Top Five Nutrition and Fitness Coaching Trends in 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted nutrition and fitness coaching in 2020, and many of the impacts will continue as trends into 2021, according to feedback Precision Nutrition gathered from its coaches in 140 countries. 

The input from the coaches found the following five trends:

1. Moving beyond workouts to deep health. From nutrition strategies to behavior change, nutrition and fitness professionals will enhance their programs to focus more on 360 degrees of deep health, encompassing all dimensions of the physical, emotional, mental, existential, relational and environmental health domains. Addressing an individual’s deep health is key to reducing stress and optimizing their overall well-being.

2. Creative nutrition and fitness coaching methods. More trainers will continue to bring their nutrition and fitness coaching directly to consumers—whether that means online or in their front yard—with boutique offerings or an expansion of services. Nutrition coaches, personal trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches will take advantage of the outdoor space in local parks, streets and backyards to help ease the anxiety of returning to the brick-and-mortar establishments.

Additionally, more pop-up events and partnerships with local small businesses may occur as more small businesses rally together to help improve the local economy, providing unique collaborations and experiences to improve the overall health and lifestyles of their local consumers. 

3. Increase in remote nutrition and fitness coaching and educational opportunities. The new year will continue to improve how online and remote coaching are technically supported through platforms such as Zoom, websites and wearable technology. People will continue to explore the edges of technology and software development to seek out the best nutrition and fitness educational experiences possible and connect with clients on a more personal level.

4. Expansion of employer health and wellness offerings with nutrition coaching. Whether it’s additional coverage for mental health counseling or reimbursable options for health and fitness purchases, employers will start to offer more than the traditional health, vision and dental benefit packages. In order to improve work productivity, company morale and employee health, companies will begin to view performance more holistically and aim to help their people succeed. More companies may consider digital health and nutrition coaching as part of their employee perks.

5. Continued rise of home gyms. Eventually, the supply and demand of home fitness gear will balance out. 2020 showed people that with a little space and a few items, they can accomplish a lot. Expect to see an increase in sales of portable items such as medicine balls, resistance bands, dumbbells and kettlebells. Nutrition and fitness coaches can expect to continue incorporating portable items into their client workouts.