Longevity is now what gyms are all about these days.
“Longevity means paying attention to sleep, looking after yourself, eating well and exercising properly,” says former German cyclist and Paralympic medallist Denise Schindler. “It’s about daily and regular exercise.”
But at the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself, she says. If you eat a schnitzel once in a while, it’s not the end of the world.
Gyms seek to play a central role in helping people live longer. After all, in many ageing societies, the demand from older people for health advice and suitable exercises is growing.
In Germany, for example, the Employers’ Association for Fitness and Health Centres (DSSV) promotes gyms as key to mitigating health problems in society, thus reducing health-care costs.
Exercise helps prevent conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. That enables older people to live independently for longer, rather than having to move into a care home prematurely, DSSV says.
It’s calling on lawmakers to promote physical activity and preventive measures, by providing tax breaks for companies that pay for their employees’ training.
Trends in training
In general, gyms are changing as our priorities shift. “Cardio is out,” says a gym operator in one of Germany’s busy gyms, who did not want to share his name. He was referring to treadmills, rowing machines, steppers and spinning bikes.
Other gym operators agree, saying you can see this in the way gyms are laid out differently these days.
Studio space reflects these new trends, having “clearly shifted towards strength training, functional training and open-plan areas” in recent years, says RSG, the parent company of McFit and John Reed gym chains.
Functional training means exercises that do not involve fixed equipment but in open-plan areas such as squats, lunges or exercises with a medicine ball.
More strength, less endurance
The proportion of gym space dedicated solely to cardiovascular exercise has decreased, says RSG. FitX has expanded its open-plan areas and Fitness First reports “slightly fewer traditional cardio machines” as demand grows for strength training and functional training.
Hyrox training, which alternates between running and workouts, is also in focus and many gyms host contests for this, with Hyrox fans at Fibo competing to see who can work up the most sweat.
Gyms booming
In general, gyms are booming. But millions of people still do too little for their fitness, and the market potential is huge, says DSSV head Thomas Wessinghage.
German gyms are packed. Memberships hitting a record high. But aggregators too are booming. These are multi-provider platforms that give users access to gyms, swimming pools, Pilates studios and other sports facilities. They don’t have their own studios, but make facilities available.
One helpful feature of aggregators is they are not tied to individual studios, but access a wide range of different operators. If you travel a lot, this can be helpful. It’s also a benefit if you seek flexibility to try different sports.
A further market trend is separate sections as some women prefer not train in a mixed environment. While some gyms offer special gyms just for women, others reserve a section of their premises for women.
IT helping out
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms many of our working lives and daily routines, it is also changing the fitness industry too. Digitalization coupled with effective data analysis, is ever more important.
Gym outlets are using AI to create training plans and slash the burden of administrative tasks, says Johannes Massen from Fitness First. FitX and the RSG Group, the parent company of John Reed and McFit outlets agreed.
“In future, we aim to further expand this data-driven approach, without ever replacing the essential personal support provided by our instructors,” says Kieser boss Michael Antonopoulos. “At Kieser, AI is the trainer’s assistant, never a replacement.”
But staff needs are changing at gyms. After all, some clients like to be greeted by trainers offering help and advice while others opt to manage their workouts on their own.
They may prefer a smart gym, run without permanent staff. You go in using your smartphone and CCTV monitors are running inside. In Europe, the Fitomat chain runs 228 staff-free gyms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It’s expanding fast, adding 91 in 2025 and a further 106 set to follow in 2026.
Depending on where you live, you may find smart gyms in small towns, which otherwise might not have a gym. Budget fitness and a permanent staff presence are no longer economically viable, says Fitomat boss Björn Schultheiss.
“Anyone who wants to offer attractive prices and a presence in every corner of the country must consistently rely on technology rather than expensive on-https://gymforcestore.com/ facilities,” Schultheiss says.
Many people are training for longevity rather than doing cardio workouts. Christian Charisius/dpa
