Fitness events are changing. For the better. Back in the day, competing in a mass a fitness event meant dragging yourself out bed at some ungodly hour for a few hours of pure pain that hopefully finishes with a shitty medal, a quick recovery meal and home for a lie down. While it would be wrong to say it felt like a chore, it certainly wasn’t the same as waking up to go to a music festival. Well… today’s fitness events overseas look more like Coachella—and honestly, we’re here for it. Bring it to Oz, we say.
In an exciting new trend that’s reshaping the way we see fitness, events around the globe are blending workouts with music, wellness, recovery and entertainment, turning races and events into full-on festivals without the pingers, police dogs and toilet queues. Ok, maybe there’s toilet queues. But you get the idea.
Diplo’s Run Club: From Street Runs to Party Runs
Diplo, the superstar DJ known for headlining massive music festivals, now heads Diplo’s Run Club, which started modestly with a few casual city jogs. Today, it’s rapidly expanding across the country, combining fitness and wellness with high-energy parties. The club recently attracted nearly 11,000 runners at an event in San Francisco, culminating in a DJ set attended by about 14,000 fans. Diplo himself emphasised the communal nature, stating, “It’s not about how fast we run today, it’s about showing up with each other.” Participants also enjoy wellness amenities like Normatec compression boots and ice-cold plunges, showcasing the blend of fitness and recovery.
Website: https://diplosrunclub.com/
Runningman: Fitness Meets Festival
Then there’s Runningman, aptly dubbed “the fitness & wellness festival,” which attracts thousands of fitness enthusiasts for epic workouts, races, DJ performances, and community vibes. The event feels less like your typical group workout and more like a music festival, complete with food stalls, hydration stations, and a vibe that screams celebration rather than perspiration. Runningman even boasts the world’s largest sauna, yoga sessions, live music, and motivational speakers, creating a comprehensive wellness experience. Co-founder J.P. O’Brien explained in Forbes, “Our vision was to create an experience that didn’t just feel like another gym day. We wanted fitness to be genuinely fun, communal, and immersive.”
Website: https://runningmanfestival.com/
Stagecoach’s Wellness Revolution
The Stagecoach Festival has embraced a wellness-forward approach with its innovative “Recovery Rodeo,” an offsite activation designed to help festival-goers rejuvenate amidst the high-energy atmosphere. This initiative, spearheaded by wellness brand Plunge, offers attendees a suite of recovery experiences, including cold plunges, Hyperice Normatec 3 compression boots, and non-alcoholic beverages from partners like Best Day Brewing. The event also featured a surprise performance by country artist Shaboozey, blending entertainment with wellness.
Why is this happening?
This blending of fitness and entertainment reflects a broader shift: people want their health experiences to be enjoyable, social, and memorable. Studies consistently show that when fitness is social and fun, adherence skyrockets.
A study published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found social interaction significantly boosts motivation and consistency in physical activities. Events like Diplo’s Run Club and Runningman leverage this fact, creating spaces where fitness and socialising blend effortlessly, making exercise evetns feel less like a chore and more like a reward.
The Future is Fit and Fun
As fitness continues to merge with entertainment, expect to see even more creativity, larger crowds, and innovative collaborations with disparate brands you wouldn’t expect. Traditional runs and marathons that we love will not disappear, but the rise of these experiential events marks a new era in fitness culture, appealing to diverse audiences seeking vibrant and immersive health experiences, not just a single, personal challenge.
Because let’s be real—when workouts feel like a party, everyone wins.
