Fitness Business Industry Trends 2020 [Expert Best Practices] | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Fitness Business Industry Trends 2020 [Expert Best Practices]

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 31, 2020

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  • Fitness experts dish on how they plan to get back to activity post the 2020 pandemic
  • Plus, find out what their top three body-sculpting exercises are for summertime
  • Finally, the experts talk post-workout meals

The first quarter of the year 2020 started out with an uncharacteristically warm January coinciding with thousands of new jobs created in the United States. However, as we approach the end of the first quarter of 2020, unemployment numbers have surged due to the global Coronavirus Pandemic.

Many workers have been forced to work from home, have had their hours cut, or have been laid off altogether. Many gyms and health and fitness clubs have closed their physical spaces to help curb the spread of the COVID-19. Trainers, members, and potential gym-goers alike have had to respond quickly to find alternative ways to deliver and perform workouts at home through online training, if, for nothing else, to prevent cabin fever.

While we are currently experiencing a period of uncertainty, we are hopeful that this season of uncertainty will pass. We will once again resume our normal lives, which for many of us involves tending to our physical and mental fitness.

So how should we prepare? COVID-19 and Gyms have been on a crash course but soon we should see the light at the end of the tunnel.

In looking forward to our return to normalcy, we reached out to some of our Fitness Experts at Exercise.com to find out how they plan to restore their normal activity for the remainder of 2020.

Use our All-In-One Fitness Business Management software to reach clients all over the world for online training and more. Request a demo now.

What’s New for You and Your Business in 2020?

I work in education, so I continue to try to integrate technology and learning strategies in my courses when possible.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & NUTRITION EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

A mainstream version of The Fat Loss Troubleshoot is hitting shelves. I’m so excited, I’m not sure what to do with myself, to be honest.

Leigh Peele

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

I am expanding my knowledge of fitness and continuing to help individuals stay healthy.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

I have been spending more time at Mark Fisher Fitness. I traveled a lot and worked from home a lot in 2019. And I miss my baby!! I'm still traveling a fair amount but making it a point to go to MFF to be present when I'm in town.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

We’re in the process of rebranding. Many people have asked me why and there are two fundamental reasons: to simplify our messaging and because it’s fun.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

This year we are focusing on generating more dietetics business and we have launched our nonprofit cancer rehab center. Currently, we have five survivors enrolled in our rehab program and have a lofty goal of 20 by the end of the year.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

What Are Your Personal Fitness and Business Goals for 2020?

At this point in my life, fitness is always about consistency. And means it’s always about making it practical and enjoyable. MFF launched an online version of our Snatched in Six Weeks training program (though the online one is actually twelve weeks long). I’m currently doing that and enjoying it! For MFF, we’re focusing on even more consistency, training, and accountability on all of our customer service standards. So, we’re doing lots of training, roleplays, quizzes, and audits to make sure always rise to the high bar we’ve set.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

My personal fitness goals are, in the spring, [to do] a half marathon and half-ironman. Following those, in the summer, I’ll shift more into CrossFit and do a competition with another specialist in our practice.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

I would really like to get my 5k time under 30 minutes. That might sound easy for some people, but I'm usually just over 30 minutes so that's a big goal for me. For teaching, my goal is to continue to use feedback and improve my teaching strategies and practices.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today

Grow and manage your fitness business better with Exercise.com

What’s the Best Excuse You’ve Ever Heard for Someone Who Gives up on Their New Year’s Resolutions?

“I don’t believe in resolutions.” It’s a great excuse because it requires zero accountability or action.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

It’s an interesting question because I think people have a pretty unhealthy relationship with New Year’s resolutions. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with creating goals; in fact, I encourage it with all clients. But I often find resolutions are more of an impulsive reaction to unhappiness versus calculated planning. I think many will often find impulsive decisions are not made with the best-laid plans. So, excuses? Well, I think that’s a generally unhealthy thing [on which] to judge another person, but I think we should look at what we say to ourselves and others, and why.

Leigh Peele

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

The best I’ve heard is: “I thought resolutions were only for 30 days.”

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

Summertime Is Around the Corner and That Means Beach Body Preparations. What Are Your Top Three Body-Sculpting Exercises?

