I visited Athens Health and Fitness to learn more about how COVID-19 has changed the way we view fitness. Upon my entry, I was struck by the impact COVID-19 had on the company’s operations. This is thanks to the guidance of the CDC. Each gym has decided the safety and health guidelines that they will follow since the May reopening. Customers are free to choose whether or not they wish to wear masks at AHF. While many customers choose to wear masks, the vast majority of them do not. Gym equipment is marked with signs to encourage social distancing and keep equipment users safe from each other. This is something that I would like to learn more about in comparison to the new online and mobile fitness programs.
Many college students enjoy going back to the gym after changing their athens health and fitness routines. But for others, the gym isn’t the only place they exercise. AHF member Emily Posas said that the gym was important to her, but not the only place she would go to work out. While I was in quarantine I began running and walking outside, and found other ways to exercise that didn’t require me to go to a gym. To stay active, I used apps like Nike and Trainerize. However, I loved them and still use them at the gym.” While many AHF members have returned the gym, I noticed many of them have switched to online coaching programs that they can take with them.
Many people were using their phones to improve their workouts. Some were on YouTube, while others were taking online classes from Athens Health and Fitness Professionals. Online personal training was the most interesting thing I saw. People on Zoom were exercising with their personal trainers via Zoom. I was struck by the impact of the pandemic on the way we exercise and the potential for new technology and markets in the fitness industry.
