How Consumers Stay Fit in the Age of COVID

While the pandemic has put a hold on many positive aspects of everyday life, exercise is an exception. Trying a new sport, purchasing new gear and making face coverings a new part of an activewear wardrobe emerged as key aspects of the 2020 COVID-19 experience. Only three percent of survey respondents replied “No” when asked, “did you purchase any apparel, footwear or related gear for a new sport or fitness activity in 2020.” And even these individuals explained, “But I rented gear for that sport activity.” Whether actually worn or not, face coverings are now recognized as a lifestyle item, with 54 percent of survey takers stating that a face covering is “an essential part of their active wardrobe.” When purchasing a mask, “fit” was a top priority in decision-making, with “fabric” ranked second. Interestingly, with all the talk about antimicrobials in the age of COVID, just six percent of individuals surveyed highlighted “antimicrobial” as a characteristic influencing their face covering purchase.  
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The survey, conducted by MESH01, included 373 respondents, men and women, ages 18 to 60 who identify themselves as active and outdoors.

LITTLE THINGS/BIG DIFFERENCE

‍‍Beanie and ear warmer to play golf in. Game changer when it’s cold out and you are trying to play a round of golf! Thick and insulated keeping your ears and head warm! – Male 29

‍My plug-in headlamp that I can charge from my iPhone chord. I run so early in the AM, so always having a charged headlamp has been key this past year! – Female 36

‍I recently purchased the best fitting sports bra I’ve ever owned. – Female 35

‍Jump rope - portable can use it anywhere. – Male 39

‍Wireless earbuds. Life-changing. – Female 51

EXERCISE AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

‍My treadmill. I was able to use it through the pandemic and do not have to worry about social distancing or a mask. – Female 36

‍Stand up paddle board. I used it 5x a week, and it naturally allowed for social distancing. – Female 28

‍Insect-shield tech tee for repelling insects while in the kayak. – Male 48

‍A golf push cart. It gave me a much better workout than riding in a golf cart. – Male 40

NEW SPORT AND/OR ACTIVITY

‍A pickleball racket because it’s my new fun sport. – Female 56

Running shoes - to have the right shoe for the right activity can make or break an activity - especially if you are trying it for the first time. – Male 59

‍Sport related apparel. It is important because it will mark the beginning of meeting my fitness goals and weight loss journey. – Female 47

‍My purchase of well-fit new running shoes with custom insoles from a “runner specialty store” was my most significant purchase because it jump-started my willingness to take up running, and I didn’t have to worry about pain from an ill-fitting shoe. – Female 33

HEALTHY AND PAIN FREE

‍‍Knee braces for support. – Male 52

‍Recovery supplements — it allowed me to feel less sore after a workout giving me more days to workout. – Male 25

‍Foam roller— made me loosen my back and knots from stress. – Female 39

‍Insoles for my shoes — helped me deal with pain I was having. – Female 43

‍New backpack—better fit and usage. I am able to backpack longer without pain – Male 33

Running/walking shoes—once we increased our walking due to Covid shutting things down, my feet were becoming more painful and tired. I realized I had been wearing one pair of shoes for both activities and it was ruining my feet. – Female 28

HOMEBOUND

‍Dumbbells— since I don’t have access to weights/a gym at the moment. – Female 26

‍Tennis shoes and yoga mats—significant because they each enabled me to continue to work out in my home. – Female 31

Bike trainer—to use with existing road bike that allowed me to do cardio workouts at home. – Male 39

Yoga pants— since I have to exercise in my house. – Female 44

True fitness treadmill— allowed indoor running. – Male 40

‍The best fitness-related item I purchased in 2020 was to have bought a treadmill, that helped me to continue doing my exercise indoors without having to go out or risk having contact with people. – Female 36‍

FOOTWEAR SPECIFIC

‍New running sneakers—to continue running through the pandemic. – Female 52

‍Trail shoes—I can use them for trail running, for hiking and for winter icy runs. – Female 44

‍Hiking boots—most significant because the time I spent outdoors on long duration events increased as I worked from home more allowing flexibility in work hours. – Male 51‍

BIKE SPECIFIC

‍Bikes for my kids—so we can ride as a family. – Male 37

‍My bike—because it helped break up the monotony of run/walking. – Male 48

‍Exercise bike—I can use it at anytime. – Male 41

‍New mountain bike—there’s nothing better than new bike day. – Male 45

‍Peloton bike—it allowed me to have access to cardio workouts that I did not have before. Also allows me to ride in any weather since I am Indoors. – Female 21

APPAREL SPECIFIC

‍Waterproof jacket—it’s a great windbreaker and actually keeps me dry when I’m hiking or running in the rain. – Female 25

Hydration vest—it can either use water bottles or has a bladder pouch. Also has room for jell packs and additional clothing. – Male 57

‍Yoga pants—because they fit perfectly. – Female 38

‍Leggings that I actually wear, vs a drawer full of ones I don’t! Great fit, long lasting fabric. – Female 27

OTHER COMMENTS

‍My yoga mat! I didn’t realize how much I needed it until the pandemic hit. – Female 26

‍Head lamp and lighted vest since we are lacking daylight. I live to be outside but want to see and be seen. – Female 50

‍Face mask with room to breathe. – Male 29

‍A Fitbit tracker. Really gives me insight on staying active and sleep patterns. I love it. – Female 51

‍A step counter. It really helped me see exactly how much movement I get in a day even when I am not working out. – Female 48

‍Kayak. I couldn’t kayak without one. – Male 43

‍I purchased a new mountain bike and a few kettle bells. The kettle bells and local park replaced my need to go to the gym and the mountain bike I have only had a few weeks but my goal is to really “up my game” and skills with this new mountain bike as it is more forgiving on technical terrain and for downhill riding. – Female 35