News and Insights
The Ever-Changing Definition of Fitness
January 29, 2025
When you think of the word “fitness,” what comes up? In the past, it’s been running, spin classes, weightlifting, and more. Essentially, physical strength and athletic performance. But that has all changed.
On the Consumer Lifestyle and Sports team at FINN Partners, where I assist with media relations and communications strategies specifically for clients in the active lifestyle and wellness categories, I’ve seen this firsthand. As a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and certified run coach with the United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA), I’ve seen this personally too.
The definition of fitness is changing, and broadening, to embrace a more holistic approach to wellbeing where sleep, community, nutrition, recovery, and mental health are integral to daily lives and routines.
There’s a recognition of the complex connection between body, mind, environment, and soul – and how crucial it is to pay attention to all these factors when creating “fitness” routines. In today’s society, people are growing more aware and interested in addressing these aspects as part of their overall wellbeing.
Research shows the impact of movement and exercise on our mental health and vice versa – how practices like meditation complement workout activities. Social connections, mindful eating, the great outdoors, and sleep are all elements of this holistic approach too.
Physical & Recovery
Years ago, “pushing your limits” engrained the idea that “all out” was the only way to benefit physically. Nowadays, people are looking differently at what role movement plays in their life. This means going beyond physical appearance and muscle growth to incorporate things like functional movement, cardio health, and flexibility.
Rest is also a vital component of these fitness routines. The importance of sleep, relaxation, and recovery practices like stretching, massage, and foam rolling is widely practiced. People know now – overtraining (“no pain, no gain”) can be counterproductive!
Mental & Emotional
One of the biggest shifts is the integration of mental health in our overall wellbeing. This includes everything from stress management and emotional health to mental clarity and focus. A recent study done by the National Academy of Sports Medicine pulled insights from hundreds of personal trainers and wellness professionals. The results back up this cultural shift:
- 6% of respondents identified Mindfulness/Mental Performance as one of the top trends in 2024, and 40.1% of respondents noted an increased focus on mental health and stress reduction as a change in client expectations.
- 3% predict a growing focus on mental health to be a major influence in the fitness industry in 2025.
Nutritional
Another key element to this holistic approach is nutrition. It’s no longer just about what we eat, but about nourishing our bodies to function properly and optimally with balanced diets, mindful eating, protein consumption, and gut health.
To address this growing demand, Life Time, a FINN client, launched LTH, a new and rebranded line of supplements and wellness products, nutrition programming, and coaching across its athletic country clubs and via the Life Time app. Newly launched supplements and products include NOURISH daily multivitamin and greens capsule, REWIND Collagen Elixir, and REVIVE Colostrum Powder.
Social & Environmental
Working out is no longer a solo effort. It’s all about support, accountability, and connection with group exercise classes, sports and intramurals, and online wellness communities. Another stat from NASM proves this:
- Increased integration of Community and Social Elements (20.2%) suggest an ongoing shift toward more holistic and community-oriented fitness experiences.
Another, and somewhat surprising, aspect to consider is the impact of the environment on our wellbeing – something right in our wheelhouse at FINN CLS. Outdoor activities, connecting with nature, exposure to the outdoors, and engaging in sustainable active living practices are integrated into this fitness conversation.
Overall, today, fitness is about much more than just lifting a bunch of weights or running half marathons. It’s about finding balance across all aspects: physical, mental, emotional, social, and even environmental. The term “fitness” has become a reflection of how we care for our bodies, minds, and spirits. It’s not just about being “fit” in a physical sense, but about thriving in all areas of life.
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