Squats, push-ups, and pull-ups.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

Squats, deadlifts, and push-ups. Those are not fancy exercises by any means, but they are tried-and-true options that emphasize multiple muscle groups.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

Eating properly, eating properly, and eating properly. 🙂

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

Squats, deadlifts, assisted pull-ups.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

Fewer calories, more protein, spider curls.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

1. Energy balance: Seriously, nothing helps shape a body like understanding your own energy balance. 2. Box Back Squats: Alter stance, level, lean, and focus to get different results. 3. Rows: People miss the importance of them to their overall balance and look.

Leigh Peele

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today

Grow and manage your fitness business better with Exercise.com

What Traits Do You Desire in Any New Hires?

Hard to pick any favorites among our ten values, but the ones that jump to mind right now are dependability, kindness, humility, and passion for growth.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

Outgoing personality, positive attitude, works well with others.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

Motivation and a desire to learn. You can tell when someone is “hungry” and that’s a great trait when starting a new job.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

Evidence of a trend toward lifelong learning, a deep need to help people, and a belief in the power of achievement as part of a dedicated team.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

Self-efficacy, self-initiative. We are not interested in employees who need a lot of hand-holding. We look for employees to see a problem and deliver a possible solution, not just informing us of the problem.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

What’s Your Favorite Post-Workout Meal?

Post-workout, right now, I like cold food. I’m hot, you know? So, give me a good protein smoothie shake. Usually, I’ll do berries, protein, milk, and sometimes greens. I’ll blend it and drink it and then hop in the shower. Sometimes I’ll drink it in the shower itself depending on the day.

Leigh Peele

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

Evolve Chocolate Protein Shake.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

Pho, ramen, pasta, you name it.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

I’m a creature of habit, and I almost always work out mid-morning. I have Greek yogurt, berries, and some granola before I train. Then, I have my “breakfast” around noon: eggs, veggies, yogurt, an apple, and a piece of Ezekiel bread.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

Cheese and crackers.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

I'm still going with 1% chocolate milk. It's a tasty treat and has the protein and carbohydrates to replenish after a high-intensity workout or long run.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today

Grow and manage your fitness business better with Exercise.com

What Music Are You Currently Listening to During Your Workout Sessions?

90s Alternative.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

I’m a big fan of the 90s and 2000s Hip Hop during my workouts. That’s the music I listened to in college and it keeps me energized and motivated.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

Normally, this has a different answer. I’m moving towards more endurance work. I’ve always been a “quick session” person. Lift heavy, lift fast, and done. But as I’m getting older, the body is having different opinions on that. So, I’m embracing more steady and endurance training, which means switching up the tunes from the normal aggressive/high energy kick. Right now, I’m collecting a lot of ambient and drifting melodic instruments. Brit Pop, Darkwave, Dream Pop styles.

Leigh Peele

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

I tend to listen to audiobooks when I train if I listen to anything. But lately, I’ve been finding I can’t retain much and haven’t been able to multitask with my lifting. Though, I do find listening to an audiobook marries wonderfully with my two to three sessions per week of incline treadmill walking.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

It’s been Psychedelic Rock & Roll for the past couple of weeks.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

90s Hip Hop and R&B

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

What’s Your Guilty Pleasure Dessert, Snack, or Treat?

Cocktails! Specifically, Manhattans, and Negronis.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

Champagne.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

I have to live life as if there are no guilty pleasures. That being said, I try to find room in my diet for wine and liquor tastings. I like a nice light buzz and the flavor of good alcohol. Because of that, I try to keep everything else as nutrient-heavy as possible.

Leigh Peele

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

Dolci di Maria chocolate cake.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

I run for cupcakes!

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today

Grow and manage your fitness business better with Exercise.com

Mind and Body Health Getaway: Beachfront Property or Cabin in the Woods?

I’m definitely a cabin in the woods guy. More peace for me than at the beach. Also, less sunburn, fewer jellyfish, and only a mildly increased Unabomber risk.

Geoff Girvitz

FOUNDER, BANG FITNESS

Beachfront! I grew up on the Jersey Shore, so while I love the solitude of being in the woods, the beach will always be my home.

Mark Fisher

NINJA MASTER & CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER, MARK FISHER FITNESS

Beachfront! I grew up on the Jersey Shore, so while I love the solitude of being in the woods, the beach will always be my home.

Melissa Morris

CERTIFIED PHYSIOLOGIST & EDUCATOR, UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA

Beachfront property.

Amanda Drury

ATHLETIC TRAINER & EDUCATOR

Beachfront property but it needs to be completely isolated. I crave solitude and enjoy being with my family on my downtime.

Jayme Lindbaugh

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & CO-FOUNDER, CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS & PERFORMANCE

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