The entry of Giant techs like Google, Apple, etc has given a great impetus to fitness industry. According to Redseer Consulting, the market value of fitness industry in India was US $12 billion in 2018. According to Fitternity, there are around 24,000 gyms and studios in the country. To sustain themselves amid COVID-19, they are providing online training sessions over WhatsApp, Instagram and other channels of social media. The employees working in fitness industry have been laid off because of bankruptcy within gyms. During corona virus to enhance their immunity, many people took cycling to keep themselves fit. Under Unlock-3.0, Government decided to re-open gyms by following some generic and specific preventive measures. In the post COVID-19 world, the fitness industry worldover is set to witness a major change with prime focus on social distancing and hygiene measures. The gyms will have to accept new normal. When gyms do finally re-open, capacity is likely to be reduced by half to maintain the 6 feet distancing, while personal trainers will have to give advice from a distance, digital apps will be developed, social media will be utilized, etc. At-home workouts and online fitness training sessions will become more prominent. Hence, the gym industry will be moving more towards Digitalization of fitness products and services in near future.

Enhancing Self-Leadership in Online Fitness Education and Training: Exploring Strategies and Addressing Challenges Among Social Media Influencers in Henan Province, China

The advent of social media platforms has brought about a paradigm shift in the dissemination of information, consequently giving rise to a new breed of individuals known as Social Media Influencers (SMIs). These SMIs have exerted a substantial influence on individuals and society as a whole. Within the domain of fitness education and training, the emergence of Social Media Influencers (SMIs) has significantly disrupted conventional approaches to disseminating information. The purpose of this study is to examine the SMIs’ practices of self-leadership and further explained in terms of their challenges, practices, and strategies of online fitness coaching. Qualitative interviews, coding, and thematic analysis were used to address three key research questions. From findings, these SMIs practice several contextual challenges; which include creating quality digital content, lack of creativity, low digital literacy, lack of financial, physical, and marketing skills, falling out of trends, designing unique programs, and adapting to changing environments. To overcome these challenges, SMIs practice self-leadership by upskilling in content and digital marketing, graphic design, and video-making, seeking constant feedback, leveraging word-of-mouth inquiries, and participating in trending workshops and interest groups. By effectively managing these challenges, SMIs can provide valuable fitness education to their audience and have a significant impact on promoting health and wellness.

Virtual training with real-life benefits: A survey investigating online fitness communities during lockdown level 5 in South Africa

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South African government enforced a strict lockdown during March and April 2020. Strategies to assist people with maintaining physical activity (PA) became important, and online fitness communities (OFC) offered virtual assistance. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of participating in OFC on physical and mental health during lockdown level 5 in South Africa. The study utilised an online survey which included the Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire. Participants maintained PA before and during lockdown (n=335; p=0.5). However, significant declines in PA were reported for those who did not find an OFC helpful in achieving exercise goals (p=0.004), nor motivating in pursuing fitness (p=0.001), and not helpful in alleviating perceived feelings of depression and/or anxiety (p=0.001). Participants who indicated that lockdown positively impacted motivation and that OFC were motivating in achieving fitness goals showed a significant improvement in PA (p=0.003). The proven effectiveness of OFC should encourage all health and fitness practitioners to integrate them for current and future use.

The transformation mechanism of fitness clubs: Pricing of joint fitness courses by online platforms and well-known coaches

As a consequence of the lockdown and quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers engaged in home fitness by purchasing fitness courses online. Therefore, after the pandemic, the platform model has become a trend for transformation among fitness clubs to resist risks of uncertainty and expand the market for course sales. The cooperation between well-known coaches and online fitness platforms to achieve optimal pricing has gained attention in the process of transformation of fitness clubs from offline to online platforms. The platform model of fitness clubs can help online fitness platforms expand the dissemination of well-known coaches' courses and enhance the spillover effect of course popularity. We construct pricing decision models for both clubs and coaches by characterizing the consumer utility function of well-known coaches and online fitness platforms, the demand function for fitness courses in the market, and the revenue functions for clubs and coaches. We use the Shanghai Zhongtian Fitness Club in China as a case study to analyze pricing decision solutions and perform numerical experiments and sensitivity analyses on online course sales data obtained during the lockdown periods. The study found that the optimal prices for well-known coaches' courses and online fitness platforms increase with market size, indicating their ability to increase fitness course prices among potential consumers. Further, the profit level increases with market size, indicating that market expansion brings in more potential consumers and the profits gained by well-known coaches’ courses and online fitness platforms from potential consumers exceed the profits lost due to price increases; this results in an overall increase in profit level. We further conclude that online fitness platforms can use the platform pricing model of fitness clubs to transform and upgrade.

(Trans)forming fitness: Intersectionality as a framework for resistance and collective action.

