With the start of FIBO 2023, it will once again become clear how fascinating and diverse the fitness industry is. But which trends and strategies are important for sustainable success? It is almost impossible to list all the factors here, so we will take a closer look at just two aspects.
Health
Fitness experts and scientists have known for a long time that fitness training promotes health, so many fitness studios have adapted their offers. Among them, staff have been trained and educated accordingly to ensure not only safety but also targeted care for people with pre-existing conditions. In addition, prevention offers and high-quality, digitalised training equipment have been included in the programme. In addition to the experts, the customers have also understood the value of fitness training for their health, which was recently underlined by a representative survey commissioned by the DIFG e.V. among active members (16-65 years): 70 % of the respondents see fitness training as an important investment in health and physical integrity and another 53 % consider it important to reduce stress. An investment that pays off, doesn't it? The philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer has the answer: 'Health is not everything, but without health everything is nothing'. It is therefore not surprising that the DIFG study also states: Fitness has the highest relevance for these people compared to other leisure activities.
Sustainability
We live in an increasingly value-oriented society. More and more often, people are questioning how sustainably companies produce or offer their services. Thus, the aspect of sustainability is now considered an important component of corporate strategy measures. Be it to position a company as an attractive employer (employer branding) or because financing partners such as banks attach importance to the sustainable orientation of companies. In this context, there is talk of SDG goals (Social Development Goals) and ESG criteria (Environment, Social, Governance). The ESG criteria in particular are of central importance for banks and thus also for companies in the fitness industry, as investments in ESG-compliant companies are more likely to be seen as holding value in the long term. But social responsibility is also important to the companies themselves. This is where the term social entrepreneurship has become established.
Why can these trends also be relevant in the context of FIBO? For one thing, "health and well-being", "quality education" and "industry, innovation and infrastructure" are topics within the framework of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. For example, digital innovations in the area of increasing efficiency and improving member retention in fitness studios can be a foundation for economically sustainable success. Economically successful companies are able to assume social responsibility and invest in environmental protection or in the quality of health-oriented fitness training. And this brings us full circle.
The fitness industry is full of innovations. The Deutsche Industrieverband für Fitness und Gesundheit e.V. wishes you much fun and success at FIBO 2023. Would you like to discuss with us or do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us by e-mail: info@difg-verband.de.