As with most things under lockdown, people have found ways to adapt. Many studios and class teachers turned to live streaming, and people looking for exercise signed up to subscription exercise schemes like Fiit and Shreddy in their droves.
Countless people took up running (nearly a million people have downloaded Couch to 5k over the past few weeks!) and online retailers swiftly ran out of everything from dumbbells to resistance bands as we figured out how to work out from home.
But now, as lockdown is coming to a (very confusing, highly convoluted) end, people are beginning to think about the future again. Will they happily take up their gym memberships again? Or are they happy with the routines they’ve carved out for themselves at home? We asked the Money Diary Facebook group for their views and hundreds responded with their plans; some chomping at the bit to get back on the treadmill and others who’ve found an entirely new form of exercise at home that they’re going to keep up.
Ahead, we’ve included a few responses about what our readers future exercise schedules will look like — let us know your plans in the comments.
Before lockdown I had twice-weekly sessions at a gym with a PT, costing £280 p/m, plus 1-2x week yoga at a studio, approx. £40 p/m.
Once lockdown started I did nothing for the first few weeks except Yoga with Adriene, then I started again with the PT via Zoom so I began paying £280 p/m again. Occasionally I do yoga via Zoom (with a different teacher, my studio didn’t offer Zoom classes) at approx. £10 per class.
Once lockdown is over, I really want to go back to the gym because I miss weights, and my overall fitness has declined. I can’t replicate my old training regimen at home. Really, really miss my yoga studio but sadly it has had to close completely due to COVID, so I’m sticking with Yoga with Adriene until I find a suitable replacement.
Before lockdown I played football for a team (we trained twice a week and played matches on Sunday, it was £25 pm). I had a Pure Gym membership (£17 pm), would try to make at least one class a week and would try to swim at my local pool once or twice a week (£5 per visit).
Since lockdown I’ve been doing HIIT classes online which I’ve really enjoyed (free) so will likely not renew my gym membership. I also started wild swimming at a loch near my house and love it so much I don’t think I’ll go back to the pool! I am planning to go back to football when the season starts back although its looking like that might be early 2021.
Before, I was spending £0 and my only exercise was walking to work and back.
During lockdown I’ve been taking part in workout classes on Zoom with Carly Rowena (£15 per month fee), Courtney Black’s IG lives and a few YouTube videos!
I’m really enjoying my current routine so hopefully I’ll stick to it! I’ve previously avoided joining them gym as they can be so expensive and daunting to a complete beginner like me!
Pre-lockdown I mainly did pole dancing at a studio, this cost £10 per class or £80 for a month pass (all lessons included).
During lockdown I at first did nothing but now I’m doing outdoor exercise sessions with a PT and pay £100 for a month for three classes a week.
Once things calm down I will go back to pole classes, but this will be not in the near future as I’m still anxious about COVID so will continue to do outdoor classes whilst the weather is ok!
I was paying £38 per month via a work scheme for a local gym and pool (which on the weekend would be overrun with ‘spa wankers’) but I mostly just swam three times a week.
The thought of getting in a pool now fills me with germ dread so I have started Couch 2 5K app on my phone and got some nice runners for my birthday. I will invest in good running equipment rather than sign up to a gym again as the months progress. I never enjoyed gym culture anyway so it’s nice to be exercising outdoors instead.
My gym costs £40 per month, which I’ve continued paying during lockdown as they’re a family business. I’ve been doing workouts at home based on the exercises I usually do at the gym, which is just about keeping me sane. But I can’t wait to go back to the actual gym! I miss having people to check and correct my form, and feel I never quite push myself as hard at home as I do in the gym!
Pre-lockdown, I spent £30 pm on a gym membership that i fell in and out of love with.
During lockdown I have got Shreddy and Down Dog. Shreddy is £25 and I have used intermittently but it’s great when i do. I have just restarted my challenge so am keen to pick it up again. Down Dog has changed my life. it’s £9.99 a month or you can pay annually which i haven’t done yet because I wanted to make sure i would use it. I have also been using Nike Run app and doing short jogs and I’m really enjoying beating myself with times.
After lockdown I will cancel my gym membership and keep the apps. I find it way more motivating and fits in with my life more. Also the mental health side of doing something to feel good rather than look a certain way has really resonated with me. The gym was a punishment and I can see that more now. That being said i do miss weight so maybe i’ll buy some bigger dumbbells and work up.
Pre-lockdown I had a gym membership (£23pm) which I rarely used. Recently in lockdown I’ve been using my parents exercise bike and I’m currently doing Barrecore (£25pm for unlimited on demand classes).
Post-lockdown I will either look into buying an exercise bike for my own place, as I’m only staying with my parents for lockdown, and continue with Barrecore.
Having a bike at home means I can listen to the music I want to and sing along to my heart’s content, and I’ve found Barrecore to be really effective and enjoy it. I would miss spin sessions at the gym but I didn’t make the most of them because they were on at times that didn’t suit me and by exercising at home I can jump in the shower straight away and get on with whatever else I have planned.
Overall, other than the initial expense of buying the exercise bike, I would be spending roughly the same but probably getting more use out of the money spent.
Pre-lockdown I was going to dance classes 1-2 times a week which worked out around £12 a go. During lockdown I’ve struggled with motivation/the heat and only done a few IG live free dance/fitness classes, but I walk my dog every day for 1.5hrs.
Post lockdown, all depends on whether I find a new job and have the income to go back to classes! I really miss the atmosphere of dance classes but at the moment I can’t imagine myself feeling comfortable with getting on public transport to travel there nor being in a studio with 30+ people for quite some time.
Pre-lockdown I did 4-5 F45 classes a week at £160/month (yes, I know, it was worth it though). During lockdown I’ve done their live and recorded home classes at £60/month but have frozen this recently as I am running more and couldn’t justify the cost when doing only 1-2 per week.
I currently run 5 x week and do an online PT class with work and clients 2 x week (free as organised by work). I also do the occasional F45 or other HIIT class.
After lockdown I will go back to my usual routine of 4-5 F45 classes and 3-4 runs per week. I might also join a conventional gym locally if I’m going to be working from home more so I could slot in a few powerlifting sessions.
Before, I had a gym membership at £60 plus regular classes at F45 and Boomcycle.
Since lockdown, I have tried running a couple of times a week and done some low impact workouts at home but I hate them!
It’s really made me realise I don’t begrudge the money I spend on keeping fit as it keeps me motivated. I’ve seen a real decline in my fitness, motivation and body confidence since lockdown started and I can’t wait to get back to the gyms once they are safe again.
I’ll be happy to part with the money (and probably more) to get my fitness and mentality back to how it used to be – you can’t put a price on that and everyone deals with it so individually.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
At-Home Hot Girl Summer Fitness Tips