New set of business muscles for trainers

WINDHOEK — Lee Neshila, a fitness instructor in Namibia, posted a recorded video of himself doing plunges on his Instagram account. He was demonstrating and challenging followers and clients to exercise at home.

Initially, he trained clients at a gym studio and outdoors in Namibia’s capital Windhoek. But the declaration of the state of emergency and subsequent lockdown by the Namibian government disrupted his business.

Neshila has since digitized his trade, training clients online.

“I am making use of virtual platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom and Instagram to train clients,” he said.

Virtually, Neshila runs fitness challenges for locals via social media platforms six times a week.

But he is not the only one. Many fitness instructors have switched from physical contact sessions to virtual sessions.

Gregor Areseb, a sports performance coach and professional trainer working with athletes and locals for six years, is also another fitness instructor who has digitized his services.

According to Areseb, traditionally, he trained people who are supposed to be there physically. However, physical interaction has been reduced as the government enforces social distancing.

“So the only way is to seek creative ways to do things, and technological advancement presents us with the opportunity to level up and bond with clients,” Areseb said.

‘Social responsibility’

Fitness instructor Meke Namhindo’s business was also disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. And as the clientele base has dropped, she is using digital platforms to remain in business.

“A lot has changed since the lockdown. Things have not been easy,” Namhindo said.

Since the lockdown, she motivates, and indulges her clients and those interested in exercise online four times a week.

“I have a social responsibility to our populace and clients so that they keep busy and stay healthy while at home,” she said.

Meanwhile, online wellness sessions have been instrumental in the transformation of Namibians. Locals such as Aili Elly have found guidance offered by local fitness instructors online useful.

“Being home the whole day can be challenging . ... But I have been able to keep fit by following fitness instructors online,” Elly said. “Their sessions are also interactive, unlike general videos.”

People in the industry say they now have the perfect opportunity to reformulate it. Instructors are remodeling their businesses, looking at ways they can fuse innovation and technology into them.

“Above and all, the goal is to use the lockdown period to explore how to monetize an online presence,” Neshila said.

“This will be achieved through collaboration and knowledge exchange, to advance working electronically and selling virtually.”