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Fitness festivals: fad or gateway to healthier lifestyles?
With the summer festival season upon us, we take a look at the growing inclusion of physical activity as part of these events and if they are the catalyst for festivalgoers becoming more active.
Over the past few years, a new phenomenon has emerged which presents both opportunities and challenges for getting more people active.
Fitness festivals have exploded in popularity, combining elements of traditional summer music festivals with physical activity.
These events provide an opportunity for individuals to engage in various fitness activities, explore emerging wellness trends and interact with others who share similar interests.
While they offer short-term motivation and exposure to different exercise activities and styles, their long-term impact on fitness habits varies among participants.
A growing trend
Fitness festivals have evolved from niche gatherings into large-scale events, attracting thousands of attendees across the UK. They feature a variety of activities, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), yoga, Pilates, dance workouts and assault courses. The range of options allows for participation across different fitness levels, making many of these festivals appealing to both beginners and experienced participants.
While events like Wellnergy Festival and Moovin Festival focus on physical activity, other ‘mainstream’ festivals like Camp Bestival, Latitude and Unearthed have grown a substantial activity and fitness offer.
Beyond exercise
Although physical activity is central to fitness festivals, these events often also a wide range of other activities connected to wellbeing, including wellness talks, cookery demonstrations and nutritional workshops, and mindfulness sessions.
Attendees often have access to insights from industry professionals and celebrities on topics such as healthy eating, mental health and injury prevention. Some argue that this holistic approach can help individuals adopt healthier habits beyond the festival experience, though the extent to which these lessons translate into long-term change is uncertain.
Sarah, a festival attendee, said “attending these festivals introduced me to new ways of staying active. It’s helped me rethink how I approach fitness, though maintaining the same motivation outside of the festival setting can be challenging”.
Fitness professionals involved in these events also see their benefits. James, a personal trainer who has led sessions at several festivals, said “fitness festivals create an energetic atmosphere where people are willing to push themselves. However, it’s important that participants find ways to sustain their activity levels beyond the event”.
Instructor Emily, who has worked at multiple activity and wellness retreats, said “practising yoga in an open-air festival setting can be a unique and transformative experience. However, incorporating mindfulness into daily life requires consistent effort beyond a one-off event”.
Community and social benefits
Another key aspect of fitness festivals is the opportunity to develop networks through a strong sense of community. Unlike traditional gym or leisure centre settings, these events encourage social interaction and collective motivation. For some participants, this supportive environment enhances the overall experience and may provide a boost in motivation.
Mark, a first-time festivalgoer, said “I attended alone but ended up making several connections. The encouragement from others made the workouts more enjoyable”.
Translating to sustainable habits
While fitness festivals provide a structured and engaging environment for physical activity, they are not a comprehensive solution to health and wellbeing. Their primary benefit may lie in serving as a catalyst for individuals to explore new workouts, rediscover motivation or build connections within the fitness community. However, maintaining an active lifestyle requires sustained effort beyond festival participation.
Jessica, a festival participant, said “practising yoga with a group was an incredible experience, but the real challenge is making mindfulness and movement part of daily life”.
As fitness festivals continue to attract participants, their effectiveness in promoting long-term health continues to be debated. For many, they represent an enjoyable and inspiring experience, but integrating their benefits into a consistent, sustainable routine is the key to impact.
