Sport & Leisure

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 29, 2026 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 29, 2026 – The health and fitness industry is abuzz with innovation and growth, and at the forefront are trends that are reshaping how people exercise and prioritize their wellbeing. These trends not only reflect the evolving needs of consumers but also the industry's commitment to providing cutting-edge fitness solutions.

The Strength Training Boom

Strength training is experiencing a surge in popularity, with participation rates increasing by 15% in the past year alone. This trend is driven by a growing awareness of the benefits of strength training, which include increased muscle mass, improved bone density, and enhanced metabolic health.

Health club operators are responding to this demand by expanding their strength training offerings, incorporating innovative equipment and personalized programs to cater to a diverse range of fitness goals.

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 29, 2026 – SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 29, 2026 – The health and fitness industry is experiencing a period of growth and innovation, with new trends emerging that are changing the way people exercise and prioritize their wellbeing.

The Rise of Brain Training

As the global population ages, healthspan and longevity are becoming increasingly important to consumers. This has led to a rise in brain training offerings, with facilities like Sparkd Fitness in Singapore pioneering brain-body fitness solutions.

Sparkd's multi-component training modality includes cardiovascular and strength training, coordination and motor-skill training, and cognitive motor training or dual-task training. This type of training, which involves doing two things at once, has been shown to increase neuroplasticity and improve brain health.

Female Empowerment Through Fitness

Berlin – September 16, 2026 -- MERACH has unveiled its new flagship treadmill, the UltraWalk W60 Plus, at IFA Berlin 2026, targeting people who want to walk more during work-from-home hours. The treadmill is available for pre-order in Europe until September 20, 2026, at €379.99, discounted €80 from its €459.99 retail price.

The treadmill runs on a brushless motor rated for 15,000 hours

The UltraWalk W60 Plus features a brushless motor with 3.5 horsepower peak output and a built-in Hall sensor for consistent speed control, even at slower walking paces. MERACH says the motor is designed to run for up to 15,000 hours.

Noise levels stay at 53 decibels during operation

The company built the machine for quiet use in home offices, citing a 53-decibel noise level during operation. A convection cooling system with two vents helps dissipate heat, and the treadmill is rated for three hours of continuous use.

Valencia – September 15, 2026 -- Six Flags Magic Mountain has announced Thrill Glider, a new roller coaster set to open in 2027 that will let riders fly face-down on suspended "hovercycles" at speeds up to 50 mph.

The ride creates an entirely new coaster category called the Thrillglider

Built exclusively for Magic Mountain by manufacturer Vekoma, Thrill Glider packs 20 track elements into an 80-second ride covering nearly 3.5 acres. Riders assume a prone, forward-facing position beneath the track, encountering 12 airtime moments and five inversions, including a wing-over, zero-g roll, overbanked stall turn and barrel rolls.

Six world records come with the 2027 debut

At 3,380 feet long, 107 feet tall and reaching 50 mph, Thrill Glider will claim titles including World's Longest, Fastest and Tallest Thrillglider, along with the most inversions in the category at five.

Winnipeg – September 15, 2026 -- Activate, the active gaming entertainment brand founded in Canada, is opening its first Australian location in Melbourne in early 2027, marking its entry into the country's out-of-home entertainment market.

The venue lands next to a HOYTS Cinema in Maribyrnong

Activate Melbourne (Highpoint) will open at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong, Victoria, sitting alongside a HOYTS Cinema. The site will be the company's first of several planned locations across Australia.

Twelve game rooms pack in more than 800 levels of challenges

The venue features 12 immersive game rooms with over 800 levels combined. RFID technology tracks each player across rooms, letting them level up, unlock achievements and earn Next Level Rewards. Teams of two to five tackle physical and mental challenges testing speed, coordination and problem-solving together.

Irvine, Calif. – September 15, 2026 -- Taco Bell is inviting everyday customers to compete against celebrities and pro athletes on a golf course, launching the inaugural Live Más Open at The Ranch at Laguna Beach on November 2.

Kevin Hart hosts a 36-player tournament built around wild-card challenges

The nine-hole event pairs qualifying fans with celebrities, pro athletes and creators across nine foursomes in a live draft format. Global superstar Kevin Hart, an avid golfer, is hosting the tournament, which Taco Bell describes as designed to "go off-script" from traditional tournament golf.

Austin, Minn. – September 15, 2026 -- Minnesota Vikings fans will find a new stadium staple this season: the SPAM® Dog, now the official hot dog of U.S. Bank Stadium for 2026-27 under a new partnership between the SPAM® brand and the Vikings.

The SKOL Crusher headlines a rotating menu of Vikings-themed hot dogs.

The signature item, called the SKOL Crusher, is a SPAM® Dog topped with hot honey mustard, purple slaw and crispy potato sticks. It kicks off a season-long lineup that will include a Hawaiian-inspired version and limited-time creations tied to visiting teams each week.

"Football and food have always gone hand in hand, and we're excited to bring the SPAM® Dog to one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL," said Haley Eggum, brand manager for the SPAM® brand.

Jersey City, N.J. – September 15, 2026 -- BetMGM has launched its 2026-27 football season lineup, adding new betting protections, weekly promotions and faster app performance for sports bettors nationwide.

BetDefense refunds stakes on injured players

The new BetDefense feature returns a customer's stake in cash if a player is sidelined by injury during the first quarter on eligible pro football player prop wagers. The offer is not available in Alberta, Massachusetts, Ontario and Puerto Rico, and additional terms apply.

Ultimate Teams offers a shot at a $50,000 weekly jackpot

A new free-to-play game called Ultimate Teams lets eligible customers log in Monday through Friday to reveal daily cards and compete for a share of a $50,000 Bonus Bets jackpot each week. Winnings expire in 96 hours, and the game is unavailable in Alberta, Ontario, Nevada and Puerto Rico.

Kalamazoo – September 15, 2026 -- Registration is now open for the 48th Zeigler Kalamazoo Marathon, set to return to downtown Kalamazoo and Bronson Park on April 24-25, 2027.

The 2026 race generated more than $1,124,000 in local economic impact

Discover Kalamazoo reported the figure after last year's event drew over 5,000 registered participants and thousands of spectators to downtown streets. Organizers also donated more than $8,000 to local charities and distributed over $4,000 in financial assistance to participants.

A redesigned 5K course cuts down on turns for 2027

New participants will also receive an exclusive commemorative long-sleeve quarter-zip, and the Beacon Health Expo will offer all-day activities throughout race weekend. Runners can register through a "Start to Finish Bundle" training package offered with Run Kalamazoo Run Camp.

Melbourne – September 15, 2026 -- Sandbox VR is opening a new virtual reality venue on Bourke Street in Melbourne's Central Business District, its second Australian location after the Gold Coast site. Guests can get 25% off through September 13 via presale booking on the company's website.

The Melbourne venue includes a bar, a party room and four private rooms where groups of up to six people wear headsets, haptic vests and motion sensors for full-body immersion. The system lets players see and physically interact with each other during sessions, and each group receives a personalized highlight video afterward to share the experience.