The Pros & Cons of Virtual Fitness Classes

Getting a reasonable amount of physical activity has proven to be a challenge for many during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You’ve gone for walks and bike rides around the neighborhood, but when it comes to successful fitness, many of us thrive on the structure of a trainer or workout buddy.

Prior to this global health crisis, virtual fitness classes were already thriving. In particular, these online sessions appealed to individuals looking for structure and variety, who can’t always maintain a strict gym schedule.

The Rise of Virtual Fitness

Working out in your living room is nothing new; at-home workout tapes first gained popularity in the 1980s. What’s the big difference between then and now? Access to more variety. Streamed from YouTube or another app, virtual fitness is not restricted to a single workout or regimen.

A range of routines, including yoga, cardio and strength training, are available at your fingertips, with different impact and difficulty levels. Viewers can ease into a 30-minute daily routine or push themselves to the 60-minute mark and beyond, depending on their fitness level.

All this content can be accessed through the internet and streamed to computers, smartphones and TVs, which gives you the option to work out from anywhere.

Demand for virtual fitness started to pick up by the mid-2010s. According to a survey from Flurry Insights, health and fitness app usage increased 62 percent in the first half of 2014 and has been growing significantly faster than other industries in recent years.

In addition to streaming apps, gyms have started to recognize the advantages of offering these services. Over the past few years, gyms have launched their own digital fitness apps with personal trainers and class instructors. In most cases, prerecorded classes can be accessed for a monthly fee.

Pros of Virtual Fitness

Beyond these points, what are the key factors that have contributed to the rise of virtual classes?

1. Flexibility

For many adults, demanding work and personal schedules can make it difficult to start or end their days at the gym. While you may be able to find time for exercise on the weekends, virtual fitness lets you fill in the gaps from the work week, at your convenience.

2. No Gym Required

Some people simply dislike the gym atmosphere. Virtual fitness provides access to quality instructors, structured classes and allows participants to take things at their own pace.

3. Access to Variety

Unlike the fitness tapes of decades past, virtual fitness gives you access to practically any routine. Simply logging into an app or using another online interface presents far more choices and lets you try out routines before making a commitment.

Drawbacks of Virtual Fitness

Virtual fitness lets you stay active and manage your weight on your own time, which is especially important during this challenging time. Yet compared to in-person, it can have some drawbacks:

1. There’s no real interaction with the instructor or other people taking the class.
2. No one is correcting your form or technique, which may lead to injury.
3. You’re dependent on Wi-Fi. A poor connection could stop your class mid-stream.
4. It’s easy to get distracted, without an instructor or friend there to encourage you.

If you have questions about our services or experience an injury, contact one of our offices today.