COMN

Run clubs are exploding, turning running into a cornerstone of social connection with?Venice Run Club?hosting over 1,400 runners a week, introducing who's single before every run, while clubs like?Point B,?Run The Blocks,?Greenpoint, and?Dirty Bird?are creating a unique space for everyone to find their community. With?17% of Americans (24% under 30) facing loneliness—linked to?health risks as severe as smoking 15 cigarettes a day—these communities foster a sense of belonging, countering digital disconnection and echoing findings from recent?Strava data?and an?80-year Harvard study?that strong relationships are THE key to long-term health and happiness. Brands like?On?are popping up authentically in these communities with try-on experiences while letting local founders maintain their values and motives. #runclubs #running #trendreport #sincereconnection #runforfun #community #consumerinsights?

?? We often look backward for answers instead of forward for possibilities. A Harvard study found that while we acknowledge how much the past decade has changed, we rarely expect the next decade to be any different. But history shows how deeply the past shapes our present—sometimes in ways we don’t even realize. Take NASA rockets, for example. Their width is about 4.5ft—Not because that’s ideal for space travel, but because ancient Roman chariot wheels set a standard that shaped railroads, which then shaped transportation, and ultimately, rocket design. ?We tend to follow old patterns without questioning if they still serve us. Human-centered design thinking, on the other hand, encourages us to break free from the norm by deeply understanding human needs and designing solutions that truly serve their purpose—rather than just following "best practices" because they've always been done that way. #human-centereddesignthinking #peoplefirst #designthinking #research #consumerinsights?

Tokyo was a fever dream ? ? ? To kick off the month, the team traveled to Tokyo for a phase one of a research study, where we connected with local athletes, explored the cities retail and sport landscape and had the chance to explore and sights, sounds and flavors the city had to offer,?thanks to help of our team on the ground in Japan. While a week just wasn’t enough time to soak it all in, we predict this is one of many trips to Japan our team takes for research in the near future. ???? #Tokyo #Japan #research #travel #work #consumerinsights?

With?42% of Americans?and over?580 million people globally?experiencing anxiety or depression and?60% still not seeking therapy?(despite?82% viewing it as a priority),?running is emerging as a powerful, evidence-based therapy for mental health. Studies show that high-intensity exercise is?1.5 times more effective than therapy or SSRI drugs, while outdoor running significantly boosts cognitive function. Despite barriers like adherence (only 52% are able to stick to protocols), running offers clarity and stress relief, rivaling antidepressants in efficacy. As the?$375B mental health market grows, we’re seeing?Headspace?and?Calm?reach Billion-dollar valuations, and brands like?Nike Mind Sets,?District Vision,?Coa,?Cerebral?and?Peoplehood?tap into this growing opportunity to position running as a powerful form of therapy. #runningforhealth #runningforlife #meditation #movement #consumerinsights?

Did you know Portland's Old Town is slated to become a hub for sustainable innovation? The Made in Old Town project is transforming this historic neighborhood through a proposed $125 million investment, setting the stage for the future of footwear and apparel manufacturing? right here in Downtown Portland. At the heart of it is a state-of-the-art Footwear and Manufacturing Innovation hub,? where advanced technologies like 3D printing will redefine how footwear and apparel are made, as well as bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. Many buildings in Old Town sit vacant.?The development would encompass 323,000 square feet, across nine buildings forming a campus of green manufacturing facilities, retail and affordable housing, revitalizing the community. The project is backed by former leaders from Adidas and Nike who’s expertise in environmentally responsible practices and forward-thinking strategies would play a key role in ‘Made in Old Towns’ Mission. And with $2 million in support from Oregon's legislature and a push for private investments, this vision is becoming a reality, creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and redefining what’s possible in American manufacturing. To learn more about the Made in Old Town Project click the link in our bio! #madeinoldtown #portlandoregon #innovation #manufacturing #thisisportland?

