Source: Sensor Tower
The Signal: According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), there are 62m gym memberships in the US and 183m globally. Social distancing measures have put the physical gym and fitness club industry on pause.
Similarly, in-person training for youth sports and fitness are on hiatus.
Against this backdrop, youth sports training apps have exploded in popularity. The basketball training app, HomeCourt, has jumped from the 100th most popular iPhone free sports app to 2nd place the past few weeks.
Joining HomeCourt in the top 10 is Techne Futbol, a soccer-training app that has seen its category ranking pop in recent weeks.
Source: Sensor Tower (HomeCourt App, Techne Futbol)
Both of these apps help athletes do solo training with key features including:
As with most iPhone apps, pricing is based on a freemium model:
The Opportunity: While social distancing measures will eventually end in the months to come, the habits formed around digitally-enabled fitness may remain for millions.
Apps like HomeCourt and Techne Futbol are part of the broader trend towards interactive digital fitness solutions, with Peloton’s September 2019 IPO a particularly noteworthy milestone. One particularly sticky feature of these new platforms is the ability to create the sense of community.
Moving forward, opportunities in the space include:
Sports-Specific Training Apps: Aside from basketball and soccer, other single-sport apps that could thrive include those targeted at the most popular US high school sports, including football, track and field, baseball, tennis, golf, volleyball, softball, and lacrosse.
Source: National Federation of State High School Associations (USA)
Another option is to leverage Famer, a sports-agnostic app that allows coaches to set training, feedback and community with players and team members. Teams and clubs use the app for free while athletes are charged a fee (coaches set fees but the starting prices offered on the website range from $25-$100 per athlete per season).
Finally, general on-demand fitness apps with serious traction include Aaptiv (on-demand audio classes) and Neo U (live or on-demand streaming classes).
These apps off a wide range for lessons: Treadmill, Elliptical, Indoor Cycling, Rowing, Stair Climber, Strength Training, Stretching, Workouts for Weight Loss, Ab Workouts, Programs, Yoga, Boxing (just released last month), Walking, Meditation, 5K training, 10K Training, Half Marathon Training, Full Marathon Training
Source: Company photos
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