ukactive survey - Future of Fitness will see tech transform our workouts

 

A boom in wearable technology will transform gyms over the next ten years, according to new research commissioned by not-for-profit health body ukactive and leading health and fitness retailer Argos as part of National Fitness Day 2016. The Shrewsbury Club is firmly behind this and our members are already seeing the benefits.

Futuristic fitness

The study of 1,079 fitness fans suggests that by 2026 we’ll be able to enjoy virtual reality workouts with our favourite athletes, perform exercise sessions tailored to our own DNA and wear tech-infused ‘smart clothes’ which track our every movement.

With nearly seven in 10 (66%) citing the gym as their main way of keeping fit currently, health clubs look set to remain a key source of fitness in the future, but not necessarily as we know them now. By 2026, a number of respondents think gyms could have pioneering innovations like anti-gravity workout rooms, studios capable of replicating different weather patterns and machines that ‘trick’ muscles into thinking they’re being exercised.

 

Wearable tech

Currently only used by around one in five fitness participants (22%), wearable technology looks set to play a major role in the future wellness landscape. One in two expect to do workouts based on trackable data, with 40% expecting their clothes to log their movement.

Dave Courteen, managing director of The Shrewsbury Club, said: “We recognise the importance of wearable technology and believe it will provide valuable feedback and motivation to keep people active and focussed on their lifestyle and health goals.”

 

The health club of tomorrow

Dave continued: “We also believe that the role of the personal trainer and health club instructor is critical to maximise the benefits of wearable technology. The use of such technology enables gym staff to provide support 24/7 throughout the week and not just in the gym. We have invested heavily in such technology at The Shrewsbury Clubs and have received positive feedback from our members. We remain convinced that health clubs which embrace such technology will have a crucial role to play in helping improve the health of the nation. People will still seek out a vibrant location to get fitter surrounded by friendly instructors and interactive, state of the art equipment.”

 

National Fitness Day

As the biggest annual celebration of fitness and physical activity across the UK, this year’s National Fitness Day (Wednesday 7th September) is seeing more than 5,000 sites hold special events. As one of these sites, The Shrewsbury Club has organised a number of free group exercise classes at iconic venues around Shrewsbury.

 

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympic legend and ukactive Chair, said: “As physical activity and technology align, we’re entering a brave new world with exciting opportunities to get more people, more active more often. National Fitness Day is the start of this future and offers thousands of opportunities for people to engage with their local communities and have fun getting active.”

 

The research for Argos and ukactive was carried out online by ukactive between 21/07/16 and 29/07/16 surveying 1,079 UK fitness fans. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines.