What community rec leaders predict will be the biggest 2025 trends including AI, group programming and more.
“Ithink leaders in this space have to either create their own trends or ride the trends in front of them,” said Jorge Perez, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. “The trends we identify are directly tied to what’s happening in the world today.”
As such, trends can be an extremely valuable tool in determining and evaluating what matters most to your members. Today, the general population wants good health, community and convenience more than ever. Community rec centers are in a unique place to offer all these things through programming and technology — which is a big trend Perez has identified. With the constantly evolving technological landscape, many leaders are faced with the choice to adapt or be left behind.
“Technology is everywhere,” stated Perez. “There’s not a single thing in our life that’s not currently being upended. Unfortunately, we tend to be in a space that’s the last one there, and we can’t be. We need to figure out a way to be the first. The good news is the technology tools of today allow you to do that.”
One of the biggest areas of tech Perez foresees growing is AI. Already, AI is helping professionals with crafting emails, summarizing information and other simple processes, but it’s increasingly becoming prevalent in greater parts of operations, including automatization, trend prediction and advising.
Already, the Cincinnati YMCA is making impressive strides with the introduction of 16 AI advisors trained to help professionals in areas like fundraising, marketing, facilities management, youth programming and more. These tools excel in strengthening efficiencies and providing support for staff.
“We’re just beginning to scratch the surface,” said Perez. “I’m trying to help us understand that the future of AI isn’t just a better tool, but a whole new staff. I read an article from Harvard University where in response to the question, ‘Will AI ever replace human beings?’ the author said, ‘AI won’t replace human beings, but human beings who don’t use AI will be replaced.’ The advantage AI gives humans is just too great.”
Looking ahead, Perez predicted AI will automate tasks like scheduling, youth program creation and customer service. An advancement Perez is looking forward to is when AI can observe and provide real-time feedback for activities like pickleball, exercise classes and more. “It’s going to fundamentally change the way we work, what we do, what we offer, the member experience and what they expect of us,” he said.
The revolution of AI in fitness is also affecting community rec centers, which the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley has noticied. Derek White, the CEO of the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley, noted the appeal of tech-savvy fitness machines and how it can be valuable for community rec centers to implement tech-forward machines in these spaces.
“Within the fitness industry, I’ve noticed the continued effort to try and find accessible technology-based fitness,” explained White. “This allows for people to meet their goals and helps us keep up with the ever-growing demand and interest in technology. It’s growing in popularity amongst YMCAs and the nonprofit and for-profit fitness industry.”
To stay on top of the trend, one strategy is to keep tabs on suppliers trailblazing in these areas. For example, White has studied the impact of vendors like EGYM and visited other YMCAs with its equipment.
“Based on EGYM’s numbers and results, it’s a great opportunity for what we call the health seeker or an individual who maybe doesn’t know exactly what they want to accomplish; they just want to be healthy,” explained White. “Having EGYM equipment would be a subtle way to do that, help grow personal training as well and get people to start exercising again.”
When deciding to capitalize on any trend, consideration of how it will help serve your community is crucial. Examining community needs assessments helps the Y determine what trends members are seeing and how valuable it’d be to pursue them. This strategy helped the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley determine the need for more community mental health and wellness programming.
As a result, the Y will be offering more evidence-based, chronic disease programming to build balance and stability and support those with Parkinson’s and cancer survivors. Because the community identified this need, the Y is responding by formulating this valuable programming. Plus, these classes for special populations also provide more opportunities for connection and strengthening belonging.
“We find a lot of people wanted to be connected to other individuals,” explained White. “So, our group exercise classes continue to be something that sets us apart from other for-profit facilities. It’s about the connection to somebody in your class who’s right next to you and going through the same challenges. You experience the same things in these classes.”
Similarly, the Mittleman JCC at the Schnitzer Family Campus is noticing its group fitness classes growing in popularity. Jenny Robinett, the assistant executive director of the Mittleman JCC, noted the social aspect of health has become just as important as the physical.
“With Group X classes, people are looking for community,” said Robinett. “That was true before the COVID-19 pandemic, but I feel even more so now people miss each other when they’re not in class. It’s more than just working out. They see each other once or twice a week and they’re able to check-in with each other.”
Another way the JCC has seen an increasing need for holistic health is the rise of comprehensive workouts. Members want well-rounded training opportunities in strength and cardio — which the J provides with Precor equipment — along with stretching, yoga and recovery. They recognize the need to push themselves during exercise routines but they also want to repair their bodies afterward.
“People have a better understanding of their bodies and the importance of this holistic aspect,” explained Robinett. “Before, people just wanted to be fit. Now, they have a better understanding that to maintain their bodies long term, they have to build, stretch and repair muscle.”
As such, the JCC is implementing new holistic health amenities like acupuncture and a foam rolling class along with hiring new personal trainers. These staff members will focus on guiding clients on diet, nutrition and recovery which are other needs the J’s community has identified.
By catering to the trends your community is interested in, you’ll figure out how to better serve them. AI, integrated fitness technology and holistic health are just some of the trends making a splash. Stay attuned to what your community needs as trends aren’t just passing fads — they’re indicators of deeper, longer-term changes affecting the general population.
