After more than 2 years of attending online events and watching Zoom recordings, we almost forgot how fantastic physical events were. The Fit Summit was back in Singapore this June with the 2022 World Health, Fitness and Wellness Festival. 3 days to discover new products and technologies, try out the latest food trends, learn from industry experts and discuss and share ideas with peers.
If we thoroughly enjoyed the event, seeing new faces and meeting up with old friends, we were also amazed by the new ideas emerging this year – the fitness industry is changing, and for the better.
Let’s take a look at 8 trends that will shape the fitness & wellness world in 2022-2023.
What are the new Fitness trends?
1. Data everywhere
For a few years already, wearable tracking devices have been a must-have when it comes to personal fitness, both for regular gym-goers and athletes. Fitbit, Garmin, Polar are all in the game to provide the user with as much data as possible in an easy-to-understand way, to help them optimize their training and share their results online.
Technology also takes it further in gyms and offers more precise ways to track your progress.
InBody, one of the most famous body composition analyzer brands, keep perfecting their impedance meters, to provide evermore comprehensive analysis in reports that are easy to understand by anyone looking to know more about their own body.
Other companies, like Visbody are going a step further, offering full 3D body scans – the perfect way to find out about imbalances and correct them at the gym. Users can then track their progress very closely – it is not always easy to spot the difference in the mirror, and precise reports come in handy.
2. Hyper-personalisation is key
For too long, Fitness and Nutrition were considered with a one-size-fits-all model. However, we now have the data needed to understand that not every individual needs to train or fuel the same way.
The optimum regime depends on a dozen factors, including body composition, age, gender, lifestyle and personal choices. The trainers can no longer apply methods that worked “for them”; they must focus on what works for each of their clients.
Some new technologies, including Shae.ai’s, are aiming to help their users better understand their specific needs, based on a series of questions & simple body analysis, to provide them with tailored recommendations, based on trusted medical studies. It’s all about what works for you, not for others.
3. Enjoyment should be at the centre of anyone’s training
“No pain, no gain” is a concept of the past – it is time to focus again on having fun and (actually) enjoying the workouts. Most of us don’t enjoy very intense workouts – and that’s ok!
A specific type of workout can be the best physiologically to get results, but if we are not enjoying it, we are much less likely to stick to it and get the promised results. Everyone should be looking for a physical activity they enjoy to work towards their goals without it being a chore.
We see a comeback of smaller group classes, Pilates and other “softer” disciplines, helped by new equipment ranges.
4. Post-pandemic changes are here to stay
Gyms had to adapt drastically during and after the covid epidemic to survive. To be successful, both big groups and boutique gyms have to focus on what the client wants – but also who the new client is.
Younger or much older, and generally less experienced, a new audience is now stepping into the gym and needs to be guided and educated.
The Gym Pod understood it perfectly – besides affordable and private spaces to workout, attracting youngsters and beginners, they also provide virtual guidance during the session. Customers can access pre-defined workouts directly on the connected mirror placed in each pod, and check out the correct form for weightlifting exercises if and as needed.
5. Technology is making home workouts actually efficient
During the successive lockdowns, we all tried to work out at home – and for some of us, it has been quite challenging, because of the lack of guidance.
Elitefit.ai provides a technology that tracks home workout enthusiasts’ form and makes sure they train with the perfect form. They are partnering with content creators and corporations to provide employees with home workouts, while tracking their posture using their laptop, tablet or phone’s camera to ensure each move is done correctly—a game-changer.
What about nutrition Trends?
6. Healthy food can’t be boring anymore – it’s all about natural ingredients and flavours
Say goodbye to bland “diet” foods – eating healthy should be a synonym for delicious and nutritious food instead.
The creations from the Clean Addicts achieve precisely that – a mix of intriguing new textures, great flavours and natural ingredients. In our opinion, their most incredible recipe is, to us at least, the Chocolate mochi muffins – available in 3 flavours (peanut butter, black sesame and double chocolate), and low in sugar and calories, they make a fantastic snack or dessert.
Another of their best sellers? A healthy version of the traditional mooncake – the green tea flavoured one is to die for.
Scoopz also presented a range of healthier ice cream – no added sugar, no dairy, only natural ingredients. You can expect a creamy texture and tons of flavours, without the usual sweet taste. There are a dozen of flavours to choose from, but our favourite would be Durian, green tea and banana walnut.
7. Towards a more sustainable diet: plant-based food deserves its spot under the spotlight
5 years ago, vegans and vegetarians were arguably part of a minority. Things have radically changed, and a lot of people are willing now to take a step toward a plant-based diet – even if it only means switching to meat alternatives a few times a week.
It is possible though to go further, as we see more and more plant-based products emerging. More affordable (and less fancy) than meat alternatives or lab-grown meat – yet absolutely delicious when done right.
And as the founder of Faba Food rightly said, a lot more people would be vegan if vegan food tasted better. That’s how they developed a range of frozen meals, packed and delivered in a more sustainable way than most other actors in the market. The company has created a series of tasty recipes, and lets customers order packs of 6 meals, that are delivered frozen and are perfect to simply reheat and enjoy after a long day at work. 
The Whole Kitchen also presented a few samples from their Vegan collection: an abundance of bread, biscuits, brownies and granola that are every bit as good as their non-vegan counterparts.
8. Healthy food, the convenient way
Like Faba Food, many food companies have listened to their customers – most people are keen on eating healthy, or healthier at least, as long as it doesn’t take hours in the kitchen and tastes good.
Ketomei, for example, specialises in weight loss and offers meals inspired by traditional Singaporean recipes and following the principle of the keto diet (high fat, moderate protein, no carb). It is an easy way to stay on track and shred a few kgs, without thinking twice about what you eat.
The same group is also behind FitFresh, which focuses more on healthy eating and muscle gain – and all you have to do is to choose, based on your goals, taste and macros.
Once more, Singapore proved that it is the best place to discover new trends, and a market with a growing appetite for all things fitness and health. We can’t wait to see what will come next!