Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Magazine      Advertise  
HCM research
Exercise in lockdown

The good news? People are changing their exercise habits in lockdown, becoming more active and spending more time exercising with their children, according to new research


The restrictions on movement caused by the coronavirus lockdown are transforming the UK’s exercise habits, with home fitness workouts, cycling and walking now the most popular methods of exercise, according to a Savanta ComRes study commissioned by Sport England.

The study is the first to examine how the unprecedented lockdown has impacted on people’s exercise habits and shows a huge interest in fitness and wellbeing, as people have the time and opportunity to exercise and stay healthy.

Savanta ComRes found a quarter (25 per cent) of people now regularly undertake home fitness workouts – this number is far in excess of the UK’s gym membership penetration level, which currently stands at 15.6 according to the 2019 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, from David Minton’s Leisure Database Company (LDB).

More than half of adults in England (59 per cent) are using their government mandated daily activity time to go for a walk and get out in the fresh air. The government has persisted on maintaining this freedom where other nations are obliging citizens to stay indoors at all times. It has also mandated that all parks remain open for the duration of the shutdown to enable people to spend time in green space where possible.

Exercising with family
One of the biggest changes people are reporting is the company they keep during exercise – more than a third (37 per cent) of those doing home-fitness sessions – often using live streaming or online platforms – are involving children in their household in the exercises.

Cycling is also proving to be a popular family activity, with 22 per cent of those who are cycling, doing so with their children or family groups.

The research also shows how the lockdown – and the threat of coronavirus in general – have led to people recognising the importance of physical activity to staying healthy.

Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of adults say it’s more important to be active, when compared with responses logged before the outbreak.

Mental health
A larger majority of people (67 per cent) also believe exercise is helping with their mental health during the shutdown.

The research also shows, however, that some people are finding it harder to be regularly active than others. These include older people, those on a low incomes, people who are living alone and people who live in urban areas.

The study of 2,043 English adults was carried out in early April 2020.

Sport England Survey into Adult Physical Activity Attitudes and Behaviour
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

W3Fit EMEA celebrates its fifth anniversary
Celebrating its milestone 5th anniversary, W3Fit EMEA returns in 2026 with an unmissable gathering of the Health & Fitness industry’s most influential leaders. [more...]

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Perfect Gym Solutions S.A.

Perfect Gym, part of the Sport Alliance group, is a global software provider specialising in fitness [more...]
Precor

Precor promises precision-quality products with steadfast reliability that are inspired by exerciser [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
HCM
LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTH CLUB HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
HCM research
Exercise in lockdown

The good news? People are changing their exercise habits in lockdown, becoming more active and spending more time exercising with their children, according to new research


The restrictions on movement caused by the coronavirus lockdown are transforming the UK’s exercise habits, with home fitness workouts, cycling and walking now the most popular methods of exercise, according to a Savanta ComRes study commissioned by Sport England.

The study is the first to examine how the unprecedented lockdown has impacted on people’s exercise habits and shows a huge interest in fitness and wellbeing, as people have the time and opportunity to exercise and stay healthy.

Savanta ComRes found a quarter (25 per cent) of people now regularly undertake home fitness workouts – this number is far in excess of the UK’s gym membership penetration level, which currently stands at 15.6 according to the 2019 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, from David Minton’s Leisure Database Company (LDB).

More than half of adults in England (59 per cent) are using their government mandated daily activity time to go for a walk and get out in the fresh air. The government has persisted on maintaining this freedom where other nations are obliging citizens to stay indoors at all times. It has also mandated that all parks remain open for the duration of the shutdown to enable people to spend time in green space where possible.

Exercising with family
One of the biggest changes people are reporting is the company they keep during exercise – more than a third (37 per cent) of those doing home-fitness sessions – often using live streaming or online platforms – are involving children in their household in the exercises.

Cycling is also proving to be a popular family activity, with 22 per cent of those who are cycling, doing so with their children or family groups.

The research also shows how the lockdown – and the threat of coronavirus in general – have led to people recognising the importance of physical activity to staying healthy.

Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of adults say it’s more important to be active, when compared with responses logged before the outbreak.

Mental health
A larger majority of people (67 per cent) also believe exercise is helping with their mental health during the shutdown.

The research also shows, however, that some people are finding it harder to be regularly active than others. These include older people, those on a low incomes, people who are living alone and people who live in urban areas.

The study of 2,043 English adults was carried out in early April 2020.

Sport England Survey into Adult Physical Activity Attitudes and Behaviour
LATEST NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skop acquisition
Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of the Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of its strength ecosystem.
Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather expensive, modality into the mainstream.
As the 20th State of the Industry Report is released, LeisureDB rebrands to Evolve
The 20th State of the Industry Report reveals a resilient, expanding and competitive sector, the importance of differentiation and the ongoing challenge of tackling inequalities.
Orangetheory set for Italian expansion and Technogym tie-up
Purpose Brands has announced its entry into the Italian market, having sold the franchise rights for four Orangetheory Studios to Icon Palestre.
Fitness First adds red light therapy to relaxation classes
Fitness First UK is integrating red light therapy into yoga and Pilates classes through a partnership with Bon Charge.
Nuffield Health says it will appeal after losing at employment tribunal
Nuffield Health has told HCM that it takes its responsibilities towards its colleagues seriously and is committed to meeting all legal obligations after news of a tribunal has made national headlines.
Technogym and World Athletics team up to launch the Run X World Treadmill Championships
Technogym has announced the launch of the Run X World Treadmill Championship, the first world championship for running on connected treadmills over five kilometres.
Charitable trust, Mytime Active, tackles loneliness
Shocked by the UK loneliness statistics, charitable trust Mytime Active has been doubling down on its community outreach projects.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

W3Fit EMEA celebrates its fifth anniversary
Celebrating its milestone 5th anniversary, W3Fit EMEA returns in 2026 with an unmissable gathering of the Health & Fitness industry’s most influential leaders. [more...]

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Perfect Gym Solutions S.A.

Perfect Gym, part of the Sport Alliance group, is a global software provider specialising in fitness [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS