The coronavirus pandemic hit the fitness industry particularly hard. Because gyms and studios are traditionally brick and mortar, many temporarily closed while grappling with how to stay afloat. As time in quarantine went on, those in this space found a solution: virtual workouts.
Slowly, states have been lifting restrictions and fitness centers have been able to open back up. But because quarantining and social distancing are here to stay (at least for the time being), so are digital options. Gyms are continuing to offer their customers a virtual experience. By doing so, they are reaching new customers who may not enjoy working out in public or find it safe to do so.
Here are just some of the industry's leaders and the ways in which they're staying connected with consumers:
Anytime Fitness
Consumers can tune into live virtual workouts on Anytime Fitness’ Facebook weekdays 9:30 a.m. ET. The fitness center also has a mobile app where people can connect with a health coach. But if members are in an area where they can go to a gym, Anytime Fitness listed steps they took to make customers feel safe.
Barry’s Bootcamp
People can sign up for a wide range of “work(out) from home” classes on Barry’s website and mobile app. Additionally, consumers can access total body workouts with different instructors on Barry’s IGTV.
Corepower Yoga
For those who want to enjoy a calmer workout, there’s a collection of free on-demand classes on Corepower Yoga’s website. For $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year, customers can get unlimited access to more than three-hundred virtual yoga, sculpt and meditation classes.
Crunch Fitness
From classes titled “Kick Butt Kickboxing” to “Belly, Butt & Thigh Bootcamp,” customers can “get fit on the fly by streaming online workouts that fit your level and schedule” with a Crunch Live membership. This comes with 24/7 access to classes and a customizable workout plan.
Gold’s Gym
If consumers want a free on-demand workout, Gold’s Gym wants to help: “Whether you're a member or not, our mission is to provide the digital fitness options to keep your fitness journey going anywhere you are.”
Gold’s Gym is also partnering with Les Mills, which offers fitness classes, high-intensity interval training workouts and fun, physical activity. As life continues to be disrupted by the coronavirus, consumers are able to try free, martial-arts-inspired BODYCOMBAT workouts and more.
Life Time Fitness
Every week, Life Time Fitness is providing their customers new classes on demand so they’re able to exercise anytime, anywhere. Guided videos in cardio, yoga, cycling, strength, family and even group fitness are available. Life Time has also rolled out a virtual training mobile app, so people can train on their own, “but never alone.”
Orangetheory Fitness
This studio specializing in group fitness and interval training posts its signature workouts to YouTube and the company’s website daily. Additionally, customers can exercise to a full workout library on Orangetheory’s mobile app, which also offers weekly challenges and healthy tips.
Planet Fitness
Planet Fitness streams workouts called “United We Move” on Facebook, YouTube and IGTV Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET. A membership to this gym and workout equipment are not necessary to partake in the series. Customers can also find hundreds of at home workouts on the Planet Fitness app.
Zumba
Zumba is offering recorded virtual classes that customers can do at home anytime. Additionally, instructors are teaching live classes on third-party platforms like Zoom and GoToMeeting.
While, obviously, there’s a lot of negative that can be associated with the coronavirus pandemic, one positive is that industries like fitness have stretched in ways they’ve never had to before. By doing so, they’ve found opportunities to embrace technology and serve customers digitally.
