The UK’s second lockdown has forced gym owners and personal trainers to use online platforms such as Zoom to help people continue to exercise.
Since 5th November, the usual way of people going about their day has shifted once again. The second lockdown that was introduced meant that all non-essential shops including gyms had to close.
Because of this, gym owners and personal trainers have had to adapt to the new regulations by moving online to still help people keep fit while gyms are closed until the 2nd December. Despite this 615,256 people signed the petition “Prevent gyms closing due to a spike in COVID-19 cases” but was declined by the government as they said it was to protect public health.
Joel Farrington, personal trainer, has moved his fitness programmes online and is offering customers free live zoom classes, or £3 for a personal online session. Joel said: Obviously it is difficult. Everything has changed from my income to my daily work routine but still being able to offer people fitness during these tough times is great. That’s the wonderful thing about modern technology”. Joel has also said that he’s looking forward to getting back when gyms reopen and that it will be nice to be back in a “normal gym environment”.
Since fitness classes have started to be posted online, here has been a rise in sales of gym equipment. Research has found that fitness equipment sales grew 170% due to COVID-19. These sales have had a positive effect for those online suppliers but have made some members of the public angry due to the rise of prices and difficulty in getting their own equipment.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock, Potential Filmmaker and Shutterstock, Chechotkin.