The U.S. fitness industry is growing and serving more people in niche categories along the way. In 2024, the Health and Fitness Association, opens in a new tab reported that gyms served an unprecedented 77 million members and served almost 96 million total customers.
As people turn to improve their fitness and health levels, they're also looking toward sustainability for a full-scope approach. What beverages they hydrate with, and in what type of packaging they're in, come into question at this juncture. For gyms with more members and increased competition when it comes to offerings, it's important to pay attention to detail here and be a source that offers members the best way to hydrate, which is clean and often refillable and not single-use packaging.
So one thing to consider is the way water is offered to members. Is it in plastic bottles? Is it single use, or can a member refill the bottle at a filtered hydration station? Do they have to remember to bring their own reusable bottle? What if they forget? What are some solutions to offer members the best hydration experience? Because often, this sets the tone for the efficacy of their workout.
When you think about the average liter of single-use bottled water containing Plastic particles bottled water240,000, opens in a new tab nanoparticles of plastic, it's not something we'd want to hand off to members if we're looking out for their overall health. As people pay closer attention to what they put into their bodies, they are starting to demand cleaner, health-focused packaging options.
Offering a co-branded aluminum, BPA-free refillable bottle is a way to offer a thorough health experience and show that your gym truly cares about its members' health, safety, and daily habits.
What are the health and environmental impacts of using non-plastic refillable bottled water compared to other options?
There are many benefits to swapping out single-use plastic for an aluminum refillable bottle, and one of the first is that it helps build healthier routines.
Want to support your gym members in drinking more water? Does it make sense to send each one home with a single-use plastic bottle or can that they will drink and throw away? Or one easy (cobranded) bottle that’s convenient to refill again and again with your facility's branding that will be a refillable marketing tool. It saves space and time, encourages more hydration, and of course, with all those fewer bottles, it’s less waste. Less waste at the gym, which lowers trash bills, but also less waste for members at home, and inevitably less strain on landfills and the planet.
Avoiding single-use plastic bottled water reduces constant exposure to microplastics and naturally encourages people to drink more water, rather than limiting how many single-use bottles they consume. Of course, staying hydrated is nonnegotiable for maintaining health and immunity. The U.S. National Library of Medicine, opens in a new tab Partnerships How much water per day why the 8 glasses a day rule doesn't work for everyone verywell health reminds us that water is essential for regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, preventing infections, and keeping organs working properly. When it comes to how much water to drink during workouts, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) recommends drinking about 7 to 10, opens in a new tab ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes. What better reason to have a bottle and refill it?!
And while we all know the importance of hydration, a growing number of people are also wanting to protect the planet by making easy switches, like from single-use to reusable. A major study by the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business found that sustainable products grew 7.1Go to Final 2021 csb practice forum- 7.14.21.pdf times faster than regular products, proving that people care about their impact.
Companies are listening too; we see a daily demand from major brands who want to offer a co-branded reusable PATH bottle to their customers to help make an impact. By offering a refillable PATH bottle option, these businesses are making a huge impact on waste and helping support a healthier, cleaner environment with less plastic degrading into the soil and air we breathe. Go collective impact!
Are refillable water bottles becoming a status symbol?
Refillable water bottles have become a status symbol. Rather than simply being a trendy sustainability add-on, refillable water bottles are now seen as a highly functional upgrade to your daily life. Feeling superior because you drank your daily recommended water intake? It’s a badge of honor when we take on self-care like proper water hygiene. Carrying a refillable aluminum bottle shows that you are actively prioritizing your personal health.
We know it’s not always easy to keep track of that $100 reusable bottle, and in the instances where you forget it at home or misplace it, PATH reusable bottles are an easy thing to manage and make life easier because they are convenient and they look good, so you’re proud to carry them around.
Connected to the idea that a water bottle is a status symbol is the tracking of health data in the mainstream. Wearables like smartwatches help people keep an eye on their daily habits to catch health changes early, and hydration is becoming a massive part of this, whether it’s directly attached to the bottle or as a reminder to hydrate throughout the day.
Having a trusty bottle right next to you makes hitting goals easy.
Refillable bottles fit naturally into health driven memberships
Water refill stations are a must-have for today's wellness spaces. They fit naturally into health-driven memberships because they help people build better daily habits and give your facility a premium, intentional feel. PATH has partnered with some of these brands to help provide the best member experience. Some examples are alo, Barry’s Fitness, and Orangetheory Fitness, just to name a few.
Some other brands taking their water game to the next level by installing hydration stations include Equinox and Gold’s Gym in Berlin with its LEED Platinum certification.
We all win when we refill it at the gym and all throughout our day.
Gyms want to improve their brand presence and increase profits, but they also need solutions that are easy and affordable for their members. That is exactly where PATH fits in.
PATH is on a mission to redefine sustainability in the fitness industry. Our goal is to put a refillable bottle in the hands of every individual and encourage humanity to break free from single-use plastic. Our mission grows every single day, as more people learn about the power of refilling.
Our commitment to the planet includes teaming up with other brands to help them cut down on plastic waste. Through our Partnering to Save the Planet Program, we collaborate with gyms and corporations to offer a real, hands-on initiative in a bottle that is sleek and can deliver metrics to count the impact being made.
Get your gym members the refillable branded bottle they deserve!
When gyms, clubs, coworking spaces, and wellness communities offer clean refill stations and reusable bottles, it builds instant trust, shows thoughtful design and a focus on cleanliness while offering products that encourage healthy habits, like drinking more water.
Wellness is about an entire approach, one that also includes keeping our planet cleaner. Members expect their gyms to care about their long-term health and about sustainability. By removing single-use plastics and offering clean refill stations, you help members drink more water, avoid harmful microplastics, and feel great about where they work out.
Are you ready to give your members an impactful, stylish way to stay hydrated while showing off your gym's culture and commitment to healthier people and planet?
Step up your member experience and protect the planet. Get started on a partnership with PATH today, opens in a new tab.