One thing that workoutenthusiasts across the UK – and at all levels – will be thankful for lately, isthe resumption of in-person classes at their favourite gyms, after toughlockdown conditions were gradually lifted. And now, we know somethingabout how eagerBritons have been to don their performance apparel andhead out to brick-and-mortar fitness venues.
As reported by The Guardian, ClassPass –a company that enables people to access fitness classes around the country –said it had seen a 600% increase in its new member numbers in the space of aweek.
The firm stated that twoof its leading London fitness studios had reported a tenfold rise inreservations since the return of in-person classes. This compares with thedigital-only reservations that represented the only option for exerciseenthusiasts the previous week.
Intriguingly, however,the company said it was also continuing to see a high level of reservations forlive-streamed classes. This raises the tantalising prospect of online andoffline classes co-existing peacefully for a while to come.
Sure enough, ClassPass’svice-president of international, Chloe Ross, suggested a strong likelihood ofmany of its members favouring “a hybrid routine, doing some workouts at homeand returning to studios part of the time”.
Live-streamed vsin-person classes: deciding between the two
If the above suggestedtrend bears out, you might not feel that for you, it’s only a question ofexclusively attending online or offline classes. And of course, your ownparticular circumstances and requirements are likely to largely dictate whichof the two you favour.
Beyond that, there arecertain consistent factors that everyone contemplating fitness classes shouldprobably consider. After the past year or so during which you might havelargely only taken in online classes, for instance, you may have realised thatyou require the physical presence of a group to feel genuinely motivated toexercise. Nor does a live-streamed class give you the opportunity of in-persondirection and guidance from a professional.
This is not to suggest,however, that online classes have exactly become irrelevant since ‘real world’classes came back on stream. In fact, a lot of people who have typically feltintimidated by the mere thought of fitness classes found online sessions to bea good way of easing themselves into healthy exercise habits.
It also helps thatthere’s such a staggering variety of online fitness classes, and that they’reso often so competitively priced, largely thanks to their big audiences andlack of overhead expenses compared to their in-person equivalents. Having saidthis, such a wide range of options for live-streamed classes can also be alittle overwhelming for some people, as opposed to when they’re just pickingfrom whatever classes their local gym may be offering.
Get ready for a newfitness era with Hybryd!
Naturally, our team hereat Hybryd doesn’t know any more than anyone else about the likely futuredirection of the coronavirus situation. There’s no guarantee that there won’tbe further restrictions in response to new outbreaks, which might make us allmore dependent on online-based fitness tuition once more.
One thing thatabsolutely will becrucial in the months and years to come, however, will be establishing a strongfitness culture that will also be instrumental in guarding against the risksCOVID-19 can pose to health. Shop for your favourite performanceapparel from the extensive range in the Hybryd online store, and you’llbe well-placed to play your own part and achieve peak fitness.
