Top Post-Covid Fitness and Leisure Experiences (and Their Hidden Benefits!)
Earlier this month, masks were made optional on public transit systems throughout New York. This marked the rolling back of one of the last coronavirus-related safety precautions in the state, as New York joined the rest of the country in easing masking and vaccination policies.
As we progressively return to pre-Covid freedom of movement, we’re seeing a spike in interest in fitness and leisure. Since the start of 2022, many of our fitness providers have been able to resume their classes and sessions as usual, along with many of the amenity spaces in the buildings served by URBN Playground.
We wanted to better understand how people’s preferences have changed after Covid, so we looked at the top fitness and leisure experiences our residents were booking on the URBN Playground App. Read on to learn more! And if you are one of the many people embarking on a post-Covid ‘Get back in shape’ effort too, we also share some inspiration and tips for the journey.
Top fitness and leisure experiences people are booking in 2022
Since January 1, 2022, these are the Top 10 fitness and leisure experiences residents are booking in buildings served by URBN Playground across New York, Arizona, Utah, Virginia, and Texas:
Swimming (Lap Lanes)
Golf / Sports Simulator
Basketball Court
Squash Court
Yoga Studio / Class
Video Game Room
Bowling Alley
Cardio Machines
Strength Training
Boxing Class
Five benefits of returning to in-person fitness experiences
According to a 2021 survey by ClassPass, the top 5 reasons people are returning to in-person classes are:
Better access to equipment
Feeling good physically and mentally
Pushing ourselves to achieve more
Receiving guidance from instructors
Greater accountability
1. Better access to equipment
At home, there are plenty of self-paced workouts you can do with just a yoga mat. But after a while, you might crave variety and the feeling of working out a different set of muscles that you can’t do with at-home equipment. The fitness bookings with the highest number of reservations are also those that require unique equipment that is not usually found at home.
2. Feeling good physically and mentally
There’s something about physically being in a different environment that allows us to mentally separate home and outside-the-home experiences. If the workout is outdoors, there’s the added benefit of feeling closer to nature and enjoying a cool breeze that works wonders for not just your physical but also mental health. During the pandemic, rates of mental health crises soared, and we are more aware than ever of the need to take a break to recharge our bodies as well as our minds.
3. Pushing ourselves to achieve more
When we are in a dedicated space to work out, without the distractions of home, from the television to pets or family members, we tend to be more focused and push ourselves to achieve a better quality workout.
4. Receiving guidance from instructors
Having expert guidance is another big reason to workout in a class or personal training setting, where you can get feedback on your form, and improve much more quickly than you would working out alone.
5. Greater accountability
When you work out in a group setting, there is a sense of community and accountability that you don’t get working out alone. Multiple studies have shown that when people work out in a group or with a friend, they are more likely to stick to a schedule, complete a fitness program, and achieve their fitness goals. The habits and behaviors of the people around us tend to rub off on us, and the added boost of friendly competition and encouragement makes workouts more fun too!
Fitness is a journey… and the journey is better shared
A recent survey by Forbes Health found that 56% of people feel more isolated since the onset of the pandemic, and 29% report feeling more depressed.
Yet there is extensive evidence that strong support systems have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression and improve coping mechanisms.
One way to ease into social settings to alleviate anxiety and depression is to find a common interest, and the huge variety of fitness-related activities provides plenty of options to choose from.
It doesn’t matter what you do, or how you start your next workout. You can start it frustrated, sad, depressed, anxious - but the most important thing is that you started. The person who started the workout will not be the same person that finishes it. And if you’re lucky, you’ll meet great people along the way to share the journey with.
From all of us at URBN Playground, we wish you many fun, mood-lifting, anxiety-busting, limit-shattering workouts, alone or in the company of other warriors like yourself!
Discover your next workout and new friends by booking a fitness experience in your building on the URBN Playground app today:
Download on Google Play | Download on App Store
Join the 30-Day URBN Burn Fitness Program
Change your life for the better in 30 days! Become part of a virtual fitness community in your neighborhood and hold each other accountable. Sign up for this fitness plan starting on the 15th of every month! Just download the app and look for “URBN Burn 30-Day Subscription” under Health & Fitness > Personal Training offerings.
What’s included?
✅ An exercise plan consisting of four weeks of workouts (option for both at-home and in-gym) created by our top #URBNBurn trainers
✅ Access a chatroom on the URBN app exclusive to members only where you can drop your inquiries, and a certified trainer will get back to you.
✅ A 60-minute group ZOOM session with URBN co-owner and certified personal trainer Amy Blitz that will include a 30-minute express workout, followed by a Q&A
