Marathon runners meticulously plan their training, gear, and nutrition — but new research from Brown University suggests they may also need to consider air quality. A study published in Sports Medicine has found that fine particulate matter in the air can significantly impact race-day performance, even for the healthiest athletes.

Analyzing data from more than 2.5 million marathon finishers across nine major U.S. marathons between 2003 and 2019, researchers discovered that higher levels of fine particulate matter correlated with slower average finish times. Male runners experienced a 32-second delay per 1 µg/m³ increase in air pollution, while female runners saw a 25-second delay.

While these delays might seem minor, they are critical for runners striving for personal bests or professional records.

“Think of all the effort a professional runner like Eliud Kipchoge puts into breaking world records,” said study author Elvira Fleury, a former graduate student at Brown and current doctoral student at Harvard University. “Our results show that air pollution can’t be ignored by those aiming to optimize performance.”

The study utilized a sophisticated spatial-temporal model to measure air pollution levels at specific points along marathon routes. The findings revealed that even pollution levels below current health standards negatively impacted athletes.

Joseph Braun, professor of epidemiology at Brown, highlighted the broader implications: “This study shows air pollution affects not just the elderly or susceptible populations, but also the fittest and healthiest among us.”

The researchers suggest that regulating emissions from power generation, transportation and industry could improve overall health outcomes and athletic performance.

For endurance athletes and coaches, the study underscores the importance of factoring in environmental conditions during race planning. As marathons grow in popularity, awareness of air quality may become as crucial as proper hydration or pacing strategies.

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Nike Run Club has enhanced its app experience by introducing two new features to support runners.

The first feature offers localized tips, including real-time weather updates and sunrise/sunset times tailored to the user’s location. The second allows runners to share their real-time location with friends and family, even if those contacts don’t have the Nike Run Club app. Users can also share a link to their run on social media, showcasing their distance, average pace, and duration. In another nod to safety for runners, the app also enables users to send a notification confirming they’ve reached their destination safely.

The new Nike Run Club features are now available.

Last year, Nike Run Club launched an integration with Strava, which allows users to upload their activities to Strava and sync the app to their Apple, Garmin, or Coros watches. The Nike Run Club app also offers six training plans and roughly 300 audio-guided runs.

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Coopah, an AI-powered run coaching app, has raised £1.5 million ($1.9 million) in a seed funding round backed by the London Marathon, venture capital firms and a pair of big names in endurance sports.

London-based VC firms Redrice Ventures and Active Partners led the round, with participation from London Marathon Events, organizer of the TCS London Marathon, which previously backed Coopah in a pre-seed funding round. Alistair Brownlee MBE, a Gold Medal-winning English triathlete, and Ricky Simms, a prominent track-and-field agent whose clients include Usain Bolt, also participated in the seed round. 

Founded in 2022 by running enthusiasts including Dan Strang and Peter Cooper, Coopah says its mission is to bring the “medicine of running to everyone.” 

While running is experiencing a global resurgence thanks in part to the rise of run clubs, the London-based Coopah cites a concerning, if unsurprising, statistic: 58% of new runners quit within 30 days of starting their running journey.  

To help people stick to their running goals, Coopah offers adaptive, personalized training plans, AI-powered workout feedback and community-driven motivational support to help people of all levels improve their performance. Features include personalized pacing, strength and conditioning workouts, and integrations with popular fitness devices and wearables. 

Coopah offers an annual membership for $79.99 or a monthly option for $14.99. The app currently serves as the official training partner of the TCS London Marathon. 

“We can’t wait to show the 500 million existing global runners, and the thousands of people that start running every day, the power of Coopah,” Strang said. “Securing these funds and bringing this group of high-quality investors on board is giving us the opportunity to invest in new growth channels which will put Coopah in front of the global running world.

With the funding, Coopah plans to scale its marketing efforts and invest in improving its app functionality, including making its training plans smarter and more social-friendly.  

To help with those efforts, Coopah also announced the hiring of former Strava executive Gareth Nettleton as its new chief marketing officer. Nettleton previously led global marketing efforts for Strava, a fitness-focused social networking app that now counts over 125 million users.

“The world is in a physical and mental health crisis. Running is one of the things that we believe can have a huge impact on that. It is medicine for both body and mind,” Nettleton said. “I’m delighted to join Dan and Pete on this journey and look forward to scaling Coopah’s active community across the globe.”

Personal Training Apps Raise Cash

Coopah’s funding comes as personal training apps of all sorts gain traction with investors. 

In 2o23, Ladder closed a $12 million Series A round for its app that matches users with daily strength training workouts. Zing Coach, an app that uses AI to create personalized workout support including form correction and body composition advice, raised $10 million in a combination of equity and debt financing earlier this year.

Runna, a run coaching app that provides “couch to 5 K” training plans for beginners along with more advanced programs for serious runners, raised an additional $6.3 million in late 2023, bringing its total amount raised at that time to over $10 million.

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Runningman might forever change the way we think about staging races.

The second edition of Jesse Itzler’s race-meets-festival-meets-retreat was by all accounts a smashing success, as runners and wellness enthusiasts from across the world gathered in Northwest Georgia for an event that truly is unlike any other. 

Held last weekend at Kingston Downs in Rome, Georgia, Runningman 2024 welcomed over 1,000 attendees, with 38 U.S. states and 13 countries represented. That attendance number topped last year’s total of around 800, which bodes well for the young event’s future. 

“It’s exceeded my expectations,” Itzler, who created the event through his All Day Running Co., told Athletech News amid the festivities last weekend. “I’ve been doing races for 35 years and there’s definitely no running race in the world like it.”

The three-day event revolved around a choose-your-distance race held on Saturday, with attendees able to pick between 5k, 10k, half-marathon, full marathon and 50k distances. Participants ran a combined 11,335 miles, with 90% of attendees running further than their initial distance goal.

For Itzler, that speaks to the power of an event like Runningman, which prioritizes camaraderie over competition, and encourages people to push their limits without demanding that they do so. 

“This is the perfect environment to do a long race,” he said.

The Woodstock of Wellness

At its core, Runningman is about more than just running – it’s an entire wellness festival held over three days, complete with camping tents, immersive experiences and community. Itzler has called it the “Woodstock of wellness.”

At Kingston Downs, the one-mile-long track’s infield featured the world’s largest indoor sauna, a massive pop-up sauna where people could relax after their run (or in between laps). Just outside the sauna, cold plunge tubs from Plunge were set up for those seeking contrast therapy. Nearby, guests could try out Hyperice products including the brand’s famous Hypervolt massage guns and popular Normatec boots. 

In total, 59 brands showcased their products at the event, including AG1, Athletic Brewing, Centr, Dream Performance & Recovery, Kane Footwear, Liquid Death, Red Bull and Zico, to name just a handful. 

Runningman 2024 also featured panel discussions on important health and wellness topics including breathwork, sleep science and mental health. Mike Posner performed live on Saturday night, and Itzler himself delivered opening and closing remarks.

The Rise of Experiential Wellness

While there may not be another event in the world that’s quite like Runningman, other brands are tapping into the rise of experiential wellness. 

This past summer, SoulCycle held its first-ever wellness weekend in The Hamptons. The three-day event featured a live workout held at the indoor cycling brand’s Bridgehampton Barn studio and wellness activations from brands including Hyperice and Allyoos. 

Strong New York, a fitness and wellness community created by personal trainer Kenny Santucci, will stage its eighth annual exposition next month in Manhattan. Strong NY also held its own wellness retreat earlier this year, with programming that included running, bootcamp and yoga sessions, and recovery services like cold plunge and sauna. 

As for Runningman, Itzler expects the event to get bigger and bigger. Based on his track record in entrepreneurship, there’s reason to believe it might. 

“Any project that you have, you want to start small – not that this is small – but you want to think really big, and then you want to go fast,” Itzler told ATN. “We’ve learned so much with two years under our belt that next year we can kick it up a notch.” 

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Shokz, the popular bone conduction headphones brand, has launched the OpenRun Pro 2. Unlike most headphones on the market, which are in-ear, Shokz has redefined workouts with its open-ear design, which lets users stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying music. After testing the product pre-launch, ATN has found that the OpenRun Pro 2 is the best bone-conduction headphones on the market.

The OpenRun Pro 2’s crystal clear audio is what really sets it apart. Users can experience powerful bass and clearer highs with the brand’s DualPitch Technology. The product has a dedicated, 18mm by 11mm air conduction speaker specifically for bass. While the product looks and functions the same as previous iterations, the dual reed and coil design provides this purer sound for better-than-ever runs.

The headphones are made with a lightweight but high-strength material with a soft silicone finish for a “barely there” feel. The OpenRun Pro 2 also optimizes volume range, making the audio clear even through background noise. The headphones are IP55 water-resistant, ready for even the most unexpected rainfall during workouts or races.

The headphones have also reduced vibrations to minimize tactile feedback and include wind-resistant microphones to improve phone calls. It has up to a 12-hour battery life and charges fully in just one hour. A quick charge of 5 minutes can provide 2.5 hours of usage for those last-minute workouts.

Although the Shokz’s OpenRun fit has always been comfortable, the latest iteration has minimized pressure on one’s temples. One other major update is that the Pro 2 now uses a USB-C charger instead of a proprietary charger, making it easier than ever to use the headphones on the go.

The OpenRun Pro 2 headphones retail at $179.95 and are available in two colors, black and orange, available in both Standard and Mini sizes.

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On one fateful weekend last fall, nearly one thousand like-minded individuals gathered in rural Georgia to celebrate a shared passion, make friends and build community. 

That gathering wasn’t for a Georgia Bulldogs football game or church get-together; it was for Runningman, a new fitness and wellness retreat that’s turning the notion of a traditional running event on its head. 

The brainchild of entrepreneur, motivational speaker and social media personality Jesse Itzler and his All Day Running Co., Runningman was first held in 2023 and is back for a second time this fall. The 2024 event will take place September 13-15 at Kingston Downs, a 5,000-acre retreat in Rome, Georgia, an hour and a half outside Atlanta. 

The three-day event features a one-mile track where attendees can run or walk any distance of their choosing over eight hours. But Runningman isn’t a traditional race. Inside the track, attendees set up tents and can partake in a bevy of fitness and wellness experiences, from the world’s largest indoor sauna to cold plunges to breakout sessions featuring industry experts. 

Runningman has quickly attracted some of the biggest brands in fitness and wellness to serve as partners – Hyperice, Plunge and Athletic Brewing Co. to name just a few – along with top names in entertainment. Mike Posner will perform live at this year’s event.

“One part festival, one part race, one part retreat” is how Itzler describes the unique event. He also calls it the “Woodstock of wellness.”

Itzler sat down with Athletech News to discuss the birth of Runningman, give a glimpse into what attendees can expect next month in Kingston Downs, and explain why he believes experience-driven events are the future of fitness and wellness.

The following conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Athletech News: How did you come up with the idea for a unique event like Runningman?

Jesse Itzler: I’ve been running races for over 30 years, and they’re all very similar – sign up for a race, run the race, get a medal and go home. That’s fun, but nothing has evolved in that space over the last several decades. There’s a whole pre and post-race culture and energy that we wanted to capture. So we set this event up as a three-day festival, a unique way to experience a running event. 

The format of our race is completely different, too. Most races are point-to-point, meaning you run out, turn around and come back, or you run to a destination. We built our race around a one-mile loop, and people can choose whatever distance they want to run over an eight-hour period. In a loop, you’re going to meet a lot of people.

ATN: How long did it take you and your team to bring Runningman from idea to fruition and hold the first event in the fall of 2023?

JI: It took about nine months to really build it out and get it all together. We have an amazing location in Kingston Downs. We wanted it to feel “Woodstock-y.” In Kingston, we found the perfect grounds where we could build a little village. We learned a lot in year one, so in year two it hasn’t taken as long to pull it all off. 

ATN: How has Runningman unfolded compared to your expectations for the event?  

JI: It’s very different from what I thought it would be. I thought it was going to be very running-focused, but the running component has actually become a small part of the experience. 

It’s a one-stop destination for health, wellness and fitness, and it happens to have a cool running race. We have the world’s largest sauna, a cold plunge and recovery area, breakout sessions featuring speakers talking about everything from sleep to recovery to performance, and a bunch of different brands showcasing the latest in their technologies, products and services. This is like the Woodstock of wellness. 

There’s also incredible access – usually, when you go to a conference and someone speaks on stage, they then get whisked backstage and leave the arena. At Runningman last year, people were talking to (ultramarathon runner) Courtney Dauwalter, along with some of the best minds in fitness and wellness.

ATN: Runningman has put together an impressive list of fitness and wellness brands to serve as partners. Why have brands been so eager to attend? 

JI: It’s the best environment for brands to showcase their products because we’re giving them a warm audience in an active environment, trying products and services in real-time before, during and after a race. If you’re an electrolyte company, we’re providing you with an audience that can use it in the best conditions. If you’re a coconut water company and you want people to get hydrated, this is the best place to reach them. 

And we built this whole village, including an infield of camping tents where people sleep, along with sauna and cold plunge, a stage, food area, vendors, etc., all around this enormous track. So if you’re a brand and you want to get testimonials or content you can use on your (social media) platforms, the movie set is already built. It’s way cheaper than setting up a photoshoot. 

ATN: How do you go about marketing such a unique event?

JI: We’re positioning it as one part festival, one part race and one part retreat. But we’re relying a lot on our alumni and our customer base. I think the best way to market a new product or new event is person to person, friend to friend.

Luckily, we had over 800 (attendees) last year, and they’re our best cheerleaders and champions. This year, there’ll be more new people coming (over 1,000 attendees are expected) and they’ll be our best champions as well as they talk about it with their friends and community.

ATN: You’ve built an impressive career as an entrepreneur and a disruptor. Where do you see the fitness and wellness industry heading over the next few years?

JI: People are craving community, and people are craving making themselves better in all areas of their lives. People still may like to sit on the beach, but there’s a massive transition into an experience economy. I think that’s starting to hit health and wellness now. You’re starting to see adventure races, you’re starting to see people traveling to destinations for races and you’re starting to see people going away to spas in really exotic places. Runningman is doing that for health, wellness and running – a lot of people leave having done things they’ve never done before. 

I think that’s the direction the whole industry is heading, being really experience-driven.

ATN: Overall, what do you want attendees to take away from the Runningman experience?

JI: It’s hard to explain on paper a feeling that you get. I really do think people who attended last year had some kind of transformation. There were a lot of people who became friends and stayed in touch (after the event). I did 50,000 things last year, I was all over the place traveling the country, but this weekend was my favorite weekend of the year. 

What made it so fun was that people wanted to have fun. If I go to a local race, say I live in New York, and I get on the subway and go to Central Park, run a race and go home, that’s a lot different than if I get on a plane and go to Kingston in the middle of nowhere. Sometimes it’s good to go where the Wi-Fi isn’t. When you travel to a destination, you feel like, “Wow, I’m invested in this. And if I’m invested in it, I’m going to get the most I can out of it over the two or three days that I’m there.” 

Get your pass for Runningman 2024 here.

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As the number of fitness trackers on the market continues to rise, it’s become harder and harder for wearables to differentiate themselves.

Garmin, however, continues to amass a dedicated following thanks to its fitness-focused features, particularly for runners.

The Garmin Venu 3 ($450), released last year, has received attention due to its comprehensive health metrics and long battery life.

Athletech News put the Garmin Venu 3 to the test to see how it compares to its fitness wearable competitors.   

Pros 

One of the biggest benefits of the Garmin Venu 3 is its long battery life. The Venu 3 offers 14 days in Smartwatch Mode and 26 hours in GPS Mode. Not only is this better than previous models of the Venu, but it’s much better than the Apple Watch or the Google Pixel Watch, which can last a maximum of a few days, even in low battery mode. The battery life is comparable to Whoop and Oura, but those wearables lack the interactive nature of the Venu 3. 

The Venu 3 clearly prioritizes fitness and wellness above all else, particularly compared to other smartwatches. It offers a wide selection of health metrics and types of workouts, as well as recovery recommendations and comprehensive sleep data.

Venu 3 can take an (FDA-approved) ECG, and measure heart rate variability, blood oxygen monitoring, stress tracking, temperature tracking, and more.

Garmin’s “Body Battery” feature ties all of this information together nicely, showing users how rested they are with a standardized metric. This feature is similar to Oura’s “Readiness” statistic or Whoop’s “Recovery” score, but Garmin doesn’t require a subscription.

Venu 3 also offers Nap-tracking, a sleep coach and Guided Meditations. While a simple feature, Garmin’s “Morning Report” was very useful; it not only provides data on sleep quality but also provides basic weather information, which I particularly appreciated as an outdoor runner.  

Part of Garmin’s appeal (for some) is that it feels less technology and lifestyle-focused than competitors like Apple. The watch’s simple and large (45mm) screen is colorful and easy to see, even when running. It operates via touchscreen, but the buttons are necessary for navigation. The display is an Amoled screen that adjusts its brightness based on your environment for easy visibility.

It’s quickly apparent that the Venu 3’s operating system is built for serious athletes, particularly runners. Many of its exercise statistics are updated in real-time, even running pace (which is averaged by many smartwatches). Users can also download songs and playlists from Spotify and Amazon Music for phone-free listening while exercising. 

As a runner, I loved the Garmin Coach feature. The Garmin Connect app offers Training Plans for 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. Users can input how often and how fast they run, and a time goal. Next, Garmin offers different “coaches” based on how frequently users want to train. It’s a feature that the Apple Watch lacks and one that greatly simplifies planning for serious runners. Garmin also offers highly accurate GPS tracking, ideal even in more remote areas. 

Cons 

As someone new to Garmin, it was initially a little tricky to remember and figure out its operating system.

For those who want more of a technology and lifestyle-focused watch, Garmin may not be the ideal first choice. Features like call, voice assistant functionality, and text and app notifications existed but did not seem to be its focus. In addition, the app does not have the same level of third-party app support or smartphone integration as the Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. The Venu 3 even uses two separate apps for health and app features: Garmin Connect is the home of one’s health stats, and Garmin IQ is the app store.

As someone who is frequently multitasking, even sometimes during workouts, I found myself wishing for more lifestyle-focused functionality.  

I also found that the watch lacked some of the sleek and premium design elements of competitors. It very much looked like a workout watch, which may appeal to some. However, I felt less comfortable wearing it in formal settings than I did other wearables. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a fitness-focused watch that’ll help you prioritize rest and recovery for performance and requires less frequent charging, the Garmin Venu 3 is a fantastic option. 

Read more ATN Product Reviews here.

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Life Fitness is taking the road less traveled, even running down it, one could say. While many fitness equipment manufacturers concentrate primarily on strength-based workout machinery given the modality’s rise, Life Fitness is also keeping its foot on the innovation gas pedal with regard to cardio, serving exercisers of both formats at a high level. 

Leading the charge on that front is Life Fitness’ thought leader and expert in running Derek Hansen. Well-tuned in running mechanics and cardio as a whole, Hansen knows there’s still a lot of untapped potential with the age-old workout modality and knows Life Fitness is the place where it’ll be unlocked. 

“Let’s be honest, cardio-based exercise can seem lengthy and boring, with few innovations being developed in the cardio equipment space to energize potential users in recent years,” said Hansen. “However, Life Fitness’ innovations have created the ability to uniquely customize the user experience from a broad range of runners and exercisers, motivating individuals to re-integrate cardio-focused workouts into their training fitness routines.”

“The combination of individualization, education and engagement will help us win back fitness users to the cardio space,” he added.

Personalizing the Cardio Experience

Winning people back to cardio starts with meeting them where they’re at, and there’s no tool more equipped to do that than the Life Fitness’ Adaptive Flex Deck. The recently launched innovation allows treadmill users to select their preferred surface firmness before they get moving. That flexibility makes it applicable to a seasoned or new runner all the same. 

“Recognizing the individual needs of all types of cardio users is incredibly important in not only encouraging them to initiate exercise but also ensuring that they are consistently accumulating work over extended periods of time and achieving their goals,” said Hansen. “New users want to feel good when they are starting an exercise program.  Advanced users want to take their training to a new level and continue to make gains.”

The deck can be adjusted to five different levels of firmness from very soft to very firm. This, along with Life Fitness’ other innovations, makes it possible for users to simulate real-world terrains and enjoy all sorts of walking or running journeys from the comfort of their homes or gyms.

“As a running coach and performance consultant, I am always recommending to athletes and clients the value of varying their running surfaces,” said Hansen. “Some days it is good to run on a grass or turf field to reduce impact stress, while other days training on a stiffer and more responsive track surface may be more beneficial for higher-velocity running.”

“Life Fitness engineers identified this need very early on and developed a solution that fit the needs of a broad population of runners and walkers,” he added.

Precise running metrics are also made available alongside the tech. This includes intel on stride length, flight time, ground contact time and gait symmetry — all of which help users identify areas to improve and make eventual progress.

The Best Cardio Machines on the Planet

Adding additional juice to the cardio game, Life Fitness introduced a full line of equipment named Symbio which features a new, innovative twist on each modality. This includes The Runner, the Incline Elliptical, Recumbent Cycle and SwitchCycle. 

The Runner includes the Adaptive Flex Deck which offers a truly immersive experience as users can shift between very soft or very firm to create distinct running experiences. The Incline Elliptical allows the user to target different muscle groups just by selecting them on a screen. The SwitchCycle combines a traditional upright and group cycle so exercisers have the comfort of the traditional bike but can get in and out of the saddle for a more total body workout.

Life Fitness made sure to check all the boxes in developing Symbio. Everything from 500 virtual terrains to YouTube and Netflix accessibility was baked into the hardware and software. 

“The development team took their time in perfecting the Symbio line before introducing it to the public,” said Hansen. “No stone was left unturned in the process to make this concept come to life and actually work. Not only did they develop the technology to adjust treadmill deck firmness, but it’s also really good. You notice the difference almost instantaneously.”

While Hansen originally concentrated on The Runner, he quickly noted the entire line’s impressive capabilities. 

“Although I was originally brought on board to help with the Symbio Runner, I also realized that their other Symbio cardio products were developed with the same innovation and dedication to quality that I experienced with the treadmill,” Hansen said. “Both the Symbio SwitchCycle and Recumbent Cycle bring a high level of comfort and quality ergonomics that make cycling more enjoyable.”

“For individuals that might not be able to handle the impacts of running on a treadmill but still want to experience the feel and mechanics of running, the Symbio Incline Elliptical offers an effective alternative for their cardio experience, too,” he added

The Case for a Cardio Comeback 

While Symbio and the Adaptive Flex Deck have already pleased cardio enthusiasts, there’s still room for growth. Hansen believes the increased injury risk that comes with an over-reliance on strength training could lead to a balancing effect that brings cardio back to prominence.

“My involvement with high-performance athletes crosses over into the work that I perform with fitness and rehabilitation projects in the general population. In both cases, I have found that there has been a shift away from cardiovascular fitness and conditioning, in favor of strength or more specific training methods,” he said. “I believe this trend has resulted in an increase in injuries that stem from diminished cardiovascular endurance, decreased circulatory efficiency and reduced capacity to recover from bouts of exercise.”

With innovations like Symbio and the Adaptive Flex Deck, Life Fitness will be ready to welcome users back into the cardio fold. Hansen especially views the Symbio Runner as a piece of hardware with great potential due to its low barrier of entry and advantages in the injury-recovery department.   

“In the case of the Symbio Runner, I have started to look at the differences in running economy and blood flow efficiency with different surface firmness settings,” he said. “This information could be extremely helpful in the evaluation of different exercise protocols and surface settings for beginners, advanced athletes or individuals undergoing rehab following a muscle or joint injury.”

The post Life Fitness Uses Advanced Tech To Make Cardio Fun Again appeared first on Athletech News.

Model and fitness influencer Reneé Noe began running just four years ago during the pandemic. Inspired by her now-husband, who was training for an ultra-marathon, Noe began running short distances and gradually built up her endurance.

In time, she created the “Noe Bad Vibes Run Club” to meet her large social media following in person and build community. Today, the Noe Bad Vibes Run Club hosts running events for thousands of women all over the United States. 

Noe believes her journey to becoming a runner – and her inclusive approach to the sport – has resonated with the many women who now take part in her group workouts.

“I think that’s why it’s blown up,” Noe tells Athletech News. “There are lots of run clubs in LA, in New York. They’re very strategic on timing, they’re trying to hit a certain pace. Sometimes, if you aren’t hitting this pace, you might be left behind. There’s nothing bad about that. But I just don’t resonate with that. Anyone can come to my run club.”

“My friends come and they walk, moms come with their strollers, people come with their dogs,” she adds. “It’s ‘come as you like.’ Some girls are doing a six-minute pace leading the whole thing and I love it. I think it’s great to have all of it.” 

Creating a Thriving Community

Although Noe’s main source of income remains modeling, she has become known in the fitness influencer space, amassing over 300,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 1 million on TikTok.

No Bad Vibes is a private Instagram group, run by Noe’s team who screens requests from bots or men.

“We do this to make sure that it’s a safe place,” she explains. “There are 10-13-year-olds who come. We really focus on protection and safety.” 

Noe chooses the Run Club’s location through her social media followers.

“We initially had a Google form, and we had people fill out where they’re from. We had over 20,000 responses. We usually limit the runs to around 300-400 people. For the last one in Houston, we had 1,200 women on the waitlist.”

From there, the group is split into groups of around 50-60 women and the club staggers the groups a few minutes apart.

“I’m literally going back and forth trying to see everyone, trying to run with everyone and take pictures,” Noe says, noting she usually winds up covering more miles than the rest of the group as a result. “It’s such a fun experience.” 

Must-Have Running Gear

Like most fitness influencers, Noe has a tried-and-true list of favorite products for her running routine.

“My number one favorite is the Garmin Venu 3,” she says. “I love it. It tracks your recovery, sleep and even does cycle tracking. I feel like it’s really accurate.”

Noe also focuses on including electrolytes and energy gels in her diet. “

I love Waterboy, Redmond Re-Lyte electrolytes and energy gels like Honey Stinger or GU (Energy Labs), particularly on a long run.” 

Noe is also a Hoka and Nike devotee.

“I swear by (Hokas), I love them,” she says. “I think they were made for me, specifically the Mach Series – I run in those daily. Running is all about comfort for me. If I’m uncomfortable, I cannot run.”

“Nike AeroSwift shorts are also my favorite,” she adds. “I have them in 12 colors. I have gotten white ones and dyed them colors that I want to match running fits. I can’t even feel them when I’m running.”

Just the Beginning

Noe Bad Vibes Run Club events usually last around 3-4 hours, including a meet-and-greet at the beginning and the end of each run. The workout takes place in a park or nature trail and runs are usually several miles long. On a warm day, Noe begins the runs at around 8 am, but on cooler days she starts at 10 am.  

Noe hopes her Run Club starts a trend of women having more opportunities to connect in person through fitness and wellness activities.

“It’s so encouraging seeing every single person be so uplifting. I hope this is the start of many more events like this,” she says. “Why can’t we do a Roller Skating Club, where it’s all women who go out every Wednesday night on Venice Beach? Whatever it is, I hope this starts a wave.”

The post How Fitness Influencer Reneé Noe Built an In-Person Women’s Running Community appeared first on Athletech News.

Runna, a personalized running coach app that debuted in 2021, has closed another venture capital round, raising £5 million ($6.3 million), bringing Runna’s total raised funds to over £8 million ($10 million).  

JamJar led the latest funding, which included participation from Eka Ventures, Venrex and Creator Ventures.

Since its launch, Runna says its running app has grown to coach hundreds of thousands of runners in over 180 countries, and the latest funding will be used to develop “sophisticated coaching algorithms” with the help of AI.

Formerly known as RunBuddy, the app was founded by Dom Maskell and Ben Parker, two best friends who love running. The app coaches users based on their ability and goals and offers strength and conditioning plans from top running coaches.

Runna provides a free component with “couch to 5 K” training plans to more advanced and customized programs for serious runners — those aiming to complete a marathon or even a multi-day ultramarathon. The app also offers smart treadmill control and integrates with live Apple Watch coaching and Garmin, Fitbit and Coros.

Off & Running

The recent funding follows an initial £485,000 ($614,000) via crowdfunding in late 2021, with Runna having secured support from athlete and world record holder Joshua Patterson, British Olympic Marathon runner Steph Davis and 303 of its first customers.

After its financial kickstart, Runna then went on to raise an additional £2.25 million ($2.8 million), which was led by Eka Ventures, angel investors and Olympic Triathletes Alex Yee and Beth Potter (now part of Runna’s coaching team) and Greg O’Shea, an Irish rugby union player.

Previous funding rounds have enabled Runna to hire talent, invest in its app and partner with race organizers, such as AJ Bell Great North Run and the Los Angeles Marathon presented by Asics.

“What makes us that much more excited is the fact that we’re only just getting started,” said Parker, the app’s head coach and co-founder. “Runna today is only 20% of the experience that we’ll be delivering to our Runnas with all the product features we have in mind, making this fundraise so pivotal so we can bring these revolutionary ideas to market that much faster.”

Co-founder and CEO Maskell shared that Runna is pleased to have raised what he says is a “phenomenal amount of money” with the running app’s latest investment round. He added he’s eager to make Runna an even better experience for users, affiliates and partners and positively impact people’s physical and mental well-being.

“All we’ve ever wanted to do is spread the benefits of running to as many people as possible while making running as accessible as possible to all, regardless of background, body type or fitness level,” he said. “To have JamJar lead the investment round was something we could only dream of, and it’s great that we have the backing of such well-known venture capital firms, as well as such well-known athletes.”

The post Runna Raises $6.3M for Running Coach App appeared first on Athletech News.

Rolla, a gamified fitness startup based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has closed a €6.3 million ($6.9 million) seed funding round, the company announced.

The round, led by Mate Rimac, CEO of Rimac Group, and Hellen’s Rock Capital, set a new record for a health and fitness startup in Central and Eastern Europe.

Rolla says the funding will be used to expand, grow its customer base and establish key development and commercial hubs while continuing its mission to help consumers “level up” their health and fitness.

The startup currently covers health and activities with two products: Rolla One, an app that allows fitness enthusiasts to track walking, running or cycling activities as it calculates metrics, and Rolla World, which allows for an immersive, virtual fitness experience for cyclists and runners. Players can compete in a multi-player setting and create their own avatars. 

Health monitoring and diet and weight management are listed as “coming soon” on Rolla’s website. While Rolla is currently in beta, its fitness platform is expected to launch in Q1 of 2024, according to Tech.EU. 

The startup confirms that in the coming weeks, Rolla will reveal its hiring plans. 

In June, the startup featured Rolla One and Rolla World at Eurobike with the goal of attracting beta testers and finding potential partners. Before the Eurobike event, Rolla teamed with Technogym, who provided positive feedback. 

Rolla’s founder, Igor Krezic, said the plan was to meet with leaders such as Garmin, Wahoo and Elite, but Rolla didn’t expect the impact of content creators covering the startup during the exhibition, which catapulted the startup. 

“With our mission defined and support from partners and investors, the real challenge lies ahead,” Krezic wrote in a company blog post. “We now have to live up to the expectations.”

Gamified fitness proponents cheer its ability to engage even the most reluctant while providing motivation and engagement. It can also lead consumers to stick to a routine fitness plan, especially if games include “rewards.”

The post Rolla Gets $7M in Seed Funding for Gamification Platform appeared first on Athletech News.

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Finding the best workout shoes for the gym is both exciting and overwhelming. You’re ready for the next steps (no pun intended) in achieving your fitness goals, but there are so many options to choose from.

To help you on your fitness footwear journey, Athletech News spoke with personal trainers to find out what they recommend for their own clients.

“The coolest thing about choosing the right trainers (sneakers/workout shoes) is that they can significantly help to enhance your performance as every pair is designed with a different range of movement in mind,” described Savannah Sachdev, a lifestyle and fitness content creator and runner from London. “It’s important to try on multiple brands and not be swayed by what’s ‘trending on Tiktok,’ as everyone’s feet are completely unique.”

One of the best ways to find what works for you is to have a plan of attack. There are different shoes for different workouts and different people, so finding what’s best comes down to how you plan to achieve your goals.

“This is a little dependent on what kinds of workouts people are doing,” explained ​​Chris Crowthers, a personal trainer at Mark Fisher Fitness in Manhattan. “If you’re somebody that is doing general fitness—some strength training, maybe taking some classes, maybe doing some cardio then I think comfort needs to be the top priority.”

Additionally, you want to pick a pair of workout shoes that feel good on your feet—especially if you’re going to wear them every day or every other day for hours at a time. 

“Comfort over everything and good arch support,” said Ceren Kalyon, a fitness instructor and run coach at Barry’s and Equinox in Los Angeles. “I spent so many years not knowing what shoes I needed for lifting versus running and wished I had guidance prior to starting my fitness journey. When going to the gym to lift, I like to look for shoes with elevated heels to make sure it enhances my ability to maintain proper posture.”

Check out the best workout shoes, according to personal trainers:

Best for weightlifting/bodybuilding: Reebok Legacy Lifter.

If you’re looking for fantastic workout shoes for weightlifting, then you should consider a pair with minimal cushioning, premium quality and overall comfort.

“A good lifting shoe will hugely improve your lifting experience,” explained Sachdev. “A thin, flat and wide sole to maximize stability and increase force transfer during lifts. A solid and raised heel will aid with stability and posture. The slight heel will offer increased ankle mobility and therefore more squat depth as you’ll be in a more upright position.”

Weightlifting shoes should have excellent ankle support.

“Security is important. Laces and velcro straps should be considered as you’ll require extra security with all that additional ankle mobility,” Sachdev continued. “Also, define your style of movement. Olympic lifting, powerlifting and bodybuilding would require a slightly different shoe so make sure to understand your requirements and do your research.”

“Choosing a pair is dependent on your biomechanics and lifting style,” she added. “However, my personal favorite lifting shoe is the Reebok Legacy Lifter. When you initially wear them, don’t be surprised if they feel off, it may take your body some time to adjust to the positioning but ultimately they are a great tool to improve your lifts.”

For peak performance, the Reebok Legacy Lifter collection features shoes that offer stability and security with a midfoot locked-in strap and the company’s iconic inflatable “pump” technology for adjustability.

Best for strength training/powerlifting: Converse All-Star

You should consider the old-school sneaker Converse All-Star—especially high-top Chuck Taylor shoes—for strength training because they can help your body maintain stability, while also enabling you to have complete control when you lift.

“I think the best option is Converse All-Star,” said Crowthers. “You want a shoe that’s going to allow you to really feel the ground and maintain stability and control in your big lifts like squats and deadlifts. It’s really hard to connect to the floor when there’s a lot of cushion, especially if you’re going really heavy.”

Best for running on a treadmill: New Balance 860 V12

When looking for a workout shoe for running on a treadmill, you want a pair that’s comfortable with neutral support. It has to have a light and fast design, while also being reliable on various surfaces.

According to Kalyon: “Running shoes are also very dependent on how you feel like to feel the ground, track and treadmill. Also, when running on the treadmill, it’s important to consider your distance and incline, just like you would when you’re running outside!”

She recommends the New Balance 860 V12 sneakers.

“If you want to feel like you’re wearing a pair of gloves on your feet, it offers a light foam and is super bouncy on your feet for that support for runners who need it,” Kalyon said

Best for cross-training: Nike Free Metcon 4

Looking for the best workout shoes for cross-training? Then check out the very versatile Nike Free Metcon 4. These sneakers are specifically designed for cross-training, offering stability and support to get the best performance with proper weight distribution and a low drop for the lower body. They’re comfortable and cushy for high-impact workouts, while they also provide enhanced traction for climbing.

“Very comfortable training shoes,” raved a satisfied Nike shopper. “I practice HIIT, cardio, lunges, squats, etc every morning and they are absolutely comfortable. They feel very light. They are exactly what I was looking for. Their sole is perfect for training on the ground. Also, my feet feel much more secure when I’m jumping or doing lunges.”

Best for cycling: Nike SuperRep Cycle 2 Next Nature

For cycling, the Nike SuperRep Cycle 2 Next Nature shoes will do the trick. They were designed with support for highest intensity workouts like cycling, while lightweight and breathable—thanks to their mesh materials and cooling vents, which allow for better airflow on the feet. These shoes also have a strap closure with two fastening points for safety and security for a smooth ride. They’re even made from recycled materials and rubber, so you won’t slide off the pedals when going at your top speed.

