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The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped hotel operations in many areas, from contactless check-in to keyless room entry to QR codes for restaurant menus. Hotel gym operations and cleaning protocols have also changed in response to pandemic health and safety concerns. Many of these changes are projected to become mainstays in 2021 and beyond to meet guest expectations for enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols.

For most hotel guests, the best location, five-star restaurants and over the top amenities have taken a back seat to high standards for health and safety. According to a TripAdvisor survey, cleanliness is the most important factor in determining accommodations after COVID-19. Of survey respondents thinking about traveling after the pandemic, 89 percent ranked cleanliness as extremely/very important in selecting an accommodation.

To help boost guest confidence in using hotel fitness facilities, hoteliers can follow some best practices for operational procedures, cleaning and sanitizing protocols, communicating with transparency, and developing innovative fitness options for guests.

Gym Operational Procedures

• Consider closing the fitness center for windows of time each day for cleaning, adding more sanitizing materials to high-traffic areas and increasing the frequency of deep cleans.
• Provide an abundance of wipe stations and/or spray bottles for guests to clean their workout stations.
• Align cleaning processes with CDC and WHO recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces and EPA-approved disinfectants to eliminate COVID-19 on surfaces.
• Frequently clean areas around the fitness center, such as the changing rooms, showers, and toilets.
• Assign staff to clean machines, workout accessories and area surrounding equipment on a regular schedule, ideally once an hour.
• Provide instructions for guests to clean their stations after use, including cleaning benches, barbells, and weights when finished.
• Set a schedule for staff to deep clean the strength area, post the schedule for guests to see, and make sure to follow it.
• Use non-abrasive, chlorine and ammonia-free cleaners for equipment to keep them in good shape and avoid corrosion.
• Consider using electrostatic disinfectant sprayers or sustainable cleaning options such as ultraviolet light to clean every surface of the gym quickly and effectively. 

Cleaning & Safety Considerations for Gym Areas—Cardio Area

• Space cardio equipment at least 6 feet apart. If space is limited, turn every other piece of cardio equipment off and place a sign on the consoles indicating the equipment is out of service. If turning off every other cardio unit is not an option, consider only allowing one guest at a time in 30 or 60 minute intervals.
• Instruct guests to follow traditional gym etiquette and wipe down machines after use.
• When wiping down cardio equipment, avoid spraying cleaning solutions directly on the equipment. Instead, spray into cleaning cloth and then wipe down.
• In addition to cleaning all obvious touch points like seats and handles, wipe down entire frame of the equipment.
• Clean the floor surrounding cardio equipment to wipe away sweat from a workout session.

Strength Area

• Space benches, weight racks and other commonly used stations at least 6 feet apart for proper social distancing.
• Do not forget to deep clean dumbbells and weight plates.
• When cleaning selectorized equipment, don’t forget to wipe down the weight selector pin.
• Deep cleaning multi-functional selectorized equipment should include all the accessories, such as the tricep rope, D-ring handles and ankle straps.

Group Areas

• Avoid station rotations during classes. If space permits, mark off individual workout areas for your guests.
• Limit the number of people in each class or studio to ensure proper social distancing measures.
• Create a procedure script for instructors to go over before every class to ensure each member is aware of the new normal and behaves appropriately.
• If needed, provide each instructor with their own headset, and clean it thoroughly after each use.
• Clean mats, weights, and anything else used or touched during the class once finished.
• Provide cleaning supplies for guests to disinfect their used items at the end of the class.

Communication & Transparency

To build trust with guests and ease concerns about using fitness facilities, hoteliers should be transparent and consistent in communicating measures the hotel is taking to make sure the fitness area is clean and safe for guests to use.

• Provide obvious signage highlighting cleaning and hygiene protocols and outlining cleaning schedules in the fitness center as well as in guest rooms. These are simple and effective ways to instill guest confidence and trust in the safety of the facility.
• Use social media to showcase cleaning policies and practices to create a safe environment for guests.
• Add information about cleaning procedures on hotel website amenity pages describing fitness facilities and on booking engines to reassure potential guests.

