8 Must-know In-demand Profitable Fitness Equipment and Accessories

by Stef Calimlim (Content Editor)

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The global fitness industry is growing at an exponential rate and is poised to reach $434.74 billion by 2028, according to a report shared by Nicholas Rizzo in RunRepeat.  While there was a decline in the use of gyms, health clubs and fitness studios during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, fitness equipment and devices experienced an increase in revenue owing to the increased popularity of home fitness and growing health consciousness among consumers.

The report also showed that the fitness equipment industry witnessed the greatest growth, with an increase from 6.8 billion to 10.2 billion in revenue from 2019 to 2020. The market is expected to reach 31.9 billion in revenue in 2028.

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1. Treadmills

Today’s treadmill trend focuses on integrating automated technology, incorporating Internet of Things and Virtual Reality to simulate ideal environments and make the workout experience more immersive. Treadmills nowadays don’t just show the distance, time and speed but also allow users to keep track of their hear rates and progress real-time. In terms of built, foldable and portable treadmills are popular among consumers, especially among those living in small spaces.

2. Dumbbells

Dumbbells are some of the most popular fitness must-haves both at home and in gyms. The market is expected to grow by $211.16 million from 2021 to 2025 at a CAGR of 2.41 percent according to Infiniti Research as shared in Report Linker’s site. The report added the increased demand for home fitness equipment and product innovation as drivers to the market growth. Most are made of cast iron and stainless steel, while there are also variants specifically designed for aquatic sports training. There are also adjustable and smart dumbbells which allow users to customize their weight training and track the calories burned via an app.

3. Yoga mats

For many yoga beginners and long-time yogis, yoga mats with good traction, grip and cushioning are essential, regardless of yoga training type. The market growth is primarily driven by health and fitness-oriented women in their 20s and 30s who have disposable incomes for yoga classes and who are looking to relieve their stress and improve their flexibility. PVC or vinyl, TPE, PU and rubber yoga mats are commonly found in the marketplace, with TPE being the most eco-friendly option.

4. Hula hoops

Considered as one of the biggest toy fads in the 20^th century, hula hoops have stood the test of time and have evolved as one of the most versatile low-impact workout must-haves. The marketplace offers a wide variety of hula hoops ranging from traditional plastic types, weighted, detachable and LED flashing variants to smart hula hoops with counters and magnetic massagers.

5. Resistance bands

Commonly made of TPE and latex, resistance bands are among the most affordable, versatile and portable fitness essentials in the market. They are easy to store and carry along with, and can be used easily wherever and whenever. They come in tube and flat types, and have different levels of resistance. Some are sold per piece while other suppliers offer these bands in sets and with custom logos.

6. Dumbbell sets

The dumbbells offered in the marketplace also come in sets of 1 to 60kg. These are made of cast iron and stainless steel with rubber or plastic grip. Common variants include hex, adjustable, aquatic and smart dumbbell sets.

7. Weight plates

Weight plates are used to perform a variety of exercises, including overhead lifts, sit-ups, curls, bench presses, lunges and squats. The typical selections in the market include cast iron, steel, rubber-over-metal and urethane-over-metal weight plates, which vary in size and diameter.  These are either designed for use in weight training or competitions, with some calibrated for extra accuracy.

8. Yoga blocks

As yoga continues to be a popular fitness activity, so does its accessories market continue to grow. According to Technavio, the market is poised to reach $4.99 billion from 2021 to 2025, with a CAGR of six percent. Yoga blocks, one of the market segments, is expected to rise at a considerable rate in the years to come as more people are becoming more health-conscious, and yoga clubs and sessions are becoming more mainstream. The typical yoga blocks available in the market today are made of cork, wood, EVA and foam. The popular choice among consumers are those that are easy to grip, durable, comfortable on joints, sturdy and slip-resistant.