“Very comfortable and lightweight. Airflow is great,” shared one Nike shopper. “I purchased the red cycling shoes which are true red and look great. Very happy with the shoes and highly recommend them.”

Best barefoot shoes: Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III

It’s believed that working out barefoot is one of the best things to do for strength training because your heel is closer to the ground, which is said to improve balance and increase range of motion. However, most, if not all, gyms don’t allow people to walk around barefoot. So the closest you can get is with a pair of barefoot shoes.

“There are pros and cons to barefoot trainers,” explained Sachdev. “The pros being you can improve the strength of your feet and ankles as they require you to use muscles that your usual shoes would not, while your natural position can help to improve flexibility, balance and posture.”

“The cons being that you require a little more confidence to wear (them) as they do look different, dropping a weight on them would do some damage to you and it could take time to acclimate to them.”

The Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III allows your feet to move naturally to promote foot strength and performance. This pair is also thin, lightweight and wide to accommodate just about any foot type.

The post The Best Gym Shoes for Every Workout, According to Personal Trainers appeared first on Athletech News.

Apple Watch has long been a trusty companion for runners, but watchOS 9’s new and improved features will amplify running workouts for ultramarathoners and joggers alike.

Released last fall, watchOS 9 has new running metric tools, workout views and unique workout experiences that are compatible with Apple Watch Series 4, 5, SE, 6, 7, 8, SE2 and Ultra. 

The latest software update provides metrics that help to drive runners’ efficiency.

A little-known metric among runners, watchOS9 can measure vertical oscillation: how much one moves vertically during each stride. A high vertical oscillation measurement indicates wasted energy; a low measurement indicates a lack of spring generation from each step. It also provides metrics for stride length, ground contact time, and power.

Workout views allow runners to customize their views, with options available such as Activity Rings, Elevation, and Segments and Splits. The digital crown makes toggling through workout views fun and easy—depending on the stage of a runner’s workout, they can switch views.

For example, on a hilly stretch of a workout, a runner might switch to a workout view with elevation. For another stage of the same workout, a runner can switch to focusing on segments and splits, to help monitor their pacing.  Perhaps the best feature of workout views is the ability to use a combination of distance and time goals to set up a structured workout, which could include intervals of work and recovery. Runners can set up alerts for specific parts of their workout, like the transition from work into recovery. 

Like a coach on your wrist

For everyday use, watchOS 9’s Pacer feature is like a coach on one’s wrist. Runners can choose a distance and target finish time, and the training experience provides the required pace needed to achieve the goal. The watch will vibrate when runners are off-pace, so looking at the watch during the run is not required. 

Apple Watch can also now detect when runners arrive at any running track using Apple Maps data. The watch will alert the runner that they have arrived at a track, and ask if they want to begin a track workout. Runners can then input their lane, and the watch will count their completed laps, ensuring accurate pace and distance. 

The Race Route feature also allows runners to race against their last or best result. Similar to the Pacer feature, the Race Route feature will alert runners when they are off pace (ahead or behind) or off-route. This feature is emblematic of Apple Watch’s software going far beyond just tracking workouts to providing tangible, data-based motivation for athletes. 

Built to last an entire run, no matter how long

Apple Watch Ultra with watchOS 9 just might be the best wearable option for ultramarathoners or trail runners, with up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 60 hours on low battery mode. Ultra comes with an Action button, which gives users physical control for a range of functions. The Action button can be used for starting a workout, starting a Backtrack path, turning on a flashlight and more. Ultra also has the biggest and brightest Always-On Retina Display, which makes it easy to view it in different environments. 

Overall, with some of the best visualizations, motivating features and accurate tracking methods, watchOS 9 is continued evidence of Apple Watch’s preeminence in the wearable market for runners.  

The post Running With the Apple Watch is Better Than Ever Thanks to New Software appeared first on Athletech News.

Zwift, an immersive multiplayer online cycling and running platform, is looking ahead to the future as it forges its own path in the interactive cycling space. 

The company, having raised an impressive $620 million over the course of eight funding rounds, is now valued over $1 billion. 

So what’s next for Zwift? To start, Eric Min, the co-founder and co-CEO of Zwift, said the company is considering going public at some point.

Min also confirmed that the virtual connected cycling company is looking to expand its subscriber base, telling Bloomberg that there’s a significant consumer base that hasn’t been reached — at least not yet. 

“We estimate there are millions of people who are just sitting on the sidelines,” Min said of the cycling enthusiasts who he hopes to become Zwift subscribers.

While the lifelong cyclist is confident in the number of untapped Zwift riders out there, he expressed an awareness to Bloomberg that it’s a road that may take some time to travel. 

“We have a long way to go until we’ve saturated the market and the cycling industry,” said the Zwift co-CEO & co-founder.

He also addressed Zwift’s $15 a month subscription fee, stating that it isn’t sustainable in the long-term, and confirmed that Zwift is exploring locked annual memberships and isn’t profitable at the moment.

While current members of any subscription model tend to scoff at a price increase, the gamified cycling platform hasn’t increased its cost since 2017. 

Zwift conducted layoffs last year, and while the company didn’t confirm the number of affected employees, sources suggest roughly 150 Zwift staffers were cut. At the time, the company said it was pausing plans to launch a smart bike and scaling back its hardware offering. 

Founded in 2014, the interactive platform allows Zwift players to ride on stationary bikes while zipping through virtual worlds while having the option to cycle freely or join collaborative group rides, races, or workouts.

The multiplayer platform raised a Series B of $120 million at the close of 2018, led by Highland Europe. By 2020, Zwift raised a $450 million minority investment led by KKR, with the funds allocated for developing its software and bringing hardware to market. 

A spokesperson for Zwift tells Athletech News that the company doesn’t have any plans for another fund raise and remains focused on expanding the base of cyclists and runners. 

The company launched the Zwift Hub in the fall of 2022, a smart trainer that provides a high-quality indoor riding experience. 

“Cost is a barrier, and that’s why we launched the Zwift Hub in the fall of 2022, to give cyclists a lower-cost, easy to use piece of hardware that lets them access a premium experience in Zwift,” the spokesperson said. 

While many people associate Zwift with the likes of Peloton, Zwifters see the two communities as vastly different, with Peloton catering to the fitness-focused consumer looking for a heart-pumping class with a studio feel. 

Zwift, on the other hand, attracts cyclists who like to be immersed in a competitive environment. The gamified cycling company recently unveiled a new map for racers, this time in Scotland. 

Zwift says it is excited to combine competition with physical fitness and gaming skills as it prepares to host the 2023 Union Cycliste Internationale Cycling Esports World Championships on February 18, where the world’s best Zwifters will compete.

The virtual race includes a three-race format that Zwift says was developed with the UCI, testing both the fitness of the competitors and prowess of Zwift’s gamification. 

Viewers can watch the racing live on Zwift’s YouTube Channel or GCN on February 18.

The post Zwift Co-Founder & Co-CEO Looks to Attract New Subscribers, Suggests Upcoming Membership Fee Increase appeared first on Athletech News.

2023 is underway as is a growth in gym memberships and facilities nationwide. But as studies have shown, some people find it hard to keep up with their New Year’s fitness resolutions. However, just as individuals are inspired to dress or eat clean like celebrities, trying workout routines a la Khloe Kardashian or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have become popular methods in keeping focused on fitness. Thankfully, Athletech News has exclusive insight from an internet phenom whose at-home workout videos show how effective and simple working out like your favorite celebrities can be.