Innovative Solutions

Hoteliers are also looking at other innovative solutions for offering guests fitness amenities. Post-pandemic, many travelers will prefer in-room hotel fitness options to eliminate worry about being around others in a communal work out facility during their stay. Hotels can cater to this preference by offering in-room fitness experiences such as on-demand virtual guided workouts, wall-mounted training equipment and even the latest green innovations in cycle bikes and treadmills that produce electricity while guests work up a sweat. Other hotel strategies for offering in-room fitness include allowing fitness equipment to be ordered in the same way a guest would order room service and creating a new room category that combines the regular amenities of a guest room with a mini-gym for travelers who want to keep up their fitness routines easily and conveniently.

Hoteliers recognize that providing peace of mind for guests in all areas of their hotel experience is a top priority. A recent Deloitte Hospitality Sentiment Survey (COVID-19): Reopening and Arrival at the New Normal found that 96 percent of respondents ranked new health and safety measures as the number one strategy for building trust with future guests.

Building this trust will require a laser focus on health and safety in operational procedures and cleaning and sanitizing protocols, as well as communicating with transparency and developing innovative options all geared to give guests peace of mind from the check-in counter to the gym and everywhere in between.

About the Author:

Ruben Mejia, Executive Vice President for SportsArt Americas, has five years of experience in the fitness industry, previously holding the title of Chief Technology Officer at SportsArt. Prior to his work at the company, Mejia held leadership roles within the technology and ecommerce spaces. In 2000, after serving four years of active duty in the Army, Mejia began working in the corporate IT and Telecommunications fields for the Department of Defense, launching his career and interest in the technology industry.

About SportsArt

SportsArt is the leader in sustainable gym equipment that is revolutionizing the way people stay fit with its ECO-POWR line. With more than 38 years of innovative design and manufacturing experience, SportsArt consistently seeks to advance industry standards, positioning itself as one of the most creative manufacturers in quality fitness, medical and residential equipment. SportsArt is one of the largest single brand manufacturers in the world and is sold in over 70 countries worldwide. With over 500,000 square feet of state-of-the art manufacturing space, SportsArt designs, manufactures and tests all equipment.

ECO-FRIENDLY GYMS: PRIORITIZING HUMAN AND PLANET HEALTH

If you own or manage a gym or fitness center, it’s time to get serious about sustainability. The younger generation of today cares about climate change, the planet and who they do business with. They seek out products and services that are green and socially responsible. If you want to become a stand out, eco-friendly gym, there are many ways to adjust and improve your current practices. By incorporating sustainability into the core of your business, you’ll attract more customers and employees, gain their trust and loyalty, and yes, help protect the environment. Here’s a quick overview of where to start.

WHAT IS AN ECO-FRIENDLY GYM?

Eco-friendly gyms provide people with a way to improve their fitness and health while simultaneously helping the environment. These gyms find unique ways to reduce energy and water usage and focus on using products safe for human and planet health. There are many business benefits to being an eco-friendly gym or fitness center. Marketing your gym as a good environmental steward can elevate your brand and differentiate you from your competitors. Further, green practices not only minimize your costs, but attract an emerging demographic of young consumers who can become great customers and great employees. These consumers develop strong bonds to the companies they trust are doing environmental and social good. In fact, Millennials and Generation Z consumers are willing to pay an extra 11 to 20 percent for a product or service that aligns with the values and issues they care about. Using eco-friendly gym supplies and equipment, reducing water consumption, using natural and eco-friendly products, providing filtered water, and installing more efficient lighting and temperature control are solid steps towards optimizing and greening your gym.

ECO-FRIENDLY GYM GEAR AND SUPPLIES

From yoga mats to hand weights, there are several opportunities to switch to more eco-friendly gear and supplies in your gym. Steer away from conventional gym gear that uses non-recyclable plastics like PVC and foam. You can find eco-friendly alternatives such as cork-based massage rollers, natural cork and rubber yoga mats, and natural latex resistance bands. Choose mats and flooring tiles made from recycled content and invest in a single adjustable dumbbell set rather than numerous dumbbells for various weights.

