A version of this article was first published by GQ
It’s time to mix things up.
Stretch labs
Make no mistake, however, the business of stretching is swiftly becoming commodified and franchised. It’s no longer a prelude to a workout or a finishing touch but an event in itself.
Instead of counting you through reps or critiquing your squat technique, “flexologists” gets pretty handsy and guide then hold you in certain positions to elongate the muscles that have constricted and the joints that have compacted during training. Or just sitting a desk for eight hours attempting to look busy.
It all started, naturally, in Los Angeles when local attorney Saul Janson was inspired by the hands-on cool-down stretch he got from trainer Tim Trost. Enlisting Aussie stretch guru Brad Walker, they launched a company called Stretch Lab. Which now boasts almost 50 studios around the States – charging from approximately A$60 for a 25-minute session – and has spawned competitive chains such as Stretch Pro.
Closer to home The Stretch Lab, which has branches in Terrigal and Newcastle in NSW, offers assisted stretching from $90 for 45 minutes with health fund rebates.
Functional beverages
Fitness supremo Jillian Michaels sees 2020 as being a year where adaptogens, probiotics, brain-firing nootropics and CBD (okay not in Australia yet) are added to everything from sparkling water to cold brew.
One of the main players will be collagen powder plopped into drinks in the name of better skin. This movement is well under way in Australia with GQ Audi Innovation of The Year award winner Sipp Coffee marketing a blend enriched with probiotics. It’s a marketplace that is only set to become more crowded.
Body inclusivity
People who go to the gym look like people who go to the gym. And that’s the problem. It can be far from a welcoming space to those who jiggle, wobble and don’t fit the stereotype. Which means they don’t take the necessary steps – both literally and figuratively – and the cycle deepens.
With awareness of fat/body shaming on the rise, personal trainers are moving away from goals of thinness to increased wellbeing and living a healthier longer life. As with other long overdue shifts, accessibility will also be in focus. All of which will slowly but surely expand the types of bodies you see at health clubs.