Fitness is a lifelong pursuit, yet many LGBTQ2S+ individuals are averse to group fitness or experiences in big box gyms. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual fitness programs offered the potential to facilitate opportunities for the greater inclusion of such individuals and the chance to connect, collaborate and advocate for a change in who and what defines fitness. Justice Roe, owner of Fit4AllBodies, utilizes the term fitness industrial complex to provide a framework to discuss the problems of exclusion. His explanation supports research documenting that bodies that are not "the norm", defined by ableism, classism, (hetero)patriarchy and racism, fueled by white supremacy, are oftentimes viewed as "less than" in the fitness and recreation world ( 1- 3). Applying an intersectional framework, this article explores the possibilities for transformative collective action in fitness communities that removes barriers and challenges the injustices that contribute to racialized LGBTQ2S+ individuals feeling unwelcome. With the need to shift to virtual training spaces as a result of a global pandemic, and the rise in the public discourse surrounding racial injustices both on and offline, a sense of belonging and community is important, especially among groups that often face exclusionary practices, such as racialized LGBTQ2S+ community members. These individuals are at greater risk of losing opportunities to access fitness programs that can provide immense health and psychological benefits. What could an intersectional perspective on resistance in sport look like? Using the example of LGBTQ2S+ access to online fitness spaces during the prolonged global COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020, we suggest that explicit coaching education and intentional communities, centered around social justice, are needed to address the historical roots of systemic oppression, accessibility, and social constructs tied to fitness.

Research on the influence of online fitness user engagement on value co-creation behavior

PurposeValue co-creation is a new initiative for enterprises to form a competitive advantage, and user engagement is the basis for achieving value co-creation; nevertheless, few studies have discussed the influence mechanisms of user engagement on value co-creation behavior. In this study, the authors aim to reveal the influence mechanisms of online fitness user engagement on value co-creation behavior by considering emotional resonance and immersive experience as mediating variables.Design/methodology/approachThe authors proposed and empirically tested a research model based on a survey involving 461 Chinese respondents through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results of this study confirm that consumer engagement, contributing engagement and social engagement are important drives of value co-creation behavior among online fitness users. Furthermore, emotional resonance and immersive experience have been revealed as important mediating mechanisms to explain why user engagement drives value co-creation behavior.Practical implicationsThe results of this study suggest that practitioners need to focus on the social engagement and consumer engagement of users in online fitness communities and to provide the appropriate environment and conditions for online fitness user to achieve mutual value co-creation.Originality/valueThis study makes two main contributions. It examines user engagement in an online fitness community context and helps to understand its applicability in other contexts. It explains the influence mechanisms of online fitness user engagement on value co-creation behavior and enriches the studies related to the drivers of value co-creation behavior.

Selling the disciplined mind to achieve the disciplined body onlyfans, peloton and queer digital body art of the covid-era

This paper follows the figure of the ultra-healthy queer masculine subject as a unit of value across online fitness instruction and amateur netporn – two rising vernacular, digital performance genres of the Covid-era. Such performances exploit the vulnerabilities of attention to commodify a disciplined mind as a means toward selling a future-oriented, hyper-athletic, disciplined body. With Covid-19 and HIV/AIDS hovering at the edges of the frame, this paper draws on the queer politics of embodiment and digital intimacies to address disciplinary questions surrounding Performance Studies and its precipitating interrogations into digital media.

Research on the Problems and Countermeasures in the In-Person Fitness Industry in the Post-pandemic Era

People worldwide have realized the importance of fitness since the Covid pandemic. Although the fitness industry is expected to grow rapidly after the post-pandemic era, the in-person fitness industry is in danger of being replaced by the newly emerged online fitness industry. Many studies have identified this future trend online fitness industry; however, few have given suggestions for the in-person fitness industry in terms of their future direction. Therefore, this study proposes strategies for the in-person fitness industry to thrive with the online fitness industry. The methods are to compare the product, place, price, and promotion of two in-person gym brands- Will’s and Supermonkey- and identify their similarities and difference. Then, the study will analyze a successful online fitness brand, Keep, and identify its advantages compared to in-person gyms. Through these comparisons, the study will propose the business model of in-person gyms to be competitive with the online fitness industry. The study found that Supermonkey’s business model is not replaceable by online fitness. Therefore, the study concludes that Supermonkey employs a better business model to make it competitive with the online fitness industry. Then, this study suggests in-person gyms from four business aspects to improve their business model: product, place, price, and promotion. In terms of product, the study proposes in-person gyms to develop their unique product feature, focus on community activities, and improve coaching quality. In terms of place, the study proposes in-person gyms to locate in both commercial and residential areas and offer both digital and physical products and services. In terms of price, the study proposes in-person gyms to combine the membership and pay-per-use methods. In terms of promotion, the study suggests in-person gyms minimize direct promotion of sales to the consumers; instead, in-person gyms could promote through exciting events and unique gym design.