ECO-FRIENDLY GYM MACHINES

Instead of grid-run, there are now human-powered exercise machines. SportsArt, a green gym technology company, has a whole range of energy- producing gym equipment such as their Verde Treadmill that can generate up to 200 watts of electricity per hour of use. Human-powered equipment could help gyms generate their own energy, improve energy efficiency and lower both their electricity bills and grid demand. Unplugging exercise equipment after shut down to prevent leaking energy or “phantom energy” is another good green practice to lower energy consumption.

NATURAL AND ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Gyms routinely use an abundance of cleaning products to sanitize the facility and ensure cleanliness. Avoid products that contain lye, ammonia, chlorine bleach, and other harsh, VOC-heavy chemicals. You can find a variety of certified safe and sustainable cleaning products through Green Seal. You can also read more about the dangers of conventional cleaning products and their green alternatives.

REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION

Gyms can use hundreds of thousands gallons of water per year to fill pools, run showers, operate HVAC, and clean the facility. Reducing water consumption can lower your costs while preserving precious water supplies. Initiating smart water programs such as installing faucet motion sensors and low-flow toilets, shower heads and faucets can save 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE AND PROVIDE RECYCLING

Combat plastic waste by investing in filtered water fountains instead of selling single-use water bottles. Encourage gym goers to bring their own reusable water bottles or sell durable bottles as gym merch (Note: Make sure your gym merch is also sourced from a sustainable supplier!).

Especially if you are selling products like energy drinks and protein powder containers, providing recycling can further reduce plastic waste. Encourage members and staff to participate and follow best recycling practices.

EFFICIENT LIGHTING AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL

There are several ways to improve lighting efficiency in your gym such as simply changing all your bulbs to LEDs. LED bulbs use 20 to 25 percent less energy and can last up to 25 times as long. Install motion-sensor lighting and a smart thermostat system to regulate and optimize energy use.

SUMMARY: BEING AN ECO-FRIENDLY GYM MAKES GOOD BUSINESS SENSE

Being an eco-friendly gym can help elevate your brand and differentiate you from other gyms. Demonstrating your commitment to the environment and social responsibility can help improve relationships with employees and customers, attract new prospects, and reflect a positive image in your community. It’s time to incorporate sustainability into your business practice because maintaining our physical health relies on preserving the planet’s health too.

About the Author

Monika Metro

GBB GREEN AMBASSADOR

Monika Metro is a content writer for Green Business Bureau with a passion for conservation, ecology, climate change, and giving back to her community. She has recently graduated from Virginia Wesleyan University with a BS in Biology and Environmental Studies. She will soon continue her studies in the Climate Change Science and Policy Graduate Program at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Outside of academics, Monika loves to travel, play soccer, hike, and is an avid yogi.

ODESSA, FLA.—Green Lodging News has added SportsArt to the Fitness Equipment section of its Green Product & Service Directory. As the green fitness company, SportsArt believes movement is energy and that our human energy can make the planet more sustainable—one workout at a time. SportsArt’s mission is to create superior fitness equipment that helps people find their best selves while being as environmentally friendly as possible. The heart of SportsArt’s brand comes together in its ECO-POWR line of cardio equipment that captures 74 percent of the energy generated during a workout and feeds it back into the facility’s grid, offsetting consumption and providing meaningfulness to guests’ workouts. Call (425) 481-6250, or e-mail info@gosportsart.com for more information.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

SportsArt, a green fitness brand that develops sustainable gym equipment, introduced an addition to its energy producing ECO-POWR line, the ECO-POWR Elite Series. This new compact gym equipment has the same build quality and ECO-POWR technology as the original Status Line, while designed to accommodate smaller fitness spaces like those seen in boutique gyms, hotels, and multi-family housing.

The ECO-POWR Elite Series’ compact design accommodates smaller fitness centers and the user-friendly consoles provide a streamlined approach to an engaging workout regardless of familiarity. Additionally, the series integrates SportsArt’s patented ECO-POWR technology, which captures human exertion and converts it into utility grade electricity to help power other items on the grid and offset carbon emissions. The Elite Series has the potential to capture up to 74% of user-generated energy and convert it into renewable electricity—this unique technology benefits the planet and provides a new layer of meaningfulness to breaking a sweat.