Fit Style Grace founder Grace Albin’s Pilate workouts continue to help long-time exercise lovers and newbies find ways to workout safely at home. In applying the small, yet dynamic movements Pilates is famously known for via Albin’s popular short-form videos, losing weight and getting toned like a celebrity is an attainable goal. Grace Albin, whose health and fitness journey began at the age of five due to her parents enrolling her in gymnastics courses, is a huge believer in cross training and giving the body a diversity of exercise modalities, such as Pilates, barre, running, and weight training. “It prevents unity, improves sports performance, and fends off boredom,” says the New Orleans resident.

One factor that defines the uniqueness of Albin’s workouts is her use of furniture and household items as exercise equipment. A windowsill or chair with a high back can substitute as your barre at home. Dumbbells? No need for those if you have laundry jugs. Paper plates can be gliders and instead of buying a small Pilates ball, you can instead use a children’s soccer ball. “A small coffee table is a step bench, and a big sofa cushion is a stability ball!,” she adds.

Another reason exercises by Grace Albin are different from those by others is because they are a fusion of Pilates technique and traditional fitness. She explains, “We use dumbbells and resistance bands, do squats and curls. But always with the underlying philosophy of posture strength, elegant movement, and muscle lengthening.”   

Albin’s Instagram account has an impressive following of over 330,000. Among her followers include socialite and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton, The Mandalorian actress, writer and comedian Amy Sedaris, and Indian model, beauty queen and actress Lopamudra Raut. Albin credits her popularity to her style of choreography and straightforward approach. 

“One thing I often hear is that followers appreciate that I don’t try to sell creepy diet teas, gimmicky equipment, or chase any other trend. I show tried-and-true exercises that have always been effective and will always be effective,” she reveals.

“I choreograph in a way that you use the same piece of equipment throughout the routine. I don’t like taking a class where it’s like, ‘first drag out the kettlebell, then do one thing with it, put it away and go get resistance bands and use those for a minute, now switch to a stability ball…’ It’s chaotic and unproductive. You can do hundreds of exercises with any given piece of equipment. So I choreograph thoughtful routines [that] will allow my followers [to]  get a very effective workout without the hassle of switching equipment the entire hour.”

Apart from expanding on her distinctive Fit Style Grace Pilates home workout empire, Albin tells Athletech News she’s been working on a female sports performance product projected to launch in the second quarter of this year. The fitness instructor adds, “My sister is a physician and one of my colleagues who reviewed the design to be biomechanically ideal for girls and women. I’ve put a ton of time into finding the best designers and factories. I’m so excited to reveal details, but unfortunately have to wait until closer to our launch date.”

Albin’s success in the fitness industry did not happen overnight. When asked about the hardest things experienced as a fitness entrepreneur and influencer, Albin declared being at the mercy of social media companies’ algorithm and priority changes were one of the biggest issues to tackle.  

“I made a mistake when Instagram began to promote reels and downgrade regular feed posts. My followers prefer feed posts because the carousel swipe feature allows me to include ten different moves that combine to make a full workout routine…I made the mistake of trying reels, but my followers hated them because they’re impractical to actually execute. My followers take their phones to the gym and follow the routine there, or they air play it at home on their TV. I disappointed them when I posted quick reels rather than the full-blown choreography they had come to expect from me. From that, I learned to ignore trends and stick with my gut instinct for what I do well and what my community wants.” 

After learning this crucial technical lesson, Grace Albin discovered a practical way to give her many followers what they crave — fun, straightforward, and worthwhile exercise movements to do at home for short bursts of time. Her advice for anyone starting and keeping consistent with their fitness voyage this year is to “exercise first thing in the morning.” “Studies show people are most likely to stick with their fitness routine long-term if they set aside early morning as the time to do it. Set your alarm for dawn and, soon enough, you’ll start to enjoy the peacefulness of having the first hour of the day all to yourself. Without family obligations or work emails popping up, that first hour is all about you and your health,” she affirms. Albin herself wakes up at 6:30 in the morning after getting seven hours of sleep on average per night.

Albin’s aim with her workout videos was to make full choreography that’s useful. She’s found her niche that works, but her advice for anyone looking to build a fitness business and brand of their own is to make sure they’re doing so because it’s something they truly love. She says, “If you get into this industry because you’re chasing a trend that you think other people love, or seeking to get market share of a big industry, it will not work. People overuse the word ‘authentic,’ but it’s true.” 

“This is such a personal industry — we help people with their health, their body, their self-image. If you don’t love and believe in what you’re offering, nobody will find you to be motivating or relatable.”  

Grace Albin’s workout videos can be found on Instagram and YouTube.

The post It’s Easier to Workout Like a Celebrity with Fit Style Grace Mastermind Grace Albin appeared first on Athletech News.

Garmin has released its year-end Garmin Connect fitness report, which summarizes 2022 and highlights the activities that fitness enthusiasts engaged in the most this year. In addition, the report offers fantastic news for the exercise and wellness industry, as Garmin says its data suggests a return to pre-pandemic fitness habits. 

The multinational technology company also reports strong growth in indoor activities that cannot be completed in a living room or home gym, suggesting a shift in fitness trends. Garmin Connect’s data revealed that fitness enthusiasts are becoming more interested in indoor swimming, rock climbing, and gym-based exercise such as HIIT workouts. The report also indicates that home-based workouts like yoga and indoor cycling, which grew rapidly during the pandemic, have stabilized.

Here are the categories fitness enthusiasts participated in the most this year, according to the Garmin Connect report:

Gym Goers

Garmin Connect reports that strength training activities were up 20% over 2021, pointing out that it shows a level of commitment, especially when many returned to the office this year and still had time to “pound that iron.” Garmin introduced a HIIT activity profile on select watches in 2021, and while no percentage change is available yet, the HIIT feature is a fan favorite, according to Garmin.

Cycling Fans

According to Garmin Connect, cycling enthusiasts were biking up a frenzy, with “roadies and gravel grinders” giving it their all. The report showed that road biking was up 8%, and gravel cyclists completed 40% more activities this year than in 2021.

Runners

Runners are a devoted group, says Garmin, and its users will always find time to sneak in a run. The report showed that treadmill running activities increased by 13%, and indoor running activities were up 17% this year. Garmin Connect also revealed that outdoor running soared, with track running percentages more than doubling. The tech company says it plans to continue working directly with more track and cross-country teams to further bolster young runners. 

Wellness Pros

Garmin reports that its well-rounded fitness users increased activity counts in a variety of wellness-oriented activities this year, including elliptical (up 15%), stair climbing (up 24%), Pilates (up 38%), and breathwork (up 28%). Garmin added a new feature, Health Snapshot, to complement health and wellness, which allows a user to capture, save, and share health-related insights.

Swimmers & Divers

It’s a good thing nearly all Garmin watches are water-resistant, as the tech company says lap swimming activities increased 34% this year, with swimming up 13%. 

For those who like to go the extra mile (or more), single gas diving saw the most growth in 2022, up 76%, says Garmin, which offers the Descent Mk2i and compatible Descent T1 Transmitter with SubWave sonar technology. With these features, divers can know their depth, tank pressure, remaining air time, and air consumption rate, as well as those of up to four fellow divers. 

Climbers

According to Garmin, rock climbing increased 17%, with Western Europe engaging in 32% more rock climbing activities than the previous year, while North Americans participated in 18.55% more activities.

