Debrief #8

Happy Monday!

Here’s your October roundup of news and trends in the health, wellness & fitness space.

Check it out 👇

📣 News

• Therabody’s Recovery Revolution:

  • New products: infrared LED compression boots, wireless travel boots, heated massage gun, and vibrating blackout sleep mask.

  • Recovery focus: Therabody blends compression and infrared therapy, covering all aspects of recovery.
    

• Vuori’s Qualify Run Shorts:

  • It's the brands 1st true running shorts.

  • Features: 6" inseam, mesh liner.

• Neurable MW75 Neuro Headphones:

  • New headphones that tracks cognitive health using brain-computer interface technology.

• InsideTracker’s Nutrition DeepDive:

  • App-based platform for personalized food and supplement impact tracking.

• Synopsis:

  • A streamlined app created by PT Thomas McGee that helps users track their macros by snapping a photo of their meal or describing it. The app analyzes ingredients and nutritional content with 90% accuracy for well-lit, clear images.

  • Ideal for fitness enthusiasts focused on nutrition, Synopsis simplifies meal logging and offers personalized nutrition insights to help users stay on top of their health goals.
    

• while on earth™ Footwear:

  • New performance brand debuted on September 18th, founded by Todd Meleney (ex NOBULL), Brooke Wells, and Mat Fraser (CrossFit Champs).

  • the brand was born out of meticulous research and based from frustration from both champs that needed more robust and solid trainers.
    

• Oura Ring Gen 4:

  • Features Smart Sensing tech, adapting to your finger's unique physiology.

  • Major upgrade: Blood oxygen sensing improved by 120%. However, raises questions about prior accuracy.
    

• Hyperice Normatec Premier:

  • Fully wireless compression sleeve system, no external hoses or unit controls.

  • Huge improvement over the traditional model that required plugging in and bulky external control units.

• Kohler x Remedy Place Ice Bath:

  • Available for pre-order at $15,000, featuring ergonomic design and a sleek dark finish.

  • This marks Kohler as the first major appliance brand to offer a luxury ice bath, signalling the potential rise of cold plunges as future home appliances.
    

• Outdoor Activity Feed:

  • New social feed on the Outside app for sharing outdoor adventures, discovering new routes, and connecting with outdoor brands.

  • Discover new routes and trails from fellow users or find recommendations tailored to your interests.

  • Brand integration: Connect with outdoor gear brands and potentially unlock offers or content.

  • Community-focused, encouraging user-generated content, but Outdoor must differentiate from apps like Strava by offering unique engagement opportunities for its niche audience of outdoor enthusiasts.
    

• Saucony Triumph 22 GORE-TEX®: Saucony’s newest release of the Triumph 22, now with GORE-TEX® technology, designed to provide both waterproofing and breathability for all-weather running conditions​.

• Nike Pegasus 41 GORE-TEX®: This new water-resistant version of the popular Nike Pegasus 41 combines GORE-TEX® protection with a sleek design for tackling wet-weather runs.

The Rise of Running: Gen Z’s Path to Wellness and Connection

Running is experiencing a resurgence, particularly among younger generations. According to a report from Running USA, Gen Z runners are lacing up their shoes for more than just physical fitness. For this group, running has become a pathway to enhanced mental well-being, social connection, and a fresh dose of fun.

Ben Morrow, founder of the NYC-based running brand MILER RUNNING, believes this trend is no coincidence:

"The surge in running and the popularity of running clubs align with our growing need to disconnect from screen time, especially social media."

The Frenzy of Running Clubs

This trend is visible across both the US and Europe, where running clubs have exploded in popularity. In the US alone, running club memberships grew by 26% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with over 18 million active runners participating in local and online running groups. Europe is seeing a similar boom, with countries like the UK, Germany, and France reporting a sharp increase in running group participation. In the UK, Park Run alone attracts over 7 million registered runners, and that number is growing by the thousands every week.

Running as an Antidote to the Digital Age

Morrow's observation taps into a broader phenomenon. With more people working remotely and glued to their phones, a "loneliness epidemic" is creeping in. Running has emerged as a powerful solution, offering more than just cardio benefits. It's now being recognized as a potent tool for mental health and social well-being. Here’s what the numbers say:

• Running helps alleviate anxiety, with over 75% of regular runners reporting lower levels of stress.

• Outdoor running reduces depression, and studies show a 12% drop in depressive symptoms for people who engage in consistent outdoor exercise.

• Group workouts reduce perceived stress levels by 26%, creating a sense of community and belonging that's often missing in digital interactions.

The Social Power of Running

The social aspect of running is driving this boom, transforming casual meetups into tight-knit communities. In fact, 43% of runners in the US say they’ve formed close friendships through running groups, while 38% report a boost in social confidence. As Morrow puts it:

"I’ve met many of my closest friends through running. There’s something about the effort and rhythm of running that makes conversation flow naturally. It makes me feel more open, curious, and vulnerable — all key ingredients for connection."

Accessible and Diverse

What makes running so appealing is its accessibility. Whether you're running a 5K in the city or tackling an ultramarathon in the mountains, there's something for everyone.

In fact, over 1.3 million people participated in running events in Europe in 2023 alone. From Park Runs to trail races, the community is as diverse as it is vast, with opportunities for all ages and skill levels.

Here’s a list of running clubs 👇

New York City:

• NYRR (New York Road Runners): Offers races, training, and weekly runs. NYRR

• Brooklyn Track Club: Focuses on community and competitive running. Brooklyn Track Club

Austin:

• Austin Runners Club: Hosts weekly runs and races. Austin Runners Club

• Gilbert’s Gazelles: Known for marathon coaching. Gilbert's Gazelles

Los Angeles:

• We Run LA: A social, community-based running group. We Run LA

• Nike Run Club LA: Regular meetups with Nike coaches. Nike Run Club App

Paris:

• Distance Running Paris: Casual and competitive running. Distance Running Paris

• Paris Running Club: Community for lifestyle and performance running. Paris Running Club

Brussels:

• Animo Studios: Fitness and wellness studios / hub. Animo Studios​

• Cadence Athletics: Casual & fun with different paces/km. Cadence Athletics

• Carbon Athletics: Know for its long runs. Carbon Athletics

• Octane Racing: Know for organising races and events. Octane Racing

London:

• Run Dem Crew: Creative and inclusive running crew. Run Dem Crew

• Track Mafia: Known for speed workouts. Track Mafia

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