Do you know that the virtual fitness market is expected to reach more than $50 BILLION by 2027? And It’s all due to the coronavirus outbreak!
There’s no denying that more people than ever are hitting their yoga mats at home now rather than going to the gym. The living room is becoming the best place to work up a sweat and get in good shape. This has been the case during the recent pandemic circumstances. Many fitness gurus are turning to online platforms to drop their workout routines.
It’s all about virtual gyms and how people access their exercises right at the comfort of their homes. With so much time on their hands after being absolved from their daily outdoor responsibility ties. Many people finally have time to focus on their physical health.
Considering this fact and the daunting pressure of having to drive/walk to the gym to actually getting started with any exercise routine, it’s not surprising that virtual gyms are thriving!
But how did virtual workouts quickly take a new form and make their way into the homes of almost everyone these days? Let’s find out!
Virtual Content Taking a New Shape
Although pre-recorded physical wellness videos and live-stream content have ALWAYS been there to help at-home fitness enthusiasts to achieve their body goals, studies have discovered a considerable increase in their use ever since social distancing measures were enforced.
Millions of people are turning to virtual fitness companies for the type of content they can use to substitute physical gyms and studios. It goes without saying that YouTube videos, tutorials, live streams, and social media content are the way to go.
This spike in demand for virtual physical health content is evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on the mass of people. Not only are people switching to virtual tutorials and workouts to stay in shape, but they are also becoming more reliant on the internet for physical health tips and guidance. Something that used to be somehow limited to physicians and health instructors before COVID-19.
Virtual Gyms
A virtual gym entails working out using VR headsets, a smart device, headphones, and subscription-based video services. These means make the whole gym experience more accessible and realistic than ever to those exercising at home. But will dedicated gym-goers join the virtual wave?
Stats show that many gym-goers are in fact setting up their own virtual gyms at home due to the endless series of lockdowns!
It’s even a better experience for people who prefer more control over the way they workout.
With more people paying attention to their physical health and overall well-being, the market is witnessing an advance in the demand for a similar advent. People are always looking for ways to improve their health, so it makes sense that staying at home is only going to drive them to find newer ways to exercise and stay in shape. Let alone a way that allows them to choose when and where to workout.
This gives ANYONE the ability to work out at their own pace without conforming to a particular schedule. People are also more drawn to the prices of virtual gyms compared to actual gyms and studios. Yearly and monthly subscription plans of gym chains are far more expensive than setting up your own virtual gym paradise at home.
Let’s Talk About Workout Frequency
Many are now able to squeeze their workouts into their busy schedules as a result of not having to commit to a commute. A large percentage is reported to work out twice as much as they used to before the pandemic hit! This survey shows that more than half of the respondents are exercising up to five days a week!
People find it easier to stay diligent in their workouts when they have the freedom whenever and wherever they want! Many people with body image issues find it difficult to stay focused on their exercises in the usual gym setting. For the same reason, many of them end up giving up on their whole fitness journey.
That’s why virtual workouts deliver the optimal experience. Those who didn’t feel comfortable joining their peers at the gym are now more eager than ever to try new fitness classes.
Finding the Best Online Workouts
So, we know how to exercise at home and access our virtual workouts, but how can we find the best content and the perfect virtual fitness companies for our needs?
According to recent studies, more than 50% of people. Who use online content, whether pre-recorded videos or live streams, were introduced to this form of exercise by visiting their local studios or gym’s website.
For gym-goers, accessing virtual workouts through the help of their local gyms and instructors was inevitable. Many instructors have switched to online platforms to keep their schedules full instead of hopelessly waiting for the circumstances to change.
Studies have found that people are more likely to land on their favourite platform using recommendations they received from family or friends.
The impact of recommendations and referrals can’t be neglected. Those around you are more likely to help you find the best virtual workout website or page in your area.
What Makes At-Home Workouts Great?
Recent surveys managed discovered top factors which have led people to be more inclined towards virtual fitness. Respondents were more than happy to share their points of interest. When it comes to accommodating their fitness and wellbeing needs.
The first factor impacting the prevalence of online workouts is the type of exercises and routines people can enrol in. Before the pandemic, there were limited number of online available exercises, but this has completely changed now!
The space required for their workouts and the type of equipment are two huge factors in favouring virtual workouts! Schedule flexibility is another huge factor followed by the time they have to dedicate to their workouts. The familiarity of the instructor has also shown great help in making people commit to their virtual workouts.
Nowadays, it’s becoming extremely important for gyms to communicate the necessary type of equipment for home workouts. However, even without the required gym equipment, staying at home has created an unbelievable opportunity for virtual workout content. And these changes are here to stay. It’s not just the optimal option for the time being, but the switch to virtual is giving more chances to people who never fancied working out in a commute. It could be a long-term substitute with a huge positive impact for this generation.