Water Adventurers 

Garmin saw more people enjoying the water, with global sailing activity rising 39%, surfing 35%, and boating 13%. The tech brand even offers the Instinct 2 – Surf Edition, which features tide data, Surfline compatibility, and activity profiles for surfing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing.

On the Slopes

Winter sports fans “went wild” when resorts reopened, according to Garmin, which should not surprise anyone who visited a ski resort this year. Skiing and snowboarding in resorts increased 143%, with skate skiing rising 14% and backcountry skiing and snowboarding increasing 7%.

eSports Gamers

According to Garmin, gamers logged an impressive 35% increase in esports activities this year compared to 2021. Virtual fitness is a growing sector, and Garmin’s Instinct – Esports Edition allows players to analyze body metrics, like heart rate and stress tracking and offers compatibility with STR3AMUP! to broadcast stress level and heart rate to game streams. 

The post Report: We’ve Returned to Pre-Pandemic Fitness Habits, Says Garmin appeared first on Athletech News.

Experts have been trying to pinpoint how the pandemic has affected certain fitness trends like biking and running and their implications for the industry’s future. It’s a well-known fact that Covid has had a significant impact on the fitness industry, from yoga studios to gyms, estimated to have lost $13.9 billion from March to August last year. 

A survey conducted by Freeletics revealed 74% of people used a fitness app during the pandemic, of which 41% of the people were first-time users of such apps. Notably, 65% of male and 55% of female respondents shared that they tend to feel intimidated when exercising at the gym. While gyms were closing and employees were laid off, the pivot from fitness gyms to home-based strategies led to overnight success for certain companies. 

Enter Peloton. Regarded as the fitness company best-positioned during a global pandemic, sales for the stationary bikes outpaced inventory. At one point, sales were up 232 percent as Peloton delivery vans were circling neighborhoods. Delivery drivers reported that buyers even asked to take masked pictures together, as they were thrilled to have received their long-awaited Peloton bike. With vaccine rollouts and relaxed restrictions, the Peloton craze appears to be winding down. The Peloton app has reportedly seen a 42% usage drop in the last four months, and sales are winding down. With gyms and now Peloton taking a dip, where does that leave other more traditional fitness modalities, such as biking and running? 

While many people preferred a stationary bike with apps and cleats for their homes, others sought out purchasing a conventional bicycle. Brick and mortar bicycle shops have seen increased demand since the start of Covid and haven’t seen much of a drop. Bicycle manufacturers are feeling the grind, with a shortage of bike parts impacting companies like Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, and Schwinn. 

In addition to new bike purchases, the pandemic has also led to people rummaging through their garages to find their formerly abandoned bicycles. Dusting off an old bike has sent many to their local bicycle shops for repairs and tune-ups, and shops have had to increase their return times for routine services. This demand has led some to think outside the box, and proprietors such as Ian Oestreich took note.

Oestreich, like so many impacted by the pandemic, was laid off from his fitness coach position. Seeing the need for bike repairs, he launched a mobile pop-up bike repair clinic called Curbside Bicycles. Oestreich estimates that he has performed over 1,000 bike tune-ups in fifteen months, charging $75 for a complete tune-up and told Athletech that he believes the increased interest in biking will be long lasting, despite a slight drop. “I believe the cycling surge will quell slightly as people return to the workplace (especially those with long commutes), since early morning or midday rides will become less feasible. However I absolutely believe that the bike boom will have the lasting effect of more people owning a bike, feeling comfortable on a bike, and having established a biking routine. This will lead to more people choosing to commute via bike to work, into town, or for exercise since they have now interwoven biking more into their everyday lives, breaking down the mental barrier of, “Oh it’s just hanging in my garage, I don’t know if it even still works,”” Oestreich says.

The increase in biking has also had a profound influence on infrastructure and even the environment. Research in April 2021 revealed that European cities with bike lanes led to a rise in cyclists, increasing up to 48%. Better infrastructure for cyclists will also encourage biking commuters, help reduce greenhouse emissions, and support better health. People for Bikes projects that the future of biking looks bright and that most new cyclists plan to stick with life on two wheels in a post-pandemic world. Additionally, bicycle sales surged for children’s bikes, increasing 100%, launching potential lifetime riders.

Annual bicycling events had to take a backseat during the height of the pandemic but are making a tentative comeback. This month, 16,000 cyclists joined together in Chicago for a 30-mile ride on a portion of DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Hosted by Fifth Third Bike the Drive, the event is a fundraiser for Active Transportation Alliance. The organization is working to enhance walkability, cycling, and public transit in Chicago. The event was initially slated for Memorial Day but faced a delay due to covid concerns. Still, the re-scheduled event lured in participants from across state lines. In New York City, the Five Boro Bike Tour recently returned at the end of August after being canceled in 2020 and had a limited capacity of 20,000. While significantly less than the usual 32,000 that participate, rules were in place due to added precautions. 

Just as biking is anticipated to be an ongoing post-pandemic activity with newcomers, the running industry is also set to endure. This year, virtual races are becoming a distant memory. New Haven, Connecticut, recently celebrated their annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race with more than 3,000 participants. Like cycling, runners ended up welcoming new and returning enthusiasts during the pandemic. 

At the beginning of Covid, runners were perhaps the most well-positioned to continue engaging in their favorite fitness hobby and the easiest to start. Running requires only comfortable sneakers, which are available at various price points, and it doesn’t demand equipment, tune-ups, or face manufacturing delays. Perhaps most importantly, running is an activity that participants can partake in just about anywhere, whereas cyclists are more limited. 

Data from fitness wearables revealed a 34 percent increase in running miles outside in 2020 and that many runners even participated in virtual races. Even bad weather didn’t seem to deter runners last year, according to figures from MapMyRun, Garmin, and Fitbit. 

The motivation for running seemed to have evolved, as exhibited in a study regarding running behaviors during COVID-19. The study revealed that initially, people started running to control weight gain, stay in shape, and keep their respirator healthy in good standing to protect against coronavirus. However, the motivation developed into a way to pass the time, help decrease stress and anxiety, and running no longer meant achieving a competitive edge. These findings may help explain why running intensity decreased, but mileage increased. It’s also an element of interest to those in sports medicine and coaching, as suddenly returning to a high level of running intensity (like pre-pandemic times) can cause injuries to runners. 

While running is accessible to most with few apparel requirements, sneaker sales still saw an increase. During the beginning of Covid, office footwear was traded in for slippers, as most people were working from home, and because social events were canceled, people had little need for dress shoes. Still, some athletic brands saw an increase in apparel and sneaker sales at the beginning of Covid, like Hoka. President Wendy Yang noted that running and walking had been enjoying a “boom” but acknowledged the challenges with having their merchandise in retail stores that were struggling. Dick’s Sporting Goods was an unusual exception, as they had reported a 10% sales spike last year, even as their stores were temporarily closed last spring. 

As time has gone on, industry leaders believe that marathons and races are crucial to keeping the running momentum going, even in a post-pandemic world. Brands are heeding such advice and pouring money into signage and race bibs, like Asics, who signed a five-year deal to sponsor the Los Angeles Marathon, which launched last year. Still, the fundamental intention is to provide a sense of support for the community, especially new runners, who they hope they will retain as a critical customer base. 

One could argue that the longer the pandemic lasts, the longer people will stick with their newly acquired (or adjusted) fitness routines, like biking and running. What may have started as a healthy method to maintain fitness, pass the time, or relieve stress has now become part of an individual’s lifestyle – biking and running are here to stay.     

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