PETALING JAYA: A surge in many setting up their own home gyms during the movement control order (MCO) period is one of the reasons why people have yet to return to the fitness centres.
Under the recovery MCO, fitness centres were allowed to reopen since June 15.
Fitness enthusiast Tan Jeck Shen has been going to the gym for at least three times a week prior to the MCO.
Even though the gyms have reopened, Tan opted to work out at home instead as he had bought some equipment when the MCO was enforced in March.
“During the period, I learnt that a variety of exercises can be done at home, given that you have the right equipment,” said the finance manager.
Tan, 31, said he spent less than RM300 for the equipment that he needed to complete his workout programme.
Aside from that, the former personal trainer said time constraint was also another reason why he has stopped going back to the gym.
“With only one and a half hours for one slot of gym session, I feel it is a bit too tight.
“There are days when I can’t make it on time for my booked slot,” he said, adding that he preferred now to work out during his free time.
For Wan Muhd Faris bin Wan Yusoff, 25, he still preferred going to the gym, although it might not be as often as before the MCO.
Like Tan, he had also bought a set of gym equipment during the partial lockdown period.
“I used to go to the gym four to five times a week, but now I have reduced it to twice or three times per week,” Faris said.
The freelance designer used to compete in powerlifting competitions before the MCO but the pandemic forced such contests to be postponed to next year.
“I usually compete two or three times a year, so going to the gym is a necessity for me.
“During the MCO, I had to continue my training by setting up a mini gym at home,” he said, adding that he spent about RM1,800 through online purchases for the home gym setup that included a barbell, some dumbbells, weight plates, a squat rack and a bench.
Online sports equipment seller Ivy Sek said her sales sky-rocketed during the MCO period.
Her highest-selling products from her e-commerce platform store were light workout equipment like yoga mat and skipping rope.
“The sales increased tremendously due to the high demand as people were stuck at home but still wanted to maintain their health and fitness,” said the 39-year-old.
When asked if her sales have dropped after the reopening of gyms, Sek said sales have returned to pre-MCO period.
The increased interest in purchasing home workout equipment during MCO was also good news for the founder of Savage Gears Lim Jian Hung.
The 36-year-old said his fitness equipment supply store received many enquiries for home gym setup.
“The demand has been noticeably higher as the pandemic has changed the people’s behaviour and
lifestyle”, Lim said, adding that despite the reopening of gyms, sales were still higher than before the MCO.
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