Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

Is home fitness killing the gym industry?

Julie Scagell
By

The pandemic turned the world upside down, completely changing the regular routine of people across the world. If you were a regular gym-goer, the beloved place you went to exercise and improve your health was suddenly closed. You, like millions of others, may have decided to invest in home fitness equipment and now find yourself in the convenient and inexpensive routine of working out at home. Do you find yourself itching to get back to the gym or do you prefer to stay the course with your home gym?

There’s a chance that traditional gyms may not have the same levels of membership as they did prior to the pandemic. Approximately 9,000 health clubs (22 percent of the total nationwide gyms) have closed since the pandemic began, and 1.5 million workers found themselves out of a job, according to the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

Recommended Videos

All that being said, is the gym industry dead? It all depends on a few key factors.

Home gym room
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The convenience factor

Home gyms afforded millions the ability to get their workout in at home without wasting time driving back and forth, changing clothes, filling water, and getting ready to leave the home. With all the fitness equipment available today, you can get the same quality workout you did at the gym and save a ton of time that you can devote to other daily activities. Millions of people saw the benefit of creating a home gym, leading to serious backups in the supply of home fitness equipment. Some even found it took months to receive a back-ordered Peloton.

For traditional gyms to grow and retain their membership, they need to deliver full-service offerings, competing with the convenience of working up a sweat from home. “Monthly memberships will now have to include far more than just workouts, like one-on-one instruction, nutrition coaching, and virtual check-ins with clients,” Alex Hormozi, founder of Gym Launch, told Men’s Health. “They must overdeliver on a client’s experience outside the four walls of their facility.”

woman working out home
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The health factor

Another pro of working out at home is you are in charge of your health. You’re not packed into a room with a bunch of maskless people, worrying about sanitation or ventilation. That’s been a big deal for many as the Delta variant swept through much of the country this summer. Eric Roza, CEO of CrossFit Inc., told Men’s Health, “Because COVID-19 spreads through the air, we’ll see more virus- filtering HEPA systems and CO2 meters. If the CO2 level in a gym stays under a certain level, that means the air circulation is excellent and comparable to being outside.” For members to feel comfortable returning, fellow gym-goers and employees alike need to make commitments to cleanliness, ensuring all shared equipment and spaces are as sanitized as possible.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The socialization factor

Of course, for those who loved being able to work out with groups in person, meet new people, and get out of the house, the gym is hard to replace. It provides a chance for people to get together and encourage each other to meet personal and mutual goals. Even with advances in equipment like the Peloton and MIRROR that offer communal workouts in the form of live classes and leaderboards, it can’t always replace the real thing. Since personal at-home fitness cannot quite replicate group classes (yet), gyms can double down on their community offerings to invite the neighborhood back in. Group fitness classes are a start, but so are friendly competitions, referral bonuses, and open door programs.

Whether you’re hoping to return to the gym for all your exercise needs or want a place to work out with friends every once in a while, there’s a gym for you. Big gyms aren’t going anywhere, but they are becoming more flexible. With these facilities transforming to meet post-pandemic expectations, you’re likely to find programs that are convenient, safe, and fun.

Whether you have one multi-use piece of equipment that does it all or a fully decked-out mini-gym in your home, it’s difficult to beat the camaraderie that comes with working out around others who are equally committed to reaching their personal goals. At the end of the day, your personal health is entirely up to you. Do your research, explore the options available, and make the choice that works best for you.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
How to choose a coffee table for your small living room
These coffee tables ideas are perfect for small spaces
modern glass table in living room

A living room's coffee table is an important piece. Not only does it bring the whole room together, but it's also a functional part of a living room. Your coffee table holds beverages on family movie night, game boards and puzzles, and your laptop on work-from-home days.

When you have a small living room, you may be tempted to forgo the coffee table in favor of more floor space -- but don't. The right side table won't make your room feel too cramped. In fact, it can actually make the room feel larger if the placement and size are right. You just need to know how to choose a coffee table that works with your small space. We're here to show you how.

Read more
Make the most of your living room/dining room combo with these stellar tips
Watch your living room/dining room combo shine with these tips
Gray monochrome living and dining room

Many contemporary homes have open-concept living, meaning fewer walls and shared space between rooms. It's a great idea for those who entertain or want minimal disruption between spaces. It's also good when you have small children and want to keep an eye on them while you're cooking, folding laundry, or watching TV. If you have one large area for your living room and dining room, there are some things you can do to get the most out of each room.

Of course, there's a lot to consider when it comes to which colors to choose, how to arrange furniture in a living room/dining room combo, and what wall and other decor can be used to blend the spaces together. Here's how to find the right mix that works in one collective space.

Read more
The best green paint colors for a soothing, sophisticated home
Recommendations for warm and cool green tones to add to your space
Green wall color with plant nearby

Green is a color we’re seeing everywhere in home design. Named Color of the Year for 2022 by many of the most prominent names in the paint industry, green is a trendy hue that you can expect to see in many interior designs in the foreseeable future. Green has an incredible way of adding a sense of vibrance and authenticity to your space. So, if you’re a homeowner in need of a soothing and sophisticated shade, then green might be just what you’ve been looking for.

This color can help you invite a renewed sense of vitality and energy to a space, making it perfect for homeowners looking to change up their existing palette. While green was trending in home design as 2022's "it" color, it has become a popular staple even as we venture into the coming years. So, it's safe to assume that this wonderful shade will likely add a timeless and natural look to any space. If you're eager to incorporate green into your design scheme, here are some of the best green paint colors to inspire your next renovation.

Read more