In the past decade or so, fitness, health and an overall move towards wellness has had a big impact on many of our lives. It’s become easier than ever to access resources that make fitness simpler for beginners, and gyms and fitness studios have seen a massive increase in demand over the past 10 years. Data shows that the number of gyms in the UK more than doubled between 2011 and 2021, with around 7000 gyms in the country active pre-pandemic. There are lots of different potential reasons for this, such as increased knowledge and accessibility through online resources and influencers, as well as generational differences in our attitudes towards health and fitness. For example, a Nielsen survey found that 81% of Millennials exercise or would like to, compared to only 61% of Boomers. As Millennials start to get older and more financially secure in general, they are able to put more money into services like boutique fitness studios and at-home gym equipment than in the past. Millennials and younger generations are also more likely to use fitness apps and other methods to give them data about their health. For this reason, they are 54% more likely to buy body-analysing devices like Fitbits, Apple Watches and other fitness trackers.
The Effect of COVID-19 on the Fitness Sector
As the COVID-19 pandemic changed all of our lives, almost all sectors were affected in some way, but gyms and fitness studios were hit particularly hard, with restrictions forcing them to close for an extended period of time. Trainers, PT’s and fitness professionals also had to move their operations online, which was a big change for many who have only been used to face to face training in the past. For others, this meant leaving the industry altogether, as the number of people employed in the health and fitness industries saw a decline in 2020, with the number of fitness instructors in the UK dropping to approximately 70,000 during this period. The number of gyms also declined, with some businesses unable to stay afloat through continuous months of closures. It was also found that private, luxury, and high-cost memberships were the first to decline in popularity, in favour of low-cost options during the pandemic.
The Rise of the Home Gym
When gyms closed, we saw a massive uptick in the number of people purchasing gym equipment for their home, both as a stopgap while gyms were closed, and as a more permanent fixture in their homes. Data shows that sales for stepping machines increased by a staggering 6,500% in 2020-2021, while weight benches saw sales increase by 4,130% and exercise bike sales picked up by as much as 2,113%! People looking to continue to exercise while gyms closed and those who were interested in ways to keep fit at home also chose yoga and pilates equipment, gym accessories, cross trainers and treadmills, which all saw big sales increases over this period.
As lockdown restrictions decreased, many people wanted to return to the gym, but in a COVID-conscious world, there are just as many who would actually prefer to stay away from the gym, which is a space where your hygiene, and therefore your safety, is often in the hands of other people. A home gym allows you to work out in a safe, comfortable environment without space restrictions or rules around masks. You also don’t have to wait around for other people to move on during busy periods, a common issue and something that social distancing regulations only exacerbated.
So, Why Choose a Home Gym Setup?
Cost – While the cost of building a home gym is a big upfront expenditure, in the long run it will save you money. Spending £20-£30 per month for a basic gym membership, all the way up to hundreds of pounds every month for a luxury package is a cost that won’t go away, and really does add up over time. Even a £50pm gym membership adds up to £600 per year, and with many of us paying even more than that, you may be losing thousands of pounds every year on gym memberships. While the upfront cost of a home gym is much higher, once you’ve bought your equipment it will last you for many years with proper care, effectively cutting your fitness spending down to nothing in many cases! You also save money on travel to and from the gym, whether that’s through petrol costs, paying for public transport or simply the cost of your time!
Convenience – How many times have you planned to go to the gym and then found yourself talking your way out of it? It might be too cold or raining, you’ve been asked to stay late at work or have a family commitment you’re running late to? It’s so easy to get out of a routine if it’s difficult to actually get to the gym, which is where home gyms really do shine. With a gym in your spare room or garage, you’re always able to fit in a workout, even when things are incredibly busy! If you’re working at home, you can fit in a session over your lunch break or as soon as you log off, or if you’re back in the office there’s no need to make an extra effort to stop in the gym on your commute home.
Versatility – When you have a home gym setup, it can be tailored to not just your needs, but the needs of the rest of your family too. A home gym can become a shared space as well as a functional, individual one. In time this can also help to promote health and fitness in kids as well as in adults, simply by having enough access to different ways of exercising.
At JIMY, we understand why having a home gym can be so beneficial, but also how difficult it can be to get started! We use intelligent data and insights to help recommend you the best equipment for your needs, your lifestyle and your space. Take a look around our site to learn more and to get your home-gym journey started.
