MUMBAI, 21 AUGUST, 2020 (GPN): The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the states in various parts of India shutting the doors of all gym establishments as well. Therefore, gyms and fitness equipment companies have come up with different ideas to make sure that their customers stay healthy and fit at home via online sessions, personal guidance etc. Whereas due to no access to gyms Bollywood celebrities, athletes are establishing their own home gym to stay fit.

Recently, Grand Slam Fitness, a leading premium equipment company bought UK based Wattbike to India and became the first & only distributor of it. Many well known personalities & fitness enthusiasts such as Anil Kapoor, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, KM Malleswari etc.  spotted on Instagram by using Wattbike as their best fitness trainer at home. Also, they are using commercial products like Treadmill, Chest press, cycling etc. Over the past few years a company dedicated to bring technology driven and best in class fitness equipment to the country.

Fitness equipment company, Grand Slam Fitness brings award winning trainer ‘Wattbike’ for all fitness aficionados in India. The company recently associated with two national players of the cricket team, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul.

Prateek Sood, Director, Grand Slam Fitness, said, “We have received an overwhelming response for this product in Indians it has found an important part in exercising and indoor fitness routine of many. Wattbike is known to be the best trainer for progressive fitness. It’s unique features and performance computer enables the accurate measurement of over 40 performance parameters. In future we will continue to fulfill the training requirements of our consumers and bring such new, innovative products in the country.”

The company represents around 10 international brands including True Fitness, TuffStuff Fitness, Turbuster Fitness, Landice, Training Wall, Wattbike, and Assault Fitness.

Prateek Sood, Director GLANDSLAM Fitness shares his thoughts over the contemporary Indian Fitness Industry in a candid interview with GPN. Prateek also highlights how technology is going to play a pivotal role in paving the future of Indian Fitness and the increased demand for home fitness equipment.

What is the future of the gym industry, Has the lockdown impacted the fitness industry forever?

Google searches for “fitness near me” is growing almost 40% year on year in India. The gyms and studios which do not have a website and do not have the ability to be discovered online are getting left behind because uniquely for the Indian Market, the organized players only constitute 4% of the market — 96% of the market is unorganized and fragmented.

The way people used to work out may never be the same. People will probably not go back to in-person classes they used once lockdowns are lifted. During this lockdown period, fitness enthusiasts had to pivot quickly to home workouts and live online classes or recorded video sessions and one on one virtual coaching. The active user numbers have been increasing gradually. We actually believe that only 25%-30% of the members will be able to workout in a gym at any given point of time post lockdown opens.

If you talk about the consumption power of the users, we have seen a major rise in the demand for home fitness equipment. Lockdown has created a huge demand for home fitness equipment like exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, and dumbbells. There has been a sharp increase in sales of home fitness equipment.

Therefore, we feel that users are still going to have their physical premises for workouts, but maybe the numbers would be low post lockdown as digital workouts have already created their space in the market and benefit of video workouts is that users can see how bodies are positions, which is very useful.

Being a fitness equipment company – How much technology is in demand of home equipment?
Technology has already been playing a major role in every aspect of business irrespective if it’s fitness or any other. We’ve seen the demand for online fitness classes spike as people are forced to stay home during the lockdown. With yoga, dance routines, and bodyweights workouts among others, the options are endless. Adapting to the digital workout culture is the key. However, the lockdown need not spell the end of your fitness journey. With online fitness classes booming, there are no excuses for not working out even if you can’t hit the gym.

Many fitness influencers are taking the opportunity to promote exercise in the context of general well-being when people are unable to go to the gyms and mental stress is taking a toll on many amidst lockdown. Fitness coaches are holding daily live PE sessions on YouTube and Instagram. This is helping many influencers with increased engagement as they rely on monetization from social networks, making it a smart move all around. For influencers who previously focused on gym-based workouts, there is an opportunity to capitalize on the changing habits of consumers, and to branch out into content that focuses on health and well-being when everyone is scared due to the spread of the virus.

3. How do you look into the Fitness business in the coming year?

As the cascading effects of COVID-19 continue to spread, gym owners and fitness solutions suppliers remain worried. Meanwhile, various fitness brands are building a stronger online presence and discovering new ways to connect with customers with an aim to build a highly loyal and enthusiastic customer base online.Celebrities are creating gyms at home to stay fit. 

In search of light relief from the unnerving situation, people are actively searching for online sessions, group yoga, home workout guides and much more. The improvement of online fitness content, availability of and accessibility to free courses and online support are a few silver linings that have accompanied these uncertain times. ENDS

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