FIBO 2023 to focus on the role of fitness in physical health and illness prevention moves further into focus

Mindful of recent World Health Organization (WHO) information that 500 million people around the world will suffer from the consequences of lack of exercise by 2030, the organisers of German health and fitness exhibition FIBO, are to highlight the importance of the WHO recommendation that  adults should be physically active for at least 150 minutes per week at its 2023 edition.

Highlighting the key role of the fitness industry, FIBO and its partners including ‘Exercise is Medicine’, Europe Active and the European Health & Fitness Forum, the BSA Academy and the German College for Health & Prevention, associations, sports doctors and trade media, will place even more emphasis on the health aspects of fitness.

With its new ‘Health Ambassador’, sports scientist Ingo Froböse, Professor of Rehabilitation and Prevention at the Cologne Sports University, FIBO also wants to make the value of fitness for health visible and, above all, tangible for the masses.

FIBO Event Director, Silke Frank explained “it is important to us to clearly present the key and pioneering role of the fitness industry for people's health.

“Our aim is to bring together all the players in the industry in order to achieve the greatest possible impact via this network.”

Being held at Koelnmesse (Cologne Fair) from 13th to 16th April next year, FIBO 2023 will include  a range of formats.

Transformation of the fitness industry
The European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF) by Europe Active at the start of the trade show demonstrate that the fitness industry is playing a pioneering role in several areas. Already on the day before FIBO, 12th April, the EHFF will bring together the industry's top decision-makers. ‘Transformational Leadership’ is the motto of the lectures and discussions and describes how the industry can shape developments and new requirements.

From mental fitness to sports medicine
New approaches and practical examples from all areas of fitness, wellness, preventive health care and sports will be presented by FIBO on the four following days of the show. Preventive health care, nutrition and mental fitness are among the topics of the FIBO Congress, which will be organised by experts from the BSA Academy and the German University of Health & Prevention (DHfPG).

The Meeting Point Health in Hall 8 offers a practical program for studio operators, trainers, sports physicians and, in particular, physiotherapists. The focus here is on synergies and networking between the various disciplines involved in fitness and health. 

In particular, the ‘Exercise is Medicine Day’ will take place on Friday. The lectures at the new symposium on sports medicine and physiotherapy “when therapy becomes training”, which is organised by Georg Thieme Verlag in cooperation with Sportärztezeitung, will also deal with practical and indication-specific examples, innovative methods of diagnostics, modern and combined therapies and individualised training.

New: Meeting Point Spa & Wellness
In addition, there will be a Meeting Point Spa & Wellness for the first time at FIBO 2023 in Hall 8, which will be designed in cooperation with the German Wellness Association. A specialist stage program and an area for networking are planned in the immediate vicinity of the theme-related exhibition area. 

On the Sunday of the event, there will be the presentation of the international ‘Spa Manager Award’ by the German Wellness Association as well as a (tral) spa camp by The CampCompany. FIBO will be supported in this area by strong partnerships with DEHOGA, Tophotel, ‘The 101 Best - Future Hospitality Days, aghz and the German Hotel Academy.
Training and further education 

‘Physio Future’ is the initiative that gives young physiotherapists opportunities and possibilities as to how they can enter the profession after their training. With the IFAA Trainer Plaza, the Functional Forum and the Body & Mind Area, FIBO is also expanding the range of further training on offer. The aim is to dovetail theory and practice more closely and to provide impulses for everyday working life. 

‘Tech Valley’ - the digitalisation of fitness
With digitalisation also increasing in the fitness industry, FIBO’s new ‘Tech Valley’ has been created adjacent to the Future Forum in Hall 7. 

Offering established companies and start-ups a stage, the area will allow studio operators to find apps, software and hardware solutions for optimising equipment and fitness offerings.

Study and try
Nutrition, fashion and beauty will dominate FIBO’s Hall 4.2. The focal point will be the stage in the Lifestyle Area, where information on fitness-oriented nutrition topics will be provided in impulse lectures and interviews. 

Those who want to test their fitness level afterwards can measure themselves against the competition in the ‘Fitness Race for Everyone’ by HYROX in Hall 4.1.

There will also be live stage action with top instructors in Hall 5.2 at the Pure Emotion Convention powered by FIBO and backed by exhibitors from the dance, functional training, cycling and aerobics sectors. 

New: FIBO brings gaming and fitness together
With the ‘Gaming & Health Area’ in Hall 5.2, FIBO is creating a new format for a new community at the show, presenting the possibilities of ‘exergaming’ with well-known creators.

FIBO Power brings athletes and fans together
Hall 10.2 will see leading bodybuilding athletes take the stage, along with bodybuilding competitions and various talk on the FIBO Power stage.

Click here for more information in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image courtesy of Behrendt & Rausch.