After a prolonged recession, 2014 was brighter for most, with the economy finally turning a corner and both consumer confidence and the housing market picking up.
In the fitness industry, the low-cost sector had another strong year, growing 21 per cent according to the latest Mintel research. But will the improvement in the economy mean the affordable clubs will lose their appeal, with people trading up to more expensive brands? Not at all, according to CEO of The Gym Group John Treharne. “I would expect the market to at least double and for there to be some new entrants in 2015,” he says. “I think – as has happened in other markets such as airlines, hotels and retail – there will be more growth at the premium end but also significant growth at the low-cost end of the market. Research shows value for money is here to stay: people don’t automatically go for a more expensive brand in good economic times.”
Another feature of 2014 was the growth of boutique clubs – the emerging microgym sector – where members pay premium prices for a small, personal, high spec club that focuses on one discipline. Will we see new entrants into this sector? How will the products evolve, and will even more niches emerge?
The obesity crisis was never far from the 2014 news headlines. Despite health club penetration levels nudging up very slightly, the nation is getting fatter. Will we start to see some progress with this problem in 2015, with new ideas brought forward to drive behaviour change on a mass scale?
Last but definitely not least, on the back of growing consumer interest in wearable technology, the Apple Watch will go on sale in 2015. What impact will such products continue to have on the industry? Will tech-savvy consumers take workouts into their own hands, bypassing the expertise of gyms – and maybe even gyms themselves – or will operators learn to take advantage of the technology? We ask the experts for their thoughts...