Alongside tourism and entertainment, one of the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 is the fitness sector.
Personal training, gym workouts, and sports coaching have ground to a halt, which is not only a catastrophe for those who work in this industry but for their clients as well.
Yet, staying fit and healthy during this global pandemic could make a significant difference to how we emerge from this health crisis, particularly as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are high risk co-morbidities for those who get infected.
Personal training goes virtual
Three industry-leading fitness personalities put their heads together to figure out a way to make health and fitness accessible during the lockdown, while also helping personal trainers and fitness professionals to earn some income.
“Resistance training offers proven beyond just strengthening the muscles and body. For example, we now know that it has a huge impact on both our glucose management and type 2 diabetes reversal. It also strengthens bones,” says Stephan du Toit, a coach and a clinical nutritionist.
Another top trainer and well-known Pilates instructor, Michelle Rörich notes that “mobility is important for longevity and overall injury prevention”.
An online fitness community
To this end, the CSB |SDTN Members Only closed group launched recently on Facebook, where top qualified trainers provide live training sessions to keep people at home motivated and training effectively.
“It’s difficult to navigate social media these days with so many unqualified enthusiasts offering home workout advice and questionable dietary tips. We want to take the guesswork out of this process for community members by offering the most effective workouts and nutrition tips, as well as expert Q&A’s to those who are interested,” explains Craig Brown, a fitness industry stalwart and coach.
“We are very proud that we can help fitness professionals who are suffering under such a huge economic burden, as well as those who want to improve their health and fitness, whether they are beginners or more advanced,” says Michelle.
The platform’s aim is not profitability but accessibility to help a portion of the fitness industry get back on their feet by providing affordable personal training.
Get fit, get connected
To join this group, use the Zapper QR code to pay the R300 monthly fee – less than a single personal training session – using your Facebook name as the reference. Request to join the group and wait to be added to get a full month of access.
If you are abroad, use PayPal.me/CoachStephanDT and deposit $24 (USD) or 20GBP and get healthier, fitter, and stronger in your living room, led by some of the best fitness professionals in the industry.
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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