Fitness Matters

Hybrid Fitness Is Here to Stay

A recent survey of industry professionals has confirmed that online fitness is the number-one workout trend of the year.

What seemed like a temporary solution at the start of the pandemic has become a long-term part of the fitness landscape, even now gyms have reopened. Many fitness professionals are embracing a mix of in-person and digital workouts, known as ‘hybrid fitness’, in order to adapt to their clients’ new needs and schedules.

Hybrid fitness allows people to do smaller workouts throughout the day, whenever your schedule allows, instead of carving out time for one long workout. Like many instructors, I started online when we went into lockdown, mainly to ensure my personal training clients could continue their fitness journeys. Now, I offer online PT sessions and have continued to offer online fitness classes for all.

My ‘studio without walls’ is a separate online group that anyone can pay to join, even if you’re not a PT client, with a varied schedule that includes HIIT, cardio, weights, boxing for fitness, Pilates and yoga. I do, however, get to know all the people in the groups including injuries and obstacles they have, and I feel like they are part of my extended online fitness family. There are loads of fantastic ‘anonymous’ offerings out there but I like the fact that I can motivate by name, and am aware of injuries people may have. I must stress, if you have a medical condition or injuries, please be really careful if you decide to join an online class that doesn’t check on you, as you may injure yourself further. The same goes for live classes; a responsible instructor will always ask if you have any injuries or illness that they need to be aware of. If they don’t, I would be really cautious and choose an instructor that does.

I do think that you have to be careful you don’t isolate yourself too much though, and one thing I do try to encourage is different meet ups if possible and challenges. I intend to introduce a lot more of this into my groups: walks and mountain climbs are achievable by most people, challenging to everyone, but a great way to get fitter.

By Alex Robinson Level 4 Personal Trainer

with additional qualifications in GP referrals – Pre- & post-natal exercise. Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons. 01773 512410 • 07817 337861

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