Read our exclusive chat with Andrew Simmons, Founder of Vision Personal Training, which has 51 studios across Australia and New Zealand. This chat occurred as part of our ‘What’s in Store in 2016’ article, which appeared in the Summer 2015 edition of the WNiF Magazine.
How would you summarise your brand’s achievements in 2015?
Our clients achieved greater results than ever before. This was due to extensive developments to our operating systems and training processes. This also resulted in us developing a new wave of extremely competent owners. Revenues across the group were also up by more than eight per cent, year on year.
What key industry developments do you predict will take place in 2016?
I think we will continue to see the expansion of boutique high personal service health and fitness facilities, and see a consolidation of the ‘box’ gym models. Nutrition and coaching services will also continue to rise as consumers seek more holistic services.
What impact do you see personal fitness technology (e.g., wearables, training apps, etc) having on clubs and/or the industry this year?
I think they will continue to help people become more mindful of their daily habits. They will also continue to enhance social connectivity between members. Any advancements will only assist the industry in providing greater member engagement and experience.
Do you have any predictions or thoughts regarding developments in gym and/or cardio technology this year?
Greater interaction between fitness equipment and their apps will give gym members more feedback about workout performance. This will be particularly helpful for low service clubs.
What do you think may be the next big thing in group fitness, in 2016?
Technology will continue to provide users greater feedback. Groups that focus on specific training for fitness events will also rise, as will group fitness improving people’s daily movements. Of course, as we have seen in each of the previous 20 years, we will witness a new short lived fad that will claim solve everyone’s health issues.
What changes or developments, if any, do you think will occur in 2016 in the landscape of personal and/or outdoor training?
More tailored programs that focus on addressing people’s physical limitations via functional / improved movement based training will continue to rise. This is especially important for the ageing population.
Do you predict any significant changes in your or the industry’s membership base (e.g., who is doing what – male/female/baby boomers; changes in demographics/psychographics; uptake of PT services, etc)?
We will definitely see an increase in engagement by the baby boomer market. The degree to which this occur will be dependent upon the Industry’s ability to become less intimidating to that market.
Any other comments/predictions that you’d like to share with regards to 2016 and beyond?
I think there will be a much closer link between personal trainers and allied health professionals. This will occur as the qualification standards improve for health professionals. Whilst I think there is a huge market for fitness services, a far bigger opportunity lies in the health and wellness space, which is relatively untapped. I think this focus is important, not only to help millions of people, but also to allow industry professionals to make a shift away from the body building / elite personal fitness sector – so the focus of training becomes more about enhancing physical and mental functionality and performance, and less about aesthetics.