The 2024 HFA Global Report reveals a resilient sector, predicts further market growth and highlights the biggest operators

What can health and fitness providers, employers and employees expect to gain from the expanding world of workplace wellbeing? Julie Cramer reports

From brain training and body sculpting, to ‘gesture tech’ and binaural beats, HCM predicts the trends that will impact and shape the sector

With one in six people in the world set to be aged over 60 by 2030, the demand for healthy ageing and longevity services is expected to rise. We talk to operators active in this space and ask how their premium offerings can filter down to the mainstream

Unacknowledged trauma can make it hard to make lifestyle changes finds Kath Hudson

UK Active has initiated a new research project with Savanta to dive deeper into what truly motivates today’s consumers

Dr Tim Anstiss talks to HCM about the ‘coachbots’ he’s developing to help clubs successfully support behaviour change in members

We talk to the former rugby player and World Cup hero about the launch of his new brand One Living, and mission to champion both physical and mental wellbeing

McKinsey’s Future of Wellness Survey showed that global consumer interest in wellbeing is still building. Among other things, there’s consumer appetite for sleep, sexual health, health testing and weight loss products

HCM Handbook editorial director, Liz Terry, predicts key trends, influences and opportunities set to shape the sector, including nocturnal living, gesture tech, brain training and small cost concepts

Despite high energy costs, inflation and interest rates, there’s evidence to show 2023 was the year the industry bounced back. A host of CEOs, talk about the current trading landscape and their plans for the next 18 months

New research shows that following social media health influencers motivates young people to exercise more vigorously and eat more fruit and vegetables, but their mental health often suffers.

Research by UCLA Health found Kundalini yoga has powerful effects on memory in women who are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Moonbird is a tactile breathing coach, which provides real-time biofeedback, measuring heart rate and heart rate variability. Studies show it can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

An ACE summit on mental health shared methods fitness professionals can build into their toolkit, as Kath Hudson reports

Now mental health is the number one reason people join health clubs, do teams need a grounding in counselling? We ask the experts

As absenteeism continues to take a huge economic toll, with musculoskeletal problems and poor mental health the biggest issues, can workplace wellness really make a difference, asks Kath Hudson?

The stress coach talks about working with Bear Grylls on the Mettle app for men

Dance company, Zumba, and virtual reality workout platform, FitXR, have joined forces to offer VR and mixed-reality versions of the dance routines.

According to McKinsey’s latest report, The trends defining the US$1.8 trillion global wellness market in 2024, the market for wellness is being driven by consumers taking more control of their health.

From in-app communications to AI-created workout plans, health club management software providers discuss their latest innovations

Horizon Leisure is upgrading and investing in its new shopping-centre health hub – The Wellbeing Hub in Havant, UK – by adding blood pressure checks to its list of services.

Survivalist, Bear Grylls has partnered with four mental health heavyweights and former TV producer, Neil Smith, to create an app targeted directly at men. Mettle is designed to promote sleep, help people manage stress and improve mental focus.

Physical activity is linked to a 43 per cent reduction in mental health symptoms such as depression, a recent study shows

With female menstrual cycles having such an impact on exercise outcomes, is it time for the industry to recognise this, get more comfortable with the conversation and develop more expertise to guide and support women? We ask the experts

The Wigan Deal has saved £170m and enabled facilities to stay open by deepening engagement with the health service and the communities it serves

How can trainers balance strain with recovery to achieve the best health outcomes for members? Kath Hudson talks to the experts

The pandemic sparked a change of priorities and how many people regard physical activity. ClubIntel shares its findings into what fitness consumers now want, lifting the lid on who are the casual consumers, fitness explorers, routine junkies and wellness lovers.

Mental health scores have dived along with bank balances in the last few years. Dr Colin Bryant from ACE says this presents an opportunity for the industry to step up provision so mental health is cared for as well as physical.

As the fitness industry moves closer to the healthcare sector, Lyndsey Barrett and Andrew Chapman argue an overhaul is needed in the language used to make sure it’s inclusive.