The global Covid-19 pandemic forced governments across the globe to lock down economies, which included closing gyms and fitness facilities.
These measures dramatically reshaped where and how we exercise, with the resultant trends emerging in numerous new reports.
Yoga rises in popularity
The 2020 Fitness Index by Future Fit Training analysed Google searches, social media channels and engagement, and more, to deliver insights into the current market.
The report revealed the extent of the decline in popular group exercise formats like Zumba (-11.32%) and CrossFit (-12.23%), and gym-based workouts like TRX Total Resistance (-23.24%) due to the need for social distancing and the fact that facilities remained closed.
Interestingly, yoga emerged as the most popular form of fitness globally, ranked as the favourite in 78 countries.
The combination of the ability to perform yoga in the comfort of your home and the psychological benefits have surely contributed to this trend.
The rise of virtual fitness
And with no direct access to gyms and personal trainers, many fitness fanatics have turned to their smartphones for alternatives.
According to a recent Sensor Tower Store Intelligence report, health and fitness app adoption rose by a record 47% in Q2 2020.
This figure represents the largest ever year-on-year Q2 increase as consumers stuck at home looked to maintain their lifestyle and exercise regimens.
While January is historically the best month for health and fitness app downloads, March and April this year represented record months for app adoption. Downloads peaked at 339.7 million in April, up 83.6% from January and about 42% from March.
As gyms remain closed for now amid efforts to maintain social distancing and reduce infections, the Sensor Tower report predicts that consumers will continue to look for new ways to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle, with virtual training likely to cement its place in the lives of health and fitness-conscious consumers.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
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