Human-centered design thinking has revolutionized how businesses solve problems and innovate. With roots in post-WWII architecture and engineering, it emerged as a way to harness technology for rebuilding society. Over the decades, Stanford Design School and firms like IDEO refined and popularized this approach, bringing it to industries worldwide. At its core, design thinking is about empathy and creativity: understanding the people you serve, defining the problem, brainstorming solutions, prototyping, and testing before implementation. It’s adaptable, iterative, and proven to work. Yet only 55% of businesses leverage this power—That’s where we come in. This process is at the heart of what we do. We use this framework to deliver meaningful, human first solutions and help brands solve real problems based on real peoples needs. #humancentereddesignthinking #designthinking #power #business #b2b #peoplefirst?

Gone are the days of a recreational runner just running. As strength training with running becomes the norm supported by spaces like MotivNY and AARMY, runners are further redefining performance by blending it with diverse lower-impact activities, like pilates and yoga, as well as mixing in seasonal activities like cycling, tennis, climbing, and surfing, in search of diversity and connection. Few brands have yet to really tap into these unique intersections, while consumers are already very much in this blended space. You can read more about this trend and others in out COMNground news letter which is available in our bio! #runningculture #runningtrends. #culture #motivation #consumerinsights #longevity #run

Running is hard, but it’s also deeply rewarding. Today's runners are prioritizing personal growth over pace and distance, citing resilience, improved mood, longevity, and accomplishment as their top four motivations to run. With most runners averaging 5 miles and a 10-minute pace, and pace dropping 8.5%, they value consistency and effort over elite performance. Yet their top four barriers include time constraints, injury (up to 75% of runners face it annually), discomfort, and hot environments, highlighting the struggle between pushing limits and preventing pain. As new tech from Garmin and Strava helps runners manage form, avoid overuse, and stay motivated, the $44.2 billion market opportunity these next few years may lie in celebrating the everyday runner’s journey and helping them push their own limits. You can read more about this trend and others in out COMNground news letter which is available in our bio! #runningculture #runningtrends. #culture #motivation #consumerinsights #longevity #run?

Join us for our New Year Mixer in North Portland! ?? Space is limited, so don’t wait to secure your spot. We wanted to create an opportunity to bring together change-makers from the sportswear industry and beyond for an afternoon of wellness connection and good vibes. Unwind, connect, and enjoy the company of like-minded individuals. To get things started we’ll offer an optional workout, Guided breath-work to help you reset, and contrast therapy to recharge. After that we’ll conclude with a lively zero-proof happy hour where you can relax, have a laugh, and connect with other creative and driven individuals. We look forward to seeing you there! #network #mixer #breathwork #recovery #happyhour

What a year it has been! Two years ago, COMN was founded with a clear mission. To help health and fitness brands find common ground with the people they serve. Now, as we head into year three, we reflect on how far we’ve come. This past year, we had the privilege of working with seven major sportswear brands, spanning from footwear and apparel to advertising in women's sports and across teams from product to Innovation. We welcomed Rachael to the team, whose passion for driving diversity and equity in research strengthens our sales and business operations, and Ryann, whose design and storytelling talents bring our insights to life. ?We completed six bespoke projects across five cities, logging over 300 hours in the field and conducting 130 in-depth interviews.?Two of which were booked and completed while Andy was scaling Mount Everest to raise funds and awareness for child protection and the NSPCC. We delivered 388 minutes of video content, 782 photos, and 468 pages of insights and strategies—challenging industry norms with greater depth, authenticity, and thoughtfulness. We hosted five workshops in our LivingLabs? in Portland and three more on-location in New York, Palm Springs, and Biella, Italy, bringing brands closer to their audiences and inspiring new ways of thinking. To every thought leader, contributor, and brand partner who’s trusted us along the way, we thank you for believing in our mission and the power of human connection. We’re still only getting started, and ready to embrace whatever comes our way in the new year.?