Weights, yoga mats sales rise as coronavirus forces gyms shutdown
As gyms across South Australia shut their doors, living rooms are becoming personal training spaces and equipment sales are spiking.
City
Don't miss out on the headlines from City. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fitness fanatics are splashing cash on workout equipment and virtual personal training programs in light of gym closures to contain the rapid global spread of COVID-19.
Sports and fitness stores told The Advertiser there had been an increase in yoga mats and free weight sales over the past few days as gym junkies set up home studios.
It comes as personal trainers move towards outdoor training sessions and online workouts to keep clients fit.
On Sunday night, Prime Minster Scott Morrison announced gyms, pubs, clubs, casinos, sporting venues, cinemas and other non essential services would shut down from Monday to slow the spread of COVID-19.
F45 Unley owner Helen Schubert said her “couple of hundred members” would have access to an “online workout”.
“The video is exactly the same thing as what is provided in the studio,” Ms Schubert said.
“We are trying to do the same thing we always do and just promote home workouts so we can keep them all nice and healthy.”
Southern Workout Store operations manager Kritika Naidu said trade started going up late last week in light of social distancing measures.
She said dumbbells, barbells, benches and cable machines were among popular items at the Black Forest and Morphett Vale stores.
“They are small and do not take up a lot of space, but also provide a lot of versatility in terms of the workouts you can do with them,” Ms Naidu said.
Sportspower Zorich Group Harbour Town store manager Matthew McGahey said there had been an increase in free weights and yoga mats.
“People do not want to get out of routine and want to keep fit … so it is something they can do at home,” Mr McGahey said.
MORE NEWS
Plans to redevelop the INEA YMCA site on the table
Final service for Orana
Central Market ready for Sunday trade
Personal trainer Sam Warren, usually based at a North Adelaide gym, has adapted to new rules by starting small outdoor training sessions with clients at either his of their home.
Warren, who said he would be taking social distancing seriously, also planned to create online work outs that clients can pay for.
CrossFit Down Under in Holden Hill is renting equipment to members who can also access online workouts.
Actor Chris Hemsworth is offering free access to his fitness and health online platform Centr for six weeks, while Kayla Itsines has increased the amount of home workouts on her SWEAT platform.
