Job search
Job Search

HCM research: Exercise in lockdown

The good news? People are changing their exercise habits in lockdown, becoming more active and spending more time exercising with their children, according to new research

Published in Health Club Management 2020 issue 4
Savanta ComRes research found that 37 per cent of people are working out with their kids
Savanta ComRes research found that 37 per cent of people are working out with their kids

The restrictions on movement caused by the coronavirus lockdown are transforming the UK’s exercise habits, with home fitness workouts, cycling and walking now the most popular methods of exercise, according to a Savanta ComRes study commissioned by Sport England.

The study is the first to examine how the unprecedented lockdown has impacted on people’s exercise habits and shows a huge interest in fitness and wellbeing, as people have the time and opportunity to exercise and stay healthy.

Savanta ComRes found a quarter (25 per cent) of people now regularly undertake home fitness workouts – this number is far in excess of the UK’s gym membership penetration level, which currently stands at 15.6 according to the 2019 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, from David Minton’s Leisure Database Company (LDB).

More than half of adults in England (59 per cent) are using their government mandated daily activity time to go for a walk and get out in the fresh air. The government has persisted on maintaining this freedom where other nations are obliging citizens to stay indoors at all times. It has also mandated that all parks remain open for the duration of the shutdown to enable people to spend time in green space where possible.

Exercising with family
One of the biggest changes people are reporting is the company they keep during exercise – more than a third (37 per cent) of those doing home-fitness sessions – often using live streaming or online platforms – are involving children in their household in the exercises.

Cycling is also proving to be a popular family activity, with 22 per cent of those who are cycling, doing so with their children or family groups.

The research also shows how the lockdown – and the threat of coronavirus in general – have led to people recognising the importance of physical activity to staying healthy.

Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of adults say it’s more important to be active, when compared with responses logged before the outbreak.

Mental health
A larger majority of people (67 per cent) also believe exercise is helping with their mental health during the shutdown.

The research also shows, however, that some people are finding it harder to be regularly active than others. These include older people, those on a low incomes, people who are living alone and people who live in urban areas.

The study of 2,043 English adults was carried out in early April 2020.

Sport England Survey into Adult Physical Activity Attitudes and Behaviour

Sign up for FREE ezines

Company profile

Company profile: Legend by Xplor
We help a wide range of public sector leisure operators (including Leisure Trusts, Leisure Management Companies, Local Authorities and Universities), as well as private operators, to streamline complex operations, achieve growth and drive retention.
View full profile >
More company profiles

Featured Supplier

Panatta to showcase innovation at major fitness and bodybuilding events in 2024
Panatta will consolidate its global presence throughout 2024 by attending a host of major industry events around the globe.
View full details >
More featured suppliers

Property & Tenders

Location: Loughton, IG10
Company: Knight Frank
Location: Grantham, Leicestershire
Company: Belvoir Castle
Location: Verwood, Dorset
Company: AVISON YOUNG
Location: Hall Place House, Bexley, DA5 1PQ
Company: London Borough of Bexley
Location: 15 Concessions across the nation's forests
Company: Forestry England
More properties & tenders

Diary dates

11-14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Centre , Cologne, Germany
22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort, York
10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China
23-24 May 2024
Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany
More diary dates