An Illawarra fitness training centre is ensuring it stays afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering members online fitness classes.
F45 Training Wollongong has recorded a 95 per cent decrease in its monthly turnover after state and federal governments forced gyms to close to combat the spread of the virus.
The centre has opted to use online video meeting platforms to conduct virtual training classes.
Gym owner Ben Keith said he hoped the classes would keep members moving while they are in lockdown.
“The greatest benefit [of the online classes] would be to keep engaging with our members, helping them stay active and fit during this time of crisis,” Mr Keith said.
“On the other hand, my staff also benefit by still being employed and not being stood down.”
Data Trends
New data has found an increase in the number of people searching for fitness-related terms in the past month.
According to Google Trends, there has been a 1,600 per cent increase in searches of the term ‘exercise boost immune system”, and a 1,000 per cent increase in searches of the phrase ‘coronavirus exercise’.
Australian search engines have seen a spike in the number of searches for online fitness classes, including F45 and Zumba.
The same trends have been seen across the globe.