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Anytime Fitness is championing gym inclusivity

Any Body, Any Time by Anytime Fitness and Performics Mercerbell, Australia

Australia – Responding to the lack of inclusivity in the fitness sector, gym chain Anytime Fitness is challenging typical assumptions about who goes to the gym. Dubbed Any Body, Any Time, the campaign features a diverse range of people with differing needs and reasons why they work out.

The core message of the campaign is that anyone is welcome at Anytime Fitness, no matter what their body type, fitness level, ability or background. To ensure this mission is reflected in its spaces, it's also conducting an accessibility audit of its gyms and training staff in how to accommodate people with sensory needs as well as disabilities.

By taking this holistic approach to improving its accessibility, Anytime Fitness avoids tokenistic efforts on diversity. ‘It is our mission to lead the fitness industry in advocating inclusivity – by transforming our culture, environment and member experience,’ says Caitlin Bancroft, chief marketing officer at Anytime Fitness, highlighting the ongoing need to prioritise Inclusive Fitness and reframe modern fitness culture beyond its privileged roots.

Strategic opportunity

Rather than starting with a marketing campaign, take note from Anytime Fitness by auditing the accessibility of your own spaces, services and internal workplace culture before putting a message out to consumers

The motorbike designed to put an end to poaching

Ösa AP by Cake, Sweden

Stockholm – Swedish automotive company Cake is joining the anti-poaching movement in South Africa with the launch of an electric motorbike. Combatting this illegal activity, the Electric Bush Bike is a lightweight motorcycle that allows park rangers to approach poachers without being seen or heard.

Cake's engineers created the purpose-built motorbike in partnership with the Southern African Wildlife College, a conservation charity that trains park rangers to tackle poaching. Without a combustion engine, the electric, off-road bike can stalk poachers silently, without being detected. In addition, the solar-charged vehicle does not require fuel deliveries, which can be inconvenient, expensive and unsustainable for rangers working deep in the African wilderness.

The Bush Bike demonstrates how product design can be used to problem-solve – looking beyond sustainability issues and more widely at localised crises like poaching. ‘Supporting multiple challenges in transport, our electric motorcycles have proven to be a winner in areas with sensitive environments and uncertain supply of traditional fuel,’ explains Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of Cake.

Strategic opportunity

Designing for better futures should not only be designing for a better climate. Companies should consider how they can adapt their technology to support social causes such as injustice or more localised issues

GORE-TEX launches outerwear-on-demand

US – Targeting winter sports enthusiasts, GORE-TEX – a durable performance fabric company – has announced an Outerwear on Demand rental programme, bringing an exclusive collection of rentable garments to 15 ski resorts across the US.

The range of mix-and-match ski wear is designed to offer outdoor enthusiasts access to top-of-the-line GORE-TEX performance technology without the hassle of travelling with bulky winter wear, making it ideal for occasional skiers or those prioritising ‘usership’ over ‘ownership’, as seen in our Liberation Luxury trend.

Garments are designed for destination-specific conditions, making them ideal for the rental lifecycle. Boasting adaptable fit, pieces will be cleaned and repackaged locally to avoid the carbon cost of shipping and reduce the labour of upkeep.

This concept of outerwear-on-demand is an evolution of our Voyage Apparel microtrend, in which we saw brands launch services that consider the limitations of travel luggage and offer rentable solutions.

GORE-TEX, US

Strategic opportunity

Fashion brands are well equipped to partner with travel destinations and hotels for location-exclusive collections that allow travellers to pack light

Stat: Europeans travel to improve mental health

Trippin, Global

As Covid restrictions are relaxed and the tourism industry springs back to life, Europeans are prioritising their mental health when organising trips abroad. According to research in five countries by Accor, two-thirds of Europeans want to travel to improve their mental wellbeing and relieve stress.

The report reveals how consumer priorities are influencing the inter-Covid travel landscape. During this liminal time, people are looking for comfort and tranquility – 31% are seeking a beach holiday, 28% want to take a break from the city, and 27% want to spend time in nature.

‘We expect this trend for betterment, mindfulness and wellbeing to be part of the travel experience for years to come, accelerated by the opportunities lost to Covid,’ explains Karelle Lamouche, chief commercial officer for Accor Northern Europe at Accor. ‘Travel is back, experiences are back, and Europe is starting 2022 with optimism.’

The pandemic has profoundly affected the way that we travel, work and play. As consumers embrace travel to relieve stress and reset their mental health, discover why founder of Design Hotels Claus Sendlinger believes the future of hospitality lies in contemplative spaces.

Strategic opportunity

As travellers place a premium on wellbeing, hospitality venues should equip their bedrooms with soothing oils, relaxing reads, and all the accoutrements necessary to create a chamber for contemplation