The current pandemic continues to pose numerous challenges and restrictions on society, and governments worldwide have taken various steps to mitigate the risks of the virus spreading within the community.
Nonetheless, a survey of almost 4,000 fitness-loving respondents1 across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand say that Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions haven’t stopped them from getting their fitness fix. They’ve been keeping up with their fitness through a hybrid approach – virtual classes and online programming when they can’t get to the gym, and at the gym when they can.
“We’re pleased with the results of the survey, which show us that despite the disruptive nature of the various lockdowns and restrictions across the region specifically about gyms and fitness facilities, 90 percent of respondents continued to find ways to stay committed to their fitness regime. Sixty-five percent said they participated in online fitness programs such as our live classes and on-demand workouts and would continue to do so post-COVID,” says Evolution Wellness Group CEO Simon Flint.
While the frequency of exercise suffered a slight dip compared to pre-lockdown restrictions, 39 percent of respondents say that they are still exercising three to four times a week. Nonetheless, they report feeling less satisfied with the experience of working out at home due to the lack of the right fitness equipment (51 percent), lack of motivation (48 percent), and lack of a motivating environment (40 percent).
Just 50 percent of respondents report feeling highly satisfied with their workouts at home, compared to 83% of gym-goers pre-COVID. They’ve also been forced to shift from having concrete fitness goals and motivating routines such as losing weight and gaining strength to just aiming for overall wellbeing during this time and ‘getting some form of exercise’.
All things considered, 60 percent of respondents say they can’t wait to get back to working out in the gym and will do so as soon as conditions permit. Several studies globally and Evolution Wellness’ data suggest that gyms can be safe spaces to exercise provided staff and members alike adhere to the prescribed health and hygiene protocols, including wearing a mask.
“When ‘normal’ life resumes as a result of delivered vaccines reaching a critical mass, we hypothesize that some members will revert to the same patterns as before, with a preference for their gym community and social experience. Others will mix and match with both gym and at-home solutions for their fitness needs,” Flint concludes.
