How COVID has, and will, reshape the Fitness Industry forever
It’s no doubt your exercise routine has changed in the last two years.
With so much uncertainty in the world and more and more people socially distancing and avoiding large groups, this will play a huge factor on the future of the fitness industry.
Continuous lockdowns, new rules and regulations have already changed how fitness owners control and operate their businesses. The industry is currently going through a big shift and this will continue to form how the fitness scene will look in Perth and around the world.
Since COVID, here are some of the big changes in the fitness industry we have seen:
Hygiene improvements in studios will continue and stay around. Before COVID, many studios did not focus hard enough on cleanliness and hygiene which has been one positive effect of the global pandemic. Social distancing will remain and people will be smarter in choosing more boutique studios over larger fitness venues. We see a huge support for small businesses and these will become a preference over chain gyms and studios.
More people will go towards small group training. Gone are the days where you want to sweat in a room with 30 other people. A, you don’t get any feedback or quality coaching but B, you put yourself at more risk of catching infections. Some people will prefer larger groups for motivation but most people will get an improved experience from smaller group classes, especially ones that are capped at just eight to ten people instead of training in big factory style studios that focus purely on volume for revenue.
Health retreats will succeed and be a popular way to travel and take time out. With many Perth residents and Australians stranded and not able to travel overseas, there is an increased demand for local health retreats in Perth and around WA. One and Only Retreats co-owner Rosanna Susanto said: ‘With many clients unable to go overseas, or even able to find holiday hotspots for staycations that aren’t booked out, more clients are investing on retreats as a way to escape day to day routines, stress and as a way to reset their mind and body.’
The demand for Personal Training will increase. At Chris Wilson Fitness Studio, more people are prioritising long term health and not wanting to get ill so personal training in Perth has become more popular. As people have more disposable income, the thought process will shift from holidays to health for the next few years at least. There has already been a huge increase in Personal Training in Australia as people now see it as a priority which will hopefully be supported by local governments.
More boutique style studios will open and bigger chain gyms will remodel or close. We have already seen bigger chain gyms have to adapt and add value through classes or remodel to improve member experiences. There will be an increased need for boutique studios, especially ones that have capped classes or facility capacities.
Coaches and Personal Trainers with years of experience and qualifications will be in demand. COVID has slowed down the ability to take courses and have face-to-face learning experiences so more and more new health professionals are entering the industry from learning online. This proves a massive problem for the fitness industry as these coaches and trainers are expected to work with no real life experiences. Fast-tracked trainers already struggle in the industry and there is a drop out rate of roughly 60% of trainers in their first year in Personal Training. Our advice would be to find coaches who have experience, have a good track record and further education.
The online platform will continue to grow. Doing workouts at home through pre-recorded or live videos are now the new norm, especially in countries in lockdown or with restrictions. For some who are able to return to a pre-COVID way of living, the online platform serves as another alternative but its effectiveness may start to plateau as people enjoy community and face-to-face experiences.
Change is inevitable and while we go through these COVID shifts together, reach out if you’re looking to improve your current fitness routine.
Author: Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson Fitness Studio is Perth’s most exclusive studio with just 50 members only. We have capped classes of 8 per session and we have Perth’s first joint studio memberships with Bodyscape. This experience allows our members to incorporate yoga, meditation and time out by using their spa and sauna facilities. Our experience is tailored to suit clients’ needs and we pride ourselves on providing experienced coaches and a facility that focuses on quality and professionalism.
