An important trend that's going to have impact on the personal training industry is the growth of larger at-home gyms.
In the past, millions of Americans owned one or maybe two pieces of fitness equipment at home. Whether it was a stationary bike, rowing machine or one of the informercial products.
Recently, the trend towards a creating or building a dedicated "fitness" area of the home (an in-home gym) is gaining popularity. Skimming through this article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today called "More People Brining The Gym Home", we picked up on a great quotes from a spokesment for the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association. From the article:
"Mike May, a spokesman for the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association, said the trend is advancing on two fronts: homeowners converting a room where they already live and builders including a fitness room in new homes."
One of the impacts this is going to have on personal trainers is that for some clients, there is going to be less of a need for on-location services and personal training studios. A larger number of clients are going to have he majority of necessary equipment at their own or are going to be willing to purchase it. As a result, there is going to be a growing need for personal trainers who provide at-home consultations and follow-ups to ensure that their clients are continuing to use the equipment properly whereas at a gym, there is more supervision in the event that bad habits develop.
At least it's good to know that as people build larger homes, with larger kitchens and in-home movie theathers they're also thinking about their health.
