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AIMS Public Health

2023, Volume 10, Issue 4: 791-813. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2023053
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Research article

Health and fitness trends in Iran for 2024: A cross-sectional study

  • 1.
    Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
  • 2.
    Department of Exercise Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
  • 3.
    Department of Physical Education, Tabriz Branch of Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
  • Received: 08 August 2023 Revised: 08 September 2023 Accepted: 18 September 2023 Published: 07 October 2023

  • The health and fitness sector is evolving and appears to be an important field not only for consumers but also for gym operators/managers, exercise professionals, training providers and educators with great potential worldwide. Our aim of this cross-sectional survey was to investigate the most attractive health and fitness trends in Iran for the first time and to observe any potential differences with the recent results reported in other regions. A national online survey was conducted, using the methodology of similar international surveys conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine since 2007. In total, a web-based questionnaire was sent to 7158 professionals who worked in the Iranian health and fitness industry. A total of 408 responses were collected with a response rate of 5.7%. The 10 most important health and fitness trends in Iran for 2024 were strength training with free weights, exercise for weight loss, group training, low-cost and budget gyms, dance-based workouts, outdoor activities, Pilates, bodyweight training, core training and aquatic exercise. The present findings are not fully aligned with those reported for the top health and fitness trends internationally, showing that trends related to technology and health are not yet popular nationwide. Such outcomes may support all industry stakeholders with making important business decisions, professional development opportunities and innovative concepts to enhance customer engagement through positive exercise experiences.

    Citation: Alexios Batrakoulis, Saeid Fatolahi, Farnaz Dinizadeh. Health and fitness trends in Iran for 2024: A cross-sectional study[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2023, 10(4): 791-813. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2023053

    Related Papers:

  • The health and fitness sector is evolving and appears to be an important field not only for consumers but also for gym operators/managers, exercise professionals, training providers and educators with great potential worldwide. Our aim of this cross-sectional survey was to investigate the most attractive health and fitness trends in Iran for the first time and to observe any potential differences with the recent results reported in other regions. A national online survey was conducted, using the methodology of similar international surveys conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine since 2007. In total, a web-based questionnaire was sent to 7158 professionals who worked in the Iranian health and fitness industry. A total of 408 responses were collected with a response rate of 5.7%. The 10 most important health and fitness trends in Iran for 2024 were strength training with free weights, exercise for weight loss, group training, low-cost and budget gyms, dance-based workouts, outdoor activities, Pilates, bodyweight training, core training and aquatic exercise. The present findings are not fully aligned with those reported for the top health and fitness trends internationally, showing that trends related to technology and health are not yet popular nationwide. Such outcomes may support all industry stakeholders with making important business decisions, professional development opportunities and innovative concepts to enhance customer engagement through positive exercise experiences.


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    Acknowledgments


    The authors would like to express their gratitude to all participants for their contribution.

    Conflict of Interest


    The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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