A woman exercises at home with the help of an online course.
Thomas Trutschel / Photothek via Getty Images
The fitness industry was highlighted in 2020.
When the Covid pandemic entered the U.S. in March, Americans quickly realized that their gymnastics routines would no longer be sustainable. Fitness studios ranging from New York sports clubs to SoulCycle held their last group classes as they were forced to close to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. And its users were forced to look for alternative ways to sweat in basements or bedrooms, to try to alleviate Covid-related anxieties.
Sales of health and fitness equipment doubled, to $ 2.3 billion, from March to October, according to data from The NPD Group. Treadmill sales soared 135%, according to the group, while sales of stationary bikes nearly tripled. Retailers from Target to Dick Sporting Goods could hardly hold items like 10-pound weights and jump ropes on their shelves.
Now, Peloton’s companies in Lululemon are going through Apple betting that the Covid pandemic has permanently changed how people will exercise at home. And so far, the numbers seem to support their bets.