The following SportsArt compact gym equipment, featuring ECO-POWR technology, make up the Elite Series:

• The G660 Treadmill measures 84.9″ L x 33.1″ W x 69″ H and weighs 473 pounds with a 330 pound weight capacity. It features various readouts, unique non-motorized technology, a durable slatted belt, and a smart braking system that delivers an intuitive and effective workout experience with a speed range of 2 mph to 12 mph.
• The G874 Elliptical measures 82″ L x 26.8″ W x 69.5″ H and weighs 338.8 pounds with a weigh capacity of 450 pounds. It delivers a low-impact, high-efficiency workout that includes electronically adjustable stride length of 17″ to 29″, fingertip controls, and intuitive workout programming along with various readouts.
• The G874U Upright Cycle measures 48″ L x 22.5″ W x 58.5″ H and weighs 186.12 pounds with a weight capacity of 450 pounds. It features various workout programs; readouts for heart rate, RPM, resistance, time, distance, speed, and calories; and 40 levels. The equipment has low-profile shroud design for ease-of-access, vertically and horizontally adjustable seat, and fingertip resistance controls.
• The G874R Recumbent Cycle measures 67.9″ L x 26″ W x 55.3″ H and weighs 211.86 pounds with a 450 pound weight capacity. The equipment features 40 resistance levels; readouts for heart rate, RPM, resistance, time, distance, speed, and calories; and various workout programs. It also includes an easy-step through design for ease-of-access, adjustable seat and seat back along with fingertip resistance controls

“SportsArt is excited to expand our existing ECO-POWR Line and bring more accessible equipment to our customers,” said Ruben Mejia, Executive Vice President of SportsArt. “We’re constantly working on new and innovative ways to offer our technology to larger markets and provide more opportunity for energy production. Our technology is revolutionary, and by creating different equipment such as the Elite Series, we are hoping to help industries expand their green fitness initiatives and further our mission of reducing carbon footprints globally.”

Click here to use the ECO-POWR calculator to see how much you can save with SportsArt’s Elite Series and ECO-POWR technology.

Click here for more facility management news related to technology.

The Elite ECO-POWR Series treadmill, elliptical and cycle offset electricity consumption in compact design

SEATTLE, Feb. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SportsArt, a green fitness brand that develops sustainable gym equipment, today introduces an addition to its energy producing ECO-POWR line, the ECO-POWR Elite Series. This new series has the same build quality and ECO-POWR technology as the original Status Line, while designed to be more compact to accommodate smaller fitness spaces like those seen in boutique gyms, hotels and multi-family housing.

The ECO-POWR Elite Series’ compact design accommodates smaller fitness centers and the user-friendly consoles provide a streamlined approach to an engaging workout regardless of familiarity. Additionally, the series integrates SportsArt’s patented ECO-POWR technology, which captures human exertion and converts it into utility grade electricity to help power other items on the grid and offset carbon emissions. The Elite Series has the potential to capture up to 74% of user-generated energy and convert it into renewable electricity – this unique technology benefits the planet and provides a new layer of meaningfulness to breaking a sweat.

The following SportsArt equipment, featuring ECO-POWR technology, make up the Elite Series:

• G660 Treadmill: features unique non-motorized technology, a durable slatted belt, and a smart braking system that delivers an intuitive and effective workout experience

• G874 Elliptical: delivers low-impact, high-efficiency workout that includes electronically adjustable stride length, fingertip controls and intuitive workout programming

• G874U Upright Cycle: has low-profile shroud design for ease-of-access, vertically and horizontally adjustable seat and fingertip resistance controls

• G874R Recumbent Cycle: includes an easy-step through design for ease-of-access, adjustable seat and seat back along with fingertip resistance controls

“SportsArt is excited to expand our existing ECO-POWR Line and bring more accessible equipment to our customers,” said Ruben Mejia, Executive Vice President of SportsArt. “We’re constantly working on new and innovative ways to offer our technology to larger markets and provide more opportunity for energy production. Our technology is revolutionary, and by creating different equipment such as the Elite Series, we are hoping to help industries expand their green fitness initiatives and further our mission of reducing carbon footprints globally.”

