The pandemic has turned fitness on its head, making it more flexible, approachable, and rewarding – here’s how to tap into that, so that you can have your best workout ever
WORDS BY LAURA POTTER
The pandemic has given us a reimagined – and better – fitness industry. High-quality digital offerings, a greater focus on wellness, flexible timings, affordable memberships and community-focussed classes were all pushed through at world record beating speed. ‘There’s a new layer of flexibility’, says physiotherapist Brendon Stubbs. ‘The ability to have a blended approach where you can go to a class or exercise from home means everyone can experience the benefits of staying fit.’
Nearly two years on, our demands have changed compared to pre-Covid – the Les Mills 2021 Global Fitness Report found that the majority of exercisers want to keep a 60:40 split between gym and home workouts. ‘It’s about activities that complement each other: digital is part of it but physical gyms are a definite pillar of that fitness ecosystem,’ says Tim Andrews, of Fitness First. We all have a unique opportunity to make fitness work better for us – here’s how to ensure your new workouts are your best ever.
EMBRACE THE HYBRID MODEL
Online exercise used to mean shoddy videos shot in people’s living rooms on YouTube. That’s changed. ‘We’ve now got this proliferation of professional exercise classes across the internet, which is hugely positive,’ says Stubbs. Everyone from Barry’s Bootcamp to Fitness First, Psycle to Les Mills launched high-quality classes and subscription packages.
Lina Nielsen, a Team GB 400m hurdler and professional yoga instructor was part of the trend, launching Zoom yoga classes, then being signed up by Jessica Ennis-Hill’s Jennis app. ‘I thought 20 people would join but my first Instagram live attracted 160 people and it grew from there,’ says Nielsen. ‘I did them every Friday at 4pm, to give people a bit of structure.’
Now we’re returning to the buzz of studios. Les Mills say class attendance is at 120% of pre-Covid levels, and nine of the current top 10 ClassPass bookings are in-person. We’re not ditching virtual workouts, though – 80% of Les Mills members plan to continue doing the double. People have tried new things, been able to get a ‘boutique’ experience for a local rec price (Frame unlimited digital classes for £6 a month, anyone?), and we’re not letting that go without a fight.
Exercising in real life speaks to a basic human need. ‘One of the main benefits is the sense of community,’ says Stubbs. ‘We are fundamentally social b
