iFit Interactive Fitness Crosses 4.5 Million Member Mark As ACSM Names Online Training The Top Fitness Trend For 2021

January 26, 2021

iFit interactive, virtual personal training leads connected fitness innovation into 2021 as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) names online training the number one fitness trend for the year ahead

(Logan, UT) – January 26, 2021 – Online training is the new number one trend in fitness for 2021, according to more than 4,000 health and fitness professionals surveyed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Online training jumped to the top spot in 2021, climbing from number 26 in ACSM’s 2020 survey.

A global leader in interactive, connected fitness, iFit continues its unprecedented growth in 2021, delivering best-in-class online and virtual training through connected fitness equipment from Nordictrack, ProForm, and Freemotion, as well as the award-winning iFit app.

“As we deal with the lasting effects of the pandemic, new systems like online and virtual training are critical to ensure the continued physical and mental well-being of people around the world,” said ACSM Past President Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM-CEP, lead author of the survey. “Given the big changes in 2020, this year’s survey of fitness trends will have the most impact it has ever had on the industry.”

The results of ACSM’s 15th annual fitness trend forecast, used by the global health and fitness industry to make critical programming and business decisions that ultimately affect consumers, are published in the January/February issue of ACSM’sHealth & Fitness Journal.

The survey defines online training as group, individual, or instructional exercise programs delivered via digital streaming technology. Developed for the at-home exercise experience, this includes both live and pre-recorded content, allowing users 24/7 access to content.

With 161 world-class iFit Trainers delivering both live-and on-demand virtual training workouts across dozens of training genres, iFit’s interactive, connected fitness experiences—available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, German, Italian, French, and Mandarin Chinese, with more languages planned for 2021— have attracted approximately 4.5 million members across 115 countries.

Moreover, according to point-of-sale retail data from market research firm NPD Group, sales of cardio machines, such as iFit-powered connected devices from leading brands like NordicTrack, ProForm, and Freemotion, grew more 103% in 2020 vs. 2019.

“Consumers have been shifting their workouts to online and virtual experiences for some time, and the pandemic accelerated that trend. More and more people are realizing they can maximize both their time and fitness results,” said Mark Watterson, President of iFit. “Moreover, connected and interactive fitness experiences offered by iFit double as immersive, on-demand getaways. iFit streaming workings let you virtually run the Boston Marathon route we shot during the 2019 race, cycle scenic routes in Europe or row waterways from the Thames to the Zambezi river.  iFit’s interactive technology automatically adjusts the resistance, incline, and speed of your fitness equipment to match the route in the iFit streaming workout, to create an immersive experience like no other.”

Watterson noted that during the last year, more than half of iFit’s usage is from newcomers to home fitness.

“For some time, I’ve been saying that the family participant is where there is tremendous revenue opportunity, and we are seeing this come to fruition today more than ever,” said Matt Powel, NPD’s Senior Industry Advisor, Sports. “It is imperative for the sports industry to embrace the entry-level participant.”

About iFit

iFit is the patented connected fitness platform that powers NordicTrack, ProForm and Freemotion equipment. ICON, the creator and owner of iFit, pioneered interactive fitness and was issued its first of many patents for its training technology in the early 2000s. Founded with the belief that the majority of consumers would benefit from an interactive, personal training experience at home, iFit’s trainer-led, streaming workouts are now trusted by millions of consumers around the world.

iFit offers workout options for every fitness level and interest—from bodyweight training, boxing, HIIT, yoga, Pilates and more—to connected fitness workouts on NordicTrack, ProForm and Freemotion home equipment. Patented interactive technology allows iFit Trainers to create workouts for iFit members that automatically adjust the member’s incline, decline, speed and resistance in sync with iFit’s streaming workouts. iFit interactive content is available on NordicTrack, ProForm and Freemotion treadmills, stationary bikes, rowers, ellipticals, strength machines and the iFit app.

ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. is a global health and fitness leader and owner of iFit, NordicTrack, ProForm, Freemotion and other fitness brands. Based in Logan, Utah, the 43-year old company has a multi-decade heritage of innovation and quality. ICON currently holds more than 330 patents, with more than 80 pending, and its products are sold in 116 countries. iFit workouts are streamed in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, German, Italian, French, and Mandarin Chinese, with more languages planned for 2021.

Join the discussion @iFit, @NordicTrack and @ProForm

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