July 5, 2021 5 minutes readEntrepreneur contributors do not necessarily agree with the opinions expressed.Home workouts aren't a new trend. Jane Fonda created workout videos decades ago. Many brands have followed Jane's lead and launched streaming services that help busy people get their day started in the comfort of their homes. Many people find that having a gym or a studio to go to helps them stay in control.In 2019, the global health-club sector earned nearly $98 billion and shows no signs of slowing. This was before the pandemic that forced millions of businesses to close in 2020. You can imagine the devastation that the fitness industry felt when they couldn't host in-person workouts, with over half of Americans belonging to at minimum one U.S. health club.Fitness enthusiasts and hopefuls found new ways to get their fix, even though they had no place to turn. The nearly $100 billion fitness industry has quickly transformed into a virtual one. Studios that fail to make the transition might never recover financially.Related: Planet Fitness' Growth in 2020, Even Though Its Gyms were EmptyThe revival of the at-home exercisePeloton reported last summer that it had generated $607 million in revenue within a few months. Peloton, a trendy brand, doubled its membership and inspired other brands to launch their own streaming services. Barrys Bootcamp offers now at-home classes that start every 15 minutes. Equinox and Equinox also offer online streaming classes to members.Alo Moves of Alo Yoga is a streaming fitness service that was launched almost ten years ago. Alo experienced a 300% increase of engagement on both its paid platform and its YouTube channel in just weeks. It also hosts free classes for its Alo community. The Tone It Up app was launched by Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott in 2018. Downloads have increased 950% since the quarantine.Now that studios and gyms have reopened, will home workouts be a thing of the passé? All indications point to the contrary. Many people may return to work and resume their pre-pandemic lives. They've discovered how important it is to be flexible with their work schedules.Similar: Virtual Fitness Classes are Increasing in LockdownA hybrid approachVirtual workouts gained popularity during the pandemic but almost half of customers opted to not stream their workouts. In addition to offering in-person training, trainers, studios, and gyms should also consider offering at-home workouts for their clients. Online fitness is becoming increasingly popular as people try to maintain a healthy lifestyle while working part-time or full-time.Many Americans invested in streaming services during the crisis. However, there is a fading demand. The pace of online searches for gyms near me increased in May, relative to April. This is a return to the all-time high levels that were set back in January 2020. However, this does not mean that the home-workout craze is over. Many are choosing to workout in studios that offer both in person and in-home sessions.According to Randy Konik, a Jefferies analyst, this hybrid approach will be used by people. It will combine the best of both digital and traditional methods. In the coming years, gyms that embrace this model will be winners.Ariel Belgrave, a health and fitness coach, says that she believes the future of fitness is a mix of in-person and online workouts. They love the convenience of working from home, but they still want to go to a gym or studio at least once a week. She said that many brick-and-mortar gyms have noticed that their members prefer a mixed experience, where they can attend classes both in person and online.Related: Gyms will Bet on a Hybrid Model in 2021 to SurviveChanges are also required by employersEmployers will have to adjust now that so many people are realizing the benefits of a remote lifestyle. While many businesses cannot offer remote living, they still have the ability to provide support for employees who want to be active and healthy.Recent research found that 51.5% of respondents said that their employers don't offer any fitness benefits and that 63.4% wished they did. Employers must make sure they have the right resources and tools to help people stay healthy and productive.Employers can make a significant investment in their most valuable asset, employees. These initiatives not only address health issues but also improve employee morale and work culture. If implemented correctly, workplace health programs could lead to a 25% decrease in healthcare costs. This includes equivalent reductions in workers' compensation and disability management expenses.Many gyms and fitness studios were forced to close permanently by the pandemic, but those that have managed to adapt to the changes are enjoying the rewards. People who want to be fit and healthy on even their busiest days can now have more options than ever thanks to the fitness industry's transformation.
