When you think of “connected fitness,” you may see images of smart watches and pelotons, optimization, and leaderboards. That aspect of fitness isn’t going anywhere. But the role that connectedness will play in the fitness world in the near future is going to be a little different. Namely, we are connecting more deeply with ourselves, our body’s needs and fluctuations, and our community.
That’s what’s up for discussion in this week’s installment of the Well+Good podcast, where our fitness reporters and editors (including yours truly) give the scoop on what 2023 holds for movement and exercise.
Fitness has undergone massive changes during the pandemic, including going to workouts at home, closing gyms and studios, and shifting to more sedentary lifestyles. After dozens of conversations with trainers, business owners, fitness enthusiasts, fitness technology industry leaders and analysts, and more, we think 2023 is going to be a turning point. We’re reaching back to the pre-pandemic years for things we missed and looking forward to the future for more movement styles and tools that better serve our bodies.
The main way this manifests is in our exercise habits and technology. Industry data shows that people are turning to personal fitness and finding that community is a big motivator to work out at a gym or studio. As Barry’s CEO, Joey Gonzalez, told me when we spoke on the phone recently, “We’re back, baby!”
So the state of the personal fitness industry is where our discussion begins. Next, we talk about how We’re practicing, and the “buzz word”—and very important concept—can’t be ignored in 2023: mobility. Working from home has left many of us craving some lubrication for our creaky joints and rickety spines, and it’s led to an explosion in mobility-focused workouts. Finally, the way we’re tracking our fitness and health is evolving from simply counting our steps and following our heart rate on our smartwatches to learning more about other factors like sleep and metabolism collected on trackers worn on other parts of the body.
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The concept drives it all: connection. Whether it’s for the people we’re doing yoga next to in the studio or the demands and fluctuations of our own physicality, we’ll strengthen the bonds that create stronger bodies and communities in 2023.
To learn more about what the future of fitness looks like, you can listen to the full podcast below.
