Exercise is essential for our well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regular physical activities can boost the immune system, relieve anxiety and stress, and prevent weight gain. But the pandemic has forced millions of people to stay at home, and many gyms remain closed. So many of us have to find new ways to stay fit.

In the latest episode of CGTN's livestreaming program "The Chat Room", aired on Thursday, CGTN invited fitness enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and instructors to share their stories about how they managed to work out during the pandemic and talk about the new fitness trends nowadays.

Live: Gym rats talk - Why fitness is essential for everyone?

Fitness industry during coronavirus

The fitness industry has changed dramatically during the pandemic. Gyms have closed, while online workout classes and fitness apps are witnessing exponential growth. Jamael Edwards, an American fitness trainer, said he used Zoom to train his customers without physically being with them. But he said it's still better to be at the gym as he can see the movements better, and the gym also offers more equipment.

Constantin Colberg, a German fitness entrepreneur living in Beijing, said the pandemic had brought many challenges to the gym industry. Many people have lost their jobs. His gym was shut down for 95 days due to the pandemic. So they had to find new ways to get revenue. Now he is still doing online classes. "Online training is harder to do than in-room classes. You don't have the ability to really see all the moves of the clients in 3D, which makes it tougher to help them," he said. 

But the pandemic has made more people aware of the importance of health. Ryan Bentson, Team Zero Gravity owner and coach said people have got more time to think about what is important in life, and there is a large shortage of exercise equipment. Many stores are completely sold out of all exercise equipment. People are building home gyms. More children get out to ride bikes. He said the pandemic has made more people realize the importance of being healthy, more people will work out once the gyms are reopened. "It's gonna be a huge improvement for the fitness industry," Ryan said.

How to keep fit?

Yin Pengbin, an orthopedic surgeon and fitness enthusiast, suggests that one needs a professional instructor to avoid sports injuries. Warm-up exercise and good equipment are necessary. For example, if you want to run, you need to have a good pair of running shoes. Also, one needs to be careful, stop doing exercise when feeling sick. If you cough or have body aches, it's time to take a break until the symptoms subside. 

Jamael Edwards said many professionals often ignore fitness because of their busy work. In fact, as long as you do exercise for 30 minutes every day, five days a week, you can get a good result. Talking about pregnant women, Constantine said keeping active with a trainer can not only help with delivery but also post-partum recovery. Proper exercise can be an effective way to prevent diabetes. Nina, a pilates teacher, and fitness studio co-owner, also agreed, saying that pregnant women can keep their bodies in good shape through proper exercise, even simple breathing exercises are beneficial. 

Travis Wang, aPowerlifter and coach, living in Shanghai, suggested that older people can also take strenuous exercise under the guidance of a trainer, such as running, which can increase bone density and help them keep healthy. 

The meaning of fitness

By shaping your body, you can also shape your mind and life, Constantin Colberg said. "Training helps you get back to track when you have difficult times. You learn how to push through difficult times. That's amazing part about fitness," he said.

Nina said she majored in banking, but she changed her career to become a pilates instructor. She said that she enjoys her current job and the changes that fitness has brought to her life. 

Travis said fitness had brought him a disciplined life, which makes him more confident. Regular exercise can also make life more purposeful.

For more:

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