As a concept, sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. The concept of sustainability is composed of three pillars: economic, environmental, and social (also referred to as the three P's: profits, planet, and people).

There are several ways to meet sustainability objectives: cutting emissions, lowering energy usage, sourcing products from fair-trade organizations, ensuring that physical waste is disposed of properly, and working within as small a carbon footprint as possible are just a few.

A Shift in Sustainability

Andrew Karr’s 9-month-old son, Arthur, is learning to walk and talk. Andrew is now relearning those same skills after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome in December. What started as a persistent cough led to pneumonia, causing his body to attack his nervous system. The new dad spent three weeks at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, very weak and struggling with coordination. He couldn’t hold his son, kiss his wife or tell his signature jokes. Andrew came to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals at the end of December, motivated to get back to everything he loves.

“He’s been clear since the beginning about what his goals are – to be a husband, to be a father, to return to his occupation and make absolutely as much gain as he can,” Katie Johnson, a speech-language pathologist at Madonna, said. “He was willing to work to reach those goals.”

As Andrew became stronger, his care team began using specialized technology to help wake up his muscles, from his head to his toes. Johnson used kinesiology tape and a VitalStim electrical stimulation device to reactivate Andrew’s facial muscles and improve his swallowing and speech.

“The kinesiology tape helps those muscles stay in their optimal positions to help facilitate sensory awareness for the different muscle groups,” Johnson said. “The VitalStim helps with strengthening and improving motor planning so he can use a straw or kiss his wife.”

Andrew also utilized the FES functional electrical stimulation bike during his occupational and physical therapy sessions. The machine targeted the muscles necessary to walk and play with his son.

“I was just motivated to master potty training before he would, and I won on that accord, but I think he may be able to beat me in the solo walk because he’s doing really well,” Andrew joked. “But seriously, it’s humbling, because you take a lot of things for granted and when you lose them, you feel sorry for yourself.”

A visit from one of Madonna’s peer volunteers, a former Madonna patient, Angie Prusse, helped lift Andrew’s spirits. She knew firsthand what it’s like to struggle with motivation during rehabilitation.

Inspired and energized by Angie's experiences at Madonna, Andrew propelled forward in his rehabilitation journey. First, he mastered standing at the parallel bars. Then, he progressed to a few steps in Madonna’s warm water therapy pool and started to use only a walker. Finally, he achieved a more natural gait on the Madonna ICARE by SportsArt, a motorized elliptical.

Throughout his five weeks at Madonna, Andrew focused on getting back to his life roles as an active husband and father. His care team worked with him to ensure he was able to not only work on activities of daily living and self-care, but also on things that mattered to him, like getting on the floor to play with his son, changing diapers and safely pushing a stroller. Using Madonna’s Independence Square, Andrew could simulate each of those activities until he felt comfortable returning to his community.

“Things like being able to hold his little boy, give his wife a kiss, those are what’s motivating to the patients because we don’t just get ourselves up, eat breakfast, get dressed and do therapy,” Johnson said. “Those are not the typical life roles and those are not the only things the patients want to do, so it’s very motivating to incorporate those small goals.”

Once Andrew felt comfortable, his son Arthur also participated in his therapy so Andrew’s care team could give him real-world tips and tricks on how to be an active father safely.

“This team of wonderful individuals are able to make recommendations and utilize my skills and assets, and let me know where I’m weaker, give me that positive reinforcement but at the same time recommend something different that is safer to assist with me taking care of Arthur,” Andrew said.

While he’s excited to be heading home to his family, Andrew knows he will miss the bonds he formed with his care team.

“Especially in a time of COVID when you’re not really with your family, you kind of create one here,” Andrew said. “It’s been a memorable ride, and if I had to do it again, it would be with the team that I have right now.”

