Also this year meets at the FIBO the nonplusultra of the entire fitness industry will again meet to present the latest innovations and trends. Around 1,000 exhibitors and 150,000 visitors are expected at the world's largest trade show for fitness, wellness and health, which will be held in Cologne from April 6 to 9. In 2017, those responsible for FIBO have once again tailored the range of products and services to the latest developments in the industry, offering all visitors the most innovative trends currently on the market. But what is currently hot? And what is new at FIBO this year?
Well connected: SMART TRAINING
One of the most modern trends is the topic of "Smart Training": virtual coaching systems and Connected Training Systems (CTS) offer networked training areas in your studio, fitness trackers, wearables - by the way fitness trend number 1 - and apps are more popular than ever with young people. Many of the leading equipment manufacturers such as Life Fitness, Matrix, Precor, gym80 or milon will be showing smart applications at the show that can help your gym attract and retain customers.
Training in groups: GROUP FITNESS
Group Fitness is also at the forefront of fitness trends in 2017 and will be a topic at FIBO. In the newly designed "Group Fitness World" in Hall 4.1, decision-makers or owners of fitness studios can find out about new course concepts that could be profitable for their studio. With the new hall, new exhibitors and new themes, the trade show is realigning the Group Fitness sector. There will not only be stages and demonstrations to see, but also a separate business area where exhibitors and trade visitors can meet and talk to each other in a secluded atmosphere.
At the "Innovation & Trend Show", which is being held for the first time this year, there will be further trends in group training to discover. Studio operators and trainers will get a 60-minute overview of new concepts, which will be presented in live demonstrations directly by the suppliers. A pool stage will also be set up for the first time: There you can discover new aqua fitness workouts such as "Aqua Cardio Fitness Circuit," "Aqua Zumba" and "Aqua Jump & Step" to experience!
Strong Women: SELF DEFENSE
This is where fists fly! Self Defense will also be a topic at FIBO - specifically geared towards self-defense for girls and women. For example, the World Kickboxing and Karate Union (WKU) will be offering a beginners' seminar in self-defense, and will also be presenting its new campaign "We make girls strong". The patrons of the event are the former WKU World Champion in Kickboxing Dr. Christine Theiss, former world boxing champion Regina Halmich and reigning kickboxing world champion Marie Lang.
Nutritional supplements with taste: NUTRITION TRENDS
The latest nutrition trends will also be the subject of discussion at FIBO, because food supplements - including isotonic sports drinks, protein shakes and energy bars - and individual nutrition concepts are on the rise. Currently trendy are training-supporting supplements and figure boosters that taste like nut nougat creams or apple strudel. Pasta as a protein variant for a low-carb diet and a baking mix for protein pizza will also be available at FIBO. Vegan supplements are also on the rise: Here, animal protein is simply replaced by vegetable protein from soy, rice, peas or hemp.
The first "FIBO NUTRITION RETAILER Workshop" will also be held on the two trade visitor days, where trainers, studio operators, counter staff, sports retailers and retailers can find out more about nutritional supplements. Is the ideal intake before, during or after training? Which products are best suited for Strength building? Questions like these will be answered in exciting presentations, after which all participants will have the opportunity to hold discussions with the speakers.
Customer loyalty: 4TH EUROPEAN HEALTH & FITNESS FORUM
The trade show will kick off with the "4th European Health & Fitness Forum" (EHFF) on April 5, jointly organized by FIBO and the European trade association Europe Active. One day before the start of the trade show, this event will focus on the topic of "Customer Engagement", which is so important for fitness studios - how can members, once acquired, be retained in the long term?
Health first: FIBO MED
A large area will be taken up by FIBO MED, which will cover two halls for the first time this year. Here there will be the latest specialist information for physiotherapists, medical professionals, operators of rehabilitation facilities and personal trainers. The leading manufacturers from the field of medical training equipment including SVG Medical Systems, SCHNELL training equipment and Dr. WOLFF, will present their new and innovative equipment for therapy and physiotherapy. You can also look forward to presentations by international speakers from the fields of sports medicine, sports science, physiotherapy and corporate health management!
Relax: WELLNESS TRENDS
Also the Wellness-professionals will not be neglected at FIBO: In Hall 8, for example, you will see the latest innovations for Sauna steam bath and solariums as well as equipment for relaxation and recreation. The furnishing of entrance areas, changing rooms and counters as well as the appropriate software for wellness facilities will also be addressed.
The top trend in this area remains medical wellness, because customers today want not only cosmetic benefits, but also health benefits. Therefore, the early prevention of tension, inner restlessness or burnout, i.e. stress-related ailments, plays an important role.
Getting into the conversation: MATCHMAKING
For the first time, FIBO Matchmaking will take place in 2017: Via online platform, this will bring exhibitors and trade visitors together even before the start of the trade show and everyone will find the right business partner in no time at all. After registering free of charge on the platform, exhibitors and trade visitors can create a profile and look through the profiles of other users for interesting contacts. These can then be requested directly, whereupon an appointment is made if both parties are interested.
Training with electricity: EMS
Also EMS training is still one of the determining trend topics and has its own hall again this year, where numerous exhibitors present their offers in the area of training with electrical impulses. As was the case last year, the EMS and PT Symposium will also take place in 2017 with exciting presentations on all aspects of EMS. More information about electromuscular stimulation is available at EMS-TRAINING.com, the largest information and search portal for this form of training!
Furthermore there will be - as already reported by us - the Functional Training Forum as well as the FIBO EUROPEAN CONVENTION including CONVENTION CAMP will take place! With so many trends and innovations, FIBO promises to be exciting!
Visit fitnessmarkt.de at FIBO - booth 7/D48!
Editors fitnessmarkt.de (SIS)
Picture sources: fibo.com
Published on: 16 March 2017