Shore Fit
By Bonnie Miller
With fitness facilities closing in nearby Pennsylvania, some fear (myself included) that we will be next. We literally just got back into our gyms. Although, it may look a lot different with masks on while working out, scheduled time slots for workouts and a cap on the amount of people per class, it sure was refreshing to get back to something that was taken from us so many months ago. The social aspect alone for so many is very important. Is this back on the horizon in the foreseeable future? My fingers are crossed that it’s not.
During the coronavirus pandemic, fitness fans have had to be incredibly adaptive. Many people head to the gym to unwind and workout several times a week. All that changed overnight. With no classes, no gyms, and no group training, the way your members work out has changed significantly leaving many people chomping to get back to the gym. The whole lockdown has changed the fitness landscape. Our entire mindset and behavior shifted. Online searches for fitness classes and digital fitness skyrocketed as members tried to find a new way to stay fit physically and mentally. I can tell you first hand that Peloton sales skyrocketed and a waitlist of three months was the norm. I know this because I ordered one because I missed teaching my indoor cycling classes. The fitness trends that emerged because of the coronavirus pandemic are still quite popular because people quite frankly don’t want to exercise while wearing a mask. Fitness had to get creative during lockdown.
People are turning to online workouts and digital fitness to stay fit and healthy. Yoga classes have moved to Zoom, and fitness app downloads have increased massively. Fitness apps like Strava, Peloton, and Nike Running Club are soaring. These types of businesses were in a strong position to handle the problems that came from the pandemic. They already had the technology in place to allow people to work out from home. Although home fitness is not a recent revolution, it’s certainly been revived. Trying to find equipment and free weights for purchase was also no easy task with the pandemic forcing many people to adapt and buy the necessary equipment that was needed for home.
With the added stress of possibly another lockdown and financial uncertainty, many people are turning to fitness to maintain their health. From live streaming and on-demand workouts, which can be found for no cost, fitness brands such as Pop Sugar (a go to for me) have been a leading go to for many people in lockdown. Some of these fitness trends could be here to stay. Free online workouts on Instagram or Facebook are a great way to keep members motivated. It has helped gym members stay on track by offering short video tips on how to stay healthy while in lockdown, simple recipe ideas, and exercises to combat sitting all day.
Social media workouts also give potential members a glimpse into your business and fitness community. It’s been a great platform for myself and many were looking for what I had to offer via Zoom or Facebook live. We even held classes in my backyard during the summer months. Gym-goers we’re definitely enjoying more workouts outside. They were appreciative of the outdoor setting after being stuck inside for quite some time. As more businesses began to re-open, they are still limited by social distancing. This means that many gyms and studios are operating at a reduced capacity. Outdoor workouts allow you to stick to social distancing guidelines while providing a workout that everyone loves. Now that the temperatures dropping and it’s dark at 445pm, this is becoming much tougher to keep afloat. In warmer states this is something that can continue to thrive.
The fitness industry has without a doubt taken massive strides to create online and digital offerings. The current situation has many people still uncomfortable with gym settings so I believe that all those pandemic platforms for exercise will continue to stay and flourish. The coronavirus pandemic encouraged individuals to take on new fitness regimes and some new habits could be here to stay. While most gyms are already open and possibly faced with another shutdown, It’s clear that the shift to online workouts will have lasting effects on the fitness industry. I’m hoping the gyms remain open, but we need to be prepared in the event that it closes.
Bonnie Miller is certified fitness instructor at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and the JCC in Margate. She is a mom of three and resides Somers Point.
