You, The Pandemic, And Working Out
But now that pandemic mandates are lifting and life begins to return to a semblance of normality, how are people adapting their fitness routines?
We surveyed over 1,000 Americans to better understand how fitness habits evolved over the past 24 months, and what 2022 may hold in terms of fitness goals.
More than 8 in 10 Americans say the pandemic impacted their workout habits, and for nearly half of them (47%), it was a negative impact.
During the pandemic, 54% of Americans said they started working out more while 41% said they exercised less. Of those that began working out less, 15% said they stopped working out altogether.
After a few days of being stuck indoors during the initial quarantine, Americans everywhere were itching to just get outside. Over half (56%) said they began taking daily “pandemic walks,” and it wasn’t just to enjoy nice weather. They went on walks for their mental health, as a form of daily exercise, to walk their dogs, or to spend time with their kids outside.
When gyms and fitness facilities closed, people had to resort to other avenues of fitness to stay in shape. Without certain equipment or instruction, the types of exercise people were drawn to also shifted. 43% of people reported changing the type of workout they focused on, with the biggest growth revolving around cardio-focused exercises.
Americans adjusted to an at-home workout regiment, especially those working from home. Eighty-three percent of remote workers said they work out at home, with 59% adding they won’t return to a gym even if they have to return to an office.
Nearly half (46%) of respondents said they invested in exercise equipment during the pandemic. The majority spent between $200 and $500; primarily on free weights, yoga mats, weight benches, treadmills, and exercise bikes (including Peloton).
Forty-nine percent of people added they’re very committed to using the equipment they’ve purchased, and on average, their at-home equipment gets used three times per week.
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