Working out during the COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has affected the world and life as we know it in many different ways.
It was March 16th when my gym shutdown. At the time, we all thought it would be for a couple of weeks or a month, at the most. In reality, the pandemic got even worse as weeks went by, which lead to individuals adapting to a new routine that will later on become the new normal. This new normal includes wearing a mask at all times while in public, social distancing and more outdoor time.
We are about 9 months into the pandemic, which means that by now we should have adapted to some extent. After 2 months of gyms and fitness centers being shut down, some decided to stick to what they had been doing for the past couple months, working out from home and spending more time outdoors. Those who decided to come back to the gym, had to adapt to new safety procedures; including temperature screening, required masks, reservations and reduced capacity, which reduce risk of contracting COVID-19. In my personal experience, I have had to adapt to working out with a mask and being mindful about my surroundings in order to stay 6 feet apart from others. Returning to gyms during the COVID-19 pandemic will also require an individual to disinfect their equipment before and after each use. It is also important to mention that a fair amount of these individuals who have opted to go back to the gym, need the motivation for either a trainer or simply by being surrounded with individuals who are doing the same as well as some needing that community aspect and the extra push from other gymgoers.
I interviewed two individuals who decided to take different paths since the pandemic started, both share their reasons on why the chose that path
Those who decided to do outdoor workouts, workouts from home or both, have had to incorporate different movements or workout compared to what they had being doing previously. For example, some have had to use soup cans or water gallons as weights due to the high demand of fitness equipment. Others decided to incorporate more outdoor walks and even, running. Some have also opted for online subscriptions to take fitness classes from the comfort of their home, which will stay keep them connected to a community even if its online! And for the rest of these people, they have decided to make a more permanent decision, which is starting a home gym; purchasing equipment and having a designated space for it.
Individuals who decided not going back to gym, have modified their workout routine in order to live a healthy way of life. Some started as early as March and have stuck with it ever since. Some individuals even had or still have the intention to return to the gym but have also realized that their working out from home or outdoors routine is highly effective.
I followed Landon around to show me how his current workout routine looks like compared to what it looked like pre pandemic. He described the changes in his routine as “coming out for fresh air is therapeutic and I know I am being safe as well as staying healthy”.
Due to the pandemic, the business industry has been severely impacted. Some have been positive changes and some have not been as good of changes. Since about half of gymgoers have not been back yet, it puts gyms and fitness centers at a loss of revenue and for some, company growth.
For the positive changes, now that reservations are required almost everywhere, it allows people to have a plan and stick to that plan. The pandemic has also created that sense of need for guidance, some may have fell off during the stay at home order while some have gained motivation but need that extra push that a personal trainer or coach can provide, which brings in revenue. A new way of training and working out created a new demand for online training and online classes. Smaller group classes which will create a more intimate setting and allow a better connection from the individual to the instructor, as some attendees described “coming here makes me feel like I am part of something, these are my people”. However, the biggest positive change that the pandemic has brough, has been that sense of unity of being able to be back at the gym and even seeing your gym buddies again.
When it comes to the negative changes, the most unfortunate has been that smaller or boutique gyms have had to shut down due to the lack of revenue and for those still in business, not having as much revenue as before. People not complying to the social distancing and mask rules, which can affect business.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the way individuals and the fitness industry in many ways. Society has had to adapt to a new normal which now requires masks and extra sanitation! According to a gym goes “I am used to getting my temperature checked and wearing my mask, its all about being able to adapt”. Living a healthy way of life is attainable during the pandemic if you are willing to modify and incorporate a new healthy way of life to attain your fitness goals.
