Working Out in the Pandemic

 Zoie Knisbeck

Throughout the pandemic the fitness industries have most likely changed forever. The biggest impact was for the livelihood

of the in person gyms. People could not go to the gym so companies did not have any revenue; this caused many clubs to close

and face bankruptcy. Another big impact would be how the pandemic caused many gym industry employees to be laid off.

The pandemic also affected the gyms and their futures, as many gym members are not playing to return to the in person workout facilities.

Throughout all of this it also opened a small window of opportunity for gyms that are online and companies that make at home equipment

like peloton. 

Many clubs and gyms had to face bankruptcy during the pandemic. Run Repeat states that “More than 38,000 gyms and health

clubs have been closed down because of the virus as of May 2020” showing how detrimental the pandemic was to these clubs.

And continuing on through the pandemic some of the few clubs that were able to survive might not do so well in the future,

according to CNBC “More than 56% of those surveyed say that the pandemic helped them find ‘more affordable’ ways to get exercise

and live a healthier lifestyle.’” Meaning that the gyms will not have as many members and might not be able to get back to where they were

before the pandemic. 

Many gym industry employees had to be laid off as a result of the pandemic. WESH states that “The fitness industry employed 3

million part-time and full-time employees prior to the pandemic, and as of Oct. 1 at least 480,000 jobs have been lost” explaining

how the pandemic affected the employees as well as the gyms as a whole.  

Yet throughout all of this many online gyms were able to thrive. Because of the covid lock down many people found comfort in

being able to work out again even if it was at home. Because the imperson gyms were shut down this created opportunities for at

home brands to grow. Brands like TRX, Bowflex, and Peloton were able to produce the equipment the consumers needed.

The Washington Post  states “Health and fitness equipment revenue more than doubled, to $2.3 billion” Showing how much of a

need there was and how the businesses were able to adapt in this time of uncertainty. This can even be seen past workout equipment,

the trends of bettering oneself expanded to bicycle, kayak, skis and snowshoe companies.  

Works Cited

Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-19/fitness-industry-may-never-return-to-its-old-ways-after-covid-19.

JadeScipioni. “59% Of Americans Don't Plan to Renew Their Gym Memberships after Covid-19 Pandemic: Survey.” CNBC, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2021, www.cnbc.com/2020/07/23/many-dont-plan-to-renew-their-gym-memberships-post-pandemic-survey.html.

Rizzo, Nicholas. “COVID's Impact on the Fitness Industry [35  Stats and Facts].” Athletic Shoe Reviews, 6 Aug. 1970, runrepeat.com/pandemics-impact-fitness-industry.

Shaban, Hamza. “The Pandemic's Home-Workout Revolution May Be Here to Stay.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 8 Jan. 2021, www.washingtonpost.com/road-to-recovery/2021/01/07/home-fitness-boom/?outputType=amp.