How The Pandemic Has Shifted How We Exercise

Over a decade ago, how we exercised was completely different from how we exercise today. What if we looked back to a year ago? What did fitness look like to you?

From big box gyms, boutique studios, small group training, yoga and pilates, indoor cycling, and more, the fitness culture and how we exercise has had its most significant shift from March 2020 - to the present.

“A record 71.5 million consumers used close to 40,000 for-profit health clubs in 2018. The number of individual members totaled 62.5 million, up 2.6% from 2017.”

— According to International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association

What happens when the world comes to a standstill, and we're forced to stay indoors? Well, we lived through it. We saw local fitness studios take the first and biggest hit. Most businesses believed a temporary shutdown was just that, temporary.

“Data from major gym and studio payment processing companies serving the industry reveals 19% of boutique fitness studios have permanently closed as of December 31, 2020. Approximately 14% of gyms and traditional health clubs have ceased operations.”

— International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association

Not only did the shutdown of gyms leave owners to deal with the potential of permanently closing business.

It had left instructors, trainers, coaches, and members to find new ways to teach and take classes virtually. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram were the first and most accessible places to teaching classes and taking classes.

The longer lockdowns went, especially in states like New York (reopened gym in September 2020) and Massachusetts (reopened gyms in Boston only to pull back a Phase due to a surge in cases), left everyone learning how to pivot.

Owners were pivoting from in-person to virtual, instructors pivoting to being in front of a camera, and members pivoting to holding themselves accountable to working out in their living rooms. And PIVOT we all did (insert Ross Geller meme).

There were immediate benefits of virtual fitness at the beginning of the pandemic. Virtually meant you could reach anyone from any state or country and vice versa for members. Remember that hot fitness studio that doesn’t have a location where you live just yet? No problem, you can attend class virtually now.

Not all of it was a smooth process though, it took some getting used to. We asked trainers and members to weigh in.

What was it like going virtual?

TRAINER

“One of the main differences I struggled with right away was doing the workout while teaching a class. Talk about challenging! It was a humbling experience, to say the least.”

— Izzy Atkinson, Trainer at Barry's Bootcamp & Everybody Fights

Studio Member

“When the studio closed and the classes were online, it was like I was still in the studio. All of the instructors were professional and kind. They all made it seem like we were all together in the same space. ”

— Noelle, btone Fitness member

Gym Member

“Finding gym equipment out there became impossible and expensive, which left me with some basics, no weights. I started taking a friend’s free fitness class, Turbo Kickboxing, and PI-YO, which are great. Now, I am including Peloton classes and am looking to build out my home workout space. ”

— Lenny Donnarumma, gym member

What about Personal Training?

You know, the higher-priced offering that is designed to provide you with 1:1 time directly with a trained professional?

“Without face-to-face interaction with my clients, it felt less personal and spontaneous. ”

— Kenny Vertus, Owner Unrivaled Performance

Clients who commit to personal training rely on that face time with their Personal Trainers to support their fitness journey. Personal Trainers have spent years building their clientele and developing their business.

How do you shift from 1:1 in-person to 1:1 virtually?

“Fitness professionals are known to be high-energy, focused, and driven. However, during the pandemic, that has been challenging. To respond to my own motivation and plan for my clients, I established personal self-care guidelines to stay mentally healthy and adapt.

At first, I found it hard to be motivated at home, so I traveled to a nearby track field to exercise and run. While building that routine and also recording exercises to post for Instagram, I kept myself accountable to do what I love, but also stay in a positive mindset.

Typically, I like to provide positive, transparent content on social media for my viewers. But I felt that informing others that I have had to adjust during the pandemic has been therapeutic. Actively voicing my feelings on the current moment with other people who are facing similar experiences has helped me endure through the process. ”

— Kenny Vertus, Owner Unrivaled Performance

The Reopening Phase

While there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, business owners, trainers, and members still had to adjust to the new policies to keep everyone safe, allowing businesses to operate in person. Every state opened at different times with all sorts of safety protocols in place, most still at a very limited capacity.

What is it like to teach class, train 1:1, take a class in-person, or go to the gym during a pandemic?

“It’s a very interesting experience teaching in a pandemic. Most studios had to pivot quickly to changing their classes’ layout, the programming, the intensity of the workouts, the cleaning protocols, the capacity, etc.

It’s been a complete 180 of teaching and training differently. The masks are hard to workout in and hard to teach in, but what I miss the most is my ability to see people’s smiles & emotions.

On the flip side, I’m incredibly grateful for my clients that have continued to show up throughout this pandemic and support instructors & studios during such a hard time. Instructors are working harder than ever to give our clients a space to escape to & feel somewhat normal again. ”

— Izzy Atkinson, Trainer at Barry's Bootcamp & Everybody Fights

“When we were able to go to the studio, I felt 100% safe. Btone Fitness followed all of the guidelines and created an environment I felt safe in. It was great to be back in person. ”

— Noelle, btone FITNESS member

“Although the pandemic has altered so much, I like to remind my clients I take every moment day by day, and they should be too. I began training in-person again, with measures to be socially distanced and outside as much as possible.”

— Kenny Vertus, Owner Unrivaled Performance

The question remains, will people want to return to the gym full-time, or are they now comfortable with their at-home setup?

“I’m still skeptical of attending a gym until a vaccine is widely rolled out. I kept my gym membership since it’s a good price but I am considering closing my membership to build my home gym. ”

— Lenny Donnarumma, gym member

Recently studies and consumer at-home gym equipment sales have shown that at-home fitness may be the biggest trend to stay post-pandemic. Fitness and Health: 2,000,000% growth in consumer interest according to an op-ed by CNBC.

With consumer growth increasing means, more people are investing in their health. Consumers share that at-home fitness has also become more accessible than going to a gym and more affordable options make for an easier commitment. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to be more cognizant of our health and well-being.

Does that mean the end of box gyms and group fitness studios?

Not necessarily. Business owners who have shifted their focus from client acquisition to client retention and throughout this past year are seeing a strengthened relationship and loyalty from members. The relationship has become more personalize and after a year of isolating away, people are craving this connection.

Although the pandemic had its impact negatively in many ways, it forced us all to prioritize our decision-making about health. It gave business owners a chance to step back and have a holistic view of their business models and it may even have allowed a time to reconnect or reevaluate mission statements.