Andrew will be participating in Madonna’s Rehabilitation Day Program on an outpatient basis and plans to return as a peer volunteer so he can pay it forward to future patients.

Nutrition will play a prominent role as a theme at FIBO. And there is currently no avoiding one trend in this segment: Cannabidiol – for short CBD. The Leading Trade Show for Fitness, Wellness and Health will feature it prominently.

CBD products can actively support sportspeople during training and competitions. In a dedicated area of Hall 5.2 FIBO 2022 – in cooperation with Behrentin Communication GmbH, the organiser of the CBD trade fair ‘The Body for Sport, Beauty, Wellness and Pharmaceutical Products’ – will therefore present this trending theme at the trade show from 7 to 10 April 2022.

CBD promotes fast muscle regeneration

Dieter Behrentin and his agency are the official organisers of the integrated CBD trade show THE BODY. He explains: “During sports muscles are strained and overstimulated. CBD and also other cannabinoids help promoting fast muscle regeneration as well as relaxation,” says Behrentin and adds: “Additionally, CBD can produce a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect on muscle tensions and inflammations in the body.” In Hall 5.2. visitors will therefore be able to find comprehensive information on the use and marketing opportunities as well as latest scientific findings.

Lifestyle Area Hall 5.2

In research, too, the numerous benefits of CBD are studied. In skincare CBD promotes natural skin regeneration and supports the body in restoring skin’s natural barrier. Furthermore, CBD promotes hair growth thereby making for a full and healthy head of hair. The benefits of CBD will be presented by Marco Hoffmann of Swiss Gate AG on 10 April, from 2.15 pm – 2.45 pm.

Design launch at The Body'Tec 2022, Hall 5.2

Saturday, 9 April, will see the first designer hemp shirt in finest hemp being launched as part of the Hemp-Textile Symposium ‘The Body'Tec’ at 2.00 pm. The designer piece scores points with both quality and style. Textile engineer Ursula Mock will deliver a keynote on the “Challenges and the Complexity of the Textile Supply Chain in the Hemp Segment” the same day. In cooperation with the premium-design label vol(t)age the debut edition of the ‘The Body Hemp Premium Line’ will be introduced. Here trade visitors will be given the opportunity to convince themselves of the new softness of the line.

Meeting Point Health & Wellness, Hall 8

The Meeting Point Health & Wellness in Hall 8 will also make CBD a theme. Speaker Simon Zweigler of ‘feels like’ will be talking about CBD in sports here on 10 April, from 3.00 pm – 3.30 pm. By way of example he will demonstrate that cannabidiol is anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, neuro-protective and can support healing processes after sports injuries. Sportspeople can also benefit from anxiety-relieving and sleep-promoting effects and even reduce stage fright. 

FIBO will kick off on 7 April 2022 – and IFAA will be there with lots of specials. For fitness professionals, for exercise lovers, for bargain hunters, for trend scouts, for everyone: More versatile than ever, IFAA offers unique, never-before-seen trade show highlights for trainers and operators.

Be it the IFAA Trainer Plaza with its brilliant stage programme and more than 60 join-in workouts to try; the Functional Forum with brand-new methods, concepts and trends; or the 288-sqm networking area – Hall 9 is always worth a visit!

Premiere: IFAA Trainer Plaza – Stand F07

The IFAA Trainer Plaza will be making its debut at this year’s FIBO. It’s the place where expertise meets emotion: Appearing live on the big stage in Hall 9 top presenters will be showcasing the latest group-fitness and workout trends in more than 60 live workouts spread across all four trade show days – everyone’s invited to join in, try new things and leave nothing on the table. Pre-registration is not required, and there is no charge. Here visitors can experience live many facets of IFAA’s education and training programme and get inspired to check out a wide range of workout and group fitness-related specialisations and themes. If you’re interested click here to check out the complete course schedule of the IFAA Trainer Plaza.

