YOUR POST-VACCINE GYM PLAN
Gym doors may once again be open – for good, we hope – but how will our training spaces change in the long run? Five fitness futurists reflect on the lessons learned from COVID-19 and offer their predictions
Take 1 Boutiques Will Thrive
Says Mark Cuban, investor in fitness brands including the Hollywood hot spot Rise Nation
“Once the COVID-19 vaccine is widely distributed, the snap-back to gyms will be huge. The biggest beneficiaries will be boutique workout gyms, such as SoulCycle,” says Cuban. Workout spaces will become social hubs, not simply places to sweat. Plus, there will be benefits for those nervous about hygiene: “Each machine at these single-modality gyms will act as its own ‘pod’ to avoid cross-contamination with the right capacity, cleaning and ventilation.”
Take 2 Workouts Will Be Redefined
Says Matt Delaney, manager of innovation at Equinox gyms
“We used to think that a workout had to be 50 minutes, and it had to be in a gym,” says Delaney. “But thanks to the pandemic, people are realising that a 20-minute class on an app at home, or a circuit using water jugs as weights, can also be good.” Of course, there will still be demand for in-person instruction. “The gyms of the future will include digital offerings that help you do the at-home stuff better. You’ll visit to connect with the community, to use big weights and other specialised equipment, and get more tailored coaching.”
Take 3 Gyms Will Become Software Companies
Says William Allen, co-founder of Harpoon Ventures, which funds tech start-ups
“The gyms of the future will be software companies that perform data analytics to help us reach our goals,” says Allen. “People will have equipment at home that connects to the cloud, and every device will be ‘Internet of Things’ enabled, sending health and performance data points to a server owned by a fitness company, or ‘gym’.” That gym’s commodity will be algorithms, used to send you personalised suggestions in real time.
Take 4 Virus-Fighting Will Be at the Forefront
Says Eric Roza, CEO of CrossFit Inc, the largest fitness chain in the world
“As disease transmission becomes an ongoing concern, gyms will continue to do rigorous equipment cleaning and distancing, temperature checks, mask-wearing and capacity limits,” Roza predicts. “Other safety standards will be based on emerging science and new tools. Because COVID-19 spreads through the air, we’ll see more virus-filtering HEPA systems and CO2 meters. If the gym stays under a certain level, that means the air circulation is excellent and comparable to being outside.”
Take 5 Chains Will Step Up Their Game
Says Alex Hormozi, founder of Gym Launch, which helps gym owners boost their profits
“Boutique gyms have a hard road ahead. Consumers can buy the same machines and get better workouts at home,” warns Hormozi. But there is hope. “Many clients will still need help actually doing their workouts. To survive, brick-andmortar gyms must double down on delivering top-flight customer service. Monthly memberships will now have to include far more than just workouts, like one-on-one instruction, nutrition coaching and virtual check-ins.”