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European fitness clubs lose about ten million members in 2020

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – The Corona pandemic caused a significant drop in membership at clubs across Europe. But: the majority of studios are still in business. 

The “European Health & Fitness Market Report 2021” shows that there are bright spots for the fitness industry, which was hit hard by COVID. The figures presented by FIBO Ambassador Herman Rutgers and Karsten Hollasch (Deloitte) at FIBO Headquarters on 23 June give reason for hope. The complete “European Health & Fitness Market Report” will once again be published at the EHFF on the day before the trade show.

 

Lockdown causes historic slump 

In some cases, multiple lockdowns imposed by governments in several countries caused clubs to lose 40 to 50 per cent of their operating days. The result – not surprisingly – is a decline in growth, the first in the fitness industry in decades. 

 

FIBO to take place in April 2022

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – FIBO, originally planned for 4 to 7 November 2021, will be suspended due to the ongoing pandemic and the global uncertainities that exist.  The show will return in 2022, on a rotational basis and take place in Cologne from 7 to 10 April.

Exhibitors and visitors from all over the world make FIBO the leading trade show and driver for the entire fitness industry. At present, however, many companies in the global fitness industry continue to suffer and are affected by the ongoing travel restrictions.

FIBO 2022: world’s No. 1 trade show with new themes

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – Full steam ahead to 2022: From 7 to 10 April the fitness sector will meet again in the exhibition halls of Cologne trade fair. The focus will be on technologies and products for healthy living and business. 

 

This is what FIBO will look like in April

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – After the Covid-induced break FIBO 2022 is in the starting blocks again and will send out a strong message for the fitness industry. Exhibitors will be presented in six halls from 7 to 10 April.

2022 will finally see FIBO get back to “Real Life”! From 7 to 10 April the Cologne exhibition halls will be buzzing with trends and inspirations for the business revolving around fitness and health and a genuine sense of joy about meeting up again. Exhibitors will present new products in six halls, supplemented by numerous special areas and the new FIBO Congress.

FIBO Focal Theme "Health": Training as Prevention and Rehabilitation

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – For healthcare facilities FIBO has been a must-go event for a long time now. Under the heading “for a strong and healthy society” this year’s trade show will focus on healthy living and business.

Fitness has long been become an integral part of healthcare. Be this in physiotherapy, in the rehab departments of clinics or health centres. But the potential held by combining fitness with health has also been realised in the segments of wellness and hospitality. This is why FIBO is one of the most relevant sectoral meeting points for physiotherapists, sports physicians, corporate health managers, rehab coaches, gym and spa operators as well as hoteliers. “Fitness is a key to a healthy lifestyle,” says Event Director Silke Frank and forecasts: “The spending on fitness and health is set to rise.”

High-calibre expert programme at the health hotspots

Exercise is Medicine Days: FIBO advocates against lack of exercise

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – Making a clear statement against the lack of exercise in society: this is the aim FIBO pursues as a member of the ‘Exercise is Medicine’ initiative. Together with EuropeActive the world’s leading trade show will organise the ‘Exercise is Medicine Days’ on Friday and Saturday as part of the Fitness & Health Forum in Hall 8. 

Physical activity is to be moved into the focus of physicians, politics and society at large, now more than ever before. Exercise still plays too minor a role at doctors’ surgeries. For about a year now FIBO has been a trustworthy partner of the ‘Exercise is Medicine’ initiative. As a key interface between fitness and health this the world’s leading trade show now advocates that sport and fitness be used as essential instruments to promote health, prevent illness and support the healing process.  

More than a hype: mega trend digitalisation at FIBO

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – After a two-year pandemic-induced break FIBO 2022 will be all about future trends. Alongside a focus on health, digitalisation also receives the industry’s attention. FIBO will also present a digital fitness world.

An important mega trend, which was driven by the pandemic, is taking hold at FIBO: digitalisation in the fitness sector.  Meaning that in Halls 6 and 7 there will not only be a wide range of training equipment to marvel at. At the Future Forum of Hall 7, organised by FIBO in cooperation with EuropeActive, FitTech Company GmbH and the ECC KÖLN, there will also be innovation-driving speakers discussing tomorrow’s tech-heavy fitness world as well as the latest trends in retail and e-Commerce.

High-calibre speakers at Europe Active

Global Tech Knowledge: FitTech and FIBO extend partnership

SHERIDAN, WYOMING – April 3, 2022 – Together with the FitTech Company, FIBO 2021 is taking the offerings around new technologies, future concepts and trends to a new level. The focus of the "FitTech Summit: FIBO Edition" will include technologies that can help studio operators in the post-Corona era. This includes, for example, the technical setup of hybrid studios. Trainers will learn how they can benefit from assisting AI coaches and gamification. We will also discuss how technology can take the pressure off our future healthcare systems. The speaker program also pays attention to the global fitness market and the impact of big tech companies like Apple and Amazon entering the market.

At FIBO in November, Europe's leading conference for fitness technology and the leading international trade show for fitness, wellness and health come together. For this, they are further expanding their partnership and creating decisive added value with future topics.