“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
By now, the fact that we’ve been through another viral pandemic is probably old news. And, while it may or may not make another appearance in the fall, profound changes have already been made. Much of this change is due to the unprecedented response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Things May Never Be (Quite) the Same
One of the “normal” aspects of life for many who are committed to fitness and are physically active is the anticipated shift in the fitness industry.
A news story from New York’s PIX11 News pointed out that,
“The fitness industry has really seen a rapid series of changes because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of working out and training has gone virtual, with gyms and studios shuttered. Moreover, re-opening dates for training facilities are more uncertain than a lot of other businesses because of social distancing concerns.”
Although some gyms and fitness clubs have been able to hold onto a significant portion of their members, most are seeing drastic drop offs in membership and some have even shut their doors. The new competition now is live video and online community schemes like Peloton.
While it is no longer the only offering with this somewhat unique business model, Peloton is still the leader in this particular niche.
The Peloton is a high-end indoor bicycle equipped with a Wi-Fi–enabled, 22-inch touchscreen tablet streaming live and on-demand classes. In addition, it allows users to compete with other participants while getting an intense cardio workout in the process.
Jean Michel Fournier, the CEO of on demand fitness hub Les Mills Media, noted at Forbes.com,
“Consumer behavior has clearly changed. People are craving connections through exercise and video conferencing has become more normal. Live streaming and a life environment drive a connection in ways we never thought about before Covid-19. The strangest end of this is the shortage of gym equipment you can now find online as people move fitness into the home wider and deeper than ever before.”
Providers are already pivoting with their offerings and doing so with the long-term in mind. A quick Internet search of “COVID 19 and fitness industry” brings up dozens of articles either asking or else proclaiming that the fitness industry has changed forever.
Some of the shifts that fitness studios or gyms are recognizing is that members now expect to train from anywhere, e.g. at home, in the studio or gym, or even in a hotel room. New options for club memberships will include combinations of live and on-demand memberships and providing digital content including regular webinars, video blogs, and enhanced social media content.
The More Things Change, The More They Remain the Same
Despite the shifts in the structure and approach to offering fitness programs, there are some things that never change. Physical fitness is still a distinctly personal journey and challenge. No matter where you work out, how you work out, and if you work out with others or all alone, you still have to be the one who works out.
And the same thing can be said about injuries: whether you’re working out in a gym with 100 other members, or working out at home alone, you can still get hurt.
Sudden, traumatic injuries due to incorrect technique or form, and cumulative injury resulting from repetitive motions – these can still happen no matter where you work out, alone or otherwise.
As we noted in a previous article here, prevention is key to avoiding pain and injury from working out.
In addition, avoiding excessive workouts – whether that means too much weight, too many reps, or simply too much workout – is critical to maintaining an effective and safe workout regimen. It is easier to fall prey to these excesses when you are working out alone, unfortunately.
Despite your desire to perform at your maximum level, it is far more prudent and healthier to pace yourself and to err on the side of “not enough” rather than “too much.”
Workout Injuries and Pain and Performance Solutions
Having said all that, workout injuries still occur and even when you are striving to do everything right. If and when you do have an injury, or find yourself beginning to experience ongoing or chronic pain, you can call us at Pain and Performance Solutions.
Your initial consultation and assessment will allow us to learn all we can about your present pain and condition, along with any history of discomfort, and your current level of activity.
This is important to treating and relieving your pain, since it can only start once we understand where and how your pain started.
A full examination will help us determine which form of treatment is best suited to get you on your road to recovery. Your trust in us is key, as is your honesty. Ultimately, getting your body healthy and working properly is the only way to achieve total recovery.
Our goal is to work through the sequence of pain and dysfunction in order to get your body healthy and working properly and to achieve total recovery. Don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help and will answer any questions that you may have.
You can reach us at (707) 636-4404 or by filling out our online contact form.