Expertise straight from the pros: The Functional Forum – Stand H21

This is where exercise will be redefined. In cooperation with Perform Better, Blackroll and TRAINER-Magazine, IFAA, as the organiser of the large Functional Forum, will present brand-new methods, concepts and trends in functional, athletic and performance training in Hall 9. In numerous free workshops, classes and lectures, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the knowledge of renowned experts while trying out new activities. Fitness pros and fans looking to work out to their heart’s content or upgrade their skills by adding the latest scientific knowledge and research insights are sure to get their money’s worth with the programme of the Functional Forum.

Trade show specials for trainers and operators: deep discounts for trainers and operators

Shopping at IFAA is fun: And with FIBO’s exclusive trade show discounts, fitness pros can even save some money. Click here for special trade show offers.

About FIBO

It is the world’s biggest trade show for fitness, wellness and health and the place for innovations, investments and trends: At FIBO in Cologne decision-makers from the entire fitness industry, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, club operators from numerous countries, trainers, health care actors and the fitness community meet. Beyond, FIBO offers international business and networking as well as a great live experience. Expert information and continuous education are also a priority at the trade show. In 2022 FIBO will be held from 7 to 10 April. www.fibo.com

About RX

RX has set itself the task of promoting business for individuals, communities and organisations. By combining data with digital products RX makes 400 events in 22 countries and 43 industries even more attractive. RX forms part of RELX, a global supplier of data-based analysis and decision-making tools for professional and business customers. www.rxglobal.com

Press Contact:

Silvia Atanasova Mireva

Content & PR Manager

silvia.mireva@rxglobal.com

EuropeActive, FIBO Global Fitness and Questex/Sibec will partner for a historical gathering of the fitness and physical activity sector

EuropeActive, FIBO Global Fitness and Questex/Sibec are excited to announce that they are coming together in a 2021 partnership. Sibec Europe will be part of the educational and networking events leading up to FIBO, the leading international trade show for fitness, wellness and health from 4th to 7th November. The common goal is to remove pandemic-related hurdles for the fitness industry and, among other things, to make travel easier again in this transitional year. Notably, Sibec Europe, the leading hosted buyer event for suppliers and operators, will take place in Cologne during "FIBO Week”, along with the European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF), the leading European educational and networking event for industry leaders, on 3rd November.

The 2021 EHFF, hosted both on-site and virtually, will be part of four days of events for leaders, experts and professionals of the fitness and physical activity sector leading up to the FIBO International Trade Show in the first weekend of November 2021.

As the world's largest fitness trade show, this year's FIBO will showcase new studio and training concepts as well as growth opportunities according to Corona. A strong focus is on individual solutions for studio operators, physiotherapists and hoteliers, for example in the field of digitalization, innovations on the part of equipment manufacturers or health-oriented applications.

"We are very pleased to now be working with Sibec in addition to our strong partnership with EuropeActive that we have grown together," said FIBO Global Fitness Event Director Silke Frank. "The cooperation holds enormous potential and many benefits for the entire fitness industry, which will be able to take advantage of an extensive range of educational opportunities during FIBO Week and boost their business at the same time. We are united by a common vision to lead the fitness industry into a strong future after the biggest crisis in its history."

Commenting on the new partnership of EuropeActive, FIBO and Questex/Sibec, EuropeActive CEO Andreas Paulsen said: “With this partnership we are making sectoral history at a very challenging time for our industry where we need vision, innovation and impact through collaboration like never before. Over the past year EuropeActive has proactively built horizontal strategic partnerships with actors across Europe and the world to represent, protect and promote our sector as effectively as possible. This partnership with FIBO and Questex/Sibec will enable us to ensure that leaders, experts and professionals from all parts of our ecosystem will come together in the first week of November to discuss and define our sectoral future in unison.”

Club Industry/Sibec Director Marty McCallen also commented on the agreement by saying: “Questex/Sibec EU see our Sibec event  and FIBO complement each other and with the challenges our Industry continues to face we feel that at this critical time it is important to show the world that event competitors can come together for the greater good of the industries served”.

Registration is now open for EHFF 2021

Furthermore, EuropeActive is pleased to announce that registration for the 8th European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF) is now open. The event will be held on Wednesday, 3rd November 2021 in Cologne, Germany, and will include sessions and presentations by leaders and experts from within and outside of our industry under the four pillars of EuropeActive’s Horizon 2025 Manifesto: Health, Digital, Community & Standards.

