An Overview of the Origins and Effectiveness of Commercial Fitness Equipment and Sectoral Corporate Settings: A Critical Review of Literature

Abstract

Research Question: Fitness equipment is a worldwide ever-growing phenomenon and its usage is nowadays popular both in human routines and academic investigations. Research Methods: This paper is a literature review aiming fitness equipment in relation to all the available findings connected to the complete product life-cycle phases. Results and Findings: Manufacturing industries, which are active realities of the sector, have not been a major concern for sport researchers within the production applicability sub-field. Past root hypotheses, the current state of the art and future guideline applications are addressed. Selected articles were categorised chronologically, by journal, by geographic area and, extensively, by content. Five thematic areas were included: (1) historical background, (2) creation stages, (3) product features, (4) innovation paths and (5) sectoral environments and marketing processes. Implications: By means of the provided findings, there is an opportunity to widen approaches to study fitness equipment that could be extended to the sector’s enterprise applications and methods of work.

Fitness industry business models: from the traditional franchising chain to the fitness boutique

“…Applicability, economical specialty, and suitability aiming usability are the main qualities that manufacturers need to take into consideration during the overall production phases that in scientific literature also named product life-cycle or human-machine processes (Addolorato et al, 2020). These ever-growing possibilities of resource usages, which are changing constantly, could firstly create havoc among sector professionals who operate everyday inside this industry and secondly between the mass, who contribute to the effective exploitation of the referenced field.…”

Factors affecting customer satisfaction in fitness clubs: Study from Kathmandu Valley

“…The ability to effectively meet the needs and expectations of customers plays a vital role in the success and longevity of fitness clubs. This historical perspective highlights fitness's enduring appeal and relevance to promoting physical well-being (Addolorato et al, 2020;Van Hilvoorde, 2008). Barbosa et al (2022) pointed out; Customers' opinions of the quality of the service they receive have a significant impact on their level of happiness, which in turn has a direct bearing on their level of commitment and longevity to the brand.…”

Segmenting Fitness Center Customers: Leveraging Perceived Ethicality for Enhanced Loyalty, Trust, and Word-of-Mouth Communication

“…This holds true for all types of organizations, including sports organizations, with particular significance for the health and fitness industry, which aims to promote a healthy lifestyle through physical activity while ensuring sustainability and profitability. Fitness centers, in particular, represent a highly favored choice for physical activity [12,13]. This significance is underscored by the World Health Organization's repeated emphasis on the critical role of physical activity in improving global health indicators [14].…”