Is your regular workout routine one of the things that’s fallen victim to COVID-19? We’re all spending more time at home and many of us aren’t comfortable going to the gym, even when it’s open. Also, the refrigerator is just a few steps away and the work from home wardrobe of sweatpants leaves room for junk food. These changes are contributing to the quarantine 15 and a need to get some exercise. One place people have turned to during the pandemic is online fitness. Here’s a look at how video is once again connecting with consumers and satisfying a need.
Staying Active Through a Pandemic
It wasn’t long after the first lockdown that we began seeing live streams of fitness classes. A quick online search for at-home workouts returned pages and pages of best-of lists, direct links, and how-to articles. This convenient option motivated people to join a sweat session, or pull up a recorded version when they had time. A bevy of gyms, personal trainers, and fitness brands were all offering ways to stay active while we stayed home.
A Class for Every Person and Every Level
So what’s your go-to workout? Do you like classes? Are you into weights? What about yoga? You can find a video for all of these workouts and many more! There is a huge variety of fitness videos to choose form online, many of them free. If you can think of a class or type of exercise, you can find someone ready to coach you through a session. During the course of the pandemic, you may even find a new workout passion. Here are just a few options to stay active at home:
- Pilates Move with Nicole is a very popular channel for an exercise method that’s been around for a century
- Kick Boxing GoodLife Fitness does live classes on Instagram tv, then archives the workouts
- HIIT Check out POPSUGAR Fitness for loads of free classes
- Weight Training HASfit is a channel with all levels of weight training, led by an enthusiastic couple
- Low Impact The Body Project team has loads of workouts, many of which are low impact
- Homegrown Talent The influx of online fitness classes has led to the growth of fitness influencers, including some from right here in Toronto
At Home Equipment
You’re ready to get your sweat on, but do you have what you need? Well, it depends on the class. Equipment can range from nothing at all to a specialized exercise bike. The demand for sports equipment and home gyms has skyrocketed during the pandemic. And now, people are stocking up again, preparing for the long winter ahead. At-home exercisers have boosted the market for new and used treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, free weight, yoga mats, foam rollers, weight machines, and more. If you’re having trouble finding equipment or you don’t want to spend a lot, try using what you have around the house. This works especially well for weights. Buying that 10-pound jug of laundry detergent makes even more sense now.
The Mental Health Connection
Online fitness videos aren’t just great for your body, but they’re also good for your mental health. Being active can ease depression and anxiety. Exercise is a mood booster because it increases endorphin levels. Doctors will sometimes even prescribe medicine before trying drugs—it’s that powerful. Movement is also known to result in better sleep by helping to regulate the circadian rhythm. Taking a class can even make you smarter! Exercise can create new brain cells, strengthening areas of the brain. You may turn on a fitness video to lose weight, but you’ll also walk away with some great mental health benefits.
Hit the Showers
From Peloton to push-ups, exercise videos are having a moment. Home fitness has evolved over the years since Jack LaLanne encouraged housewives to join him in side bends. From the aerobics VHS tapes of the 80s—that decade’s version of on-demand fitness—to today’s streaming classes, video continues to be a great workout partner. If you want to record a class or promote your fitness business, give Key West Video a call. We’ve worked with a number of fitness clients to highlight gyms, classes, and exercise professionals.
