Rest Awhile, Run a Mile

摘要

The fact that more and more people are showing up for work in their yoga pants marks more than the growing popularity of athleisure wear-it also means fitness is big business. A visit to the gym might still equal drudgery for some, but for others it's more than a means of getting fit: It's an entire lifestyle and community. The astronomically popular Nike+ Run Clubs have proved to be a valuable branding exercise for the company. You need only a pair of running shoes to join (Swoosh optional but, of course, encouraged), and the clubs bring runners together across the globe via the Nike+ Running and Nike+ Training Club apps. Aside from hawking Nike's own expansive fitness apparel range, the initiative has also enabled the sportswear giant to expand its retail reach via collaborations with Apple, Spotify, and Garmin.