How will fitness change after the pandemic? How self-isolation has affected the fitness industry

The self-isolation regime couldn’t help but affect the fitness industry as well. In the spring of 2020, when people found themselves in four walls, many finally got to workout. But here’s the trouble – fitness clubs and gyms closed for quarantine at the same time.

Life is gradually returning to normal, but it is unlikely to return to the pre-pandemic reality. All spheres of life, including fitness, have undergone irreversible changes. Together with experts of this industry, we analyze how exactly it has been transformed, what changes await supporters of healthy lifestyle after the pandemic and how good it is.

Daftar Isi

Online training

One of the undoubted fitness trends on self-isolation – online classes – was not forgotten even after the opening of the halls. Of course, video workouts were around before the pandemic, but during the self-isolation they reached a whole new level.

Elena Smirnova

journalist, founder of ProBeauty Agency communication agency

It is very important to put fitness into a regime, so that there is no question whether it is worth it today: we train every other day and that’s it. But if you interrupt the process, our brain immediately starts frantically searching for reasons not to go to the gym. It’s freezing outside, or we don’t feel well, or we have important things to do. Pandemic has divided people into exactly two groups. Some of them have mastered video training, and with their willpower and ability to see it through to the end, they look better than when they went to the gym with a trainer. Many of them will never return to the fitness club again. Others – the majority – with a clear conscience have abandoned physical activity, dropped on the sofa and gained excess weight. They are gradually returning to the gyms, but those who have been out of the regimen know that it is very difficult to return psychologically, physically and mentally.

Distance training

During the period of self-isolation, many trainers, even very conservative ones, had to master remote training: group or personal training in video call mode.

Olga Ledeneva

Fitness expert, co-founder of Sales Engineering company

This is one of the organizational opportunities. It’s great that a breakthrough has happened, I think it won’t die out. But it doesn’t replace or compete with face-to-face training. On the one hand, online increases the possibilities of training organization, helps to remove barriers to fitness (tight schedule, lack of time, traffic, remoteness). But let’s be honest, such workouts are incomplete.
Online, we lose the accuracy of technique control, insurance when performing exercises – we can only give exercises that are familiar to the client. In addition, the quality of the training room is important: ventilation, variety of equipment, etc.

My opinion – it is wrong for a person with no training experience to start with online or videotaped exercises, as the technique of the exercises critically affects the result and safety.

Outdoor group exercise

Another post-quarantine fitness trend is outdoor workouts. Many people were forced to try this format during self-isolation and couldn’t give it up. Working out in the open – for example, in a park – and with friends is a great alternative to the gym.

Elena Smirnova

journalist, founder of ProBeauty Agency communication agency

I’m sure group outdoor training will be at the top this spring. Together, inexpensive and not boring. If a good company gathers, it’s another reason to come to the training.

Personal trainer at home

In the past, one of the reasons to visit fitness gyms was for personal training. After all, no matter how much you do on your own, nothing can replace the opinion of a professional. However, now individual sessions with a trainer can be “ordered” and at home.

Nina Nazarova

co-founder of the premium fitness concierge TOBEPERFECT

We realized from our first clients: motivation is not everything. There is also a psychological barrier: how can I start squatting in the gym in front of everyone if I am far from 90-60-90? Not everyone can do it at home, and it is not safe – you need a competent mentor. Two square meters is enough to conduct functional – and any other – training. The trainer will bring everything you need.

TOBEPERFECT is an analog of a family doctor, a kind of family zozh specialist. Even if you decide to add other types of activity – swimming or jogging in the woods – a trainer who visits you regularly will be able to monitor changes, adjust the load and protect you from injuries. He knows your habits, characteristics, what you get better on and what will help you quickly lose a couple of pounds for the festive event. This is a serious competitor to the fitness club, where it is impossible to give such personalized attention to the client.

Fitness close to home

Before self-isolation, fitness clubs focused not only on those who live nearby, but also on the employees of the nearest offices. However, after the transition to remote working mode, this principle had to be reconsidered.

Olga Ledeneva

Fitness expert, co-founder of Sales Engineering company

Now clubs that focused on the employees of offices in their marketing area are experiencing significant difficulties. The introduction of the remote work regime and a shortened work week has had a significant impact on the sale of cards to corporate clients. In order to keep these customers in the club, they need to be offered an appropriate card format that takes into account the specifics of the work regime.

Personalized approach

To compete with home workouts, fitness centers need to rethink their approach to clients.

Evgeny Kaloshin

co-founder of premium fitness concierge TOBEPERFECT

It seems to me that no matter how much fitness chains work with their staff to improve service and especially with an individual approach to each client, sufficient attention has not yet been achieved. Go to any sales department, what will you see? They sell memberships by any means, especially in the last week of the month. But the further support of each client is often treated inattentively. Clubs benefit from people who buy cards but do not visit: plans are fulfilled – the club does not overflow. In my opinion, they need to change the system, otherwise they will not be able to retain clients.