As a media partner of EuropeActive, you are granted free access (one delegate per organisation) to the EHFF. For further details on the 2021 programme and the registration process, please contact events@europeactive.eu

Furthermore, three other annual EuropeActive events will take place during the FIBO Week: The European Fitness Associations Forum (EFAF) on Thursday 4th November, The President’s Councils Summit, also on 4th November, and the International Standards Meeting (ISM) on Friday 5th November.

Detailed information for press and commercial use can be requested from Carlos Fernández, via communications@europeactive.eu. Photos, logos and other materials supporting this press release are also available via the aforementioned email address.

About FIBO

FIBO is the world's largest trade show for fitness, wellness and health: The key players of the industry meet at FIBO in Cologne. This is where innovations are launched, investments are made and international trends are set. In 2021, FIBO will take place from November 4 to 7 at the exhibition center in Cologne. The trade show will present new, health-oriented studio and training concepts, highlight growth opportunities for the industry after Corona, and accompany the industry with best practices and future scenarios for digitalization.

For more information, please visit www.fibo.com

About EuropeActive

EuropeActive, formerly the European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA), is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the whole of the European fitness & physical activity sector in Brussels. Membership is open to all stakeholders - public or private - including operators, suppliers, national associations, training providers, higher education and accreditation institutions.

The EuropeActive Team is fully committed to consulting and working with the different mentioned stakeholders, including other NGOs promoting health-enhancing physical activity, sector media and research and scientific institutions. EuropeActive aims to co-operate with the European Union and other international organisations to achieve its objective to get more people, more active, more often.

According to the EuropeActive/Deloitte Market Report 2020 the European fitness sector serves over 64.8 million consumers, generates 28.2 billion Euro in revenues, employs 750,000 people, and consists of approximately 64,000 facilities. In 2019 the European market grew by 3.8 % and in the past 10 years the number of fitness users has increased by 72%, and 9.7% of all European citizens aged over 15 are users of fitness facilities.

For further information, please visit www.europeactive.eu

or contact;

Carlos Fernández, Senior EU Communications & PR Officer

communications@europeactive.eu

About Questex

Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Physiotherapy is systemically relevant, fitness clubs are not – this is at least the political assessment during the COVID crisis. The difference between the two? The rendering of prescription services. But how can fitness clubs better position themselves in the segment of prescribed therapy and prevention services? Get answers to this from FIBO together with the German Fitness and Aerobic Association (DFAV e.V.) as part of the leading International Trade Show for Fitness, Wellness and Health to be held in Cologne from 4 to 7 November.   

In cooperation with DFAV FIBO will organise the symposium “From Subscription to Prescription – towards Systemic Relevance” developed and organised by FIBO founder Volker Ebener. It will focus on all measures in fitness studios that can lead to systemic relevance.  

Building a new business line

With this FIBO delivers concrete practical knowledge for club operators seeking to develop a new line of business in the health sector: physiotherapy on machines and other therapeutic treatments whose costs are covered by health sickness funds.  

Alongside the basics such as well-trained staff and corresponding equipment, systemic relevance is primarily determined by services rendered on doctor’s orders. The costs of these training units in the areas of rehabilitation and prevention can be settled by health sickness funds. The avenues to success will be presented in this symposium. There will be lectures on the role of sports physicians in fitness studios, in rehab sports, the health club of the future caught between medicine, rehabilitation and prevention and the question of how to recruit physiotherapists for fitness clubs. The event will be chaired by Prof. em. Dr. Theodor Stemper of the Institute for Sports Science at the Bergische Universität Wuppertal.

Health in focus

With this symposium FIBO strengthens the consistent expansion of the fitness market to include health. Presenting the “Meeting Point Health & Wellness”, current medical therapy and training methods in the exhibition area as well as expert talks, FIBO from 4 to 7 November 2021 will pick up on the top-themes in health. As many partners as ever will join the fray with valuable input.