SAN RAMON, Calif .– (BUSINESS WIRE) – Aug. December 2021–
The results of a year-long behavioral study, conducted as part of a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania’s Behavior Change for Good Initiative (BCFG) and the well-known fitness industry leader 24 Hour Fitness, are featured in the December 8th publication of the scientific journal Nature. Summary of nature articles here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04128-4 The StepUp program, which started in April 2018, was designed to find out what really motivates gym goers to use aiming to find tools to create permanently life-changing healthy habits. The science-based interactive digital program is designed to encourage more gym visits and ultimately better health and fitness for life.
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24-hour fitness cycle group exercise class (Photo: 24-hour fitness)
The study
BCFG created the 28-Day Workout Rewards Program, which simultaneously tested 53 affordable, scalable, science-based strategies aimed at building exercise habits among more than 60,000 members of the 24-hour fitness club. 45% of the strategies tested significantly increased gym check-ins during the program. (See attached sheet with study highlights.)
Led by Angela Duckworth, Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and Katherine Milkman, James G. Dinan Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the BCFG brings together leaders social sciences, medicine, computer science and neuroscience to solve the problem of permanent behavior change. BCFG connects this world-class scientific team, including Nobel Prize winners and members of the National Academy of Sciences, with partner organizations to test and improve a behavior change program incorporating the latest research from researchers. The program focuses on improving people’s daily health choices.
The future of fitness
“There is now more clarity about the importance of making fitness part of our daily lives, and increasing gym visits are one way to do that,” said Professor Katherine Milkman, co-director of BCFG. “We found that a program that encouraged people to plan visits to the gym, provided micro-incentives to exercise, and sent SMS reminders to people just before planned workouts was real added value and made more effective with a range of behavioral science could be. Our work shows how consumers can increase their physical activity with small steps – create daily fitness plans, bundle their training units with a favorite podcast or audio book and avoid streaks from missed training units. “
“Our goal at 24 Hour Fitness has always been to help create a world of healthier, happier people,” said Tony Ueber, CEO of 24 Hour Fitness. “Today more than ever, fitness is a crucial aspect of both physical and emotional well-being. We’re excited that our first partnership with BCFG has produced results that will give people tools to better integrate fitness into their lives and become healthier selves. “
Earlier this year, the leading behavioral researcher Katy Milkman published her bestselling book “How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”, in which the key findings from the Nature Paper along with the results of numerous other studies to change behavior. https://www.katymilkman.com/book
Tips on building a healthy fitness habit
So how do you develop healthier fitness habits? It works like a charm for a person to lay out the sportswear the night before. Second, it could be a training partner who helps with accountability. For a third person, success may require something completely different. In addition to the work of BCFG, 24 Hour Fitness offers the following consumer tips for you to consider that can help you build healthier fitness habits that stay:
- Make a plan, set reminders: challenge yourself by scheduling fitness into your day and reminding yourself of it. Specific fitness plans make them harder to miss and can increase your commitment to fitness if planned in advance.
- Think of fitness as a way of life: overall health is becoming more important than ever. Learn more about the benefits of fitness – read it, get advice from a fitness professional, and know you’ll be joining a growing number of learners making similar discoveries. The motivation that comes from exercising with a community of like-minded gym goers is a powerful experience.
- Combine your visit to the gym with an activity you love: To build a lasting habit, combine a workout with another fun activity that you limit to your workout. For example, listen to your favorite podcast or great book ONLY when you are in the gym.
- Reward yourself: set achievable goals and write them down in a journal. For example, go to the gym three days a week or increase your weekly runs by 10%. After a month of success, reward yourself with a piece of new workout clothing.
- Are you missing a workout? No problem! Recruit a Fitness Buddy: It’s harder to disappoint a friend, especially one who also believes in the importance of fitness. Plan your workouts with a new fitness partner. Far less likely to step back and have more fun along the way.
Via the Behavior Change for Good Initiative and the University of Pennsylvania
The Behavior Change for Good Initiative (BCFG) at the Wharton School and the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania brings together an interdisciplinary team of over 100 behavioral science experts (including two Nobel Prize winners, four MacArthur Genius Award winners, and numerous members of the National Academy of Sciences) with leading organizational partners to advance the science and practice of behavior change. BCFG identifies what works on a large scale by conducting mega-studies (massive random assignment A / B tests) that simultaneously test the best ideas from the BCFG science team for changing a target behavior. This approach gives BCFG an opportunity to understand what strategies work best overall, what works best for whom, and how behavior research can be most effectively used to change people’s lives for the better. To learn more, visit https://bcfg.wharton.upenn.edu/
About 24-hour fitness
Celebrating over 35 years as an industry leader, 24 Hour Fitness is helping transform lives every day through fitness. Clean and spacious clubs stocked with a variety of strength, cardio, and functional exercise machines provide a welcoming environment for members to participate in professionally coached fitness programs. Group training and bike rooms offer a popular selection of live classes that inspire each member to live healthier, happier lives. As an ongoing part of the company’s investments in technology and innovation to improve the member experience, the 24GO ® personalized fitness app helps everyone stay healthy, anytime, anywhere. The app offers contactless club check-in as well as hundreds of on-demand workouts to support fitness at home or in the club. It also serves as access to 24GO Plus ™, a current premium digital subscription with customizable smart workouts, audio coaching, access to more than 50 weekly, live coached virtual group trainings and more. 24GO Plus ™ is currently included in the 24-hour fitness membership at no additional cost. 24 Hour Fitness also offers the 24GO TV ™ training channel with free streaming content that is available around the clock via the 24GO ® app and on YouTube. To find out more about us, visit www.24hourfitness.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211208005985/en/
CONTACT: Mimi Field, (925) 337-4987, mfield@24hourfit.com
Karen Bakula, (925) 786-4516, kbakula@24hourfit.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FITNESS & NUTRITIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH
SOURCE: 24-hour fitness
Copyright Business Wire 2021.
PUB: 12/8/2021 1:57 PM / DISC: 12/8/2021 1:57 PM
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211208005985/en
Copyright Business Wire 2021.
