Technology is incorporated into every part of our life. From the minute we wake up to the minute we go to bed, we are besieged by it.
We have witnessed an insane trend for a healthy and fit lifestyle. Instagram feeds barraged with endless photos from the gyms, the success of yoga and meditation apps, the popularity of different diet plans — everything tells us that fitness is the latest obsession.
The technology not only follows the trends but also creates them — wearable trackers such as Apple Watches and Fitbits inspired an enormous number of people to become vigilant about the level of their physical activity.
Fitness is one of the rapidly -expanding sectors in the IT-industry.
Health and fitness are always in trend, but apps and technology have changed the game for the fitness industry within the past ten years alone.
In fact, revenue in the fitness industry is anticipated to exceed $15.7 billion by the end of 2019, according to Statista.
As with maximum things these days, an individual’ s quest for a healthier self usually starts online. This is even more true for tech-savvy millennials.
How Mobile Apps revolutionized the Gyming Culture
- Social Media:
Social media plays a remarkable role in a gym’s market strategy. Millennials tend to trust the health and fitness news shared by their peers on social media. A mobile app can ensure that your gym is what they are sharing.
- Target Audience:
Whether your gym caters to the hardcore CrossFit boosters or to the doughnut and cake crowd who wants some minimal exercises a couple of times a week just to balance things out, a mobile app can make sure that your product reaches to the people you want to buy it.
- Influencer Marketing:
A crucial element to keep in mind is that the advertisements are the key that paved the way to promote your gym when it comes to the tech savvy millennial gym-users.
They are looking for factual information that they can trust. The only approach to achieve this is by effectively branding their Gyms.
A research study determined that Influencer Amplified Blog Posts were eleven times more beneficial than banner ads.
- Membership Perks:
The most substantial revenue stream for gyms is from loyal members and membership plans. A Mobile app can add value to a user’s membership plans by providing them with exclusive perks like to acquaint with class schedules in advance, upcoming events, and programs etc.
- Streaming Workout Videos:
Technology has made it possible to operate businesses beyond thinking. Gyms are no different. Workout exercises can be streamed, either live or recorded, for the users who can’t make it to the location.
Trainers can also post videos about exercises and nutrition tips or can run one on one sessions through the app to fetch more customers.
- Fitness & Workout Tracking and Wearables:
Technology and fitness are always gone hand in hand, which sets the new trend of wearable technology that tracks physical activities, footsteps and also the heartbeats.
The opening quarter of 2015 alone saw the sale of 11 million Fitbits. Apps that support these devices, such as syncing and tracking progress, can go a prolonged way to attract and obtain new members.
- Workout and Gym Experience Personalization:
Users want personalized experiences instead of being part of a one size fits all, assembly-line approach. Mobile Apps allow gyms to let users personalize their workout experiences by assisting them in virtual training, real-time exercise planning or even pocket workout buddy apps.
Mobile App Solutions for the 21st Century Gyms
- Stay Where the Gym Users Are:
Millennials will be your prime gym members, and they are tech-savvy and continuously on the move. There is an immeasurable chance that some of that technology will be wearable.
They have blurred the lines between job and freedom, and it all fuses into their “near me” lifestyle where they search for tasks and services close to their location, i.e. “restaurants near me” or “gyms near me.”
Near me, searches are increasing at a rate of 146% per year, and a significant part of what gets businesses “near me” rise is mobile apps.
People usually do these types of searches when they have already committed to make a purchase. If you don’t appear in their search results, they will not choose you. A mobile app will enable you to be part of the mix.
- Apps and Community Engagement:
Millennials care a lot about the community they live in and want the businesses they are involved in to be ethical and culturally aware.
Mobile apps can build that connection. They can be an essential part of runs, marathon walks, Tough Mudder Competitions etc. where their participation profits a community-oriented charity or organization, and an app can facilitate this.
- Apps and Videos Go Hand in Hand:
Visual Presentations like videos leave a significant impression on a user’s mind. Continuous streaming of workout videos, motivational videos, and educational offerings ensure the increased engagement of users with the gym.
- Membership:
Mobile apps can offer gym members exclusive perks of their membership plans such as instructional videos, practical guides, and workout reminders via push notification.
This also benefits with member retention rates by keeping them engaged outside of the gym walls too. An app could also make membership renewals much convenient for users. One tap and they’re a member for another year too.
Gyms and Mobile Apps: Success Stories
Wellfit Personal Training –
WellFit Personal Training is a Newcastle Personal Training studio designed to deliver supreme results to its clients, offer both 1-on-1 and small group fitness services.
Clients can attend sessions directly through the smartphone with an easy to use online booking system. Besides, you can stay up to date with all of Wellfit’s community events and connect with all of their social media platforms.
The Mobile Industry Benefiting Small Businesses –
Gyms and fitness-oriented businesses drive by their members, and a burgeoning number of those new members are Millennials. Because Millennials are tech-oriented, gyms will have to embrace the same technology to be successful.
Mobile apps meet gym users where they are and unite them with wearable technology to enhance the member’s experience, which in turn boosts the gym business. The services gyms now offer must extend beyond the four walls of the gyms itself, or in other words, members expect to be able to workout at the gym even when they aren’t there. A mobile app gives them what they want – a complete package that encourages them, informs them, and adds real-life value.
Conclusion
Fitness apps become popular with increasing health awareness. There are many unexplored opportunities that you can plan and execute. With proper market research, the inclusion of vital features, followed by appropriate marketing, you can develop the next market-dominating app.
Above all, we understand that the development of a Fitness app is more natural than done. To create an app that is popular in app stores, you would require the right fitness app development company.
Idea Usher has top app developers with years of experience. We have prior expertise in developing iOS and Android apps for fitness like Brewfit. Get in touch with our team of experts for the smooth development of your app. Contact us with your idea at [email protected].