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From people visiting public gyms prior to Covid, to mushrooms in home studios and virtual fitness sessions after initial unlock, the pandemic has literally turned the fitness industry on its head. Although home workouts had become more important even before Covid-19, the pace only picked up in the last year when gyms and gyms switched to online mode.
“The virtual fitness sessions have increased by 100 percent. In the past a rarity, today they are taken for granted, ”says fitness coach Manik Dhodhi, who launched the health happiness app last year to support his students. “We develop tailor-made training plans because different people have different needs and we connect with our trainees on a daily basis so that regular mutual communication takes place,” he says, adding that virtual sessions are planned according to specific requirements. Switching to virtual workouts will benefit people more as they have access to different types of courses. From high-energy workouts like aerobics, spin and body pump to gentle core strengthening exercises like Pilates, there is something for everyone.
Fitness trainer Manik Dhodhi
The plus point: The workouts are led by experts. “When the pandemic broke out, I was deprived of the privilege of working out in a gym, but as a fitness enthusiast I couldn’t stay away from training for long. I’ve tried many unique ways to exercise, but eventually I set up a home gym. I invested in a pair of dumbbells and resistance bands. It gave me so much freedom and it’s a lot easier now to stick to the plan. I just have to put on my active clothes and I’m good to go.
The excuse to go to the post office in the gym no longer applies, ”says Ritika Arora from Model Town, who uses YouTube videos to create her own training plan. “Virtual courses help you to connect not only with others, but also with your inner self. These allow you to attend a welding session at your own pace and convenience. It enables fitness enthusiasts to exercise at any time of the day, ”says Mohit Mathur, founder and CEO of OneFitPlus. “You get the benefits of personal training like increased accountability, increased endorphins, constant motivation and more when you train virtually with others,” he adds.
No turning back
Most fitness enthusiasts say they won’t go back to the gym even if the situation normalizes. “Although gyms are reopening, I don’t feel like going back because I haven’t gotten into my training rhythm anywhere. My living room and gallery have become my makeshift gym where I experiment with different routines.
I love the freedom to train in my own space and at my own pace, ”says Arora. “I started consulting a trainer after buying an elliptical trainer last May. I never went to the gym or had a trainer; I liked walking and running. But when the lockdown happened, my lifestyle changed; There was no commuting, no travel, and a lot of work from home. In three months I gained 5 kg and became a prediabetic, ”says Tarun Chhibber, a resident of Mayur Vihar. Chhibber then bought a cross trainer and has been training virtually from his trainer ever since.
“The personal fitness experience is still clouded by fear and will remain so for a long time,” says Ajay Singh, who previously trained at the RR Aerobics Center in Mayur Vihar and now helps his students through video sessions on his cell phone.
