Wellness Economy is Booming — Here's Where Smart Money Should Look

The health and fitness market isn’t niche anymore. It’s gone mainstream, and the numbers back it up.

We’re talking about a shift from occasional gym visits to a lifestyle — fitness apps, wearables, nutrition tracking, mental health support, all woven into daily routines. The global wellness market is projected to hit $11 trillion by 2034, growing at a steady 5.4% annually from 2025. That’s not hype; that’s structural demand.

Why the acceleration?

Tech giants are turbocharging the trend. Apple bundles activity tracking with Fitness+ to make workouts seamless. Amazon is beefing up healthcare through One Medical, mixing AI with virtual care. These aren’t side projects — they’re strategic bets on a market that’s fundamentally reshaping consumer priorities.

The growth drivers are real: rising obesity concerns, chronic disease prevention, employer wellness programs, and policy support all pushing people toward proactive health.

Four stocks worth watching:

United Natural Foods (UNFI) — The play on nutritious eating. Distributes organic, natural, and wellness-focused food products across North America. Owns brands like WILD HARVEST and WOODSTOCK. It’s scaling the infrastructure for clean-label, health-conscious consumption. Currently rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

The Beachbody Company (BODI) — Digital fitness on steroids. 10,900+ workout videos across P90X, Insanity, and other brands, all accessible via subscription. They pivoted hard: ditched the MLM model in late 2024, killed their connected hardware, and doubled down on recurring subscriptions plus nutrition products (Shakeology, supplements). It’s a leaner, more scalable business now. Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Life Time Group Holdings (LTH) — High-end wellness clubs with integrated fitness, recovery, sports programs, and lifestyle amenities. Think beyond the treadmill — they’re building membership-driven wellness ecosystems with spas, cafés, kids programs, and events. Real estate-driven expansion into major metros. Also Zacks Rank #2.

Peloton Interactive (PTON) — Shifted from hardware-centric to subscription-focused. Connected devices (Bike, Tread, Row) paired with thousands of on-demand classes and All-Access memberships. Recently streamlined operations and boosted app features to drive recurring revenue beyond hardware sales. Zacks Rank #2.

The bottom line:

Consumers are increasingly treating health as a priority, not a luxury. That spending isn’t reversing. Companies capturing recurring revenue through subscriptions, memberships, and digital ecosystems are best positioned for the long haul. The wellness megatrend is still in early innings.