Each year, the American College of Sports Medicine releases a report of the top fitness trends for the coming year. The ACSM collects data from thousands of health and fitness professionals around the world. These range from business owners to fitness instructors across all disciplines. While the report primarily looks into trends that relate to the fitness industry, many of the trends listed can apply to the youth sports training industry.
As you enter 2024, it is important to be aware of these trends and how you can take advantage of them for your business. Here, we outline the top 10 sports and fitness trends to look out for this year.
Click here to view all of the 2024 Worldwide Fitness Trends.
The Top 10 Industry Trends, According to Experts
#10- Personal Training
Personal training has remained in the top 10 fitness trends since 2007 and is ranked #10 for 2024. 1-1 training is a great way for athletes to evaluate their skills, set goals, and stay accountable. As a facility owner or sports coach, you can offer private training programs to help athletes improve. Marketing these programs at the beginning of the year is a great way to stay on this trend; plus, many people want to revamp their fitness/training journey in the new year.
#9- Youth Athletic Development
Youth athletic development is an important and exciting trend prediction for 2024. Research shows that athletic programs for children and adolescents help improve confidence, social skills, and overall health. As a coach or owner of a youth sports business, take advantage of this trend by marketing your business, offering a promotion, and advertising how your programs help children and adolescents.
#8- Exercise for Mental Health
Coming in 8th place is the emphasis on exercise for mental health. Mental illness affects 1 in 5 adults in America, and many now feel comfortable acknowledging their struggles. With mental health including emotional, physical, and social well-being, physical activity can positively impact mental health. As a player in the sports business industry, you offer a solution. Not only do you offer exercise, you also offer a community of people who are happy to help. When promoting the advantages of joining your programs, include statistics on how your programs can help boost mood, self-esteem, and mental health.
#7- Mobile Exercise Apps
Mobile exercise apps, coming at #7, offer flexibility and variety. In a post-pandemic world, we now have access to hundreds of at-home workout apps, equipment, and support. Many facilities and training businesses have an app, which can help drive engagement for their events. You can also use an app to communicate with athletes, send reminders, and post workouts. Upper Hand’s mobile app offers athlete progression tracking, where coaches can assign workouts and exercises to specific athletes. Offering the flexibility for at-home workouts can help boost participation.
#6- Employing Certified Exercise Professionals
Employing the right people is a top priority for many sports/fitness businesses. Whether you run a training business or multi-sport facility, you know it is important that your staff has the proficient knowledge and skills to provide instruction and support. Investing in your staff is an essential part of managing a business. Whether you introduce a staff training program or provide certification classes, offering the best possible athlete training is a great way to set yourself up for success.
#5- Reimbursement for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs)
Reimbursement for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs) takes the 5th spot on the ACSM’s fitness trends list for 2024. This trend signifies a shift in recognizing the valuable role of QEPs, such as personal trainers and exercise physiologists, as integral members of the healthcare continuum. The ACSM has formed a Task Force to advocate for policy changes that would allow insurance billing for patient services performed by QEPs within their scope of practice. This move aims to not only support the recognition of exercise professionals but also improve physical activity and enhance the overall quality of life. As a sports business professional, staying informed about this trend and what it could mean for your industry could open up new avenues for collaboration and service offerings.
#4- Exercise for Weight Loss
Coming at #4, exercise for weight loss is a predicted trend for 2024. According to a YouGov survey, 52% of adults in the world are trying to lose weight. As a coach, trainer, or owner, you offer programs that can help with weight loss while providing community and a sense of purpose.
#3- Fitness Programs for Older Adults
Fitness programs for older adults come in 3rd. According to the ACM’s 2021 Profile of Older Americans, there has been a 38% increase in Americans aged 65 and older since 2010 with approximately 27% of the population living independently. Physical activity lowers the impact of disease, which proves a higher risk for older adults. Sports coaches and trainers can offer corporate health workshops, an adult work league, a parent league, or discounts on adult classes.
#2- Worksite Health Promotion
Worksite health promotion is new to the top 20 trends list, coming in at #2. This continues the theme of interest in better quality of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the average American who works a 40-hour week spends approximately one-third of their life at the workplace. Worksite health promotion often improves mental health and increases workplace productivity. Offering a corporate workshop, adult league, or group membership to corporations can be a great opportunity to be a part of the growing trend.
#1- Wearable Technology
Wearable technology comes in 1st place for the third year in a row and has been in the top 3 trends since 2016. This can include a variety of equipment such as a heart rate monitor, smart watch, GPS tracking device, and more. Wearable technology typically provides step counts, active minutes, sleep time, heart rate, and GPS. Coaches and sports trainers can utilize wearable technology to individualize programs, set goals, and measure progress.
Though these 2024 fitness trends may not have a huge impact on your year, staying informed on them can give you a competitive edge when planning your year. As a sports coach, trainer, or owner, you have the ability to increase your revenue streams based on these predictions.
